Stephen preached the history of Israel.

1. www.rossvillechurch.com 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741 1 A Deacon To Reckon With September 28, 2011

2. 2 The high priest offered Stephen a chance to defend himself. Instead he preached. History of Israel

3. 3 Stephen reminds the Jews of their mean (lowly; poor) beginning as a check to priding themselves in the glories of that nation. Likewise of the wickedness of the patriarchs of their tribes, in envying their brother Joseph; and the same spirit was still working in them toward Christ and His ministers. Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary. Pride Envy and Two very destructive sins.

4. 4 Last time we saw the history of Israel from the time God spoke to Abraham, Until Joseph was sold and taken to Egypt. Pharaoh made Joseph governor over Egypt, answeringonly to Pharaoh himself.

5. 5 Acts7:11 Now there came a dearth (drought, famine)over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. Sin brings drought and famine into the lives of disobedient children of God. It will ultimately bring them into bondage. God will use this dearth to bring His family back together, and draw them back to Himself.

6. 6 12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. 13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. The beginning of restoration, But also the beginning of judgment. Bondage

7. 7 14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers, 16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.

8. 8 17 But when the time of the Promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph. 19 The same dealt subtilly(crafty against)with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

9. 9 20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months: 21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. 22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. Deliverer

10. 10 23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by His Hand would deliver them: but they understood not. At the age of forty, Moses knew God planned to use him to deliver the Israelites. But he tried to do it in his way and his time.

11. 11 26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27 But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? The Israelites were not ready for deliverance. Moses got ahead of the Lord.

12. 12 God has to bring people to the point of repentance, so that they can be delivered. We may think that a man or woman is as low as he or she can fall, but God knows the heart. We must be led by the Holy Spirit in all that we do. He knows what can be accomplished. He knows when a sinner is ready to repent. He knows when we are ready to be used of God to bring deliverance to a lost soul, Or to a backslider.