History Lessons
What was your favorite subject in school? For me, history was not one of them. It required too much reading. And I wasn’t really into reading. I preferred Math or PE, which probably doesn’t surprise anyone. It wasn’t until I got to seminary that I learned to enjoy history more. And I learned the importance of history, as the saying goes, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Even if history isn’t your favorite subject, there are so many valuable lessons that we can learn from it. And in Acts 7, Stephen provides a history lesson for the religious leaders, so that they might learn from the past and not repeat the same mistakes.
And that’s what we discovered on Sunday, as we began to unpack Stephen’s sermon. He took us on a journey to see that God’s presence was never limited by or restricted to the temple or the promised land alone as the place where God would be with his people, provide for his people or bless his people. Those places that we read about in Scripture had a unique role in the story of Israel, but they pointed beyond themselves to Christ.
Stephen shows from this history lesson that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not at odds with the Old Testament. It is not at odds with the land, the law, or the temple.
And this becomes evident when you consider God’s Presence. Israel’s Rebellion. And Christ as the fulfillment of God’s saving promises.
This past Sunday, we began with “The Journey and God’s Presence.” Special attention was given to tracing the story of Abraham and Joseph.
We discovered three movements as Stephen began this message.
#1 – God’s presence was with Abraham. (Acts 7:1-5)
Something that I didn’t spend enough time on in my sermon, was this opening comment by Stephen in verse 2 – “Brothers and fathers, hear me.”
He is calling the people to consider and pay attention to what he has to say concerning these things. Though it is a history lesson, it is not merely a history lesson. It demands a response from them. They must respond to his words. We must respond to his words.
And the point Stephen is making is that God’s presence was with Abraham outside the land and the temple. God’s presence and power must not be limited to a place.
This matters because so often we think we can only experience the presence of God, if we are in a certain location. Whether it’s Israel, Rome, nature, or the sanctuary of the church.
But we must recognize that the presence of God is found in a PERSON, namely, Jesus Christ.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (tabernacled among us).” – John 1:14.
In Jesus, God’s presence has arrived. And for those who trust in Christ, God’s presence dwells within them. For we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
God is present to bless and provide for his people wherever they are found trusting in Christ. The location doesn’t matter. God is with you wherever you go! God is with us wherever we are located as a church as well.
#2 – God makes promises to Abraham. (Acts 7:6-8)
God not only called Abraham to leave his land and kindred and go to the land that he would show him. But God also made a covenant with Abraham. God promised to give him land, seed, and blessing. For through Abraham, all nations of the earth will be blessed.
Stephen doesn’t fully unpack this, but focuses on their journey to the land. That his offspring would be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and be afflicted for 400 years. And then God would judge that nation, so that his people would be delivered “to worship God.”
That’s the goal of the exodus. That’s the goal of this whole journey. It is TO WORSHIP GOD!
That’s the goal of our lives. It is to give glory to God. To worship Him alone!
God saves a people for Himself, from bondage, so that we might be freed to worship and devote our entire lives to Him.
And this involves loving people in such a way that they too become worshipers of God and fulfill the purpose for which they are made.
It is so easy to fall into a trap of the isolated individual life, that we could just think, “I’m worshiping God.” And yet, have little to no concern for those who aren’t worshiping God.
I still remember in college, John Piper saying something to the effect of “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” We tell people about Jesus, so that they too can worship Him alone! We make Christ known so that He might be glorified. We evangelize, because people are worshiping and serving the created things, rather than the Creator – who is forever praised.
#3 – God preserves Joseph. (Acts 7:9-16)
Stephen transitioned to the story of Joseph, which falls under the Abrahamic covenant, and the promises that God made to his people. Joseph faced great difficulty from his own brothers. He was mistreated and rejected by his own people. And yet, God was with him. And God blessed him in Egypt.
This serves again, to remind the Jewish leaders that God was with Joseph and preserved him in a foreign land. God’s blessing was revealed beyond the promised land.
God’s presence was never about a place. It was always about a Person. And that Person is Jesus Christ! He is the place where Gods’ presence is found. He is the meeting place between God and man.
When you encounter Jesus, you encounter God’s presence.
What do you need to learn from this history lesson? Where are you looking to experience God’s presence?
Look to Christ! God’s presence is with you on this journey in life, as you cling to Christ. He will keep His promises. He will preserve us to the end.
