The Son of Man Standing

Acts 7:54-8.4

There was once a famous drama critic by the name of John Mason Brown. In his career, he offended many actors. Once, he was given a talk as a guest lecturer. As he presented his slides in the dimmed room, he noticed someone from the corner of his eye copying every gesture he was making. He thought he was being mocked and that broke his concentration. He got agitated. He broke off his lecture and announced that those who weren’t enjoying his talk were free to leave. No one did, and the mimicking continued. And as he got more irritated, his voice betrayed the annoyance. Rather than looking at his slides and the audience, his eyes were focused on that mimic. Until he finally stopped his lecture and turned on the lights. There was no one mimicking him. There was no one at the corner of his eye. And then he realized that his mimic was his own shadow. He allowed himself to be distracted, detracted, and forgot what he was supposed to be about - giving in to his flesh.

Child of God, there will always be opposition in our lives. The devil prowls like a roaring lion. Sometimes the opposition is obvious and external - through the devil’s children. Sometimes the opposition is subtle and internal - the devil uses our life events and natural sinful temperaments. When either of these things happen, we can react in the flesh. Rather than focusing on Christ and our mission to glorify him, we are distracted and we give in to our flesh. Today, we see how a vision of Christ - the Son of Man - standing in the gap between us and God - gives us strength to live for him, even though there are great trials and temptations that tempt the flesh.

There are 4 points in the sermon. Firstly, the children of the Devil will always oppose the child of God. Secondly, the child of God is strengthened by the Son of Man. Thirdly, the child of God will reflect the Son of Man. Fourthly, the Son of Man will grow his church.

Firstly, the children of the Devil will always oppose the child of God. Or we can also say that the children of the Devil give in to their flesh. When Stephen preached the gospel, he revealed the sins of the Sanhedrin. They were religious, but they were not spiritual. They didn’t understand their own history - how it spoke about the coming of Jesus. And when he came, they killed him. He told them in verse 51 that they were stiff-necked, unclean in their hearts, and always resisting the Holy Spirit. His defense was an offense. And they responded with anger. When we expose sin, those exposed will be angry. Verse 54 says, “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.” They were cut to the heart. Instead of responding with admission of guilt - like the people in Pentecost were pricked in their heart when Peter preached - these were cut to the heart because they were guilty but refused to admit sin. When Jesus exposed sin in Luke 6:11, the Pharisees were filled with madness; and plotted what to do to Jesus. Here, they gnashed their teeth. This showed resistance. They wouldn’t submit to what they heard. This phrase is used of those in hell. In outer darkness there will be gnashing of teeth. We think that when Christ comes and judges, there will be sorrow. No. Man will be as sinful as he can in hell - that’s why hell is hell. There will be full on rebellion in the midst of everlasting judgment. It’s hell because God’s there in his righteousness, but the wicked will defy his righteousness forever. The gospel will always make people angry until they submit themselves to it. If they won’t do it here while there’s a chance, they’ll be forever angry in the most extreme way possible. Angrier than they’ve ever been on earth, for an eternity.

And we see here the murderous outcome of that anger. Their anger had to be satisfied. Verse 57 - “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord.” Cain responded with murder, Esau wanted to murder, Jezebel arranged murder, and Haman tried to arrange mass murder. Family members and nobility. Similarly, the members of the Sanhedrin were supposed to be dignified people. They were the high priests, priests, noble priestly families, and learned scholars of the law. They even had a semblance of order in their courtroom. The defense had addressed the court, and even if the judge was a sharp tongued man, they should’ve still deliberated before pronouncing a verdict. But there was no deliberation. They cried out, stopped their ears - like children - and rushed like a mob on him to lynch him. We learn in verse 58 - “And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.”

They dragged him out of the city, and they began to stone him. This took strength - not only because Stephen was a younger man would’ve been kicking and resisting, but also because of where they had to take him. The rules concerning stoning involved throwing a person down a hill - just like the crowd in Nazareth tried to throw Jesus down a cliff, in order to stone him. So they’d have to drag him up a hill. This was very physical. And it’s no surprise, they stripped down to their waist and left their clothes at Saul’s feet. This effort is displayed by others. Jezebel was so furious against Elijah. Even after Elijah proved Baal was a false idol, she wouldn't submit but ordered him to be killed. Similarly, Jesus showed by his miracles who he was. The people couldn’t take his preaching, and got false witnesses against him. Here, it was no different. They got false witnesses to accuse Stephen so they could eventually kill him. Satan will oppose our desire to live for Christ. His children will oppose us when we live holy. They will live according to the flesh. But this should not be so for us.

