20 At that time Moses was born, and he was noordinarychild. For three months he was cared for by his
21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh‘s daughtertook him and brought him up as her own son. - P40
29 When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where hesettled as a foreigner and had two sons. 30 After fortyyears had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in theflames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.
- P41
31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As hewent over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say:32 ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob.‘ Moses trembled with fear and did notdare to look. - P41
38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with theangel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with ourancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us39 But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, therejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. - P42
45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors underJoshua brought it with them when they took the landfrom the nations God drove out before them. It re-mained in the land until the time of David, 46 whoenjoyed God‘s favor and asked that he might provide adwelling place for the God of Jacob. - P43
Stephen continues his speech: Moses was chosen to lead God‘s people outof Egypt but the Israelites asked Aaron to make them a god, so God gavethem over to their idol worship. - P41
Then, David came along, who asked to builda dwelling place for God. Solomon built the temple, but Stephen quotesIsaiah to point out that God does not live in houses made by human hands. - P41
Did God decide to send His Son as a last resort after all His otherplans failed? Not at all! Throughout history, God had carefully laid thegroundwork for the coming of Christ. - P44
In the story of Moses, we see thatGod is mighty to save His people, and Moses himself prophesied of agreat prophet who would come after him (v. 37). - P44
It is important that weunderstand this history because without it, Christianity becomes a reli-that was invented by a groupof men twothousand years ago. - P44
But as we study Scripture, we realize that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment ofGod‘s promise to save His people. Jesus was always God‘s solution tothe problem of sin. - P44
Sometimes even good things can become hindrances to our spiritualgrowth. One example of this is when we put our confidence in thingslike our education, our family background, or our job title instead of inthe salvation Jesus provides. - P44
If we think such things give us special favorwith God, it can lead to pride that hardens our hearts and leads us awayfrom Him. That was what was happening with Stephen‘s accusers. - P44
Theyplaced their confidence in the temple, in Moses and the patriarchs, andin the traditions of the past. This prevented them from seeing that theyneeded Jesus. - P44
May we never let good, even God-given gifts blind usfrom the truth that Jesus is the only way to salvation. - P44
Father, I want to fully depend upon You. Forgive me for trusting myself andother people instead of You. - P44
I know I can trust You because You fulfilled Yourplan to save us through Your Son, Jesus. Thank you for that indescribable gift!
In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P44
(NIV) 51 "You stiff-necked people!
Your hearts and earsare still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors:You always resist the Holy Spirit!
- P46
52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not per-secute? They even killed those who predicted the comingof the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed andmurdered him-53 you who have received the law thatwas given through angels but have not obeyed it." - P46
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, lookedheaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing atthe right hand of God. - P46
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the topof their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged himof the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, thewitnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young mannamed Saul. - P47
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "LordJesus, receive my spirit."
60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, donot hold this sin against them." When he had said this,
he fell asleep.
- P47
Stephen calls the Sanhedrin stiff-necked and disobedient to the law. - P47
They getvery angry upon hearing this and yell at him as they drag him out of the cityto stone him. But Stephen is full of the holy Spirit and looks up and sees Jesus.
- P47
As he is being stoned, Stephen prays that this sin will not be held against hismurderers. - P47
Saul is there and approves of the killing. - P47
We all want to understand God‘s Spirit and what He is doing. But thisis not an ability based on religious background or even knowledge. Ittakes a humble and sensitive heart to recognize God‘s work in our livesand in those around us. - P48
Stephen condemns his opponents as stubbornand ungodly because they resist the Holy Spirit. - P48
They resist even thoughGod spoke to them through prophets and angels. The work of God isunfolding before their eyes, but they cannot recognize it. - P48
This is a realdanger for us too. If we allow our hearts to harden and our eyes to bedistracted, this can prevent us from recognizing and joining God inHis work. - P48
Stephen is stoned to death and becomes the first martyr of the church.
If the story had stopped here, it may have seemed like his death ac-complished little. - P48
But a young man named Saul is standing to the side,
watching this all happen. On this day, Saul is one of Stephen‘s perse-cutors, but soon he will be persecuted himself for preaching Christ.
- P48
Perhaps Stephen‘s death is what he envisioned when he later wrotethe words, "to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). - P48
Stephen‘sexecution also leads to intensified persecution against believers, whichscatters them throughout the region and furthers the spread of the gospel. - P48
When a Christian dies for his or her faith, it is never in vain. Godcan use us in both life and death to accomplish His purposes. - P48
Father, I am thankful that You can bring good things from tragic situations.
Even when I suffer, You can accomplish Your purposes through my life. - P49
Although I am weak and sinful,
please use me to be a blessing to others. InJesus‘ name, amen. - P49
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