WHY WAS STEPHEN STONED?

A Study of Seven Factors
Leading to a Good Man's Death

Amidst the rapid growth and development of the church in Jerusalem, there arose a time of internal strife and discord which had the potential of thwarting the spiritual progress of this band of devoted disciples. It appears that in the daily serving of those needy saints within the church there was a hint of discrimination. The Hellenistic widows were being overlooked, whereas the Hebrew widows were not (Acts 6:1). Without doubt, charges of favoritism, and rumblings of racism, were beginning to be heard within this body of believers. The problem was serious; immediate attention was required lest the One Body be torn asunder.

The solution opted for by The Twelve was for the congregation to select from among themselves "seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom," who would be commissioned to oversee the daily ministry to the needy saints. Through the administration of these men, the benevolent work of the church would proceed with fairness and equity, all of those in need would receive assistance, and tensions would hopefully subside. It was a good plan. It would allow the apostles to continue devoting themselves to prayer, "and to the ministry of the Word" (Acts 6:4). After all, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the Word of God in order to serve tables" (Acts 6:2). The people "were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching" (Acts 2:42), and that vital ministry of the Word could not suffer neglect due to distractions over more material concerns. Others would be assigned responsibility for these tasks associated with the daily ministry so that The Twelve could remain focused on the Word.

The plan "found approval with the whole congregation" (Acts 6:5), and they set about choosing the seven leaders for this ministry. The first name listed in the biblical record (which may indicate he was the people's first choice) was Stephen, "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). Stephen was a remarkable man. It is easy to see why his fellow disciples chose him so quickly. He was evangelistic, willing to share the good news of God's grace with those about him. He was also "full of grace and power, performing great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8). He was a fabulous choice!

Yet, by the end of the next chapter in Acts, we find this godly man being stoned to death by a mob of angry Jews! What happened?! What went wrong? What brought about such a remarkable turn of events? Considering his wisdom, faith, grace, reputation, works of service, miraculous power, and devotion to the Lord, why would anyone want to viciously take the life of this man?! Why was Stephen stoned?! The answer may surprise you.

ONE: Served Among The People

The first factor that led to the ultimate death of Stephen might seem insignificant at first glance. "And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8). He mingled; he positioned himself visibly among the people of Jerusalem. Had he chosen to do as many do today; stay home and stay safe; attend to his duties and "mind his own business"; he likely would have continued to enjoy the good favor of the populace.

Stephen perceived his service to God much differently, however. He realized there were numerous precious people all around him who were outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ. They were lost.

They needed to hear the saving message of God's matchless grace. There were those who had likely participated in the events leading to the crucifixion of God's Son who needed to hear it was their Messiah they had put to death. Thus, Stephen chose not to cower within the four walls of some "crystal cathedral" and play the "saintly sage." Instead, he went into the streets, into the market places, into the Temple courts; he mingled with the masses, and he boldly proclaimed Truth.

Truth is not always popular! At times it is met with hostility. In the battle for the lives of those about us, however, the soldier of Christ must never be found cowering in a foxhole, afraid to engage the forces arrayed against the Lord. He must be on the front lines, among the people, where the battle for men's hearts is waged daily. The first factor leading to the stoning of Stephen, therefore, was: he was visible and he was vocal.

TWO: Couldn't Resist His Spirit

The second factor that led to the tragic death of this good man was that the people who opposed him were completely incapable of successfully coping with and refuting his powerful teaching, nor were they able to tolerate the remarkable spirit with which he approached and addressed those around him. Stephen was one of the reasons that the number of disciples was "increasing greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith" (Acts 6:7). Some of the Jews, obviously concerned over the successes of these faithful disciples, "rose up and argued with Stephen" (Acts 6:9). Convinced that he was one of the leading figures in this growing movement, and one of the forces behind its success, they decided to "take him on" in public; to confront him in a highly visible venue. They undoubtedly believed they could easily discredit this man and turn back the hearts of the people to their own doctrines and practices.

• "Opposition arose from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called) -- Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen" (Acts 6:9, NIV). The word translated "argue" is the Greek word suzeteo, meaning: "to engage in controversial and public debate." These debates were thus highly visible, and they apparently became very heated. The Jews were determined to stop Stephen's teaching. He was too successful. He had to be silenced, and they intended to do it in public so as to humiliate him and destroy his influence and credibility with the people of Jerusalem.

Their plan exploded in their faces, however! It was they who were made to look foolish in public, because "they were unable to cope with (stand up against) the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking" (Acts 6:10). Stephen was a godly man proclaiming God's Truth, and they were powerless to refute his teaching. They sought to humiliate this teacher and only succeeded in humiliating themselves. This infuriated them; a fury which turned to murderous rage. Stephen was speaking Truth and bearing fruit. This was too much for his critics to bear. There is an ancient proverb which declares: "Stones are not thrown except at the fruit-laden tree." Stephen bore fruit for the Lord .... and it got him stoned!

THREE: False Witnesses & Accusations

The truth which is perceptively and powerfully proclaimed can never be successfully thwarted by those determined to stand against it. The truth will always ultimately prevail. The Jews finally realized this, which led to the third factor facilitating the death of Stephen; if you can't gain an honest advantage, seek a dishonest one! The Jews attacked Stephen with lies. "Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, 'We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God'" (Acts 6:11). Verse 13 informs us "they produced false witnesses" who testified (before the Sanhedrin), probably under oath, additional lies.

