Support the Brethren with Giving Hearts

Introduction

Scripture

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius. 29 Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. 30 They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.

Context

This week we continue in our narrative of what happened and what was happening to the church in Antioch. Remember, in last week’s sermon and in the text just before; because of the dispersion of believers from persecution; many found themselves in the city of Antioch (which at the time was the 3rd largest city in the Roman empire). While in Antioch some of the disciples started sharing their faiths with the gentiles/ the greeks/ your bible may say the word Hellenists and many people were turning toward Jesus.

Reports of this came back to the apostles who sent out Barnabas to go see what was going on and encourage and raise up the new believers there. When Barnabas arrived, he found the Christian Church growing by leaps and bounds as people repented and turned their hearts and minds towards Jesus. After teaching these new believers for a time, Barnabas when to Tarsus to fetch Saul/Paul and they would both remain their for a year to encourage and teach the brethren there who would for the first time be referred to as Christians. From the text, we saw that we are all responsible to share our faith with others. In our text today, we see proof of these new believers’ faith, as they put it into action through Charity for the other believers that had needs.

This faith in action is something that believers (followers of Jesus) are always supposed to do. While works are by no means required for receiving salvation for the believer and in no way earn salvation; as James wrote in his letter in chapter 2, 6 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Faith without works is dead, meaning that the works or actions you do for the benefit of the kingdom is evidence of your faith. So, as is in this case we are entering in today, it is clear that, Believers are to help one another as an act of love with giving hearts when a need arises. So, let’s dive in deep into the text today where From the text, I want you to see these actions that we are to do when we support the Brethren with giving hearts.

Message

The first action to see and do is to: Hear a need (27-28)

27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius.

While Barnabas and Saul were there for the year that was mentioned earlier, prophets (meaning people with a special gift from the Holy Spirit that empowered them to speak/proclaim God’s utterances) came to Antioch. One of these prophets was named Agabus, and we will see him come along again later in the book of Acts in chapter 21. Agabus came and gave some grave news that God had given him to share. This was that over the Roman world, and this happened during the reign of Emperor Claudius. With this knowledge (of when Claudius’ reign was) and with historical records, we understand that the particular famine (or huge shortage of food) would happen in the year AD 46; with famines being particularly strong in the important farming regions of Judea, Rome, Egypt, and Greece. With all of that information, what is critical to understand, is that these believers in Antioch received a message from God.

I know, that everyone in this room has heard a need from someone else before. In fact, if you have ever lived with another person ever before, then you have either heard someone else need or shared a need yourself. This request can be as simple as, “Mom/Dad can you come here please, I can’t find my shoes” Or as urgent and necessary as, “Grab the fire extinguisher quickly!” And everything in between. Why do we share needs? Because we are better together, people are better when they are around other people. We help each other, we have similar goals and necessities that when we come together we can achieve and do more together. This is just a basic part of being in a society. In much the same way, believers need to be with other believers, because together we can do much more for God and His kingdom than we could ever imagine of doing on our own.

Here, these believers were met with a need that other brother and sister believers had. That is, soon something would happen that would make it to where there is little to no food and this means they need help to start stock piling and saving so that they do not literally die of starvation. They heard this need, meaning that it is something they received. In turn, they knew that because of their faith and compassion that they are to have for other human beings, especially those that are committed to the same Lord and Savior that we are, some act of love and care was to follow. This wasn’t just a heard need that showed that they were halfway listening like when Emily asks me to do something and I respond “yes” but in reality I have no idea what she said because I was distracted by the game on the TV (so, guess what I’m not going to do it because I didn’t know what “it” was), this was a heard need that shows they were listening with attention! So believer, just like these brothers and sisters here, are you listening to needs? Or….. are you focused on your needs? Perhaps the worry of seeing an account dwindle influences you more than your love of Jesus. Maybe it’s the prospect that everything you have worked for would be in jeopardy that you don’t listen. Or maybe, you esteem yourself more important than others. Do you see and understand that other people have needs that often outweigh ours by a great deal and as a result of your love for Jesus, you are to have compassion for them that leads us to our next action that we are to do when you support the Brethren with giving hearts which is to:

Meet it to your ability (29)

29 Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea.

So, these new disciples (which were called Christians now) in Antioch decided to do something with the knowledge that they had been given, that a famine would happen. Each of these disciples (notice how it said EACH, not most, or many) decided to do something. They decided, they determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters (fellow Christians) that lived in Judea (one of the regions that would be hardest hit) as they had ability. Let me be clear, this does not mean that gave “if they could” or “if it was convenient for them” or “if they had a little extra money that month.” It means that according to what they have, they gave something. For some, this would have been a lot, for some would have been a small amount. Either way, it would have been enough that it was a sacrifice to the giver. Meaning, they would have felt it at least. It means they would have been generous. It means that they were putting into action the same kind of faith that Paul/Saul would later write about in the book of Philippians that says, “3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.”

You know, Jesus did much the same for you, for us. You and us had (and for some us in the room have) a need, to be forgiven of sin. Remember, this sin, the sin nature that you are born with; separates you from God. This sin, is rebellion against God and what He wants for you in your life. No created being (which is what you are) is capable of forgiveness of sin. But Jesus. Jesus is not a created being, He always was. He is eternal (He always was and always will be) because He is God, God the Son, the second person of the trinity. From Him, came all of creation. Jesus, being God, can and it was within His ability to provide the payment for anyone that would accept His offer of forgiveness. He provided this, by His willful sacrifice on the cross. He provided, He gave to His ability because He is God and is able to do so and so He has.

