Psyche - Acts 4:32-5:11

Introduction:

1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 453: Men and Marriage

MEN AND MARRIAGE

Topics: Attitudes; Commitment; Contentment; Family; Husbands; Love; Marriage; Singleness; Wives

References: Genesis 2:24; Proverbs 12:4; 18:22; Malachi 2:16; Mark 10:9

It’s better to marry than to stay single, men said. That was the finding of a study done in 2006 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 66 percent of men agreed with the statement, “It is better to get married than go through life single,” compared with only 51 percent of women.

In addition 76 percent of men and 72 percent of women agreed that “it is more important for a man to spend a lot of time with his family than be successful at his career.”

The study involved more than 12,000 men and women, ages fifteen to forty-four, and comprised the government’s first comprehensive glimpse into the male psyche. Relationship expert Neil Chethik said the data mirrors his own research, in which 90 percent of married men say they would marry the same woman if given a chance to do it again.

—Sharon Jayson, “Marriage Means More to Men,” USA Today (June 1, 2006)

As we look at the passage today, we are going to be getting a glimpse into the “psyche” of these New Testament believers.

Thanks to those who have accomplished what this passage is teaching.

What is the passage saying?

The setting ()

Acts 4:32–37 KJV 1900

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

There is an unparalleled unity that characterizes this body of believers. Defining/Distinguishing this unity is key.

- "one heart" - intellect, emotion, will

The conflict

- "one soul" - psuche/psyche - soul, life

The expression is to imply both friendship and unity of purpose. It is an internal bond that has practical outworking. THIS IS THERE DEEP, INTERNAL IDENTITY.

Fernando, A. (1998). Acts (p. 179). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

The conflict ()

Acts 5:1–2 KJV 1900

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

The climax ()

Acts 5:3–4 KJV 1900

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

The resolution ()

Acts 5:5–10 KJV 1900

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

The new setting ()

Acts 5:11 KJV 1900

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Why is the passage saying this?

The reason the passage is saying this to to show forth the supreme way in which God is working through his people to accomplish his purpose of restoring all things back to God in unity. ,

He is doing this by making those who are true followers to BE one in IDENTITY and to live OUT this oneness.

“One in heart and mind” (kardia kai psyche mia) describes a comprehensive unity. As John Wesley put it, “Their loves, their hopes, their passions joined.” Fernando, A. (1998). Acts (p. 179). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Fernando, A. (1998). Acts (p. 179). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

This is accomplished through belief and ongoing sanctification.

(*) The LORD accomplishes this by a radical, internal transformation - the psyche

What is the point for the hearers today?

This kind of transformation that makes this kind of people is what we desperately need. We need a unity this is so transformational that we stake our value/worth in that which is eternal.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Lost Identity

Lost Identity

In his sermon, “We All Need Roots,” William P. Tuck tells of a man who stepped onto the platform at an American Legion Convention. As he looked over the large crowd, he asked, “Can anybody tell me who I am?” He had lost his memory, with no record of his past or his identity. His desperate appeal was: “Does anybody know who I am?”

William P. Tuck

That’s what we understand by this word “psyche” - that they had a new identity. They have a new inner self that is the true self.

Schmidt: “Identity is a sense of SELF and a sense of value.”

“Identity process is where and how you get that identity”

“A contrived identity is simply a lie to God and ourselves.”

“Everybody must find and have and maintain an identity - a sense of self and a sense of value. It’s hard wired into us! (This is more subconscious than conscious)”

Illustration: Story is told of world champion boxer Joe Louis in 1930’s & 1940’s, he and a fellow GI were driving when they were involved in a minor collision with a large truck....driver of the truck go out and began yelling and swearing at Louis, who just sat smiling...” Louis knew who he was, and he was secure in his identity. The trucker’s opinion of him really did not matter.

So it is that the “psyche” we have in Christ is far greater than any performance-based identity or self-worth that is based on what we do.

Quote: CS Lewis in the Weight of Glory said, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

What is the application?

How do we get it?

What this is NOT:

It is not something you can simply buy into…(like the stock market, the YMCA, Triple “A”…etc)

Illustration: When we were kids, we had a little club that we called the “Goonies”; our mascot was a gremlin, and we made little membership card…This is NOT a little kids club...

It is not something you prayed your way into, as if you came to the door, said a few magical words and gained entrance.

What’s so difficult about this?

For the unbeliever, there should be a desirable quality here. For it is only in this transformation, that Christ can make, where you can find your eternal thirst quenched.

This is quite difficult in a world that is constantly teaching you to find your worth and identity in so many things. The classic argument of our culture is individualism. Individualism is defined as the habit of being independent or self-reliant.