Since these disreputable men couldn't refute Truth, they embraced lies. They were incapable of arguing against the message, so they did what godless men have done for centuries: they attacked the messenger. If you can't refute the teaching, then you go after the teacher. This then became their revised strategy.

Were these witnesses truthful in their accusations against Stephen? Of course not! They perjured themselves before the high council of the Jewish nation. Their statements were as far from the truth as one could get. But, these men were not interested in truth .... they were interested in only one thing: silencing Stephen. If they couldn't do it honorably, they would do it dishonorably. They felt the end justified the means. Therefore they assembled a rabble of disreputable men to bear false witness against one of Jerusalem's most devoted disciples. How much lower can one sink than to use such a Satanic strategy to destroy another man and his ministry? One way or another, they would rid the earth of this "troubler" of the people. Their strategy ultimately led to Stephen's death.

FOUR: Stirred Up The People

Stephen's callous critics were not content with using false accusations and false witnesses against him. This was not sufficient in their estimation. More was needed. Thus, they deviously determined to stir up public opinion against this good man. They riled the rabble to such an extent that people were ready to drag Stephen off and inflict great harm upon him. "And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came upon him and dragged him away" (Acts 6:12). The phrase "stir up" comes from the Greek word sugkineo which means: "to whip into a frenzy; to stir up a commotion." This is the only time this word appears in the Bible!

The opponents of Stephen stirred up the crowds. They whipped the people into such a frenzy with their lies and accusations that the mob was ready for blood .... specifically: Stephen's. This was much like the situation in Ephesus during Paul's third missionary journey. His critics had also stirred up the citizens of the city against him. Acts 19:32 says the people were in a completely confused state; "some were shouting one thing and some another, and the majority did not even know for what cause they had come together!" It would almost be comical if it were not so tragic! Such are the tactics of those determined to silence those whom they oppose.

Mob psychology is a fascinating study. If one can whip a crowd into a frenzy, one can easily manipulate that mob into acting in ways which, under normal circumstances, a rational person, or group of persons, would never consider. Through lies, the public testimony of false witnesses, and some clever manipulation of public opinion, these enemies of Stephen achieved what they were unable to achieve alone; the silencing and slaughter of a godly man. As one commentator noted: "Enemies of Truth will always appeal to the people by false accusations against those who preach Truth. Slander and rumor will always agitate a crowd. Those determined to prevail at all costs will ultimately be led to the point where they attack the man, rather than the message."

FIVE: Cut To The Heart

After the false charges had been leveled against him, Stephen was given the opportunity by the Jewish high priest to make a public defense of himself before the Sanhedrin. This Stephen did, making the most of this moment. His "defense," however, was not a defense of himself, but rather an impassioned plea for these people to come to their senses and accept the Truth. Some, who have studied the style of Stephen's plea, characterize it as more of an attack than defense. In other words, Stephen went on the offensive for Truth, rather than simply seeking to save his own skin.

This bold disciple of Jesus did not mince his words. He told it just like it was! He denounced them as stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears, and as always resisting the Holy Spirit. He accused them of being murderers and betrayers of the righteous, just like their ancestors before them!

Needless to say, his frankness before the court did not sit well with these Jewish leaders, nor with his accusers, and it certainly didn't go over well with the people who had already been whipped into a frenzy against him. "Now when they heard this they were cut to the quick (pierced inwardly), and they gnashed their teeth at him" (Acts 7:54). They were so furious that he dared to speak this way against them; never mind how they had spoken against him; that they began grinding their teeth in rage, having been pierced deeply in their hearts by his truthful statements. Stephen told them the truth; a truth they didn't want to hear; he stepped on their toes, and it was painful to them, and it ultimately cost him his life!

SIX: Covered Their Ears

They were cut to the heart, they gnashed their teeth, and "they cried out with a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him with one impulse" (Acts 7:57). They had had enough! They didn't want to hear another word from the lips of this man they had come to abhor. If they could not silence him with reasoned arguments (which they couldn't), if they could not silence him with lies and slanders (which they couldn't), then they would silence him with stoning!!

How typical of the dark side of human nature. People are "all ears" when it comes to listening to that "juicy tidbit" about someone else. The mob was "all ears" when the critics of Stephen were filling their hearts and minds with lies and false accusations. The people listened attentively. But, when Stephen dared to defend himself and to proclaim words of Truth, the people covered their ears! "Don't confuse me with the facts ... my mind is made up!" The people of Jerusalem, having lost all sense of reason, rushed upon Stephen, drove him out of the city gates, picked up the nearest and largest stones they could handle, and slaughtered this devoted disciple. Thus, Stephen became the first martyr in the Lord's church.

SEVEN: Stood And Watched

As if this wasn't all disturbing enough, perhaps one of the most troubling aspects of this entire episode is that there were those who stood nearby, watched this murder take place, and did nothing! We even know the name of one of them; a young man from Tarsus named Saul (later known to us, under more favorable circumstances, as the apostle Paul). Throughout the process leading to the death of this good man, there were most likely observers who knew the charges were false, who knew the treatment of this man was ungodly, who could have perhaps intervened in some way to defuse the situation, but who did nothing.