Now to meet a need according to your ability means that you have to know what your ability is. For example, for someone that has $1,000, they cannot give $1,000,000. In turn, it also means that if you have $1,000,000, it is WELL within your means to give $1,000 and should be giving more to help others. It doesn’t just have to be money it can and should also be deeds and actions. For example, If it is within your ability to work a chainsaw (which means: you must 1, have a chainsaw, 2 know how to work it, and 3, be able to have the time to do it) to help someone clean up a downed tree who has little to no ability to clean it up themselves. Again, no matter the context or need, what you should be looking for is giving to the point that it is a sacrifice. That you have to make some reasonable decisions to do without because of what you are giving. For example, lets say you here about someone who’s house went down because of a tornado, and your class is taking up donations and you get a monthly allowance of $20. Now, because of your mom and dad, you have your food, shelter, and all needs met. So, you don’t NEED anything. However, there was this new Iron Man action figure that cost $15 that you were going to get with your allowance. Now, it is within your means (you are able) to give all of that $20, but it means that for at least one month you will have to wait to get the iron man action figure. That is a sacrifice. That is the kind of giving we are talking about. Let me be clear, I’m not talking about making the decision to not by medicine or food or affording your home, because those are needs and before making any kind of decision to against those, you need to examine if you can do something more responsible before digging into that. You can also change how you get those necessities by doing things like buying generic medicine and food or even asking if you need a house that large. A good example even outside of money is the use of your time. Let’s say that you have a hobby that you really enjoy and it takes at least 1 hour of your day every day. Well, a sacrifice could be, to decide that for that week or that month, instead of spending time in that hobby, you devote it to something else that is helpful for others (like volunteering, or going and helping the elderly who can’t do things themselves anymore). Really, for you believer, it doesn’t matter the situation or the application. You are to meet the needs of others (especially brothers and sisters in Christ) according to your ability.

Another action to see and do is to: Send the relief (30)

30 They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.

Moving into the text, we see that the disciples did this, gathered and gave the aid, then they sent it to where it needed to go with Barnabas and Saul/Paul. From just this short verse we can see a few interesting things. First is, that, just like we had said earlier, they put their new faiths into action. They had the knowledge, yes, but knew that this knowledge meant that they had a responsibility to apply the knowledge. Remember that saying, Knowledge without application (putting it into action) is just information. This verse also says that they sent it to the elders, meaning the elders of the church, the men that were appointed to teach and make decisions for the church. Barnabas and Saul gave the charity to the church’s elders who then used it to benefit the brothers and sisters for this time of famine that was to come.

There is a difference between gathering the relief and sending the relief. Have you ever wrote a check, knowing that you have the funds and ability to purchase or even give whatever it is, but then as you are about to hand the check or cash over, something happens inside of you…… You have that few seconds of last considering and even doubt of your purchase before you hand it over (or send it) where it is to go. Even after you gather the cash and know that you have it to give, you still have to send it, to give it. That act of “handing it over” or “giving it” or “sending it” is what these believers were doing here. You see, sometimes the giving and the sacrifice that comes with it doesn’t get real in our hearts until that final second, where it actually happens, before the giving could have been “hypothetical” or “in theory.”

Brothers and sisters, these are situations that are not unusual or unique. As believers, we/ you are to be sacrificial in our giving. Always asking what you can reasonably give up for the sake of God’s kingdom and for the sake of others. This is just one part of our mission, to love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples. It isn’t just about giving the base tithe of 10%. That’s just starter level stuff. Your personal litmus test for any kind of giving, be it a tithe or to charity, or with your time and talents needs not be “did I hit 10% of my income? Yes, then check mark, accomplished.” No, it needs to be, did I give up anything, did I make a sacrifice, did I count others needs as more important than my own? That is how you send relief, with generosity, not stinginess, or out of duty/obligation. If you find yourself only giving and meeting the brethren’s needs out of stinginess or duty or obligation, then believer repent and believe that Jesus is greater than whatever is holding you back.

Conclusion

Beloved, let these truths ring true in your life as you go through this life loving God, Loving people, and Making Disciples. As you meet needs with generous hearts. We, me, you, I, need to meet others needs when we learn of a need arising. Sometimes, many times, this means that you have to be diligent to do this. You have to be both diligent to share a need (if you have one) and watch for/ ask if someone has a need when you think/know that they do. Then, meet it according to your ability. We as a church, as a body of Christ, have a responsibility to each other and our savior to do so. With all of that, let me be clear here, there is one need that everyone, everyone you have ever met or will ever meet has. This need, is the great need of mankind, where we need relief from what is to come the worst, the most importantly of anything. This need, is only met by sharing The Gospel of Jesus Christ. This need is shared words. These words need to be shared to the lost and the redeemed of alike, as Paul wrote For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Also, Romans 10 14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? The word preacher here, translating not to what I am right now, but in that someone shares or proclaims proclaim with the goal to persuade, urge, warn to comply[1] to the Gospel. With that charge, remind yourself of that same Gospel every day and remind yourself who you in Christ and what that means in your life and how that applies to your support of others with giving hearts.

With all of that being said, I would be remised if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

[1]Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament), Electronic ed., Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.