Bible Study on SermonAudio

Have you ever met someone who had a strong opinion about a controversial topic? For instance, someone might believe in reincarnation, a woman's right to abortion for any reason, the need for reparations for descendants of American slaves, freedom of speech, the legitimacy of socialism/communism, the need for unity among Christian denominations, illegal immigration, the right to free healthcare, medical benefits, and food assistance, perverse views about human sexuality, that evolution is the best explanation for how we got here, the right to defend your family with a deadly weapon, how to raise a family, or who is the best college football team. All of these ideas have been expressed by different people at different times, but are they right?

Ecclesiastes 5:2 "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few." King James Version

Peter's denial and Judas' betrayal compared. Mock trials, shameful beatings and mockery.

This Bible study examines the final portion of Stephen's defense in Acts chapter 7, highlighting the recurring pattern of Israel rejecting God's appointed deliverers, from Joseph and Moses to the prophets and ultimately Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that the nation's history is marked by stubbornness and idolatry, such as the golden calf and the worship of the temple itself, rather than the God who dwells in heaven. Stephen confronts the leaders with their spiritual uncircumcision and their role in betraying the Righteous One, contrasting their resistance with his own vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The narrative concludes with Stephen's martyrdom, noting his final words of forgiveness and submission to Christ, which mirror the Savior's own prayers on the cross. This account serves as a convicting call to repentance and a comforting reminder of the hope found in the risen Lord.

Ecclesiastes 4:2 "Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive." King James Version

Para ayudar a los hermanos inmaduros, Pablo tenía que ayudarles a entender el raíz de sus divisiones.

Despicable Preachers

At first glance, the first few verses in Chapter 4 appear to be very benign. The King James ​V​ersion translates this, "We should be accounted as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." What's the big deal? The Bible calls us servants and stewards in a bunch of places. The Greek word Paul uses (that most translators convert to servant in English) changes everything. That Greek word is *hyporetes* made up of two words – Hypo (pronounced hoop-o), meaning *under*, and *eretes*, meaning *rower* or *under-rowers*. It was also what Greeks called anyone who was ​of the lowest order, certainly not someone in charge, but ​rather living a life ​controlled ​b​y someone else. Paul used that word and *steward* in describing how people should regard leaders. In fact, he goes on to say ministers should not be regarded as superior​ (1Co 4.7). Humble, servant-leaders are ​such a rarity today ​most people think that is weak leadership, but that is what Paul said every leader should epitomize.

If we fail to understand the truth of what Jesus has done for us, we will continue living as though we are still slaves to sin and self. The blood of Jesus has not only forgiven us all of our individual sins, but has also legally separated us from our servitude to sin itself. The chains to our previous enslavement are broken.