At the end of the apostle Paul's life, as he himself faced execution for his faith, he wrote, "No one supported me, all deserted me" (2 Timothy 4:16). One has to wonder if perhaps the lonely plight of Stephen came to Paul's mind at this moment near the end of his own life. In vs:17, however, Paul declares, "But the Lord stood with me." One cannot help but think of what Stephen saw as he died; the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. Jesus did not desert either Stephen or Paul. He stood with them both. As Stephen died he said, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). In like manner, Paul prayed for those who had deserted him, saying, "may it not be counted against them" (2 Timothy 4:16). No, I don't think Paul ever forgot Stephen. He carried the memory of that fateful day within his heart all the days of his life.

Too often when a faithful servant of the Lord is being vilified by vile critics, too many disciples stand silently by and do nothing to assist the one being eviscerated. This is unconscionable. The stoning of the "Stephens" of this world will continue unchecked until the "cloak holders" step out of the crowd and confront these cowardly critics of those who stand up for Truth.

Why was Stephen stoned? Because he was a man of faith, intent upon sharing the good news of God's grace with others; because he stood his ground even though the message was not always popular; because he was bearing fruit for the Lord; because his opponents determined to silence this good man, and couldn't do it in honest, open debate, and so sought to do so with lies, slander, and manipulation of public opinion. On the one hand, what a disgusting display of godlessness; on the other hand, what an enduring testimony of the beauty of a disciple devoted to Truth regardless of personal cost. What an example of godly determination in the face of ungodly abuse.

"Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before the Messiah Jesus, your lord, and Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath" (1 Peter 3:14-16, The Message). "Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit Me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens -- give a cheer, even! -- for though they don't like it, I do. And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble" (Matthew 5:11-12, The Message).

Written by Al Maxey and edited by Bruce Lyon

PSALM 40:1-8

These verses refer throughout to our Lord Jesus the Messiah, they bring before us, His sufferings and resurrection, and they especially also point to His voluntary coming into the world to become a sin-offering sacrifice to deliver us from our bondage to sin.

In verse 1, we read, “I waited patiently for Yehovah.” As in every case our Lord Jesus the Messiah is an example to the called-out Assembly regarding his patience also, and here we see the result of waiting patiently. “He - Yehovah inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” So the children of God will find it always. If we patiently wait for Yehovah the result will be that the answer will come according to our desire if it is according to His will. We should particularly keep this in mind in order that we may receive the blessing for which we have asked Yehovah. Nothing is obtained by impatience, we only dishonor Yehovah by it, and we never in the least degree obtain the answer by impatience.

Verse 2, This refers to the great and awful sufferings of our Lord Jesus the Messiah as our sin-offering sacrifice. When He passed through the hour of darkness this was fulfilled. “A horrible pit,” the very figure brings before us the awfulness of the hour through which our Lord had to pass. But this did not continue. He was brought out of it. And though we have not suffered in the way he has done for others, yet we in the providence of Yehovah, because He sees it to be good for us, may also in our little degree be found in a horrible pit and in the miry clay. But it will not last forever; we too shall have our feet set upon a rock. Oh, how precious, how bright the prospect which will have its fulfillment in the appearing of our Lord Jesus the Messiah! Now the Lord Jesus once for all passed through suffering, and once for all had his feet set on a rock, and His goings established, but ever since his resurrection this work has been further and further developed, and will be developed further and further up to the time of his return, and then the rewards will go on throughout eternity, so far as himself is concerned, and so far as the called-out Assembly is concerned, and there will be nothing, nothing but partaking of the rivers of pleasure at the right hand of Yehovah (Psalm 36:8).

Verse 3, “Many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in Yehovah.” This second part of the verse we see continually fulfilled, many have been brought to believe in the Lord Jesus the Messiah and many will yet further be brought to the knowledge of him, an innumerable multitude. On, how bright the prospect with regard to the end! Comparatively now as to outward appearance, the number is small; it will be seen how innumerable it is at last!

Verse 4, “Blessed is that man that makes Yehovah his trust.” This is the real blessing, and this only is a real blessing, to make Yehovah our trust for the salvation of our souls, for the obtaining of all that which we really need while passing through this vale of tears in the midst of trial and difficulty, and for our spiritual work and labor. To do all this the only remedy is to trust in Yehovah and then and only then, are we really blessed and can be really happy. This word “blessed” is the same in the original as “happy”, so we may read it with regard to its application in both respects: “Happy, really happy is that man who makes Yehovah his trust”.

Verse 5, This, we should remember for our comfort when we are in trial, in difficulty, in affliction, whatever the outward appearance is “This will never come to an end, I shall never be happy anymore” we should remember this word. “Many, O Yehovah my God, are your wonderful works which you have done.” You can increase their number by helping me also out of the trial, out of the difficulty in which I find myself.

