Something Greater

God Spoke Stephen's defensive argument began with a brief history of Abraham's life, firmly establishing the importance of maintaining faith in God's word, no matter the circumstance, distance or time it takes for God to fulfill His promises. This legacy of faith was passed from father to son , culminating in Abraham's great-grandson, Joseph. Joseph had risen from slave to ruler of Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh. But decades passed, Joseph died and the tide of favor faded . "But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph." Acts 7:17-18 (ESV) The new Pharoah oppressed the people of Israel, made them slaves , forcing the abortion at birth of all Israeli male infants. (Exodus 1) This was the fulfillment of God's warning to Abraham: "God spoke to this effect...that his offspring would be sojourners i...

The Faith of Abraham Stephen's defense was based upon the faith of Abram, who later was called Abraham. In obedience to God's direct command, Abram left a country in which his family ancestors had lived for generations, to a land completely foreign to him. "Now the Lord said to Abram, - Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV) Abram obeyed, but with great reluctance and procrastination . Still, he obeyed. Yet what was Abram's reward? What happened to God's promise? "God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to...

Grace and Goodness from a Wasted Life Stephen, preacher and servant of Christ, has been arrested for heretical blasphemy. In the face of hateful, false witnesses and malicious judges, Stephen's appearance radically changes in the eyes of all at the trial, and he begins his defense. "Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, - Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you." Acts 7:2-3 (ESV) What was "your land" and how did it become their land? MESOPOTAMIA: mesopotamia (Mesopotamia, region between the Euphrates and the Tigris); from mesos (middle) and potamos (a current, brook or freshet: running water that is drinkable) The Old Testament account described Abraham's country as "Ur of the Chaldeans". UR: ur (a place in Chald'a); from ur (flame, figurative for the East, the region of lig...

Just the facts, ma'am... What are some of the facts that support Paul's case in Romans 4 that Abraham is said to be righteous solely because of his faith in the promise of God? Let's go through the fourth chapter of Paul's letter to the Roman church, listing just the facts: Abraham had nothing to boast about. Scripture says that Abraham believed God, and that it was counted to him as righteousness. Our society distinguishes between gifts and wages. David spoke of the blessings of God granting righteous status to even one who is lawless and sinful. Righteous status was granted to Abrahm before he was circumcised. Circumcision is a sign of undeserved righteousness. The promise of power and influence over the earth was given to Abraham and his descendents did not come through keeping the law. Law-keeping requires no faith. The purpose of the law was to reveal God's wrath. Without law, there is no sin. God has the power and privilege of gra...