Live Out The Gospel!

Live It! 

Acts 4:32-5:11

Introduction

Jesus lived, died, was resurrected, and left the mission of the Gospel in the hands of the disciples. He told them to Tell It! - starting in Jerusalem, into Judea, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. He told them to Give It! - give the healing message of the Gospel to everyone who would receive it. He told them to Live it! - that has been a challenge for us all. Living out the Gospel is a serious part of our calling, the Gospel should make a huge difference in our lives. In how we: love God, love one another in the church, love the world around us. 

In our text today we see the impact of the gospel on the earliest Christians and two examples of how this was demonstrated. 

Acts 4:32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

This community was made up of those who believed - their common bond was their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This community was united.Paul encouraged the Ephesians to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3). This community regarded caring for those without means as a primary mission.They had a perspective of their possessions that we do not always have. NLT vs 32  “They felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.” 

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 

There was a powerful testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (the core message of the Gospel) and “great grace was upon them all” (ESV). 

Acts 4:34-35 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

This was an amazing testimony to the world around them - faith in the resurrected Christ makes a difference. The culture of care that developed here was vivid and powerful. The perspective on possessions as they related to concern for those without was amazing. This is the earliest church doing what Jesus asked of them

John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Luke follows this up with two examples, one positive, one negative.

1. Positive Example: Barnabas (Acts 4:36,37)

Acts 4:36,37

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.)

Joseph (his Hebrew name) was given a nickname by the Apostles: Barnabas (son of ‘encouragement’, ‘comfort’, or ‘exhortation’). His concern for others is demonstrated in these actions. He knows that what he owns is not something to hold on to. He brings the entire value of his land. If the land Barnabas owns is back in his home area of Cyprus, then selling that piece of property may involve a round trip of about 500 miles over land and sea to complete the transaction.  Barnabas does not make a spectacle, think of himself as special because he gave something big - He merely lays his gift at the apostles’ feet as does everyone else.

Generosity to the church enables us to be generous in helping others who are in need. When we give, we provide opportunity to share with our brothers and sisters - which we joyfully do. This is a Spirit-filled community, committed to living out the teachings of Christ. We are not here only to be nice or even to be supportive, but to journey together in spiritual life. Things sometimes go haywire when we forget that.

2. Negative Example: Ananias and Sapphira  (Acts 5:1-11)

Acts 5:1-11

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.