Then comes a remarkable sentence: “And your thoughts which are to toward us”. Here Yehovah is brought before us in union with the called-out Assembly. Not “to me”, or simply toward the called-out Assembly, but to “toward us”, in intimate union with the called-out Assembly, for we are members of that body, of which the Lord Jesus is Head. And this truth we should continually seek to dwell on, and never lose sight of. Oh, how great the joy in Yehovah when we are able to enter into this He has given to us poor, wicked, guilty, sinners that we are naturally, the thoughts of Yehovah are “toward us”. His heart is toward us, His mind is toward us, He is thinking about us all the time! Oh, how precious is this, He never loses sight of us, never forgets us. Oh, how precious is this! And how many they are we read in what follows: “Nothing can be declared back to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”

Just think of this! So often does Yehovah think of us that the thoughts which He has toward us, regarding us, these thoughts are so many they cannot be reckoned up in order. Not a thousand merely, not ten thousand merely in them, far, far more, they cannot be numbered. How about whom He is thinking thus? About poor sinners who deserve nothing but destruction? We should say to ourselves individually, “He is thinking about me, a wicked, guilty sinner, deserving nothing but death, yet so dear am I to the heart of Yehovah, so precious in His sight, so entirely He is looking on me as He looks on His only begotten Son, because I am one with him, I am a member of that body of believers of which the Lord Jesus is the Head, I am altogether united to him, and therefore for his sake Yehovah is continually occupied in mind about me, and thinking how He may invariably make me happy, how He invariably may make manifest His care over me, so dear am I to His heart, so precious in His sight.

Verse 6, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire.” Originally this was the law of things
according to the mind of God, but it was instituted because of man’s weakness, otherwise, it would not have been. “My ears have you opened.” Most, if not all, present know what is meant by this. When a slave was set at liberty and chose to remain a slave (Exodus 21:5) “I love my master, my wife, and my children, I would rather remain a slave forever” then he was to be brought to the doorpost, and his ear bored through, and he was to remain the bond-servant of his master forever.

Now the Lord Jesus the Messiah makes himself the bond-servant of Yehovah, that is, he would perfectly obey his God at all times and under all circumstances, never, never doing anything contrary to the mind of Yehovah. To this it has reference. By thus yielding in perfect obedience to Yehovah at all times and under all circumstances, the Lord Jesus Christ wrought out righteousness through which, by faith in his name, we stand as justified ones before God. So He not merely fulfilled the law in place but bore the penalty of the law, which we deserved on account of our numberless transgressions.

Now let us, beloved in the Messiah, while again we surround the Lord's table, seek more than ever to enter into this thought. Though we individually have broken the law of Yehovah and that times without number, in our place the Lord Jesus the Messiah fulfilled it, and this is put to our account, and thus we who trust in Jesus stand as justified ones before Yehovah. Then the Lord Jesus the Messiah bore the punishment in our place, and therefore, though we deserve nothing but punishment on account of our numberless transgressions, we shall not for one single sin be punished. And this should always be particularly before us when we meet for the breaking of bread, though at other times it should be continually in our minds, day by day and hour by hour we should seek to remember what the Lord Jesus did, and suffered in our room in order that peace and joy in the Holy Spirit may increase and abound more and more.

Sermon by George Muller and edited by Bruce Lyon

ECCLESIASTES 9:10

All are in grave danger, including the children of God, of forgetting that life is given to us as a precious talent to be used for Yehovah and for the blessing to ourselves. So many, are going on as if life was not a reality. We are continually in danger of forgetting practically that we have but one life and that this one life on earth is, in comparison with eternity, very, very brief. Now, in order to counteract all this, God in His grace has given words to us in His Book like our text, whereby He, our Friend in heaven, speaks loudly to our hearts and says to us, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, or planning, or knowledge, or wisdom, in Sheol – the grave, where you are going.” With our might, we are to do what we do.

In the first place, the first, great thing to do above all is to care about the salvation of our lives.
Everything else in comparison with this is of little moment. Now I affectionately ask all those present, have we attended above everything else to the salvation of our lives? and are we certain on Scriptural grounds that we have made no mistake about it, that all is settled regarding this matter, that we are surely not walking on the broad road leading to destruction, but are really walking along the narrow road that leads to life everlasting? Is it settled? And remember this is to be settled not by our own feelings or by what this one or the other tells us but to be brought into conformity with God’s standard, to be according to God's revelation. I direct the attention of any here present, who are as yet in any measure of uncertainty about this to a few passages: Romans 3:20-22 a righteousness God can accept which comes from Him through the Lord Jesus the Messiah, righteousness, obtained by putting our trust in the Lord Jesus the Messiah for salvation, after we have been made to see ourselves, sinners, and passed sentence on ourselves and accepted what has been so mercifully provided for the greatest, the vilest and most hardened sinner in the Lord Jesus the Messiah, for it is “unto all and upon all them that believe”. None is excepted, any and everyone may have it. It is not offered to this one or that one merely, but is “unto all”. But it is not “upon all”, therefore we read “unto all them that believe”. No-one is excluded, no-one can say “I desired to have this righteousness, but could never obtain it”. It is for every poor sinner IF he is but willing to accept what God has provided for him. Verse 24, justified because it is a righteousness of Yehovah, provided by giving up His Son, who at all times and under all circumstances acted according to the will of God. Then in chapter 10, we read, “being justified by faith”. We have to put our trust in the Messiah, to depend on the Messiah; then we are counted as just ones, and righteous ones in the sight of God (Romans 8:1): the poor sinner, united to the Messiah, becomes a member of the body of which the Messiah is the Head, through faith in the Lord Jesus. One passage more, and I quote it because it is so apt for the weakest and the feeblest sinner who puts his trust in the Lord Jesus the Messiah: Romans 10:9-10. Here are two points brought before us whereby we can settle whether we are saved or not.

