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THE EARLY CHURCH

THE EARLY CHURCH. ACTS 4 :36-5:16. THE CHURCH IN GENERAL.

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THE EARLY CHURCH

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  1. THE EARLY CHURCH ACTS 4:36-5:16

  2. THE CHURCH IN GENERAL 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. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 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 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Acts 4 32-35

  3. THE CHURCH: POSITIVE EXAMPLE Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37

  4. THE CHURCH: NEGATIVE EXAMPLE But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 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. 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? 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 men but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 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.” 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. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. Acts 5:1-11

  5. OUR COMPLAINTS ABOUTSIN & PUNISHMENT • Their sins weren't that bad • It was just a “white lie” • They were just being human • They got caught up in the moment • Others had done much worse • The penalty is too severe • The penalty came too quick

  6. THEIR SINS • Covet: • To inordinately desire with envy what belongs to another • Lie: • Deliberately making a false statement with the intent to deceive • Hypocrisy: • Deliberately falsely pretending to have virtues you do not have

  7. THEIR SINS • Covet Exodus 20:17 • Lie Exodus 20:16 • Hypocrisy • “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you— but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23:2-3, 25-28

  8. GOD & SINNERS • Justice: • Getting what you deserve • Mercy: • Not getting what you deserve • Grace: • Getting what you do not deserve

  9. THE GOSPEL • for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 • For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 • but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 • For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

  10. THE GOSPEL • because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 • For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 • For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

  11. PRINCIPLES • God is serious about sin even if you are not • God’s judgment is real • God’s judgment is accurate & fair • God’s judgment is eternal • God’s mercy & grace is offered to all • Believer’s good works are evidence of God’s mercy & grace towards them

  12. JUDGMENTS • The Cross • Where believer’s sins are judged John 3:16 • The Bema Seat of Christ • Where believer’s works are judged 2 Cor. 5:10 • The Great White Throne Judgment • Where unbeliever’s sins are judged Revelation 20:11-15 • And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28

  13. THE OUTCOME 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. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 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. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Acts 5:12-16

  14. APPLICATIONSBEFORE YOU MEET JESUS CHRIST • Unbeliever • Confess, Repent, Trust in Jesus Christ • Be forgiven, Be saved • Live to honor the Savior • Believer • Be grateful, overwhelmed, in awe, and joyful • Daily evaluate your life • Pray to be convicted of remaining sin • Pray to be changed • Live to honor the Savior

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