Acts 7:54-8:3

Unstoppable Mission of God

Main Idea: God’s unstoppable work of redemption motivates us to boldly proclaim his gospel.

51 "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53

you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.“54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 8:1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.

3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. (Act 7:51-4 ESV)

Main Idea: God’s unstoppable work of redemption motivates us to boldly proclaim his gospel.

Unstoppable!

1. Proclaim Jesus like Stephen (51-53).

“To endure the cross is not a tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ.”

– Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Unstoppable!

1. Proclaim Jesus like Stephen (51-53).A. Expose sin.

B. Point them to Christ.

C. Warn them (and us) of rejecting Christ.

Unstoppable!

1. Proclaim Jesus like Stephen (51-53).2. Gospel enrages the world (54-58).

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. (Phi 3:2 ESV)

An excursus on death.

1. Death is our enemy.A. Death exists because of sin. (Rom 5:12).B. “26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

(1Co 15:25-26)

2. Jesus conquers death.A. Jesus brings victory. (1 Cor 15:54-57).B. In Christ, death cannot harm you (Rom 8:35-39).

3. Everyone dies (Heb 9:27).

Unstoppable!1. Proclaim Jesus like Stephen (51-53).2. Gospel enrages the world (54-58).Application:

i. Stand strong against your persecutors.ii. Trust God’s strength when facing opposition. iii. Put your confidence in God, not your situation.

Unstoppable!1. Proclaim Jesus like Stephen (51-53).2. Gospel enrages the world (54-58).3. Jesus stands for you (55-60).

Unstoppable!1. Proclaim Jesus like Stephen (51-53).2. Gospel enrages the world (54-58).3. Jesus stands for you (55-60).

A. God defines righteousness, not man (54-56).B. Jesus intercedes for his people (Heb 7:25,

Rom 8:34).C. Jesus rewards faithful servants.

Dietrich BonhoefferExecuted (4/9/45) for standing against Hitler.

“God's truth judges created things out of love, and Satan's truth judges them out of envy and hatred.”

Unstoppable!1. Proclaim Jesus like Stephen (51-53).2. Gospel enrages the world (54-58).3. Jesus stands for you (55-60).Application:

i. Live for Jesus!

ii. Die for Jesus!

iii. All for Jesus!

Unstoppable!1. Proclaim Jesus like Stephen (51-53).2. Gospel enrages the world (54-58).3. Jesus stands for you (55-60).4. Forgive the unforgiveable (59-60).

Use persecution as an opportunity to show Jesus to the world. Forgive that guy.

Unstoppable!1. Proclaim Jesus like Stephen (51-53).2. Gospel enrages the world (54-58).3. Jesus stands for you (55-60).4. Forgive the unforgiveable (59-60).5. God’s mission is unstoppable (8:1-4).

5. God’s Mission is Unstoppable!A. God is sovereign over persecution.B. God’s Word succeeds in spite of persecution.C. God can save the worst of sinners.

(God can save you.)

Unstoppable Mission of God