Acts 7 Stephen reverses the charges

So you might think that the world is going to make you pay for your faith, you know good deeds and acts of service never go unpunished right?

Well not exactly, people love kind acts of hospitality and generosity, that is why movies like it's a wonderful life rate as the number one most inspirational films of all time. When the whole town rally's together to help George; the one man who gives of himself constantly to everyone else. It's a real tear jerk-er, get's me every time, sniffle sniffle...

Anyways, back on topic - Ok, Stephen's kind acts persuaded many priest to join the faith seen in Acts 6:7. So why then did his generosity cause such an uproar? It was not the acts but the reason he chose to do such acts. It was his preaching in the name of Jesus that caused a revolt against his humble servitude. It says in chapter 6 that those who argued with him could not stand up against his wisdom and brought false charges against him.

It's Jesus message that shocks us as humans...

You mean I can't just chose any God to serve... I can't worship a carved image... I there is only one God of heaven and earth... Are you saying that I am a sinner in need for forgiveness... Are you saying that I don't really know God... How dare you say I am clinging to worthless tradition... How dare you imply that I am empty... How dare you imply that I am causing others to stumble... How dare you compare me to a lost dumb sheep... How dare you!

Yes Jesus' message causes many to take a step back and gasp at the audacity of the blatant truth that Jesus confronts us with. We are a sinner who falls short, even in our utmost devotion in our sincere traditions.

But it was not the message or the action that caused Stephen's death. Unlike Jesus Stephen did not keep silent before his accusers when "then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?"- Acts 7:1. Yet he did not try to defend himself, although it appeared to be the case as Stephen started his famous monologue of the Torah history. It appeared that he was stating a case for being an upright Jew who was completely inline with Jewish history. Yet that was not what happened...

Whether Stephen planned his speech or was led by God, Stephen went on the attack. He used the case that he just built to blame the religious leaders of the day for missing the messianic figure of Jesus. Not only did they miss the one the prophecies pointed to, but they were responsible for his blood. Right when they expected this feeder of the widows an orphans to say I am just an upright Jewish man who believes in Jesus; Stephen reverses the charges. He connects their acts to the acts of the religious hypocrites of old who wandered away from God in the desert and who persecuted the prophets.

Give me a moment while I just swallowed my gum, excuse me Stephen. You want to run that by me again?

Well, how would you feel if you knew this to be true! How would you feel if you knew the leaders who where judging you had blood on their hands and were guilty of much more then speaking the truth? You see the time line of Acts is just a few month after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The apostles after being brought to the synagogue for healing the sick continued to point out the recent fact that these leaders sentenced Jesus to death. The religious leaders said "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood"- Acts 5:27 to Peter and the other apostles.

It was in this environment that Stephen accused these leaders. These religious leaders had heard it all before but coming from this sweet little man who serves aunt Rita down at the soup kitchen was the last straw. This man with a face like an angel brought the thunder and they "covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him" - Acts 7:57-58

Yet after these charges were reversed Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." - Acts 7:59-60 He sent an appeal to God asking not to add this injustice to their account. Wow. Is it possible that these same men who stoned Stephen and Crucified Jesus could be found in the throne room of heaven?

That's a big thought! Could these men find the grace that God has been trying to extend this whole time to these people?

Jesus told us there is only one Judge and that it is God. We might say the whole lot of them will spend eternity in hell. Well if you would say that then you would have just condemed the apostle Paul to hell. For he stood with the coats of those who stoned Stephen approving of His death Acts 8:1. It is interesting to think who else might have yet been saved in that group and wonder what their unwritten stories are.

Acts 5 Ananias carried out

Interesting how the Lord guides and knows every detail to our lives, he knows our hearts and our intentions. I will be drawing images as they relate through our study in Acts. This week we read chapter 5 and I drew this image in response.

Acts 5:1-5 The passage...
"Now a man named Ananias together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for your self some of the money that you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God. When Ananias heard this, he fell down dead."

How appropriate that The Art Robbers blog gets kicked off with an image of a God Robber. I think it's a stark reminder that we may intend good as we start our careers with a purpose and passion for the Lord, but how we must guard from pleasing men and allowing the enemy a place in our hearts.

I recently caught myself lying to cover myself... Do I need to cover my weakness? Jesus demonstrated that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. Let me take on His character and let me reflect His power through my weakness. I think God wanted to remind me as we start this blog that its about our hearts be seen by God not about the praise of men.