Understanding Christ: The Law, Temple, and Rejection

 

Summary

In the book of Acts, we find Stephen, the first Christian martyr, standing before the Sanhedrin, accused of blasphemy against Moses, God, the temple, and the law. Stephen's defense is a profound exposition of Jewish history, aimed at revealing the tragic misunderstanding of the Jews regarding their own heritage. They prided themselves on being the people of God, descendants of Abraham, and custodians of the law given to Moses. Yet, they failed to grasp the true essence of these gifts, leading to their rejection of Jesus Christ, the very Messiah prophesied by Moses and the temple.

Stephen's argument is that the Jews' rejection of Christ stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of Moses, the law, and the temple. They were blind to the fact that these institutions pointed to Christ. This blindness is the greatest tragedy in human history, as it led to the rejection of the Savior. The Jews' pride in the law and the temple was misplaced because they never truly understood their significance. The law was not merely a set of rules but a revelation from God, a living word that pointed to the coming of Christ.

The modern world, much like the Jews of Stephen's time, continues to reject Christ and the Word of God. This rejection is the root cause of the world's chaos and individual failures. The Word of God, as given through Moses, is a living oracle that reveals the depth of human sin and the power of sin over humanity. It exposes the true nature of sin, not just as actions but as desires and thoughts that condemn us. The law was given to show humanity its utter helplessness and need for a Savior.

The law's purpose was never to save but to lead us to Christ. It reveals our guilt, our inability to satisfy God, and our need for a perfect sacrifice. The temple and its sacrifices were prophetic, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God. The Jews' misunderstanding of the law led them to reject Christ, but the law's true purpose is to bring us to Him, recognizing our need for His salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin highlights the tragic misunderstanding of the Jews regarding their own history and the law. They prided themselves on being the people of God but failed to see that the law and the temple pointed to Christ. This misunderstanding led to their rejection of the Savior. [05:29]

- The Word of God, as given through Moses, is a living oracle that reveals the depth of human sin. It exposes not just our actions but our desires and thoughts, showing us our true nature and our need for a Savior. [16:21]

- The law was given to reveal humanity's utter helplessness and need for Christ. It was never meant to save but to lead us to the Savior. The Jews' misunderstanding of this led to their rejection of Christ. [38:35]

- The temple and its sacrifices were prophetic, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The Jews' failure to understand this led them to reject the very Messiah they were waiting for. [53:49]

- The modern world's rejection of Christ and the Word of God is the root cause of its chaos and individual failures. The Word of God is the only revelation that can truly expose the nature of sin and lead us to salvation in Christ. [36:17]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Stephen's Defense
[00:56] - Charges Against Stephen
[02:04] - Stephen's Historical Argument
[03:23] - Misunderstanding of Jewish History
[04:52] - Rejection of Christ
[06:19] - The Tragedy of Misunderstanding
[07:21] - Moses and the Living Oracles
[08:27] - The Living Word and Its Significance
[10:06] - Modern Rejection of Christ
[11:20] - The Nature of the Word of God
[14:53] - The Message of the Law
[16:21] - The Depth of Sin
[23:26] - The Power of Sin
[32:38] - The Perverting Power of Sin
[38:35] - Helplessness and Need for Christ
[46:58] - The Law and God's Satisfaction
[53:49] - Prophetic Nature of the Temple
[56:09] - The Law as a Schoolmaster to Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 7:37-38
2. Romans 7:7-25
3. Hebrews 4:12-13

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Observation Questions:

1. What were the charges brought against Stephen by the Sanhedrin, and how did he respond to these accusations? ([01:29])

2. How does Stephen use Jewish history to make his defense before the Sanhedrin? What is his main argument? ([03:23])

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the "living oracles" that Moses received? ([08:05])

4. How does the sermon describe the modern world's rejection of Christ and the Word of God? ([09:49])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Stephen's understanding of the law and the temple differ from that of the Sanhedrin, and what implications does this have for their rejection of Christ? ([05:14])

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the law reveals the depth of human sin and the need for a Savior? How does this understanding challenge common perceptions of morality? ([16:21])

3. How does the sermon explain the purpose of the temple sacrifices, and what do they ultimately point to? ([53:49])

4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of pride in the Jews' misunderstanding of their own history and the rejection of Christ? ([05:29])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of the law and its purpose. How does this understanding affect your view of your own need for Christ? ([38:35])

2. The sermon suggests that the modern world is in chaos due to the rejection of Christ. In what ways have you seen this in your own life or community, and how can you respond to it? ([36:17])

3. Consider the idea that the law exposes not just actions but desires and thoughts. How does this change your perspective on sin in your own life? ([16:21])

4. Stephen's defense highlights the importance of understanding the true essence of religious practices. Are there any religious practices or beliefs in your life that you might be misunderstanding? How can you seek clarity? ([05:14])

5. The sermon emphasizes the need for a perfect sacrifice. How does this understanding of sacrifice influence your relationship with Christ and your approach to worship? ([53:49])

6. Reflect on a time when pride may have blinded you to a deeper truth. How can you cultivate humility to better understand and accept God's Word? ([05:29])

7. How can you actively engage with the Word of God to better understand its message and apply it to your life? What steps can you take this week to deepen your study and reflection? ([10:22])

Devotional

Day 1: Misunderstanding Our Spiritual Heritage
Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin reveals a profound misunderstanding among the Jews regarding their own spiritual heritage. They prided themselves on being the people of God, descendants of Abraham, and custodians of the law given to Moses. However, they failed to grasp the true essence of these gifts, leading to their rejection of Jesus Christ, the very Messiah prophesied by Moses and the temple. This misunderstanding is not just a historical error but a spiritual tragedy, as it led to the rejection of the Savior. The Jews' pride in the law and the temple was misplaced because they never truly understood their significance. The law was not merely a set of rules but a revelation from God, a living word that pointed to the coming of Christ. [05:29]

Acts 7:51-53 (ESV): "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it."

