N.T.#837 "Delivered From Bondage"
July 21, 2026
Acts 7-Part 2
LET IT GLOW
What has you in bondage? Do you need delivering from it? Jesus can do it!
We left Stephen standing before the Sanhedrin counsel of the Jews. It was a set-up. (verse 13) They had false witnesses accusing Stephen of blaspheming against the temple, law. Also, they said he said Jesus would destroy the temple and change customs Moses gave. It was a lie. Jesus Himself said if they destroyed His temple (body), then He would raise it up in 3 days. (6:11-15)
Stephen's face glowed with the love of Jesus for his persecutors to see. Jesus was with him. The high priest asked if those things were so. (7:1)
This Spirit-filled deacon gives a lengthy sermon, applying the historical account, shows the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and the Patriarchs, Jesus fulfilled the Jewish heritage, and those not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah were traitors to their forefathers. (Liberty Bible Commentary)
Wow! Stephen let them have it! He spoke truth that they could not deny.
LET IT GROW
Stephen recounts their Jewish history:
- God called Abraham and obeyed, not knowing where he was going (Promised Land) given to his seed, yet at that time Abraham had no children. This was a faith-walk.
- The Hebrews went into bondage, dwelling in Egypt 400 years.
- Abraham was circumcised, as an agreement to God's covenant.
- When a famine hit, Jacob and his family ended up moving to Egypt for food.
- Stephen went into detail about the life of Moses, the God-given deliverer. Ultimately, Jesus Christ would come to be their Deliver and our Deliverer.
- David found favor with God; his son Solomon built God a Temple.
Stephen's remarks should have convinced the hearers that Jesus truly is their Messiah. Yet it did not, sadly.
LET IT GO
Lord, we see how Your mighty hands moved upon the lives of Abraham's family in Jewish history.
Set us free from the bondage of sin in each of our lives.
To You be the glory forever!
You are our Deliverer.
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