Teeth Gnashing

Acts 7:54
"When they heard these things they were cut to the heart and they gnashed at him with their teeth"

What did they hear that made them all mad? vs. 51-53

• Stiff necked people
• Uncircumcised hearts and ears
• Resist Holy Spirit and God - as did their fathers
• Fathers persecuted all prophets
• Fathers killed those who foretold of Jesus - the Righteous One
• Betrayers and murderers of the Righteous One
• Heard the truth and did not keep it

Stephen name called and offended them.  They missed it and put their own agenda ahead of the truth of Jesus and the message that was told them by the angels.  Stephen had to stand up for the truth.  He shared 50 verses of things that they agreed with.  it was what they wanted to hear.  Then the 3 verses that hit home.  They did the same that they did with Jesus.  They were so lost that their only response was rage.

Application - Do I share a message that would offend and enrage people like this?  I think of someone close to us who only a few months ago openly made fun of, looked down on, and was sarcastic publicly about mine and Karen's faith.  But we never changed our beliefs, and showed the love of God to her in a huge time of need and she is no a believer.  I guess she wasn't at the point of throwing stones at us, but she was sure gnashing her know it all cynical teeth at us.  I am not perfect, but unwavering from what we believe in and sharing God's love when needed will be used by God.  I look back now at my bad attitude toward her and am ashamed at my heart toward her when Jesus was working on her and saving her.  My attitude needs to be on love and compassion toward all people...especially if they are lost.