Heart of Worship

In this week's lesson we studied Stephen's speech before the Jewish religious leaders.  Last week, at the end of Acts chapter 6, we learned that he was being accused of speaking out against the Law and the Temple, two of the most beloved symbols of the Jewish faith.  To make his defense, Stephen turned to Jewish redemptive history.  First he showed that the Temple was simply a place to gather and worship God, not an idol to be worshiped as God.  Second, he showed that for all of their love of the law, God's people sure had done a lousy job of obeying it over the years.  In fact, whenever God sent messengers (like Stephen and the prophets before him) to call his people to repentance and obedience, the people rejected and persecuted them because they were blinded by their sin.

Listen to how the author of Hebrews puts it:

"Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.  Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword.  They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.  And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect" (Hebrews 11:35b-40).

Idolatry (worshiping created things instead of the Creator), legalism (trying to earn salvation through the Law), and licentiousness (disregarding the Law and living in wanton disobedience) are three of the main ways that we see the Jews fall into error throughout the scriptures; and they are still common ways we error today.

The Temple, as Stephen pointed out, was just the latest in a long line of idols for God's people.  We often think of idols as little carved statues that represent some mythical god that people bow down to, but idols in our lives can be much more subtle in nature.  Anything that we allow to become the most important thing in our lives (a place reserved for God alone), is an idol.  Is your job most important?  How about your spouse or your kids?  Maybe it is money or material possessions?  Often times we don't set out to form idols for ourselves, but it is our natural inclination.  You see, we are created by God to worship, but sin always attempts to focus our worship on the wrong thing.  The great theologian, John Calvin, called the human heart an "idol factory."  Our idolatry misplaces the glory that God alone deserves.

The Law, while in many ways also an idol for the Jewish religious leaders, had also become a source of self-righteousness that was rooted in their legalistic mindset.  On the other hand, many of the Jews of Stephens day, just as throughout Jewish history, had been living lives of open disobedience to God, while continuing to practice empty worship with hearts of stone.  In the same way, legalism and license pervert our faith today.  Are you sure to check off the boxes on your "good little Christian" checksheet day by day, not because of your love of God, but because you are trying to tip the scales of justice in your favor?  If so, you struggle with legalism.  Legalism is your sinful heart trying to convince you that you can put God in your debt by doing enough of the right things to earn his favor.  However, a quick survey of scripture is quick to remind us that God's standard is perfection, and a quick survey of our lives will quickly reveal we are anything but.  Legalism eliminates our desperate need for a savior, and robs the cross of it's power.

Conversely, licentiousness says don't worry about what you do, just make sure when you get done doing it, you perform these religious acts to wipe the slate clean real quick, so that you can get back to doing whatever you want again.  Unlike legalism, license doesn't rob the cross of it's power, but perhaps even more disgracefully, it takes it for granted.  Our religion is meant to proceed from a heart of worship, set on honoring God for who he is and celebrating him for what he has done.  When it is comes from any other place of motivation, it is empty and meaningless.

Stephen's message in Acts chapter 7 wasn't an eloquent attempt to save his own life, it was the final attempt of a faithful servant of Christ to save the lives of others.  Stephen was willing to give his life for the sake of the Gospel because he rightly understood that his life already belonged to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  His worship was sincere because it was focused in the right direction, and motivated by his undying love and devotion to Jesus.  This is the sign of true salvation and a life radically transformed by the power of the Gospel.

In Grace,
Chris Morris

If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.

Part 15 - Stephen's Sermon

Questions discussed in this sermon:

1.  How does Stephen respond to his accusers?
2.  Why does Stephen mention Abraham, Joseph, and Moses?
3.  In what sense did Stephen die like Jesus?