Acts 4:32 - 5:4

• Through a Spirit of True Selflessness 4:32– Manifestation:Manifestation:

Congregation of Congregation of one heartone heart and and one soulone soul––UNITYUNITY– As the Savior commanded – Matt. 22:37As the Savior commanded – Matt. 22:37– As the Savior prayed – John 17:20-21As the Savior prayed – John 17:20-21

– Preparation:Preparation: A heart that says, “All I have is not my A heart that says, “All I have is not my

own.”own.”– ““Neither did Neither did anyoneanyone say that say that anyany of the of the

things he possessed was things he possessed was his ownhis own”” ““You are not your own” – 1 Cor. 6:19-20You are not your own” – 1 Cor. 6:19-20

• Through a Spirit of True Stewardship 4:33– Manifestation:Manifestation:

Message of the gospel (TRUTH) had Message of the gospel (TRUTH) had great great powerpower through the lives of the messengers through the lives of the messengers– As the Savior predicted – John 13:34-35As the Savior predicted – John 13:34-35– As Christians extended As Christians extended great gracegreat grace/favor to each /favor to each

other, God extended other, God extended great gracegreat grace/favor upon them, /favor upon them, which gave them which gave them great gracegreat grace/favor before others./favor before others.

– The IMAGE of the church & Christ was being The IMAGE of the church & Christ was being shaped.shaped.

– Preparation:Preparation: A heart that says, “All I have belongs to God”A heart that says, “All I have belongs to God”

– ““The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” (Ps. The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” (Ps. 24:1).24:1).

– ““All I have can be used for those in need.”All I have can be used for those in need.”

• Through a Spirit of True Sacrifice 4:34-35– Manifestation:Manifestation:

Not any Christian Not any Christian lackedlacked basic life basic life necessitiesnecessities

Distributed to each Distributed to each as anyone had needas anyone had need– Preparation & Action:Preparation & Action:

A willing (not coerced) heartA willing (not coerced) heart– ALLALL who who HADHAD– ALLALL who HAD, who HAD, SOLDSOLD– ALLALL who HAD & SOLD, who HAD & SOLD, BROUGHTBROUGHT– ALLALL who HAD, SOLD & BROUGHT, who HAD, SOLD & BROUGHT, LAIDLAID

• Through a Spirit of True Sacrifice 4:34-35– ALLALL who who HADHAD – They had “things” (land, – They had “things” (land,

houses)houses) No one should lack:No one should lack:

– necessitiesnecessities– proper attentionproper attention– support or aid support or aid – trustworthy friendstrustworthy friends– faithful growthfaithful growth– encouragementencouragement– strength or joystrength or joy– appreciationappreciation– confidence/certaintyconfidence/certainty

Since we have:Since we have:– treasures (Eph. treasures (Eph.

4:28) 4:28) – time (Eph. 5:15-16)time (Eph. 5:15-16)– talents (Ga. 5:13; talents (Ga. 5:13;

6:10)6:10)– trust (Pr. 17:17; trust (Pr. 17:17;

18:24)18:24)– truth (Jas. 5:19-20)truth (Jas. 5:19-20)– talk (Pr. 12:18; talk (Pr. 12:18;

31:26)31:26)– tenderness (Eph. tenderness (Eph.

4:32)4:32)– thanks (Phil. 1:3)thanks (Phil. 1:3)– target (Phil. 3:12-14)target (Phil. 3:12-14)

• Through a Spirit of True Sacrifice 4:34-35– ALLALL who who HADHAD

They had “things” (land, houses, They had “things” (land, houses, possessions) possessions)

– ALLALL who HAD, who HAD, SOLDSOLD Made up mind to help – it was still theirsMade up mind to help – it was still theirs

– ALLALL who HAD & SOLD, who HAD & SOLD, BROUGHTBROUGHT Went to deliver help – it was still theirsWent to deliver help – it was still theirs

– ALLALL who HAD, SOLD & BROUGHT, who HAD, SOLD & BROUGHT, LAIDLAID Gave/delivered help – willingly and gladlyGave/delivered help – willingly and gladly

““Let us not love in word or in tongue, Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John

3:183:18

• “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.”

– What happened?What happened? Selfishness was stronger than selflessnessSelfishness was stronger than selflessness Wanted praise of men more than praise of Wanted praise of men more than praise of

GodGod Thought they could fool God (part vs. all)Thought they could fool God (part vs. all) Threatened the unity of the church, the Threatened the unity of the church, the

truth that was being preached and the truth that was being preached and the image of the Lord’s church and of the Lord image of the Lord’s church and of the Lord HimselfHimself

Result: “Great fear came upon all.” – 5:5, 11Result: “Great fear came upon all.” – 5:5, 11

They KEPT BACK PART – They KEPT BACK PART – 5:2-45:2-4

For the sake of your brethren, the For the sake of your brethren, the Lord & His church, don’t keep Lord & His church, don’t keep

anything back.anything back.

• 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