September 6, 2020
Today’s Reading: Acts 7:54-8:1
But Stephen, filled by the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw God’s glory, with Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Acts 7:55-56
Come to our Sunday Outdoor Worship Service OR Listen to Rev. Solomona’s sermon from today’s 10AM Sunday Worship Livestream on our Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/ccmla. Reflect on the Text Notes and Life Notes below.
NOTE: Life Group meetings resume Monday, 09/14 at 7:30PM.
Sermon Main Idea: God’s love wins.
Text Notes: Contrasts between the Council and Stephen
- Anger and Peace (v.54-55a)
- The Council are filled with rage
- ‘cut to the quick’ – Διαπρίω (diaprio): convicted
- ‘gnashing’ – βρύχω (bruche): grating teeth in anger
- Stephen is full of the Holy Spirit
- The Spirit leaves no room for rage
- The Council are filled with rage
- Sight and Blindness (v.55b-57)
- Stephen focuses on Heaven
- The sight of God’s glory
- The sight of Christ standing
- The Council close themselves to the truth
- Physical reaction of madness
- Spiritual reaction of darkness
- Stephen focuses on Heaven
- Death and Life (v.58-59)
- The Council resolves to murder Stephen
- Stephen concentrates on life with Christ
- Hate and Love (v.60)
- The Council are driven by their hatred
- Stephen demonstrates God’s love in forgiveness
Life Notes: Love God when the world hates you, because God loved you when you hated Him.
Prayer: Sovereign Lord, Your love is a wonder and a blessing. Thank You for the lengths You’ve gone out of Your love for me. I pray that Your love continues to transform me into Your likeness, that in all circumstances I would be able to act and respond in love. I pray that You grow my love for You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN.
Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): Acts 22:30-23:22; Judges 19; Psalm 44
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