First, we are to believe in our hearts that the Messiah is raised from the dead and second with the mouth to confess the Lord Jesus the Messiah. These two points are so united together in the same individual not that we believe that the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead only, not that we confess the Lord Jesus only, but that these two points are found in us. Now in whatever way our faith is weak, very weak, yet in all true believers, we find no doubt with regard to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus the Messiah. They believe he was nailed to the cross and shed his blood to save sinners that he was taken down and put into the grave, but raised again. But this is not the only point. If we desire to be sure of the salvation of our souls we must combine with this the confession of the Messiah we must let men know that we depend for salvation on the merits and sufferings of the Lord Jesus the Messiah. If there is this without the belief of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus the Messiah it will give no comfort. If we believe and do not confess him, we shall have no assurance in the matter of salvation. But, as surely as these two points are found in one individual, God declares not I declare it, but God declares it that they shall be saved. Now I am a poor sinner, but wicked, guilty, sinner though I am, I shall be saved because I believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. I am as certain about it as if I had been one of the guards and seen Him come from the grave no, more certain, for I might have been mistaken or deluded by my sight but God declares it in His Word and I believe it. And I do confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus, though I have done it tens of hundreds of times and so, though a poor, wretched sinner, I shall be saved.

One more passage is Acts 10:43. Do you want to get rid of the burden on your conscience? To be at peace in your soul by knowing that your sins are forgiven? Believe on the Lord Jesus Messiah, for whosoever does this shall receive remission of sins, obtain the forgiveness of all their numberless transgressions. This matter thus how easily settled, if we desire to settle it by Scripture alone

Now this is being done, the question is what next our hands find to do with our might. If the matter of our salvation is settled, the most deeply important point is to glorify God while life is continued to us. That is our great business whereby we show our love and gratitude to God, for all His great love and wondrous grace in the gift of His only Son. To live for Him, to glorify Him we should make the great, sole business of our whole life, in comparison with which all other business is trifling. David says “This one thing I have desired” Psalm 17:4 not six things have I desired not five not four “This one thing” One! One! And thus it should be with every child of God, with every true believer in the Lord Jesus the Messiah, after the matter of salvation, is settled, there should be this one thing, to live for God, to glorify Yehovah. Now, this implies a great deal and in order that the subject, to the utmost of my ability, that it may be of a practical character, I will hint at a few things, as illustrating how we may glorify Yehovah.

For instance, we are surrounded by poor believers do we care for these? Do we seek to minister to them with supplies from our own means? Are we really interested in their temporal concerns? Do we realize that this is the will of God concerning us that if there are poor believers surrounding us that it is His mind that we should care for them?

There are sick ones do we care for their comfort, aid them, minister to their necessities, provide things to ease their pain and comfort them on their bed of languishing? Do we care for them with our “might”, not in a trifling, careless way, but with our “might”, as Yehovah, Himself says in His own Word? Are we doing it? Then again, there are fellow-believers not merely to be cared for temporally, but spiritually. If we see one uninstructed and we have a little more knowledge, are we ready to help on and instruct him? When we see any cast down, are we ready to encourage him?

When we see a brother in doubt, are we ready to do what we can to increase his faith and by communicating how the Lord has provided for us, to encourage him to trust in Yehovah? Do we, with our might, seek to help on those who are weak in the faith?

When we see a brother departing from the narrow way, do we go after him and seek to restore his soul in meekness, according to the mind of the Messiah? With our “might” we are to do it. Ah, let us ask ourselves this, for as we are sowing, so will be the reaping hereafter. And let us never forget the words “Do it with your might” not in a slovenly way, not carelessly, not in a half-hearted, trifling way, not giving away what does not cost us anything, but we are to do with our might what we do, for we have only one life to glorify God in.

Again it can be done by taking a deep and heartfelt commitment to the work of God. What are we doing in this way? In the work of God at home in the first place in our families, for it would not do for us to go out and neglect them they have the first place. But having attended to the spiritual welfare of our families and neighbors in the sphere in which God has especially put us, what are we doing for our fellow-men surrounding us?

Do we care for their lives, according to our strength, time, and ability, seek to pluck them as brands from the burning? Do we seek to win people for the Lord? for we are left here for that reason among others. How many spiritual children have we, beloved brethren and sisters? Can we point to one?

If so, blessed by God, but that is very little

our life is not being redeemed as it might be

there might be five! Ten! Ah, beloved in the Messiah, let us see to it that at the last we shall be able to say to the praise and honor and glory of God “Here am I and the children which God has given me”. Let us see to it that we do not go to our reward alone. How many spiritual children have we? Ah, the more, the better. Let us not say: “It is not to be expected, because I am not a preacher that I should have any spiritual children”. God’s Spirit is given to us for the very purpose that out of us may “flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38) and if we do not grieve or quench the Spirit it is impossible to say to what degree “rivers of living water” may flow from us as regards the conversion of our fellow-men, and the building up of our brethren and sisters in the Messiah.

