January 12, 2012

Acts 7:1-38 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Matthew 5:21-26, Psalm 10:1-11, Genesis 20-21

Journal Entry

Scripture

And Stephen said: "Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran, ..." ... But as the time of the promise drew near which God had granted to Abraham, .. (vs 2, 17)

Observation

This is the sermon that Stephen preached when he was accused of blaspheming by the high priest. Instead of directly depending the accusation against him, Stephen used this opportunity to preach Jesus, the Righteous One (vs 52), by walking thru the stories of the Old Testament, starting from Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. However, Stephen's sermon was NOT a series of stories about the characters of the OT, but it was ONE story about God; God who appeared, said, removed, promised, spoke, was with him, sent, afflicted, judged, etc.. It was the story of God's promise and His intervention to fulfill the promise throughout the human history. And in that history, there were people who obeyed God's command, and experienced His promise being revealed, but there were also people who rejected and disobeyed. And later in the sermon, Stephen challenged the religious leaders, if they were repeating the same mistake/sin by rejecting Jesus.

Application

Two thoughts:
(1) I wonder who is the main character in my life and our lives? It is easy for us to think that we are the main character, and God is there to help and assist along the way. However, it is God who does all thru and in us -- to fulfill His purpose. Am I giving God HIs proper place in my daily living -- thus paying attention to HIs movement, or just living each day as if I am in control?
(2) Amazed by Stephen; how he uses all opportunities to preach Christ, rather than seeking to defend himself. And he did so thru the Scripture. He knew the Scripture so thoroughly that he was able to use it so well under the pressure. I want to continue to devote myself this year in study of the Scripture.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the examples like Stephen. Help me to be like him -- fill me with the Holy Spirit, and help me to grow in grace and knowledge and wisdom. That, none of what I do and say is from me, but it would be from You. In Jesus name, Amen

--yanahn