Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
After High School I worked for a couple of years and then I made the decision to attend a Christian military based academy, called ALERT, that used military structure while teaching disaster relief and trade skills (S).
The first ten weeks were like a boot camp.
Daily PT, uniforms, hiking, drill and ceremony, as well as bible memorization (S).
It was easily one of the hardest things I have ever done.
The purpose of any boot camp is to wear you down to where you can be refashioned.
In the military it is to refashion you into a fighting regiment.
At the school I attended the purpose was to refashion us into godly men.
What is interesting to me, looking back, is to see how varied the reactions were to the difficulty of basic training.
Within the first two weeks probably 15 guys left.
It was too difficult!
But for those of us who stayed, the difficulty made us stronger and more dependent on the Lord and our fellow men to get us through the hard times!
Difficulty and trial have two results.
Strength that leads to bold proclamation or fear that leads to silence.
vv.
57-60 - present here is the contrast between Stephen and those stoning him.
Previously in our journey through Acts we have looked at Stephen’s miracles and his message.
Today we examine how Stephen’s Martyrdom Intensifies The Persecution 7:54-8:3.
What we are also going to learn today is that Stephen’s martyrdom leads to an expansion of the gospel.
Yes the persecution is intensified, but so is the witnessing.
This presents us with a challenge.
The trials we face can shut us up, weaken our faith, and leave us doubting.
Stephen’s Martyrdom Intensifies The Persecution 7:54-8:3
Or.
What we are going to learn today is that Stephen’s martyrdom leads to an expansion of the gospel.
Yes the persecution is intensified, but so is the witnessing.
The trials we face can embolden us, empower us, and increase our faith.
This presents us with a challenge.
The trials we face can either shut us up, weaken our faith, and leave us doubting.
Or.
The trials we face can embolden us, empower us, and increase our faith.
You and I choose which result trials will have in our lives.
While there may have been some in the early church who flaked under persecution.
The record here reveals that trials lead the church to spread the gospel, and grow.
You and I choose which result trials will have in our lives.
While there may have been some in the early church who flaked under persecution.
The record here reveals that trials led the church to spread the gospel, and grow.
Suffering can grow and mature us.
I believe that is God’s desire and purpose in the trials.
Ultimately, however, the decision to grow or not lies with you and me.
What will we choose?
As we look at Stephen’s martyrdom we find…
1. Martyrdom Provoked By Conviction vv.
54-60
Stephen’s powerful and direct message was crafted to bring conviction on the Sanhedrin.
There are only two possible responses to conviction.
Acceptance leading to repentance or rejection leading to hardness.
We will see their response as we go here.
They are convicted in two ways.
First, they are…
a. Convicted by Christ’s identity vv.
54-56
They have just heard Stephen’s message which wrapped up by accusing them of resisting the Holy Spirit and persecuting the prophets just as their fathers.
Hearing this cuts them to the heart in v. 54.
This same idea is found in 5:33 when the Sanhedrin responds to Peter’s declaration of the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ.
These men are convicted by the Holy Spirit and so they gnash at Stephen with their teeth.
This is expression of deep resentment and rage.
To be so angry that you grind your teeth.
This is often pictured as being done in defiance of God.
They have just heard Stephen’s message which wrapped up by accusing them of resisting the Holy Spirit and persecuting the prophets just as their fathers.
Hearing this cuts them to the heart.
This same idea is found in 5:33 when the Sanhedrin responds to Peter’s declaration of the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ.
These men are convicted by the Holy Spirit and so they gnash at Stephen with their teeth.
This refers to what we would perceive as an odd ancient custom.
It as expression of deep resentment and rage.
To be so angry that you grind your teeth.
This is often pictured as being done in defiance of God.
This is their response to the conviction engendered by Stephen’s message.
Though they feel the conviction, they respond with rage.
This is what we see in our world.
Conviction will either bring someone to Christ, or it will bring additional hardness.
As they grind their teeth in rage, Stephen gets a glimpse of the glory of God in v. 55. “Saw” is an active verb.
This is not a hypothetical statement or a dream.
This is literal.
Stephen, looking up into heaven, physically sees the glory of God and Jesus.
What a vision to have!
This is the fourth time Stephen is identified as being full of the Holy Spirit.
His unhindered fellowship with the Holy Spirit enables him to see what he does here.
Stephen gazes into heaven and sees the glory of God.
He also sees Jesus standing at God's right hand.
1.
The glory of God v. 55
Saw is an active verb.
This is not a hypothetical statement or a dream.
This is literal.
Stephen, looking up into heaven, physically sees the glory of God and Jesus.
7:55 – What a vision to have!
7:55 – What a vision to have!
This is the fourth time Stephen is identified as being full of the Holy Spirit.
His unhindered fellowship with the Holy Spirit enables him to see what he does here.
Stephen gazes into heaven and sees the glory of God.
He also sees Jesus standing at God's right hand.
This is the only time we have Christ standing in heaven.
Every other time we have reference to Christ in heaven it is of Him seated.
A podcast that I listen to (Saving grace 4/11/17) said that He is standing to receive the first martyr.
I love this thought!
Here stands our intercessor and High priest to receive the first martyr of the church age!
Also present here is the reality that Christ’s work is finished and through Him we have access to the Father.
Also present here is the reality that Christ’s work is finished and through Him we have access to the Father.
What I believe sets off the Sanhedrin is what Stephen says in v. 56 concerning the position of Christ.
It is interesting that Stephen doesn’t mention seeing the glory of God.
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