For this week: Read Acts 7:17-43
And that’s what we discovered on Sunday, as we began to unpack Stephen’s sermon. He took us on a journey to see that God’s presence was never limited by or restricted to the temple or the promised land alone as the place where God would be with his people, provide for his people or bless his people. Those places that we read about in Scripture had a unique role in the story of Israel, but they pointed beyond themselves to Christ.
Stephen shows from this history lesson that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not at odds with the Old Testament. It is not at odds with the land, the law, or the temple.
And this becomes evident when you consider God’s Presence. Israel’s Rebellion. And Christ as the fulfillment of God’s saving promises.
This past Sunday, we began with “The Journey and God’s Presence.” Special attention was given to tracing the story of Abraham and Joseph.
We discovered three movements as Stephen began this message.
#1 – God’s presence was with Abraham. (Acts 7:1-5)
Something that I didn’t spend enough time on in my sermon, was this opening comment by Stephen in verse 2 – “Brothers and fathers, hear me.”
He is calling the people to consider and pay attention to what he has to say concerning these things. Though it is a history lesson, it is not merely a history lesson. It demands a response from them. They must respond to his words. We must respond to his words.
And the point Stephen is making is that God’s presence was with Abraham outside the land and the temple. God’s presence and power must not be limited to a place.
This matters because so often we think we can only experience the presence of God, if we are in a certain location. Whether it’s Israel, Rome, nature, or the sanctuary of the church.
But we must recognize that the presence of God is found in a PERSON, namely, Jesus Christ.
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (tabernacled among us).” – John 1:14.
In Jesus, God’s presence has arrived. And for those who trust in Christ, God’s presence dwells within them. For we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
God is present to bless and provide for his people wherever they are found trusting in Christ. The location doesn’t matter. God is with you wherever you go! God is with us wherever we are located as a church as well.
- Where have you thought we truly experience the presence of God?
#2 – God makes promises to Abraham. (Acts 7:6-8)
God not only called Abraham to leave his land and kindred and go to the land that he would show him. But God also made a covenant with Abraham. God promised to give him land, seed, and blessing. For through Abraham, all nations of the earth will be blessed.
Stephen doesn’t fully unpack this, but focuses on their journey to the land. That his offspring would be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and be afflicted for 400 years. And then God would judge that nation, so that his people would be delivered “to worship God.”
That’s the goal of the exodus. That’s the goal of this whole journey. It is TO WORSHIP GOD!
That’s the goal of our lives. It is to give glory to God. To worship Him alone!
God saves a people for Himself, from bondage, so that we might be freed to worship and devote our entire lives to Him.
And this involves loving people in such a way that they too become worshipers of God and fulfill the purpose for which they are made.
It is so easy to fall into a trap of the isolated individual life, that we could just think, “I’m worshiping God.” And yet, have little to no concern for those who aren’t worshiping God.
I still remember in college, John Piper saying something to the effect of “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” We tell people about Jesus, so that they too can worship Him alone! We make Christ known so that He might be glorified. We evangelize, because people are worshiping and serving the created things, rather than the Creator – who is forever praised.
- Did you know that you were made for a purpose?
- How have you thought about your purpose?
- Are you striving to fulfill your purpose?
#3 – God preserves Joseph. (Acts 7:9-16)
Stephen transitioned to the story of Joseph, which falls under the Abrahamic covenant, and the promises that God made to his people. Joseph faced great difficulty from his own brothers. He was mistreated and rejected by his own people. And yet, God was with him. And God blessed him in Egypt.
This serves again, to remind the Jewish leaders that God was with Joseph and preserved him in a foreign land. God’s blessing was revealed beyond the promised land.
God’s presence was never about a place. It was always about a Person. And that Person is Jesus Christ! He is the place where Gods’ presence is found. He is the meeting place between God and man.
When you encounter Jesus, you encounter God’s presence.
- Through Christ we have access to God.
- Through Christ all our sins are forgiven. Through Christ we are offspring of Abraham. Through Christ, all the promises of God are Yes and Amen.
- Through Christ we are freed to worship and serve God.
- Through Christ, God’s presence is with us and in us, by the Spirit whom he has given to us.
What do you need to learn from this history lesson? Where are you looking to experience God’s presence?
Look to Christ! God’s presence is with you on this journey in life, as you cling to Christ. He will keep His promises. He will preserve us to the end.
For this week: Read Acts 7:17-43
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