It is impossible to say to what degree God is ready to use us if we are desirous of being used and if we live in such a way as to be vessels “meet for the Master’s use” (1 Timothy 2:21)

Again, there are brethren laboring abroad

do we feel an interest in such, pray for a blessing on such, seek to minister to their physical necessities, mental comfort, and spiritual advancement? Do we contribute of our means in addition to giving our prayers? For, if our prayers mean anything, they will be accompanied by love-tokens. What are we doing and are we doing it with our might? Ah, beloved brethren and sisters let us arouse ourselves! If we have been drowsy and sleepy, let us get out of our sleep, and attend to the words “Whatsoever your hand find to do, do it with your might”. Have we with our might aided the brethren laboring at home, under trying circumstances as many, and by far the great part, do? With our “might” this is to be done

Again, the Word of God is to be spread abroad over the earth (it has been published in 250 languages) what are we doing to spread it? What to spread tracts, now to be had in so many languages? What in regard to Sunday Schools; Ragged Schools for destitute, neglected children? With what interest do we seek to lend a helping hand? Do we satisfy ourselves by giving the merest trifle once in the year, because we do not like to appear to do nothing? God does not look at what we give, but God looks at what is left behind. We see this in the example our Lord brings before us, the widow who cast two mites into the treasury the merest trifle, but what had she left? She gave her all! So God looks at the amount left after we have given. And if we couple our text with this ah, beloved brethren and sisters, what an effect it will have on us and how it will stir us up and rouse us, in a way in which we have never been roused before.

Now a few words about the third part of our subject: “For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither you go”. This is a deeply important point to be noticed. We have only one life and that a brief one and the end of it will be (if the coming of the Lord Jesus prevents not) that we shall enter the grave. The time will be over, the opportunities granted to us in great abundance on earth will be over; only this remains as was the sowing, so will be the reaping.

Sowing sparingly brings a very poor harvest, it brings reaping sparingly, but having sown bountifully we reap also bountifully. This has nothing to do with the matter of salvation, for all our sins are gone, but then will come to the reward of grace, and as we sow, so shall we reap.

Now, brethren beloved, let us with earnestness see to it that there shall be a bountiful harvest, but a bountiful harvest will only take place if there has been bountiful sowing. This very evening, how much do we find to do? Tomorrow morning how much? Tomorrow evening how much? and thus throughout the week, throughout next month and throughout the remainder of our earthly pilgrimage?

I affectionately beseech and entreat my beloved fellow-believers to lay these things to heart and to ask God to impress deeply on your hearts that you have but one life on earth and that one life on earth is a brief life in comparison with eternity, and therefore beseech Him, in the riches of His grace, to help you to make the very best use of this one brief life which is as a precious talent entrusted to you. God grant it for the glory of His name Yehovah the blessing of yourselves, the good of the world “lying in the wicked one”, and the good and profit and blessing of the called-out Assembly at large. God grant it, for the Messiah’s sake! Amen.

A sermon preached by George Müller edited by Bruce Lyon

SONG OF SOLOMON 4:12-16

The few words, beloved Christian friends, I have to speak this evening, are in connection with the first portion of Holy Scripture, contained in the Song of Solomon.

It should be in our hearts to seek to enter into the spiritual meaning of this most precious Book. I do not know one single part of God’s testimony which more effectually acts like a spiritual thermometer, to show how it is with regard to our affection for the Person of our adorable Lord Jesus the Messiah, than this portion of the Word of God, called the Song of Solomon. And this portion, to which our attention is directed, if entered into with regard to ourselves, would bring an abundant blessing to our souls.

Now let us read this verse and gain some understanding as to its meaning “A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse;" we are called a "spouse," the most intimate of all unions. How does this happen, that we are in this most intimate of all unions? By reason of that deep sleep of death which fell upon Jesus. That Blessed One died in our stead, in order that we might have life, in order that we might be brought into this most intimate of all relationships to him, in order that we should be his spouse. Now this sister is called a “garden enclosed,” "a spring shut up," “a fountain sealed;" these three different figures are employed. A "garden inclosed:" let me here observe that I judge the meaning is not what is commonly stated. A "garden inclosed": the very word "garden” implies that it is inclosed; a portion of land taken away from other parts, enclosed by a hedge or wall, or somehow or other inclosed and cultivated afterward. It is this very thing which constitutes it to be a garden. But it is not simply said a "garden,” there is something added regarding the garden, and that is, that it is “barred," “bolted," "shut up," just like this spring, and this “fountain sealed"; that is the particular point: not that this portion of land is inclosed, but that this inclosed field is shut up, that it is not accessible to everyone. The owner goes in and out as he pleases; he has a right to this piece of land; this Garden; but it is bolted, it is barred, it is shut up, and not accessible to everyone. Just as he who sealed the fountain may alone break the seal; and he who shut up the spring may break away that by which it is shut up, and may partake of the refreshing draughts of this fountain: that is the particular point. Now, what is meant by this figure of "a bolted Garden," "a spring shut up," "a fountain sealed"? We are our Lord's property, he has bought us with his precious blood; thus we are his and not our own. The right to the Garden is his, the bolts and keys are his, the fountain is his, the spring is his; all belong to that Blessed One, who bought us with his precious blood.

Do we feel in our inmost souls that all we have and are belongs to the Messiah? He has bought our persons, our talents, and our time? Do we feel that he has bought our eyes, our hands, our feet? Do we feel that our houses and lands, our horses and carriages, belong to him? that all the money we have is his, that our profession or business is his, that everything we have and are is his? Oh! if our inmost souls entered into it, what Christian men and women should we be from this time forward.

