Acts 4:32-5:11

Sin Enters the church

For years we have hear people say that they do not want to go to church because they feel like if they do they will be a hypocrite. Our answer traditionally has been “Well, join the club.” There is an element of that which is true but not completely. There is a difference being hyprocritical about a situation or here or there in a moment of weakness and a life marked by hypocricy. Someone who constantly believes they are holy or great but indeed are not.

Phill 2:1-11

Jesus Himself

Bill Phillips (Don’t use name)

If we live for our glory, we will die to His

The New International Version Chapter 4

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.

Can you imagine this type of community. This type of fellowship. So selfless.

Just because we cant or havent seen it doesnt mean we should not strive for this community. Here is the beauty about a new community of believers, we can set that precedent.

Now lets be clear though. Joseph (Barney) did not have to do this. It wasnt some requirement for acceptance in the church. But they were radically changed.

Coming back from Nicaragua the first time.

EVERYTHING WE HAVE IS A GIFT FROM GOD

Now here is why I dont like the chapter break here. we have the Greek conjunction de. This is but or now of however. Contrast

Here is the good example, Not perfect people, but striving for the efforts of the gospel. And here is what not to do

The New International Version Chapter 5

5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Why did they die?

What was their sin it was lying.

A basic principle of the Gospel is that we have all fallen short. We are messed hope and in need of a Savior.

CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS IMPORTANT

SO how KCC deal with sin in this community of believers.

The New International Version Chapter 18

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ d 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”