Kingdoms Collide Part 9: Kingdom Authenticity

April 2, 2023

Intro

Last few weeks we talked about the spiritual warfare that takes place when Kingdom people faithfully live out Kingdom principles. While there certainly are great struggles between the ideologies of the culture and the principles of God, the greatest battlefield is not in the exterior of our lives, but within. Because our battle is not with flesh and blood (Eph. 6), the greatest battlefield for spiritual warfare is in our own hearts and our own minds. It’s important for us today to understand that Kingdom people, must be authentic in our devotion to Christ, to His Church, to His purposes.

Acts 4:32–5:16 ESV

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. 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. 34 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 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 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. 3 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? 4 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.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 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.” 10 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. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. 12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

1)Authentic Disciples are Generous (vs. 32-37)

We looked at part of this text last week and saw that Kingdom people are strengthened and emboldened to live beyond themselves.

People devoted to the Kingdom of God have a stewardship point of view: Nothing is their own, but everything belongs to God and we are stewards who carryout His purposes with what He has entrusted to us.

Kingdom people, who are stewardship minded, are generous in giving to Kingdom purposes, because it pleases God, who is the owner of everything.

It is a sign that our hearts and our minds are in alignment with our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

This is why giving and tithing are one of the barometers for our spiritual health and maturity.

Some will disagree with me and say that as long as we are giving of our time and talents that we don’t have to give of our treasure, but that’s simply not biblical.

When we understand that everything, including my life, belongs to God then we glad to give of our time, talents, and treasure.

It’s not a “have to” thing…Authentic disciples understand and have the changes in our hearts and minds to realize, it’s a privileged “get to” thing.

It’s also not about the amount of the giving, but the heart of the giver.

More dollars does not mean more holy. How much a person gives should be determined by how much God has entrusted to them.

A person could give more dollars, but still not be generous based upon what God has entrusted to them.

Likewise, a person could give what seems like a small amount from a worldly perspective, but is crazy generous based on what God has entrusted to them.

The point is not the number of zeros but the heart behind what we do. God looks at the heart, not at the outward appearance or outward acts.

You may be thinking, “preacher, I don’t like this message meddling with my money.”

And if that’s your thoughts about it…keep your money in your pocket.

If you haven’t figured out yet that “your money” is actually is “His money” given to you to steward over then you still have some spiritual growth and heart growth that needs to take place.

If you’re giving out of any other reason than to glorify God who is the owner of everything then you can’t be an Authentic Disciple who is generous like we’re talking about in this passage.

God wants your heart not your stuff. If the thought of giving hardens your heart, then it’s time to check your spiritual pulse. The only way we can truly be generous is to be an authentic disciple.

2) Authentic Disciples are Kingdom-minded (vs. 1-11)

In contrast to Barnabas’ authentic generosity to find a couple who is not genuine in their giving.

Ananias and Sapphira got caught up in the movement, but neglected to be moved in their hearts, not just their actions.

Their mindset was not Kingdom-driven.

As a result, they lied to the apostles, and lied to the Spirit.

We may think this seems like a harsh response from God, but the context of the situation makes this very serious.

The Church was still in it infancy.

The cancer of greed and personal notoriety has no place within the church.

Ananias and Sapphira were being used by Satan to attack the hearts of the early Church.

Some will look at this passage and say, “It’s just money…what’s the big deal?”

But those who truly understand biblical values will see that the love of money had corrupted the love for God.

When the Church becomes driven by dollars instead of the Spirit, it becomes weakened and even sometimes dead.

This wasn’t about the money…again it’s about the heart!

Authentic disciples will be Kingdom-minded.

Authentic Disciples understand that the Church is not a platform for personal exaltation.

It is a body of believers who are the platform for God’s glory to be put on display.

3) Authentic Disciples Impact their World (vs. 12-16)

As Luke continues His account of the early church, we see that the influence of the Church continues to be strong.

Word gets out about Ananias and Sapphira, and it doesn’t drive people away…it emboldens the people to take Jesus even more serious!

It helped people to see that the disciples of Jesus are the real deal.

As they are continued to be led by the Spirit to perform signs and wonders, they had more and more influence among the people.

Surrounding towns were now coming to see the power of God at work.

Again we must be careful here to not think it was the wonders and signs who brought the people. The wonders and signs were but a bridge to the real draw…the Spirit of God!

These kinds of wonders and signs are shown by scripture to be reserved for the apostles during this specific time, but the Spirit of God who worked through the Apostles is the same Spirit of God having impact on the lives of others through authentic disciples today!

It is important for the lost world around us to see authentic disciples with authentic hearts. For far too long, we’ve allowed criticism of hypocrisy to be the norm in the Church. For far too long, we let our hearts be shaped by driven by something other than the Spirit of God. It’s time to get back to seeking authenticity in our devotion to God. It’s time to get back to seeking authenticity in our devotion to one another. It’s time to get back to seeking authenticity in reaching Pawhuska for Christ!

Call to Respond

WE CANNOT JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS! WILL YOU DEDICATE YOURSELF TO LIVING OUT KINGDOM AUTHENTICITY?