Now beloved in the Messiah, as we are come here not to pass an hour or two for amusement, but in order that our inmost souls may be affected, that we may become more holy and devout, “out and out" consecrated to the Lord; oh! let us seek to enter into this glorious fact, that the Lord Jesus the Messiah has bought us with his precious blood, that “out and out" we are his, and not our own; and that not for this evening, or tomorrow, merely, but that all the days of our life, we and all we have and are, belong to the Lord. Oh! let us ask God to seal this upon our hearts, and to seal it so, that from this evening and henceforth we shall never be able to lose sight of this truth. This, I judge, is the great practical point that the Holy Spirit would bring before us in this portion.

Now we read the next verse: “Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire with spikenard, spikenard, and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.” What is this? The Lord Jesus coming into his Garden, and the grace he sees in his Church; - the grace he sees in his spouse, his sister: the Bridegroom able to take delight and joy and pleasure in what he sees in his people. Beloved in the Messiah, the great practical point is; is it thus with me?

When I was meditating upon this portion last Sunday evening, I said to myself, “Lord, let it become thus with me; help me, that it may become thus with me.” Oh that it may be thus with ourselves, individually; and that it may be thus not only “now and then," when we are under special spiritual influences, or under special spiritual guidance, such as the present may be; but that day by day, from Monday morning until Saturday evening, and all the day though, all week long, all the year-round, we may be in the “fear of the Lord.” It is just this which, with the blessing of God, will make an effect upon the consciences of the unconverted. When they see that we are in earnest, that there is the reality of our profession as disciples of the Lord Jesus the Messiah; when they are able to say, “Look at that man, he is just what he was twenty, or thirty, or forty years ago.'"

And so goes on that man or woman, day by day, week by week, month after month, and year after year, always in the fear of God, always setting the Messiah before him. Oh, if it were thus with us, beloved in the Messiah, what testimony would our lives be to an ungodly world! More than this, how we should strengthen each other's hands in God! We are all members of the Body of the Messiah, the called-out Assembly, and each one has a duty to perform, in order that his fellow-believers may be helped on. We should not be simply satisfied with reading that Jonathan went into the wood to strengthen the hands of David; but we should ask ourselves, “Do I strengthen my brethren and sisters? Do I lend them a helping hand when they are tried and afflicted and weak? When they are falling, do I seek to strengthen their hands in God? Again, in the Epistle to the Thessalonians, we read, “Edify one another even as also you do.” Do we build up one another, and seek to encourage and lead on one another in the knowledge of the Messiah? How is it with us regarding these points? Is it true of us that we are not merely plants and trees, but fruit-bearing trees in the Lord's Garden? Oh! beloved in the Messiah, is our life and walk day by day a sweet perfume to the Messiah? Just let us ask ourselves, and deal honestly with our lives this evening; and before we go away let us ask ourselves, as before God, the question, Is my life and are my actions a sweet savor unto the Messiah? Do I refresh the heart of my Lord? Thus it might be, thus it ought to be, beloved in the Messiah. Oh let us aim after it, that it may be thus; and if we honestly ask the Lord that he would help us, we should most assuredly experience the fulfillment of the promise of the Lord Jesus, contained in the thirteenth chapter of Matthew, the twelfth verse: “For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundantly.” And we should verily experience the truth of the precious statement of the apostle Paul, “I can do all things through the Messiah, who strengthens me.”

The next verse, the fifteenth, “A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.” This is what the Lord Jesus the Messiah further says about the called-out Assembly, which is a fountain of gardens. That means a fountain in gardens or a fountain such as is found in a garden. “A well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon," The particular point here, I think, that is intended to be conveyed as to the spiritual meaning is this; the refreshing that is intended to be diffused through the instrumentality of the called-out Assembly. You remember well that statement in the Gospel of John with regard to the Spirit not yet given, “That out of the believer should flow rivers of living water.” The called-out Assembly should be a fountain, a spring of living waters, a spring running from Lebanon. How is it with us regarding this? If we ask ourselves as before God (and we should always deal honestly with our hearts), we should say: Is the living water flowing out of me? Am I Yehovah's instrument in conveying spiritual blessings? Do I by my life and deportment and words minister the Spirit to others? How often has it been thus; or has it been so at all? And if to some degree, is it so habitually?

What the Lord Jesus the Messiah looks for is this, that since he has graciously been pleased to give unto us the Holy Spirit, it should be true of us individually, “that out of us flow rivers of living water.” And I would say, that, if we more expected it, we should have more, and if our life and walk and deportment were more as it becomes a disciple of the Lord Jesus, we should, by the grace of the Spirit, refresh others, and out of us would verily flow “rivers of living water"; as was the case in the days of the apostles. The office of the apostles we cannot have; and if any were to come and tell us that they were apostles, we should at once say that they were liars. But while we cannot have the office of the apostles, the grace of the apostles we should seek after. It may be true of the saints of the Most High now in this latter part of the nineteenth century, as it was true of them in the days of Paul, that out of them will “flow rivers of living water.” And if, beloved in the Messiah here present, we were expecting this and were praying for this, that we might be men and women out of whom should “flow rivers of living water," we should find that verily Yehovah is as good as His Word and that He would give us help and strength that this might come about.

