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Simon the magician gains a following of his own in Samaria, through his false and demonic power. However, with the power of Christ displayed through the Gospel preached by Philip, the supremacy and superiority of Christ is made known to the Samaritans who believe on Christ and are baptized. We see that though many false converts follow Christ externally without submitting to Him as Lord, true sheep submit to the Kingship of Christ, and follow Him in obedience to His commands. Acts 8:9-13 “But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of S
“Gospel Renewal: God’s Worship, God’s Way” Pt. 5 (Confession and Assurance) of our Sunday School teaching series on ‘Gospel Renewal Worship,’ exploring the elements of the church’s corporate worship prescribed through Scripture itself. Speaker: Samuel Wente
The Kingdom of Christ advances outside of Jerusalem, as Philip preaches Christ to Samaria. We see that the Gospel transcends earthly distinctions and destroys hostility, as Jew and Samaritan are made one in Christ. We also see the liberation from darkness to light that comes through Christ, and experience of freedom and joy through our assurance in Christ’s own righteousness. Acts 8:5-8 "Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spir
“Gospel Renewal: God’s Worship, God’s Way” Pt. 4 (Reading of Scripture) of our Sunday School teaching series on ‘Gospel Renewal Worship,’ exploring the elements of the church’s corporate worship prescribed through Scripture itself. Speaker: Samuel Wente
After Stephen’s death, Saul launches a large scale persecution against the Church in Jerusalem. Some Christians are imprisoned, others flee to Samaria and other Judean regions. We see that God is so sovereign, that efforts to silence the Gospel have worked to fuel its advance, and that the Church is built by means of the persecution brought against it. Acts 8:1-4 "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. Devout men buried Step
As Stephen is put to death by stoning under the watch of the Jewish leaders, we see a magnificent display of the grace of God. Saul’s participation and approval shows the depth of his depravity, amplifying the lavishness of God’s grace in bringing him to repentance soon after. We also see the transformative power of God’s grace, to conform Saints to the image of Christ, as Stephen longs for the very mercy he has been given through Christ, to be given to his own persecutors. Acts 7:57-60 "But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him
“Gospel Renewal: God’s Worship, God’s Way” Pt. 3 (Confession of Faith) of our Sunday School teaching series on ‘Gospel Renewal Worship,’ exploring the elements of the church’s corporate worship prescribed through Scripture itself. Speaker: Samuel Wente
Having preached Christ before the Sanhedrin, the Lord shows Stephen a vision of the glory of God in heaven. We see that it is Stephen’s view of the glory of the exalted Christ that enables him to willingly suffer for the Christ, because He sees that Christ is worthy of it. As Stephen sees Christ standing at the right hand of the Father, he sees the tremendous honor of suffering for Christ, as it glorifies Him, and how Christ is judging the Priests as the ruling and reigning Son of man, and serves as Stephen’s advocate to the Father. Acts 7:54-56 "Now when they heard these things they were enra
“Gospel Renewal: God’s Worship, God’s Way” Pt. 2 (Call to Worship) of our Sunday School teaching series on ‘Gospel Renewal Worship,’ exploring the elements of the church’s corporate worship prescribed through Scripture itself. Speaker: Samuel Wente
“Gospel Renewal: God’s Worship, God’s Way” An introduction to our Sunday School teaching series on ‘Gospel Renewal Worship,’ exploring the elements of the church’s corporate worship prescribed through Scripture itself. Speaker: Samuel Wente
As Stephen finishes his sermon, we see him present the final accusation, evidence, verdict, and covenant sentence against the Priests, as they are rebellious against God, unregenerate of heart, and resistant to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they are considered guilty, and lawless before God, and will receive the covenant curse of God for their unbelief and idolatry. However, for all those in the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no curse, because He has swallowed up the curse of the law, and our sin against it, through His death on Calvary. 7:51-53 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and
Stephen shows that the tabernacle in the wilderness, and the temple of Jerusalem were always given as a shadowy figure of the transcendent, infinitely high and glorious God being yet made immanent to His people. Stephen shows how this miraculous reality is ultimately fulfilled through the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 7:44-50 ““Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So
Stephen continues to indict the Priests on account of their rejection of Christ, showing Moses as a historical example of Israel’s turning in their hearts away from God’s given deliver, and turning to other idols, continuing in the outward forms of worship God gave them, though denying them in their hearts. We see that external appearance alone does not make for right worship, but the importance of both orthopraxy and orthopathy in worship, through both right God-ordained forms, and right affections of the heart, drawing near to God through Christ. Acts 7:36-43 “This man led them out, performi
