Becoming a friend of God Part 14

“FRIENDS OF GOD DENY THEMSELVES, PICK UP THEIR CROSS AND FOLLOW JESUS”

Palm Sunday, Aril 1, 2007, Pastor Mike Barnett

John 12:12-16 (pg. 762) says:

12The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
   "Hosanna!^[a]"
   "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"^[b]
   "Blessed is the King of Israel!" 14Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
 15"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;
      see, your king is coming,
      seated on a donkey's colt."^[c]

 16At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

· Today is Palm Sunday which symbolizes the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a Donkey to be crucified.

· The crowds worshiped him as the Messiah and King.

· One week later the crowds chose Braabbus over Jesus and he was nailed to a cross and crucified.

· Before he died, Jesus forewarned his followers that they too would be put to death for proclaiming the Gospel message.

Jesus said in Luke 9:21-27 (pg. 733):

21Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

· To follow Christ means to live righteously like he did.

· To follow Jesus means you will be persecuted and suffer like Jesus did.

· It also means to be martyred for proclaiming the Gospel message like Jesus was, if necessary.

· In the book of Acts we see such a man by the name of Stephan the first Christian martyr.

Acts 6:1-15 (pg. 774) says:

 1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

 5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

 7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Seized

 8Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

 11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."

 12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us."

 15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 7:51-60 (pg. 776) - Stephan replied:

51"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."

 54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

 57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

 59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

1) FRIENDS OF GOD MAKE THEMSELVES ________________________(AVAILABLE) TO BE USED EVEN IN THE MOST MENIAL TASK. 6:1-7

· Stephan was willing to wait on tables, but God used him as the first Christian martyr.

· Stephan did not seek to be an influential preacher – He had a servant’s heart to pass out food to people who were hungry.

· But because Stephan was available to serve anyway he could, the Lord promoted him to a bigger job.

· God anointed Stephan to preached the Gospel message because he was faithful with the little – so God gave Him more to do for His kingdom.

· IF YOU ARE _____________________(AVAILABLE) TO SERVE GOD IN THE LITTLE THINGS, HE WILL GIVE YOU THE __________________(ABILITY) TO DO “GREATER THINGS THAN THESE”.

2) FRIENDS OF GOD ARE FULL OF ________________________(WISDOM). Vs. 3-4

Acts 6:3-4 says:

3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

 James 1:5 says:

5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

3) FRIENDS OF GOD ARE FULL OF _______________(FAITH). V. 5

· There is no room for doubt or fear in Stephan’s heart.

· Faith in God ______________________(pushes) out all __________________(fear) rooted in this world.

1John 4:15-20 (pg. 864) says:

15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
      God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Acts 6:5 says:

5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;

4) FRIENDS OF GOD ARE FULL OF _______________(GRACE). V. 8

Acts 6:8 says:

8Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.

5) FRIENDS OF GOD ARE FULL OF _______________(POWER). V. 8

6) FRIENDS OF GOD ARE FULL OF _________________(LIGHT). – The Holy Spirit within gave him the face of an angel. V.15

Acts 6:15 says:

15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

· Do you know Christians that just light up with the joy of the Lord when they smile?

· We have some brothers and sisters in Christ here in the New Heights Church family that fall in that category.

· DP comes to mind.

7) FRIENDS OF GOD FULL OF ______________________________(SCRIPTURE) – Stephan knew Bible history from Abraham to Christ. Acts 7:1-50

· Friends of God know the scriptures so much is oozes out of their _________________(mouth) and more importantly their ___________________(actions)!

8) FRIENDS OF GOD ARE FULL OF ______________________________(COURAGE) – the face and fear of man did not trouble Stephan. Vs. 51-60

Acts 7:51-60 says:

51"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."

The Stoning of Stephen

 54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

 57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

 59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

9) FRIENDS OF GOD DO NOT ___________________________(COMPROMISE) THEIR ___________________________(CONVICTIONS), NOR WATER DOWN GOD’S TRUTH. Acts 7:1-60

· Stephan spoke the word of God with such conviction that he provoked the Jewish leaders to the point that they cast him out of the city and brutally stoned him to death.