(2) How can this be accomplished

Illustration: Last night Khabib defeated Conor McGregor in MMA fight that was long anticipated. What caught headlines though was the near riot that ensued after the fight was over. Khabib went after one of McGregor’s trainers.

In such a sport where there is typically one name on the headlines and where individual awards are relished, if that accolade were enough, why try to silence all of the critics?

The problem is that this cultural narrative is simply contradicted by the experience of real life. Most people do not seek to live individualistic. Many rely on the thoughts of others to form their identity. We simply care too much about our frail ego to let anyone attack it. They find their value and worth based on what others say about them.

This is what has been called a “Traditional” Identity. Consider the weight of the influence of the opinions of others in social arenas:

(a) Social media likes

(b) Bullying

(c) Politics

(d) Email response(s)

(e) Careers

Another way to think about this is the “Modern” Identity structure which tells you to “find yourself in yourself”. The modern slogan for this is “You do you.” Really this is just a “traditional identity” based on what you try that makes you a greater standout in the eyes of others.

No matter where you turn, you cannot deny the fact that you were created for community and acceptance, and ultimately community is accomplished in the deepest, spiritual level of your being and not by the fads that you pick up or the identity that others say you are. This kind of unity and identity is only found when you turn to Jesus as your Lord.

How is this kind of radical acceptance made possible?

It is made possible because the One who did not have to grasp for the position of the King of the Universe became obedient unto death…in the end, Christ is exalted, and to all those who receive Christ, he gives to us a status and He declares WHO WE ARE.

“And the multitude of them that believed were…of one heart and one soul...”

What joined them was not simply a common affiliation to the church. There was a spiritual unity and a unity of passionate commitment to a mission. - Fernando, A. (1998). Acts (p. 179). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Fernando, A. (1998). Acts (p. 179). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

For the hypocrite, this should be a dire warning to you that you should not use the church for your own purposes.

What makes this so difficult? You are enslaved to a “traditional” identity but you don’t see it. You have good works, but you have omitted the weightier matters such as righteous discernment, mercy, and faith.

Your mind is blinded your good works, and you are they which justify yourselves. You have been involved in ministry for years, but you have a deceptive heart that has been blinded by Satan. It is so difficult for you to recognize this, and doubly difficult to admit this.

How is this kind of radical change possible? It is possible because the One who is faithful and True came to save liars and deceivers. You don’t have to carry the weight of being fake any more. You don’t have to make a fake unity around the destruction of Christians. You can have “one” psyche with other Christians that is supernatural. You can have a identity, a worth, a value that is based upon the righteousness of Christ and not upon your ability to look, talk, or be a certain way.

Choose: You can either choose to be a Judas this morning or you can choose to be a Nicodemus.

For the Christian, this should exhort you to endeavor to maintain the unity of the Spirit.

What makes this difficult? It is difficult because we live in a world that is constantly emphasizing a value that is self-worth that is based on other things. Because we are creatures with a sinful nature and we are physical, we have a tendency to take our ROLES that we do and allow those to subtly become our place of worth and identity. For example:

There are Christian business men, who because of what they do for a living have attached their identity and self-worth to what they do. Life rises and falls on success in the business world or your performance review.

There are fathers, who because of what they do as a father, have attached their self-worth to their successful function as a father or what others think of them as fathers.

There are mothers, who because of what they do as a natural mother, have attached their self-worth to their function or to the success of their children...

How is this possible?

This unity is made possible by the completed sacrifice, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus Christ. See

Acts 2:36 KJV 1900

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

This unity is made possible through the gifting of the Holy Spirit at salvation

Acts 2:38 KJV 1900

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This unity is made possible to those who gladly receive the message of Christ and are added to the local assembly of believers

Acts 2:41 KJV 1900

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

This unity is made possible to those who continue together

Acts 2:42 KJV 1900

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Invitation:

(1) Have you received Jesus Christ? If not, will you come today. He offers so much more than just Heaven. He offers a new psyche.

(2) Are you playing the Russian roulette game of hypocrisy? Will you repent and receive Christ truly? Find your worth in Him alone.

(3) Are you guilty of reverting back to finding your value, self-worth in something far less than Jesus Christ?

1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 56: Radical Individualism

RADICAL INDIVIDUALISM

Topics: Body of Christ; Church; Community; Culture; Individualism; Revival

References: Romans 12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 12:12–31; Ephesians 1:22–23; 3:21

Many Christians have been infected with the most virulent virus of modern American life: radical individualism. They concentrate on personal obedience to Christ as if all that matters is “Jesus and me,” but in doing so miss the point. For Christianity is not a solitary belief system. Any genuine resurgence of Christianity, as history demonstrates, depends on a reawakening and renewal of that which is the essence of the faith—the people of God, the new society, the body of Christ, which is made manifest in the world—the church.

—Chuck Colson, The Body (Word, 1992)