But secondly, the child of God is strengthened by the Son of Man. Verses 55-56 - “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” As he was being stoned, Stephen had a vision of Christ. This only angered the Sanhedrin more. Some of us may say - if he had this vision at this stage - perhaps it would be wiser for him not to say anything. He might still have a chance to save his life. Why did he continue to preach and say this when his message was disliked? Why would the prophets of old have preached Christ? They were killed! Elijah was pursued mercilessly. Stephen knew what would happen if her persisted. But he was strengthened by that vision. But what was particularly strengthening was the place in which it occurred. He was out of the city - no longer in Zion or Moriah - no longer on the temple mount. He was outside, in a place of shame - even where Jesus crucified - outside the city. But yet Jesus was there.

Just as Moses met God at Sinai and it was holy ground, just as God spoke to Abraham in Mesopotamia, and Israel was saved in Egypt and not the Promised Land - Stephen saw that vision of Christ outside the city. Christ was standing in all of his glory because even Isaiah saw how God’s train filled the temple and the earth was full with his glory. It was an assurance to Stephen that Christ was there. This was holy ground. And that glory strengthened Moses to go to Pharaoh and rescue the people. That glory helped Abraham to leave his country and family. When Elijah saw the glory of God on Horeb in that still small voice of God - he returned to danger. And now Stephen saw Christ and was ready to return to him.

He was strengthened because of what that vision meant. And the Sanhedrin was angered because of what that vision meant. One vision, two responses. Why was Stephen strengthened? He saw the Son of Man standing. In the Apostles’ Creed, we confess that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. Stephen saw him standing. Now, him sitting is not so much a bodily posture, while we do believe Jesus is in the flesh and is sitting - but it has to do with him ruling from the throne of God, having equal power as God’s regent - being the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Sovereign Ruler and Judge of the Creation who is returning. But Jesus was standing. This refers not so much to his kingship but to his mediation as our Great High Priest, who stands in between sinners and God. Hebrews 5 speaks of Christ who offers up prayers and is now our source of eternal salvation to all who are in him - being designated a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Christ is no mere human priest - but a priest who is a God-man. The High Priest’s job once a year was to stand before God and the people to offer up a blood sacrifice for his and their sin - to reconcile them to God. Jesus is the Great High Priest - he has offered his own body as a sacrifice and to intercede for us to God, and making us right with God forever. And this gave him strength - his salvation was secure, his sins had been forgiven, he was loved eternally in Christ, his destination was sure.

It also strengthened him because he knew that vengeance was at hand. And this was something the Sanhedrin knew by implication. The term Son of Man was a favorite term used by Jesus to refer to himself. In Mark 14, when Christ was on trial, the high priest asked him - “Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Jesus was alluding to Daniel 7:13-14 - which described God’s judge who would come. “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” It was a reminder that Jesus’ act of atonement made him king - those who came to him for salvation would be forgiven and received; those who rejected him would be destroyed. This was the implication. And what angered them also was the one they had killed is now at the right hand of God. And that he was standing showed that the judgment was imminent. And it was. In AD70, the Romans came and destroyed the temple. The priests were butchered. The reports of the massacre stated that it was so bloody, the priests’ blood mingled with the blood from the animal sacrifices.

Thirdly, we see how the child of God will reflect the Son of Man. Verses 59-60 say, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Dearly beloved, Stephen was strengthened - given assurance of his reception in heaven and his vindication by the coming Christ, yet he did not respond with self-satisfaction. He reflected the confidence of Christ. He said - Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. He trusted Christ as Lord. He knew his death was out of obedience. The knew that Christ would receive him. He knew he was bound for the Promised Land - not Israel, nor Egypt, Midian, or Mesopotamia. He believed that Jesus was Lord. His death was out of obedience. He believed that Jesus would receive his spirit. In other words, he believed Jesus was God - just as Jesus committed his spirit to God. And he believed that he would be in Jesus’ presence immediately. Absent in the body, present with the Lord. In the midst of being stoned, his death was faithful. He was on his way home - he was leaving Mesopotamia, Egypt, Midian, the physical Promised Land of Canaan, to go to the real Promised Land. And this is what Jesus said - “into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Jesus did not have his life taken from him - he gave it out of his own accord. Stephen’s life was surrendered to Christ, with the same confidence that Christ gave his life to God.

