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Acts 6:1-8:1<\/strong><\/span> Acts 6 verse 2 is of interest to me today \u2013 \u201c\u201dWe apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 When I first read this, I thought, \u201cWait a second!\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong with administering a food program??\u201d\u00a0 Then, upon further reflection I realized the apostles were not saying anything was wrong with administering a food program \u2013 just that they were not called to it.\u00a0 They were called to spend their time preaching and teaching the Word of God.\u00a0 Which of course is true Food in the spiritual sense.\u00a0 So \u2013 I think this is important for us to realize today as well.\u00a0 I think sometimes we might get a bit grouchy if we don\u2019t see our pastors or ministers at every single church function or event \u2013 but we have to realize they are not called to do every single thing that we, the body of the church, are called to.\u00a0 One of their primary roles is to preach and teach the word of God.\u00a0 So, they may need us to volunteer at or administer a food program while they are doing what they are called to.\u00a0 Each of us are important parts of the body of Christ.\u00a0 And each part of the body has different functions.\u00a0 We shouldn\u2019t get upset if one part of the body is not doing exactly what we are doing.\u00a0 And yes, there are times when community & fellowship will bring us all together \u2013 which typically is worship on Sundays.\u00a0 Let us come together as many members but one body without complaint toward others who are called to other holy tasks!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s Acts readings titled \u201cWaiting on the Widows\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Today we read the beginning of Stephen\u2019s amazing sermon to the Sanhedrin in the Temple.\u00a0 You\u2019ll recall from yesterday\u2019s readings in Acts 6 verses 8 through 10 \u2013 \u201cStephen, a man full of God\u2019s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them was able to stand against the wisdom and Spirit by which Stephen spoke.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n So, men began to lie about Stephen, and then we get into the sermon Stephen gives to the council today.\u00a0 It is clearly a great sermon today from Stephen!\u00a0 Today he is beginning to set the stage for his zinger closing statements.\u00a0 He\u2019s like a lawyer today laying out his opening arguments for the case.\u00a0 Unfortunately, things will not proceed well in the coming days readings for Stephen.\u00a0 After he concludes this speech, Stephen will soon be the first Christian martyr\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n A great look at the characteristics of Stephen\u2019s sermon today is at Bible.org <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Stephen\u2019s great sermon to the temple council continues today!\u00a0 Great timing on his sermonizing in verses 46 through 50 related to the Temple Solomon built \u2013 \u201c\u201dDavid found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob.\u00a0But it was Solomon who actually built it. However, the Most High doesn\u2019t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says, `Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that?\u2019 asks the Lord. `Could you build a dwelling place for me? Didn\u2019t I make everything in heaven and earth?\u2019\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 The last 2 verses came from Isaiah chapter 66 verses 1 & 2 (as the prophet says..)\u00a0 Indeed it is true!\u00a0 We do not need a temple for God today.\u00a0 God does not live in a temple built by human hands.\u00a0 I have heard it said before \u2013 \u201cIf you are in relationship with God through his son Jesus, you are God\u2019s temple.\u201d\u00a0 Do you believe this is true?\u00a0 Do you believe that your body is a temple that God can live in?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n A great look at the characteristics of Stephen\u2019s sermon today is at Bible.org <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Today is a sad day of readings as we read about the stoning of Stephen \u2013 the first Christian martyr.\u00a0 Verses 59 & 60 are incredible and reminiscent of Jesus on the cross: \u201cAnd as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, \u201cLord Jesus, receive my spirit.\u201d And he fell to his knees, shouting, \u201cLord, don\u2019t charge them with this sin!\u201d And with that, he died.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Below is Rembrandt\u2019s \u201cThe Stoning of Stephen\u201d from the year 1625:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n In verse 58 we are ominously introduced to who we now know as Paul, the author of many of the epistles in the Bible:\u00a0 \u201cThe official witnesses took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>This laying of coats at Saul\u2019s feet may be signifying that Saul was the highest official at the stoning of Stephen and may be signifying that Saul gave permission for this stoning of Stephen to occur.\u00a0 Saul is Paul\u2019s Hebrew name.\u00a0 Paul is his Greek name.\u00a0 (which is a significant distinction, as Paul\u2019s ministry reaches out to the Gentiles, including the Greeks \u2013 hence going from the Hebrew name Saul to the Greek name Paul is significant)\u00a0 \u00a0In a few chapters ahead we will learn about Saul\u2019s encounter with Jesus and how his persecution of Christians will soon take a dramatic U-turn\u2026\u00a0 \u00a0Take a look at the cloaked figure in the image below to the left \u2013 this looks to me to be Saul watching over the stoning of Stephen with coats laid at his feet.\u00a0 (and I think Saul is in Rembrant\u2019s painting above to the left on the horse)\u00a0 God has an amazing conversion for Saul coming up\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Acts titled \u201cThe Stoning of Stephen\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0Today\u2019s readings reminded me of the fantastic Jason Castro song \u201cYou Are:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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