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01 Acts 07 01-53 THE MESSAGE OF STEPHEN’ 01 Acts 07 01 We are not here to save ourselves
📖 Acts 07:01-53
01 – 09Aug2023 – *We are not here to save ourselves* - _Acts 07:01-53_ - THE MESSAGE OF STEPHEN - Bible reading: _Matthew 26:62-64_
“Lord Jesus, teach us how to be Holy Spirit-led, in all situations so that we will know how to respond to those who accuse us. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
Acts 7:1 Then the high priest said, "Are these things so?"
The high priest, who saw the glory of God on Stephen, asked this question, _"Are these things so?"_
Was this not the Holy Spirit who made the high priest ask this question? It was the answer to this question, which is the content of almost the entire chapter of _Chapter 7_. This message of Stephen was a defence of the Gospel. This was God orchestrating the situation for His purposes. Stephen seized this opportunity and gave a majestic defence of the gospel, which has echoed through history.
God made several plagues to fall on Pharoah, his people and the land. Yet, Pharoah hardened his heart and he paid the penalty for fighting against God. What was it that the Lord was accomplishing?
_Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I HAVE RAISED YOU UP, *THAT I MAY SHOW MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MAY BE DECLARED IN ALL THE EARTH*."_
The Lord was declaring His name in all the earth.
I had said earlier that we should not fall into the trap of defending ourselves when people question us regarding our faith and obedience to Christ. I wish to make a distinction.
*I meant that we need not defend ourselves, for the sake of protecting ourselves from persecution, but we must give a defence of the message of faith and obedience to Jesus.*
Stephen was not defending himself in order to escape from the harm, that the crowd was intending. Since Stephen was free of the pressure of trying to save himself in this volatile situation, he was able to unleash on this audience the wisdom, love as well as the pain and wrath of God’s heart on His people.
*Since we are fearful of what will happen to us, we hold back when the opportunity presents itself to share the gospel of Jesus.*
_Matthew 26:62-64 And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?" (63) But *Jesus kept silent*. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: *Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" (64) Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."*_
The high priest compelled Jesus to respond to the testimonies against Him but at this point, the Lord remained silent. Whereas Stephen took the opportunity to present the gospel.
The lesson here for us is that it is the Holy Spirit who will guide us in each case. Therefore, it is crucial for us to be led by the Holy Spirit so that we will respond the way the Lord would want us to reply.
John tells us that Jesus did respond when the high priest asked Him about His disciples and His doctrine. _John 18:19-21 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. (20) Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. (21) Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said."_
God’s word had gone out to the people and the people were now answerable and accountable for the word which they had heard. It was the people who needed to testify what the Lord's words had meant to them and what they had done to believe and obey His word.
As we encounter these situations, we ought to ask the people who question us regarding their understanding of God and their response to Him. *_Romans 1:19-21 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. (20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, (21) because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened._*
Jesus made people be confronted with their own foolishness and darkness. He longed that even as they accused Him, they would realise their futility, they would repent, return and be reconciled with Him.
Even with Pilate, the Lord was longing for this man to come to Him and be restored. _John 18:33-34 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" (34) Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?"_
```The church must be led by His Holy Spirit to handle each situation the way the Lord would have us to, keeping in mind that we are not saving ourselves but we are losing ourselves for Christ and the gospel.```