Bill Acton :: Acts 6 and 7 - Stephen's Witness Before the Council (Part 2)

Sermon Outline for Acts 6 and 7

Stephen’s Witness Before the Council (Part 2)

1. The Occasion of Stephen’s Witness – Act 6:8-15
   1. Stephen’s ministry
      1. The basis of it
         1. A man full of faith – Act 6:5
         2. A man full of the Holy Spirit – Act 6:5
         3. A man full of grace (power) – Act 6:8
         4. A man full of wisdom – Act 6:10
      2. The fruit of it – Act 6:8, 10
         1. Great wonders and signs
         2. Powerful conviction
   2. The bitter opposition – Act 6:9, 11-15
      1. The identity of the opponents – Act 6:9
         1. Jews freed from Roman slavery
         2. Greek speaking synagogue
      2. The method they employed – Act 6:11-15
         1. They resorted to treachery and lying
         2. They set up false witnesses
      3. The accusation they made
         1. That he had spoken against God and Moses
         2. That he had spoken against the Temple and the Law – Act 6:13-14
2. The Content of Stephen’s Witness – Act 7:2-53
   1. The general character
      1. It is historical
      2. It is doctrinal
         1. Reveals the sovereignty of God
         2. Reveals the depravity of man
   2. The contrast between failure and faith
      1. The men of faith: Abraham, Joseph, and Moses
      2. The failures
         1. Joseph’s brethren – Act 7:9
         2. The people in Egypt – Act 7:25, 35
         3. The nation
            1. In the wilderness – Act 7:38-40
            2. In idol worship – Act 7:44-50
            3. In rejecting the prophets – Act 7:52
         4. The people to whom Stephen witnessed failed – Act 7:51-53
            1. They rejected the Prophet
            2. They crucified the Just One
3. The Result of Stephen’s Witness – Act 7:54-8:3
   1. The madness of the mob
      1. They were cut to the heart
      2. They were filled with rage
   2. The vision of Stephen – Act 7:55-56
      1. He saw the glory of God
      2. He saw the Lord Jesus Christ – Mar 14:62 (This is what every believer sees at death)
      3. He told what He saw
   3. The stoning – Act 7:57-8:1
      1. They would not listen
      2. They put him to death
   4. The triumph – Act 7:59-60
      1. He died in prayer
      2. He died in peace
      3. He died in grace
      4. He was “faithful unto death” – Rev 2:10
   5. The extension of the Church – Act 8:1
4. Observation about the Death
   1. It happened at the high point in his life and ministry
   2. It was painful and filled with what would be dreaded
   3. His departing moments were calm, peaceful, and joyous
      1. He rose above all fear of man
      2. He kept his mind on Christ
   4. He had no resentments
   5. He died as a conqueror
   6. His death was useful
      1. Conversion of Saul
      2. Spread of the Church