Stephen continues to preach showing the Priests' rejection of Christ through Israel's rejection of Moses. We see the God who condescends to dwell with His people, as His presence is made manifest amongst His people by the Spirit through Christ, and we see our God as the faithful covenant promise keeping God who has sent Christ as both our judge and redeemer. Acts 7:30-35 “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the
As Stephen preaches, he uses Moses, and Israel’s initial rejection of him as their deliverer, to show the Sanhedrin that they are condemned on account of Israel’s historic rejection of God’s sent delivers, which they no continue through their rejection of Christ Himself. We see that the only rescue and deliverance to be had, is that which comes through God’s chosen means of granting it; the Lord Christ Jesus. Acts 7: 17-29 “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt until there arose over Egypt another king who did n
We see out witness to the Gospel through evangelism and missions as a primary way by which we love God with our heart, soul, and mind, and love our neighbor as our self, as He who loves God thirsts for His glory, the highest motive in our efforts to call sheep unto faith. Matthew 22:34-40 “But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
Continuing in Stephen’s sermon, with his counter accusations toward the Sanhedrin, against their temple idolizing, and their history of rejecting God’s servants sent to deliver them. We see that true worship is not that which trust in external forms and circumstances alone, but that which draws near to God through Christ, our true High Priest, both in Spirit and in truth. Acts 7:9-16 “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egy
Stephen responds to accusations of his temple blaspheming by preaching a sermon, recounting Old Testament history to show that the Sovereign Lord, his presence, promises, and purposes were never confined to one land, city, or building, but that through the redemption accomplished through Christ, the true Temple, the Church is the dwelling place of God in which He tabernacles. Acts 7:1-8 "And the high priest said, 'Are these things so?' And Stephen said: 'Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said
Pastor Christ Cookston shows the deep and boundless love of Christ for His sheep through Jesus’ parable of the lost son. Luke 15:11-32 "And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and
Stephen, commissioned as a Deacon of the Church, full of the Spirit, preaches Christ, and is falsely accused of blaspheming God Himself, the temple, and the law of Moses. But it was the Jews who misunderstood the law and the temple, not realizing they were only shadows of the promise of Christ to come, who Himself alone is the substance of all that the Scriptures pointed to. Acts 6:8-15 “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the A
Continuing to look at the appointing of the first Deacons in the early Church, we see who they were, and what qualities in them qualified them to serve in the diaconate. We also see the manner in which they were appointed, and the multiplication of the Church the Lord brought through the ministry of the Word which flourished because of the Deacons’ service. Acts 6:1-7 “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number
As the Church grows, so does its needs. The Lord provides for the ever expanding practical needs of the early church by appointing men to serve as deacons to enable the Apostles to devote themselves to prayer and the Word. And as the Word is free to increase, so does the Church. We see the honorable nature of these men who in humility serve the Church this way, and how it reflects Christ our redeemer who was humbled as a servant for our salvation. Acts 6:1-7 “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their wi
God is so sovereign that all of His purposes for the Church will succeed, and all of man’s plans against Him will ultimately fail. This reality makes us willing to suffer persecution on account of Christ, knowing Christ will win, and thus we are made bold to proclaim Him! Not only can we suffer willingly knowing this, but we can suffer well, with great joy, being united to Christ in both His suffering and resurrection! Acts 5:33-42 “When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people
As the Apostles are arrested again by the Jewish leaders, we see the continued consequences of bold witness for Christ by the power of the Spirit. In this age, the world will persecute the Church and those in it, as the name of Jesus is proclaimed faithfully. But ultimately, we see that though opposition comes against God’s purposes, it will never prevail against the Sovereign God. Acts 5:17-26 “But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night
In this Resurrection Sunday Sermon, we look not only to the cross, but the resurrection of Jesus for a hope that transcends all things. The raising of Jesus from death to life vindicates His divine identity, secures out justification, unites us to Christ in power, and gives us great hope that Christ will accomplish final victory over satan, sin, and death itself, as His return. We look forward to future glory, because Christ is alive! Sermon – “Resurrection Hope” Speaker: Samuel Wente Grace Bible Church Website Grace Bible Church Facebook Grace Bible Church Instagram Grace Bible Church Youtube
