Acts 7:1-53 Stephen's Speech

Stephens’ Speech is an indictment against Israel and its leaders. He calls them stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, always resisting the Holy Spirit, following in the footsteps of their fathers. He summarizes the history of the nation to point out how they have rebelled against God throughout all that time and continue to do so still.

Stephen recaps Abraham’s call and covenant with God highlighting the promises of land and a people. The rebellion of the patriarchs began in Joseph’s days. They were jealous of Joseph and disregarded his dreams selling him as a slave, but God was with him. After the mighty rescue of Jacob and his household by the hand of Joseph, they were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years.

God then raised Moses to liberate his people from slavery, but the Israelites also rebelled against him on several occasions. Stephen points out that Moses tried to intervene in a dispute between an Egyptian and an Israelite killing the Egyptian, but they “thrust him aside” not understanding that God was giving them salvation by his hand. Moses fled and God called him again from a bush and sent him back to Egypt. Still, the people rejected his leadership and committed idolatry turning back to Egypt in their own hearts after experiencing signs and wonders by his hand. It was Moses who prophesied that God would raise a Prophet from among them, referring to Jesus Christ.

Stephen continues his historical tracing of Israel’s steps pointing out that Joshua brought the people into the promised land carrying the ark of the presence as God drove the nations before them until the days of David and Solomon who built a temple for God, despite the fact that he does not dwell in buildings. But after that, prophet after prophet, had been killed for announcing the coming of the Righteous One, whom they betrayed and murdered - referring to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They had been given the law and they did not keep it!

Again, I admire Stephen for knowing his history well. He also knows his theology well. He understands the fulfillment of God’s purposes throughout time and is able to point that out to his people. His message is Christ-centered, though an indictment against his people. He does not miss out on the fact that Christ is the One they were expecting since Abraham’s days.

How many times have I rebelled against my God if I were to review my own personal history? How many times have I acted as a stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears person resisting the Holy Spirit? When I read the story of Israel it is as if I am reading the story of my own rebellion against God.

Father, circumcise my heart and ears so that I may stop resisting your Holy Spirit. May I obey you in all your ways. May Christ be the center of my whole life today and forevermore. Amen.

Acts 1:6-11 The Ascension

While Jesus was dedicated to teaching about the kingdom of God, the apostles were concerned about the kingdom of Israel and its restoration. What God is going to do with Israel and when should not be the focus of their attention. Jesus was clear: "It is not for you to know..." In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the nation of Israel. While some are interested in evangelizing Israel, others are interested in their role in the current political world. The former deserves my attention, but not the latter.

Politics is a topic of great interest to me and I believe that Christians should participate of the political life of their countries. But politics must be viewed for what it is. Politics, for the Christian, is nothing more than a tool to communicate the message of the Gospel and an opportunity to voice for justice and against evil. But politics is not the savior and should never be viewed as the means to solve all my problems. Ultimately, my problems stem from the heart and it requires a heart change to be a virtuous and moral citizen. On the other hand, if I am a Christian and stand apathetic to politics, how can I bring change to society if I don't participate in the public affairs of the society in which I live? How can I bring the message of the Gospel to bear on issues if I don't stand up and speak up?

What is important for the apostles to know, in contrast with the political status of the kingdom of Israel, is that the Holy Spirit will grant power to make them witnesses. This is a central truth in the kingdom of God! The promised Holy Spirit will empower them to be witnesses. A witness is one who is willing to give a testimony of what they have experienced for others to know. The apostles were witnesses of the life, ministry, teaching, death, and resurrection (and pretty soon his ascension) of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will empower them to give that testimony. They should seek and wait for that empowerment. Am I seeking the filling of the Spirit to be empowered to witness? Is witnessing central in my life? Or am I distracted playing politics in the world, even in the Church?

Jesus leaves the world escorted by "men in white robes," probably angelic beings. His ascension is a sign of how his return will be. In the same manner in which he was taken, he will return. When he shows up, he will show up in the skies escorted by angelic beings and everyone will see him. I must not forget his return. I must remember his promise: He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” and the desire of my heart should be "Come, Lord Jesus." Is it my expectation and desire to see the return of my Lord?

