A lot of things make our study this week challenging. It's a long text, which is especially challenging for me. You can be praying that the Lord will help me to remember that I can't and I shouldn't try to say everything that could be said from this passage. And that I'll have the wisdom to know what should be left out.

It's also a difficult text, and for a number of reasons. Not the least of them is that Jesus is, in fact never named. There are, indeed, many things that should remind us of Jesus, like Joseph's and Moses's rejection by their people. And there are references to Jesus (vv 37 and 52). But not his name, nor his resurrection (!), are mentioned. Now it's possible, as many think, that Stephen was cut short, and that he would have eventually made it to Jesus, and his resurrection. That may also explain why there is not a call to repentance and faith. All of these things that are absent make this text feel more Old Testament than New. It may cause us to wonder if this is a Gospel text.

All of this reminded me of a great book by Bryan Chapell. It's titled Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. It's about preaching, but it is helpful to anyone who wants to understand (interpret) and apply Old Testament Scriptures today. Here's an excerpt:

So that summarizes how I'm preparing and praying for my ministry this Lord's Day. While I'd love for you to pray for me and my ministry, maybe Chapell can help you to prepare and pray for your receptiveness and response to the ministry of the Word as well.

Here are some more details about the morning service:

Songs we'll sing: "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death," "Jesus, Firm Foundation, "By Faith," "Behold the Lamb," and "Turn Your Eyes" (Sovereign Grace)

Sermon text: Acts 7:1-53

Sermon title: Learning from History

Cross-references: 1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 66:1-2; Luke 3:8; 11:47-51; 24:25-27; Acts 1:1; 6:11, 13

Love you, church!