God’s Presence in Redemptive History

Acts: The Church on the Move
Acts 6:8–7:53

Scripture Reading

Acts 6:8–15 — Stephen, full of grace and power, performs signs and wonders; opposition arises from various synagogues; false witnesses accuse him; the council sees his face “like the face of an angel.”

Review: Stephen had just been chosen as one of the seven to serve the Hellenistic widows, and now he finds himself in conflict with the religious leaders.

Main Idea:

God’s presence and redemptive history have always pointed toward Jesus.

I. God’s presence is and always has been with the faithful.

Story about never being alone…

Acts 7:1–2 — God appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia.

• A. Abraham was a faithful man, and God initiated relationship with him.

• B. Before Abraham ever had a child, he remained faithful, and God remained present.

Acts 7:4–8 — God guided Abraham into the promised land and established the covenant.

• C. God remained present in the life of Joseph:
  Acts 7:9–10 — Joseph’s brothers sold him, but God was with him and rescued him.

• D. God was present with Moses:
  Acts 7:30–34 — God appears at the burning bush and sends Moses as deliverer.

• E. God was present with Israel in the wilderness and through the time of David:
  Acts 7:44–46 — The tent of witness traveled with Israel; David sought a dwelling for God.

• F. Just as God has been present throughout redemptive history, He is present with you.
  He was with Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, and Stephen as the stones began to fly.

• G. God is with His faithful followers today. He is not confined to a temple; He is present in your highest moments and lowest lows.

II. As the story of redemption unfolded, it always faced opposition.

With every good thing, something tries to ruin it… (Florida trip story)

Acts 7:9–10 — Joseph faced jealousy and betrayal from his own brothers.

• A. God revealed Joseph’s future, but it provoked hatred.
  Genesis 37:5–8 — Joseph’s dreams stirred his brothers’ rage.

• B. Joseph would eventually redeem his family, but first he faced opposition from the very ones he would save.

• C. Moses also faced internal opposition:
  Acts 7:23–29 — Israel rejected him even as God was raising him up to deliver them.

• D. Moses faced Pharaoh’s resistance as expected, but opposition often comes from within.
  Israel rejected Jesus—the very Messiah they longed for.

• E. If you have faced opposition from people who should have supported you, you are in good company—Joseph, Moses, David…

Main Idea:

God’s presence and redemptive history have always pointed towards Jesus.

III. Nobody can stop God, His presence with His people, or His plan for redemption.

At the end of his sermon, Stephen directly confronts the religious leaders' hypocrisy.

Acts 7:51–53 — “You stiff-necked people… you always resist the Holy Spirit.”

• A. Stephen ties his entire sermon together with a stinging rebuke.

• B. They were guilty of breaking the Law and came from a long line of lawbreakers.

• C. They were no different from the patriarchs who sold Joseph.

• D. They were no different from Israel when they made the golden calf.
  Acts 7:39–41 — Israel rejected God and created an idol.

• E. Now, like their forefathers, the religious elite opposed the One who came to save them.

• F. They made a god in their own image and worshiped religion instead of God.

• G. Stephen exposes how they—and their fathers—consistently resisted God’s plan, culminating in the crucifixion of the Savior.

• H. Personal challenge: Who is your God? The God of Scripture, or one made in your own image?

Main Idea:

God’s presence and redemptive history have always pointed towards Jesus.

Conclusion

In the New Testament, God’s presence is fully realized in Jesus Christ, who came and dwelt among us.

Lectio Divina Homework: John 1:1–18
(Read, reflect, respond, rest.)