The last verse, “Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out.” Possibly the way in which I understand this verse may differ from the way in which one or other of my beloved brethren understand it. The meaning, as I understand it, is this, the called-out Assembly responding, and the called-out Assembly delighting to give joy to the heart of her beloved Bridegroom. The called-out Assembly wishing to refresh Him by her sweet savors and pleasant fruits, says, “Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.” I understand the whole of this verse, and not simply the last words thereof, to be a statement of the called-out Assembly: the beloved is speaking to the bridegroom in order to refresh his heart; and so the saints of the Most High should ever look above and say to themselves, How can I give joy to the heart of my blessed Lord? He has laid down his life for me, what can I do for him, how can I serve and glorify him? And lest any say, I am poor, or I am young, or I have not much learning, I have been but recently brought to the knowledge of the Lord, I say, everyone who is a believer in the Lord Jesus the Messiah, and a partaker of the Holy Spirit, regenerated and renewed, has it in his heart to refresh and gladden the heart of the Lord Jesus the Messiah. Oh let us never say, “I can do nothing to give joy to the heart of my blessed Lord.” We can do it, and the Lord Jesus the Messiah looks for it that we should do it. He has given the last drop of his blood for us, and went through everything that was necessary for our salvation; and now is he looking that we, on our part, seek his glory, and refresh his heart, in return for all he has done for us. And thus it comes that the called-out Assembly desires to gladden the heart of the Lord Jesus, and she says, “Let my Beloved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant fruits.”

Now notice the response of the Blessed One in the first verse or the next chapter, “I have come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice, I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.” The first thing I notice here particularly is this, it is all “My," “My," “My," because we belong to the Lord and have nothing in ourselves. It is My spice, My Garden, My honeycomb, My honey, everything belonging to the Lord Jesus. And this we must never lose sight of, that however much we may be advanced in knowledge and grace, yet we owe every particle of grace and knowledge to the Lord. We must never stand before a spiritual looking-glass and think what we have done, what we have attained to; but give all the honor and glory; not in word only, for that is a little thing, but in our inmost souls, to him to whom it is alone due: the Lord Jesus Christ claims it all for himself. It is My Garden, My sister, My spouse, My myrrh, My spice, My honeycomb, My honey, - everything belongs to Him.

And then at the close of the verse, “Eat, O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.” “Be drunken in love," as it should be, or at least might be rendered. And here let me say particularly if there is one thing more than another after which we should aim, it is an increase of love. Oh! when we think of it, that there is a possibility of being drunken in love, what a blessed, blessed, blessed thing to set before us, to be aiming after this, to be drunken in love, to be filled with love. Oh, beloved in the Messiah, let it be our holy, godly aim, to know something or this for ourselves! And these blessed meetings may be a great stimulus to us to aim after an increase of love. That is one of the special objects why we come together; not so much that we may instruct one another, but that we may excite one another to an increase of love. Oh let us aim after this! “God is love.” And just in measure as we are helped on to increase in love, so, and only in so far, do we become more like God.

A Sermon by George Muller edited by Bruce Lyon

Does Hebrews 6:4-6 mean we can lose our salvation?

Hebrews 6:4-8: For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God: But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

What do we understand from these verses:

1. If someone falls away from believing in God's message given through the lord Jesus, in other words has been enlightened, and has tasted the heavenly gift of the Holy Spirit, and given the good revelation of God and tasted the powers of the coming new age that it is impossible to renew them again to repentance.

2. In falling away that person has crucified to themselves the son of God again, and put him to an open shame.

3. The end result is to be burned up in the lake of fire, destroyed.

This is a dire warning for those who might contemplate going back to this world and rejecting the one whom God has sent. Such a one would obviously have no meaningful contact with anyone who was sincerely following the lord Jesus. That being said, this does not exclude what the lord Jesus can do!

Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

We see here that there were 100 sheep in the flock, but one wanders away in the wilderness and is lost, so the shepherd goes after the one who has become lost until he finds it. Notice the lost sheep is lost in the wilderness which if we look at the parable an apply it to the present time, the wilderness that we walk through is this world. If one sheep who is of the flock, cared for by the lord Jesus, our shepherd; wanders of into the wilderness and becomes lost, i.e. has fallen way, gone back out into the world and become a part of it, which believers are not a part of, will not the lord Jesus as shepherd seek to find such a one and bring him/her back to be a part of the flock.

Ask yourselves this question: how many times has Jesus brought you back to walk on the narrow path that leads to life in the coming new age when you have wandered away from it? How many times? I know for myself he has done so!

Again:Luke 15:6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents. Does this not include a sinning sheep who has wandered off and the lord Jesus has brought back carrying him on his shoulder, because it is too weak to walk on its own?

The parable of the prodigal son is a prime example of one who has rejected his father, taken his inheritance - his taste of the things to come - and even rejected the country he grew up in, was a part of and gone into the wilderness so to speak. Notice what the father does when he sees him returning, he runs to him with open arms. He was looking for him to return, he didn't give up hope that his son would return. Our God will never give up hope as far as we are concerned, even if we come to the point of rejecting his beloved son, because he gave His son Jesus to save those who are lost. It is all between the lord Jesus and the one who has fallen away. In other words it is not possible for any follower of Jesus to renew such a one to repent and come back, only the lord Jesus can bring that one back.

Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. God is love!

An answer I gave to this question at E-Bible