Stephen's Sermon, Part 6, (or, 'Unfaithful Fathers')

Aim: To be those Christians who believe God's word, His gospel, and His Son.

Doctrine: The negative examples of unfaithful fathers are to be rejected by the true church. Instead, we are to listen to the Holy Spirit, and we are to love the ''Just One'' (Jesus Christ).

Exegesis: How the ''fathers'' should have responded to their covenantal advantages: by valuing the presence of God (vv. 44-47); by marveling at the greatness of God (vv. 48-50); by believing in the Christ of God (vv. 51-53).

Further application: How we may be faithful spiritual ''parents'' to the church that follows after us: by teaching everyone to hear Jesus' voice, and by modeling a Spirit-filled life of faith in Christ.

Key verse: v. 51 ''You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.''