WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Consciously lay aside any worry and anxiety before turning to God’s Word today.

History lesson
‘Are these charges true?’, Stephen is asked. Rather than replying with a straightforward ‘yes’ or ‘no’, he takes the opportunity to teach his accusers a history lesson that occupies more than 50 verses in our Bible.

What is Stephen trying to prove? Does he think they’ll be convinced of his innocence if he demonstrates an accurate knowledge of Jewish history?

Setting the scene
By the time we reach the end of Stephen’s sermon, we understand that he is presenting two major arguments for his defence: first that Jewish leaders have often rejected God’s prophets and second that the entire history of Israel was setting the scene for Jesus to come.

God chose Abraham to become the father of a nation through which his salvation would come to the world (Genesis 12:3). Israel was founded and set apart so that this nation would know God and reveal him to the nations.

God’s great plan
God’s plan is often much wider and deeper than we can possibly comprehend. We only see the small part which directly affects our own life, but God’s vision goes far beyond that.

Whether it is by serving like Stephen, or by obstructing like the Jewish leaders of the day, we all play a part in God’s great plan to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Respond: Pray that God’s will would be done in your own life, in your church, in the area where you live, in your nation and throughout the world.

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-07-09