“Yet God was with him…” (Acts 7:9b)

There are several main themes to Stephen’s defense in Acts 7.  One of them is that the men God chooses to be saviors are rejected by the majority. Every. Single. Time.

Joseph – rejected.
Moses – rejected.
The prophets – rejected.
Jesus – rejected.

The secondary point builds upon that theme.  Just because mankind rejects God’s people doesn’t mean God does.  God was with Joseph, Moses, the prophets, Jesus… and He is with Christians, too.

Jesus’ work will continue because God is with His people.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 7:1-10

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he [Stephen] was speaking.” (Acts 6:10)

Some things in life are hard to cope with.  I find it hard to cope with chaos – too much multitasking leads to mental paralysis for me.  I shut down pretty quickly when the world gets too big and I start feeling small.

Another thing that is hard to cope with is being confronted with a better answer.  That’s the problem the folks in Acts 6 were dealing with.  Stephen came preaching Christ, and they were convinced Jesus was just another charlatan trying to destroy the Jewish nation… until Stephen’s arguments and wisdom were too much for them to cope with.

The Holy Spirit gave those crowds a chance to see a better way, but it was hard for them to cope with the idea that their lives would need to change.  Don’t lean away from hard truths; lean into them.  Stephen’s crowd wasn’t coachable – but we should be.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 6:8-15

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:22)

            Peter made a common mistake – he allowed his curiosity about what John’s life would be like override his focus on his own.  It is so easy to get sucked into the game of looking at others’ lives.  We can easily complain about what brother or sister so-and-so did or didn’t do, or we can become fixated on the question of why others have wealth, health, or opportunity which we desperately wish we could have… but all of these speculations are a fool’s game.

            You cannot live another man’s life.  The only one that matters is the one that God gave you to live.  Your talents are neither increased or diminished by another’s.  If you are the two-talent man in the parable, constantly glancing at the outcome of the five-talent or the one-talent man does you no good.  Focus on your walk with God.  As Jesus commanded Peter, “You follow Me!”

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book…” (John 20:30)

            John gives us a good reminder.  The Bible doesn’t include all the information we want; it includes all the information we need.  There are many details of Jesus’ life and the history of mankind which would be fascinating to know but are not necessary for us.  God, in His infinite wisdom, included exactly what we need and no more.  Every word of the Bible has a purpose.

            We do well to not waste our time speculating on what was not included.  The important thing is to understand what is in the text and to saturate ourselves in it.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’ ” (John 19:15b)

            If we will not pledge our allegiance to Jesus, we will find ourselves in league with the darkest of authorities.  If you had asked the priests a few days earlier if they would have ever shown fealty to Caesar, they likely would have spat in your face.  This is the same priesthood that hated tax collectors and despised Jesus for even acknowledging that paying taxes to Caesar was appropriate.

Yet, here they are: joining Rome’s team to avoid accepting Jesus’ kingship.  When we run from Jesus, we never know what dark alley we will end up in.  Once we deny the true King, we open our hearts to dark overlords.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way.” (John 18:8)

            Even as the mob is coming for Jesus and the hour of His torture and death is upon Him… He is thinking about others.  He doesn’t ask for His safety.  He doesn’t ask for a fair trial.  He doesn’t ask for leniency or mercy.  He asks for His friends to be let go.

            Our Lord is ALWAYS thinking about us.  May we emulate Him in our love and concern for the needs of others.  May Jesus’ character be seen in us.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

            If Jesus didn’t ask for us to be removed from the world, then we should be content where we are.  I fear at times that our discontentment with the world’s problems can lead to an undercurrent of grumbling amongst God’s people.  Our frustration with the politics, the deviant immorality, and the godlessness of the culture is completely understandable, but it is akin to a soldier frustrated at the dangers of the battlefield.  Battlefields are inherently dangerous; the world is inherently worldly.

            Jesus wants us here.  He wants us in the battle, shining the light in the darkness, and waging the war for souls.  Of course it is ugly.  All wars are.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“But I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away…” (John 16:7a)

            I imagine if I were amongst the apostles on that Passover evening as Jesus explained to them His impending departure, I would have a very hard time believing that Jesus going away would be good.  How could a world without Jesus in it be a good thing?

            Yet, that is exactly what happened.  Jesus’ death led to forgiveness, and His ascension into heaven put Him at the right hand of God forevermore.  Jesus going away triggered the sending of the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles and the birth of the church.

A thing that seemed utterly horrible led to something beautiful.  God knows what He is doing.  Trust His plan – bad things can be the beginning of unimaginably good things.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“They hated Me without a cause” (John 15:25)

            Evil needs no reason to hate; it is in the very nature of evil to do so.  Hatred is intertwined with selfishness and wickedness.  When I choose to place myself above others, than others simply become objects to manipulate, abuse, or destroy.

            We must accept that evil doesn’t need to be reasonable.  It can’t be understood or pacified.  Wickedness is at war with righteousness.  Compromise and peace treaties will not work with Satan, nor will they work with the world.  It is a battle for souls. The Lord needs more soldiers and less diplomats trying to find middle ground with the enemy.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” (John 14:30)

            Satan may have dominion over this world, but it is both temporary and without character.  The devil’s rule over this world was inaguarated by Adam and Eve when they submitted to his guidance in Eden, and it has swept across the plains of humanity like a blight ever since.

            What has been gained by the rule of Satan? Only death, shame, war, trauma, division, and animalistic degradation.  What has been lost?  Innocence, life, love, and our humanity.

            The good news of Jesus Christ is that Satan has no part in Jesus’ rule.  The serpent has been cast down, and his dominion ends here.  When our Lord returns, the devil will have no influence or place again.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites