Acts 4 32 5 4 Rekindling Our Expressions

Acts 4: 32 - 5: 4

Rekindling Our Expressions of Love • Through a Spirit of True Selflessness 4: 32 – Manifestation: Ø Congregation of one heart and one soul–UNITY – As the Savior commanded – Matt. 22: 37 – As the Savior prayed – John 17: 20 -21 – Preparation: Ø A heart that says, “All I have is not my own. ” – “Neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own” Ø “You are not your own” – 1 Cor. 6: 19 -20

Rekindling Our Expressions of Love • Through a Spirit of True Stewardship 4: 33 – Manifestation: Ø Message of the gospel (TRUTH) had great power through the lives of the messengers – As the Savior predicted – John 13: 34 -35 – As Christians extended great grace/favor to each other, God extended great grace/favor upon them, which gave them great grace/favor before others. – The IMAGE of the church & Christ was being shaped. – Preparation: Ø A heart that says, “All I have belongs to God” – “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” (Ps. 24: 1). – “All I have can be used for those in need. ”

Rekindling Our Expressions of Love • Through a Spirit of True Sacrifice 4: 34 -35 – Manifestation: Ø Not any Christian lacked basic life necessities Ø Distributed to each as anyone had need – Preparation & Action: Ø A willing (not coerced) heart – ALL who HAD, SOLD – ALL who HAD & SOLD, BROUGHT – ALL who HAD, SOLD & BROUGHT, LAID

Rekindling Our Expressions of Love • Through a Spirit of True Sacrifice 4: 34 -35 – ALL who HAD – They had “things” (land, houses) Ø No one should lack: – – – – – necessities proper attention support or aid trustworthy friends faithful growth encouragement strength or joy appreciation confidence/certainty Ø Since we have: – treasures (Eph. 4: 28) – time (Eph. 5: 15 -16) – talents (Ga. 5: 13; 6: 10) – trust (Pr. 17: 17; 18: 24) – truth (Jas. 5: 19 -20) – talk (Pr. 12: 18; 31: 26) – tenderness (Eph. 4: 32) – thanks (Phil. 1: 3) – target (Phil. 3: 12 -14)

Rekindling Our Expressions of Love • Through a Spirit of True Sacrifice 4: 34 -35 – ALL who HAD Ø They had “things” (land, houses, possessions) – ALL who HAD, SOLD Ø Made up mind to help – it was still theirs – ALL who HAD & SOLD, BROUGHT Ø Went to deliver help – it was still theirs – ALL who HAD, SOLD & BROUGHT, LAID Ø Gave/delivered help – willingly and gladly “Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. ” – 1 John 3: 18

Rekindling Our Expressions of Love • “For all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet…” • “Barnabas…having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ” • “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ”

Rekindling Our Expressions of Love They KEPT BACK PART – 5: 2 -4 – What happened? Selfishness was stronger than selflessness Ø Wanted praise of men more than praise of God Ø Thought they could fool God (part vs. all) Ø Threatened the unity of the church, the truth that was being preached and the image of the Lord’s church and of the Lord Himself Ø Result: “Great fear came upon all. ” – 5: 5, 11 Ø For the sake of your brethren, the Lord & His church, don’t keep anything back.

Let’s Help Each Other go to Heaven • Believe Jesus is God’s Son – Mark 16: 16 • Repent of your sins – Acts 2: 38 • Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10: 10 • Be immersed in water – Galatians 3: 27 – Sins are forgiven – Acts 22: 16 – Added to His church – Acts 2: 47 – Registered in heaven – Hebrews 12: 23 • Always abound in the work of the Lord, for Him and for others – 1 Corinthians 15: 58