If we are ever going to interact with God, it is going to have to be on his terms. He ordained that Solomon build a temple – one that David his father had hoped to build. To dedicate it, the king organized a national worship service – possibly the most important in Israel’s history.
Today we look at Stephen’s sermon before the council in Jerusalem. He runs through the history of Israel, but then confronts the council with their rejection of Christ. They respond by killing him – stoning him to death. He prayed for them before he died – loving those who hated him.
The audio and notes are here below:
One of the best things to come our of our difficulties – and sometimes the only good thing – is the repentance that takes place as a result. Trials are perfect times to clear the conscience. Suffering in the present can prepare the way for a deeper, more fulfilling, more committed Christian experience in the future. And there need not be any glaring, awful sin in our lives to take advantage of this process.
Take the example of Jeremiah. If there was anyone in Jerusalem who had conducted himself uprightly in the days leading up to the city’s destruction, it was him. The prophet was likely the man closest to God in the entire place. Yet he includes himself in a call to repentance after the ruin arrived.
“Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord;
Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven.
We have transgressed and rebelled;
You have not pardoned.”
– Lamentations 3:40-42 (NKJV)
Repentance and growth are closely tied together. Sin at any level or in any amount is not worth holding on to. Our fellowship with God is much too vital to allow it to drift into the distant past. The moment of greatest difficulty provides the greatest motivation to turn from even the smallest sin and draw that much nearer to Him.
This week we’ll see Jesus go up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles or Succoth. He’ll get into some of His usual discussions with the religious leaders, but draw some important questions from many.
At the end of the feast, He’ll make a startling statement about Himself and a new kind of experience available to us all.
Audio: John07.mp3
Notes: John07.pdf
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. – John 7:37-39 (NKJV)
Central Reflections 