And he also reflected the mercy of Christ. Notice that he was still standing despite being stoned. But when he was ready, that’s when he knelt down. And he prayed for them.“Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Who does this sound like? His Lord - who on the cross cried - Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Stephen lived the gospel until the end. He died as Christ died. How will people remember you? As a man who’s always angry? As a woman who’s always bitter? Stephen exuded the very graciousness of Christ. He knew his Christian life would be one of suffering, but as a deacon, he gave to those who suffered. He knew that Christians will be opposed, but he showed mercy by giving the gospel. This is why he accepted death without vindication but faced it with mercy. Jesus himself assured the thief on the cross. He himself prayed for the Roman soldiers who mocked him. When this child of God understood who Christ was - his mercy, his judgment, his kingship, his priesthood - he reflected the Son of Man.

As a result, God answered his prayer. We see lastly, the Son of Man will grow his church. How was there growth? By persecution. Verse 58 says that they had laid their clothes at Saul’s feet. Acts 8:1 says, “And Saul was consenting unto his death.” In other words, Saul did not happen to be there to take care of their clothes, but he was there ordering them to kill Stephen. The laying of clothes at his feet tells us something. When the church members sold their land, they placed their money at the apostles’ feet - under their authority. Similarly, Saul was not like clothes rack - he was the one who approved of and ordered the killing. He opposed the Christian movement. And what resulted was great persecution under Saul, so that all the Christians except the apostles were scattered through Judea and Samaria, verse 1. And Saul made havoc of the church - he devastated the church, verse 3 - going house to house, because Christians met house to house - dragging out men and women into prison.

As a result, many escaped and they went abroad. But verse 4 says that as they went, they preached the Word. The persecution and killing of Stephen facilitated the command of Christ - who said in Acts 1:8 - ye shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. But until now, they had not gone out of Jerusalem. But now, they had to. And they brought the gospel with them. When Stephen laid down his life, as a mustard seed, dying - he bore forth much fruit. The Sanhedrin did not put a stop to the gospel - in fact, they accelerated it. This was the work of the Son of Man. He is God himself - his rule is not thwarted. The gospel was propelled by this band of refugee preachers. Remarkable.

But the most remarkable thing was this - the Son of Man grew the church by answering Stephen’s prayer. Lay not this sin to their charge. And who was in charge of the sin? Who’s the chief of sinners? The Apostle Paul. The Son of Man forgave Saul not long after this. The greatest persecutor would become the greatest preacher. The greatest misanthrope would become the greatest missionary. The great enemy would become the greatest evangelist. Stephen’s prayer was not save me - it was save him. Do not forget that when Stephen stoned, Christ was there in heaven standing and witnessing. He didn’t save Stephen from death. There was a purpose. The Son of Man had a purpose.

And this was the same with the Apostle Paul eventually. Saul had a thorn in the flesh. It was sent by Satan to buffet him. And he sought Christ three times to get rid of it, but our Lord told him no - instead, he told him that his grace was sufficient and his strength was made perfect in Paul’s weakness. And this is why when we may go through our times of opposition, God doesn’t rescue us when we want him to. But we know that Christ is standing. He’s interceding for us. And that is enough assurance for us to know that we will be with him. And he will come one day to right all things.

Let us never forget dearly beloved, why Christ endured the cross. He knew he would be the mediator of God’s people, that he would be the judge of the wicked. That he would usher in the new heavens and the new earth. And for that joy that was set before him, he endured. He didn’t give into flesh. He was God, and not the devil. And we who are his people, who live not according to the flesh, but according to his spirit. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Who said that? Paul? Because Stephen saw the Son of Man standing. You know Christ, but you’re struggling to live the gospel. Do you know what will give you victory? If you die to self. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. This is the call of our Lord. And if Christ is not Lord of all, Christ is not Lord at all.

1. The Children of the Devil Will Always Oppose the Child of God

A. Their anger

B. Their murder

2. The Child of God Is Strengthened by the Son of Man

A. The vision strengthened him

B. The meaning of the vision strengthened him

3. The Child of God Will Reflect the Son of Man

A. He reflected the confidence of Christ

B. He reflected the mercy of Christ

4. The Son of Man Will Grow His Church

A. By persecution

B. By answering prayer