Jesus, come soon! Give me the power through your Spirit to be a witness and testify to the whole world about you. Don't let me be distracted by politics or anything else. Amen.

Joshua 7:1-9 Israel Defeated at Ai

The conquest of the promised land, the establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth is a holy war. Literally, it is a war between the God of Israel and the gods of the nations established in the promised land. The culture of the day viewed conflict between nations as a religious contest between their gods. This is very evident in the conflict with Pharaoh as Moses leads Israel out of its slavery in Egypt. Though difficult for us to understand, the reality of holy war made its way into the New Testament as one of the main images of the Christian conflict against sin, Satan, and the world.

If I am to make progress in my holy war, I must "keep the faith" and never "break faith." One of the rules of holy war is that the booty acquired from the enemy becomes "devoted" to the deity you are fighting for. To keep something devoted to deity was considered to "break faith," in other words, it was a disobedience for which it was necessary to pay with one's life at times. The establishment of God's kingdom requires my full trust in my God. I must keep the faith at all times. I must trust that he has a plan and knows what he is doing even when I don't understand.

Success in holy war is not dependent upon my abilities. It is dependent on my faith in God. Overconfidence in my abilities is an insult to my God. Many times my defeats are just a discipline of the Lord for my life so I may trust him and not myself. Ai was nothing compared to Jericho, yet they defeated Israel. In this conquest, strength is not in the numbers, but in the faith. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.

Joshua's prayer clearly shows that Israel's victory brings glory to God's name because God is the one who fights for Israel. But God has demonstrated time and again that he will not fight for those who are overconfident in their trust in themselves. I bring glory to God's name when I fight depending on his power and might and not on my own abilities. God is most glorified when I battle in his name using all his resources at my disposal in obedience to his plan and strategy.

God Almighty, grant me the faith to trust in you alone in all my battles against sin and the enemy. Fill me with your Spirit and teach me to use your whole armor. Shun in me overconfidence and self-reliance.

Matthew 21:33-46 The Parable of the Tenants

Fruitfulness is God's expectation for my life. Jesus explains in a parable how God (master) gave every resource (a fenced vineyard with a tower and winepress) required to Israel (tenants) so that it could produce fruit. Unfortunately, when the prophets (servants) came to inspect and demand fruit, some were stoned and others killed. Finally, God sends Jesus Christ (the son) to them and they kill him (crucifixion). The vineyard has been taken away from them and given to other tenants (Gentiles) who will produce its fruits.

It is easy to focus on Israel's failure to produce, but I can fail the same way. Fruitfulness is an expectation, even a demand because God is the one who provides everything I need. All I have to do is work. I'm not talking about working for my salvation, but working out my salvation. I could develop the attitude of the first tenants and think that what God provided is mine and that I don't have to give an account to anyone. Failure to produce is not an option.

What kind of fruit does God expect from me? For starters, the fruits of the Spirit should be evident in my life. It is imperative that I take inventory of each one of them and ensure that they are produce in my vineyard: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. How am I doing? There is certainly a lot of room to grow. The trend is encouraging, but I can't be lazy or careless. I must continue to work. Gardeners know this better than most: A good harvest requires much work and care.

The fruit of my vineyard should be filled with good deeds also. God has prepared many good deeds for me to do. Helping those in need. Serving the local church. Providing for those who suffer. All these are good works designed for me to do and I must not shy away from them. Ultimately, what good is faith if there are no works. Part of the good works I must accomplish is evangelism. To be a witness for the kingdom so it can expand and grow. Every soul that comes into the kingdom becomes a precious fruit of my labors.

Lord, give me diligence and watchfulness to work in your vineyard. Don't let me become a bum who produces no fruit. May there be abundant fruit in my life day by day. Strengthen me to work; encourage me to persevere; fill me with hope.