Reflection: In what ways might you be misunderstanding or misapplying your spiritual heritage? How can you seek a deeper understanding of God's purpose for you today?


Day 2: The Living Word and Human Sin
The Word of God, as given through Moses, is a living oracle that reveals the depth of human sin. It exposes not just our actions but our desires and thoughts, showing us our true nature and our need for a Savior. This revelation is crucial because it helps us understand the power of sin over humanity and our utter helplessness without divine intervention. The law was given to show humanity its need for a Savior, not as a means of salvation itself. By understanding the true nature of sin, we can better appreciate the necessity of Christ's sacrifice and our need for His grace. [16:21]

Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Reflection: What hidden desires or thoughts might God be revealing to you through His Word? How can you bring these before Him in repentance and seek His transforming grace?


Day 3: The Law's Purpose to Lead Us to Christ
The law was given to reveal humanity's utter helplessness and need for Christ. It was never meant to save but to lead us to the Savior. The Jews' misunderstanding of this led to their rejection of Christ. The law's true purpose is to bring us to Him, recognizing our need for His salvation. By understanding the law's role, we can better appreciate the grace offered through Jesus and the freedom found in His sacrifice. This understanding calls us to a deeper reliance on Christ and a recognition of our need for His redemptive work in our lives. [38:35]

Galatians 3:24-25 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."

Reflection: How has the law served as a guardian in your life, pointing you to Christ? In what ways can you embrace the freedom and grace found in Jesus today?


Day 4: The Prophetic Nature of the Temple
The temple and its sacrifices were prophetic, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The Jews' failure to understand this led them to reject the very Messiah they were waiting for. The temple was not just a place of worship but a symbol of God's promise and the coming of the ultimate sacrifice. By recognizing the prophetic nature of the temple, we can see the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ and the significance of His sacrifice for our salvation. This understanding invites us to worship with a deeper appreciation for the work of Christ and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. [53:49]

Hebrews 9:11-12 (ESV): "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."

Reflection: How does understanding the prophetic nature of the temple deepen your appreciation for Christ's sacrifice? How can this understanding transform your worship and relationship with God today?


Day 5: The Modern Rejection of Christ
The modern world's rejection of Christ and the Word of God is the root cause of its chaos and individual failures. The Word of God is the only revelation that can truly expose the nature of sin and lead us to salvation in Christ. In a world that often dismisses the truth of the Gospel, it is crucial to recognize the transformative power of God's Word and the salvation offered through Jesus. By embracing the truth of the Gospel, we can find hope, healing, and purpose in a chaotic world. This calls us to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing His love and truth with those around us. [36:17]

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

Reflection: In what ways might you be influenced by the world's rejection of Christ? How can you stand firm in the truth of the Gospel and be a light to those around you today?

Quotes



Stephen and the others were proclaiming that Jesus of Nazareth is the only begotten Son of God and that he'd come into the world to save the world and that he is the only Savior they'd sent it neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. [00:04:24]

The real reason why they are rejecting Christ is because they never understood missus never understood the law of Moses never understood the real meaning of the temple now this is this is maybe something which is quite astounding it is of course the great tragedy the greatest tragedy that has ever happened in the whole story of the human race. [00:05:10]

The greatest tragedy of any individual or of any group of people is to refuse and to reject and to fail to understand the Word of God now then that's exactly why I'm calling attention to it I'm not just interested in the case of Steven I know you're not as such you know our world is on fire it was in a desperate condition. [00:09:01]

Christianity is a word from God it's a revelation Moses received on that Mount Sinai as I put it last Sunday night Moses didn't go conquer Mount Sinai who entered into a sort of retreat in order that he might have time to do the search word and to think in peace and quiet and evolve this theory and come down and give it to the people. [00:11:04]

The law was given through Moses in order that this thing which are thought tells us might be revealed to us opened out to us made so plain to us that nobody can get away from it now that was the whole object and function of the giving of the law I could give you many quotations to establish would have just been saying. [00:21:42]

The law was given to reveal to us our utter and complete helplessness that was the whole tragedy of the Pharisees that was the tragedy of these members of the Sanhedrin why are they rejected Christ the answer was they thought that they were satisfying God as they were and by their own efforts there's no other reason. [00:38:35]

The law was never designed to save anybody for no man can save himself by keeping the law by the law is the knowledge you sit by the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight why then did God ever give the law I've already given you the answer God gave the law to mankind and it speaks the human to me this evening this message. [00:55:37]

The purpose of this word that was given by God through Moses to the children of Israel was to bring home toward their sinfulness their lost condition they reviewed the punishment that was coming and the lead of some propitiation which they could never supply themselves God tells them that by the temple and it's ceremonial. [00:56:09]

The Jews rejected whom the son he didn't is still rejected that's their blindness listen since Stephen can't you see you misunderstood all the things of which are bursting and you're doing damnation on yourselves see it repent believe give yourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ recognizing him the Lamb of God the savior of the world. [00:57:09]

The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ God never gave the law to the children of Israel in order that they might save themselves by keeping the law God knew they couldn't keep them all their consciences were already condemning them and to define the thing makes it still more difficult that sin that we come exceeding simple. [00:58:37]

The law was given to reveal humanity's utter helplessness and need for Christ. It was never meant to save but to lead us to the Savior. The Jews' misunderstanding of this led to their rejection of Christ. [00:59:29]

The temple and its sacrifices were prophetic, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The Jews' failure to understand this led them to reject the very Messiah they were waiting for. [01:00:29]

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Transcript
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