The Defense of Stephen (2) – The Birth of Moses

<Ac 7:17-20>

Introduction:

* What God has done in history was so clear and consistent, but those who do not believe cannot see.

* Jewish leaders loved history, but greatly misunderstood their own history.

* They did not know that the holy temple and the Law point to Christ.

* They mistakenly understood history in a human-centric way.

* In fact, God works everything in history to exalt His Son, and reveal His salvation to mankind.

* Today, how do we view history? How do we understand human civilization and culture?

Read <Ac 7:17-20>

1. The time God is waiting for

* <v17>: As the time drew near

* <v20>: At that time

* God had a main focus in everything He does, He is waiting for that historic event.

* If we are not concerned with what God is concerned about, we are living in vain.

* Jewish leaders did not understand God’s focus, but only put their focus on great men, holy temple, the Law, etc.

2. God ordained an absolutely meaningful process

* Because of that historic moment, today’s waiting itself has the fulfilment of God.

* <v17-18>: The number of Israelites in Egypt had greatly increased, until a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power.

* In 400 years: One Abraham ⟹ one family ⟹ one clan ⟹ one nation.

* This was no ordinary people, but people chosen and set apart by God.

* Thus, after they became a nation, they need to be saved (into light) from the hands of the prince of the world (from darkness).

* Therefore, God allowed this new king <v19> to: deal treacherously with our people and oppress our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.

* Today, the prince of this world also daily “kill” saints like this, to cut off the next generation of true believers.

3. God’s providence

* God let His people fall into suffering, so that they could come to their end.

* <Ro 8:28>: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

* God allowed evil to reach its full measure, so as to execute judgment on them.

* God also used this to let His hardened people come to their end, so that they could mourn and cry to the Lord.

* Here, God let Moses (the prophet to deliver Israel) be born to this earth.

* God’s righteousness, love and redemption were manifested here.

Conclusion: Why humanism cannot see the works of God?

1. Humanism has no awareness of supernatural dynamics.

2. Humanism views Christianity merely as a man-made religion.

3. Humanism believes that humans can create religions, and also create for themselves a beautiful society and a prosperous nation.