The Believers Share Their Possessions

HOOK

DO NOT FORGET TO UNMUTE

It’s THURSDAY the 1st day of October— First day of the month

Yesterday right here at “The Message” we saw how they prayed after Peter and John was released from the Sanhedrin— a couple of things we learned in the manner how they prayed:

I WILL START MY PRAYERS BY ADORING GOD

I WILL EXPRESS MY CONFIDENCE AND DEPENDENCE ON GOD WHENEVER I PRAY

Let’s see how their lives went on these early days of the Christian church— how they are united and generous— Open your Bible to ACTS 4:32-37— once you get there, type “Amen!”

When reading in advance, whenever you’re studying God’s Word— look for words that defines that CHARACTER of God, COMMANDS to obey, PROMISES to claim, good EXAMPLES to follow and bad examples to avoid, ENCOURAGEMENTS & CHALLENGES to keep you going, reasons to be THANK GOD for, PRAYERS to pray

READ ACTS 4:32-37

BOOK

Acts 4:32–37 NIV

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

WHAT: The early Christians share what they have to those who had need

WHEN: After they all prayed together

WHERE: It was not stated but most likely still in Jerusalem

WHO: The Apostles and the early church— A levite named Joseph who the Apostles called Barnabas [Barnabas will play larger role later in the book— especially with regard to extending the mission of the church to the Gentiles]

WHY: To help those who had need

LOOK

ALL THE BELIEVERS WERE ONE IN HEART AND MIND

This emphasized that Jesus is Lord and master over the early Christians’ entire lives. They belong to Him

THEY SHARED EVERYTHING THEY HAD

They never hesitated to help those who are in need among them

THE APOSTLES CONTINUED TO TESTIFY TO THE RESURRECTION

The apostles continued to do what they are told to do— to testify and be witnesses for the Lord— ACTS 1:8

GOD’S GRACE WAS SO POWERFULLY AT WORK IN THEM ALL

They operate on the basis of God’s grace— purely under grace

THOSE WHO OWNED LAND OR HOUSES SOLD THEM

Brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles feet— entrusted it to the discretion of the apostles

IT WAS DISTRIBUTED TO ANYONE WHO HAD NEED

Right from when the church was born— they started doing this— ACTS 2:45

Now there are two admirable traits that we can learn from our early brothers and sisters— Unity and Generosity— characteristics that keeps the church growing “stronger together”

TOOK

I WILL PROMOTE UNITY & GENEROSITY IN THE MINISTRY

I WILL CONTINUE TO TESTIFY FOR THE LORD JESUS

SING

Jada— TOGETHER