Sermon Audio

Acts has already shown us the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ going forth in Jerusalem. Last week in Acts 8, we saw the gospel going forth into Samaria in power because believers were scattered by the persecution which arose on the day Stephen was executed. As we continue in Acts 8:9-25, again we see the power of the gospel to overthrow all powers and authorities. All people worship. Even those who do not worship the one true God, worship something. And it is the gospel alone that conquers whatever rules over the hearts of mankind. For the people of Samaria, that place of prominent influence is taken by a magician named Simon. "They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” (Acts 8:10). But when the gospel comes through Phillip they turn to Christ.

The power of the gospel is so profound that even Simon himself jumps on the bandwagon. Simon, however professes faith but does not posses faith. When Peter comes to Samaria, he tells Simon that he has no portion in the gospel because his "heart is not right before God" (Acts 8:21) and counsels him to repent and pray for forgiveness (v.22). Simon didn’t desire salvation or Jesus. Simon sought for more greatness and power as he offers to buy the gift of God with money. As we examine this section of Scripture, we see that the gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation, and that power is uncompromising. It cannot be bargained for or merited. All people must come the God on His terms and by His word.

Persecution breaks out in Jerusalem and the Christians are scattered from the city. As Saul ravages the church, believers flee to the areas of Judea and Samaria - and everywhere they go, they evangelize and proclaim the name of Jesus. Through all the persecution and suffering, God is using His people to advance the kingdom and make disciples.

Having paused our study in Acts in order to focus upon Christmas, this Sunday we will examine one of the most well-known prophecies of the Savior’s birth - Micah 5:1-7. When the wise men came from the east, asking Herod where the King of the Jews was to be born, it was this text that the chief priests quoted to show that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (See Matthew 2:1-6). Micah prophesied during a time of upheaval and fear in Israel. The Assyrians were conquering everything in their path and the people of Jerusalem were terrified that they would be next. Micah called the people to repent and turn to the Lord and he foretold the judgment that was coming. Yet in the midst of the doom and gloom, Micah also foretold a coming ruler - a Messiah who would be born in the tiny town of Bethlehem. He would be the shepherd of Israel and, Micah says, He will be their peace." Sunday we will examine how Jesus fulfills the prophetic picture that Micah puts forth. For those who seek peace, Jesus is the only answer. And that peace is what we celebrate in the coming of the Lord to Bethlehem. That peace is what the angels announced to the shepherds on that fateful night. That peace is our possession when we are united with Christ is salvation. For He shall be "our" peace - as Micah proclaims.

Jacob pronounces the prophetic blessings upon his 12 sons.

As Christmas quickly approaches, we will pause our study in Acts for a few weeks in order to focus our hearts on celebrating the incarnation of our Savior. God the Son took on the nature of man and was born in the likeness of a servant so that we might be reconciled to the Triune God. This Sunday we will also be led in worship by the children as they sing praises to our God and recite Scriptures testifying to His nature. As you prepare your hearts for worship, take a moment and read Luke 1:46-55. This is the song Mary sings as her heart is filled with praise, knowing that God has given her the blessing of bearing the Messiah. Her song is often called "The Magnificat" because the first word in the Latin text is Magnifies. She says, "My soul magnifies the Lord" and then breaks into a psalm of worship, thanksgiving, and rejoicing in who God is and for what He has done. As we center our thoughts on the birth of Jesus, our hearts should magnify the Lord. We should stand in awe of the glorious salvation that the Lord has given to us. Let us prepare our hearts to come together in worship of our King this Sunday.

This Sunday, we will finish Acts 7 and witness the execution of Stephen. This will most likely be our last sermon in Acts before Christmas. Stephen has been accused of blaspheming against God and against Moses. He has been taken before the Sanhedrin to answer the charges and throughout chapter 7, Stephen has taken the religious leaders on a trip through the history of God’s work among the Hebrews. He has shown that God’s presence with His people has not been confined to any land or temple throughout history. And when Stephen finally makes his point, he does so with a serrated edge. He calls them stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart. He tells them that their fathers had always persecuted those God sent to them and now they themselves have murdered the righteous one himself! (See 7:51-53).

But before Stephen can finish his sermon, he is interrupted by something amazing. God pulls back the veil and shows him that there is another court hearing Stephen’s testimony as he speaks. As Stephen marvels and announces what he sees, this will be the last straw in the minds of the Sanhedrin. This will lead to Stephen’s execution. But it is here that we see aspects of what it means to be a faithful witness for Christ. When we hear the reality of what Stephen is shown, the cost he is willing to pay, and the heart with which he prays as he dies, we see one who is like Christ having been transformed by His salvation and filled with His Spirit.

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Stephen has been arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin, accused of blasphemy against Moses and against God. If you remember from chapter 6, witnesses came forward saying that Stephen spoke against "this holy place" (meaning the Temple) and he was changing the customs handed down from Moses. In the bulk of chapter 7, Stephen will explain himself before the High Priest, and this powerful sermon will culminate in his execution. I tried to break up Stephen’s sermon several different ways and preach through it over several Sundays, but Stephen’s sermon culminates in a specific point to which his entire speech leads. Unless we deal with his sermon as a whole, we might easily get lost in the weeds and miss the overall point Stephen is making. So, we will look at Acts 7:1-53 this Sunday.

Stephen’s sermon surveys the history of God’s presence, blessing, and work among the people of Israel. He starts with Abraham, moves through Joseph, Moses, The Tabernacle, David and Solomon. The Sanhedrin and the crowd already know this history. They know the stories Stephen relates by heart. The Jews were extremely proud of their history. So as we look at his sermon, we won’t get bogged down in the details of the Old Testament narrative Stephen relates. Instead, we will focus on WHY Stephen is relating these stories to the Jews who already knew them so well. Stephen will show that God’s presence has never been constrained to one place or one building, And in Jesus, He is Emmanuel - God with us. He also shows them that Israel has a long history of rejecting the deliverance of God and disobeying His law - which the Sanhedrin are now doing in rejecting Jesus. Read Acts 7:1-53 before Sunday and be ready to trace Stephen’s argument as we examine a very important exposition of God’s purposes throughout the whole of redemptive history.

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/