· Stephan was the first martyr of the Christian church, being stoned to death.

· Stephan, the first martyr was remarkably like his Lord.

· He was filled with the Spirit and did “great wonders and signs among the people”.

· Like Christ, Stephan was also accused of speaking against Moses, the law and the temple, 6:13-14, and was put to death as a blasphemer. 7:56-58.

· Like Christ, Stephan was arraigned before the Sanhedrin and faced false accusers. 6:11-13.

10) FRIENDS OF GOD ARE ______________________________(PERSECUTED) FOR THEIR _______________________(FAITH) IN CHRIST. Vs. 57-60

11) FRIENDS OF GOD _________________________(FORGIVE) OTHERS AS GOD HAS _______________________(FORGIVEN) THEM.

· Like Christ, Stephan asked God not to hold the sins of his persecutors against them.

· His words were similar to his Lord Jesus who said on the cross, “Father forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.

· Like Jesus, Stephan prayed for his enemies’ forgiveness and that the Lord might receive his spirit.

Acts 7:59-60 says:

59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

NOTE: FORGIVENESS IS NOT THE SAME AS TRUST.

· Forgiveness is given ____________________(freely) and unconditionally because God _________________________(commands) it, whereas _____________________(trust) is not given until the person’s behavior ___________________(changes).

Matthew 6:14-15 says:

14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

· Therefore it is possible by the ___________________(grace) of God to forgive a person you do not ________________(trust).

· Keep in mind that forgiveness is a _________________(process) that you may have to keep coming back to on a regular and _________________(daily) basis.

· Not every Christian has the faith, maturity or opportunity to forgive once like Jesus and Stephan did.

· Both Jesus and Stephan died immediately after forgiving their enemies – whereas you may have to _________________(live) a ______________(long) time with them.

· It pleases God when you go to Him on a _______________(daily) basis for the _________________(strength) and _________________(grace) to forgive the people who have hurt you.

12) FRIENDS OF GOD WILL SEE HEAVEN ________________(OPEN) _________(UP) FOR THEM. Vs. 55-58

Acts 7:55-58 says:

55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

· Stephan gave witness to the truth of our Lord’s confession that He was to sit at God’s right hand, 7:55-56, seeing Him there.

13) FRIENDS OF GOD ____________________________(INFLUENCE) OTHERS TO LIVE AND DIE FOR CHRIST. Acts 8:1, 9:3-6, 22:20

· Saul of Tarus was in charge of Stephan’s death.

Acts 8:1 says:

1And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

Paul said in Acts 22:20:

20And when the blood of your martyr^[a] Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.

· Saul later became a Christian and the most influential theologian in the Christian church.

Acts 9:3-6 says:

3As he (Saul) neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.

   "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

· Saul’s name was later changed to Paul to indicate his changed behavior.

· Paul went from persecuting and killing Christians to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and advancing the Kingdom of God.

· Like our Lord Jesus and Stephan, the Apostle Paul was also killed for proclaiming the Gospel message.

· Every year over 3,000 Christian martyrs around the world loose their life for proclaiming the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

· Likewise, every Christian (every Friend of God) has the opportunity to positively influence other Christians to live and die for Christ and thereby advance the Kingdom of God.

· Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ is our best example who rode into Jerusalem on palm Sunday 2000 years ago a righteous man who did nothing wrong, stayed true the Bible Truth and died for the Gospel message and for our sins.

· Stephen, the first Christian martyr followed in the footsteps of his Lord and died for his faith in Christ.

· May we also live and die in such a way that God is glorified and the Kingdom of God advanced!

· You do not have to physically die before the Kingdom of God is advanced – __________________(Dying) to _______________(sin) in your life, where you become more like ____________________(Jesus) and less like the ___________________(world) first and foremost advances the Kingdom!

Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16 (pg. 683) says:

13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

· As Stephan’s persecutors saw Jesus in him, it is the aim of every mature Christian to allow their ______________(life) and ________________ __________________(good works) to prompt others to give _________________(praise) and glory to God.