Acts 7:55-56 Steven, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Last Sunday, Dr. Willie Nolte continued our church’s sermon series through the book of Acts. The passage that pastor Nolte preached on detailed the first Christian Martyr Stephen and his testimony before the before the Sanhedrin, convicting them. This is when Stephen saw the risen Jesus standing at the right hand of God in Heaven. In Luke 22:69 Jesus states that the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” In Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1 and Hebrews 8:1 the Apostle Paul makes reference to Christ seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty {God] in the heavenly realms.” So, Jesus standing for Stephen was an affirmation from Heaven.
The ovation for Stephen in Heaven was for (1) his leading with character and not position in the face of hostile opposition for Christ’s sake. His Spirit-filled faithful heart, godly wisdom and selfless service to the Lord was admirable. In Romans 12:1-3 the Apostle Paul states, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
(2) For Stephen’s clarity of the Gospel, full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people as the word of God spread. Dr. Nolte explains that God acts intentionally in time, space and history to reconcile and restore in a personal relationship as beloved children through Jesus Christ. It is us who tend to put our personal preferences in the forefront to confine and limit God to the physical and natural realm which He created. The Lord Jesus clarifies in John 15:5-10 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love.”
(3) For Stephen’s confidence in Jesus Christ. Saving faith is blessed assurance. Jesus Christ – the Lord of lords and King of kings has ultimate authority. Ephesians 1:12-14 proclaims, “we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”And in Romans 8:34 the Apostle Paul asks “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” He is our holy advocate.
(4) For Stephen’s modeling the compassion of Christ. Acts 7:59-60 tells us, While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Jesus saw that unregenerate mankind were lost sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them. In his final breath, Stephen echoed the same words as Jesus from the Cross, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them. Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:12, forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” Ephesians 4:32 tells us, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” And Colossians 3:12-14 concludes, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly c, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” What a great example Stephen modeled, worthy of the affirmation and ovation of Heaven.
In Christ, Brian
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