Speaker 1: the place was shaken and the apostles were given a fresh anointing to proclaim the word of God, the gospel, boldly.
Speaker 1: And God worked signs and wonders, as we'll see in a moment, and many are saved.
Speaker 1: What a thing that must have been to experience.
Speaker 1: Hey, seeing God's the outpouring of the Spirit and miracles and response to the gospel, I mean, wouldn't it be amazing to see a move of God like that today?
Speaker 1: There have been many moves of God through history.
Speaker 1: During the French Revolution, while blood ran on the streets of Paris, the fields of England were filled with people hearing the gospel and repenting under the teaching and preaching of John Wesley and George Whitefield and others.
Speaker 1: And some have actually suggested that the revivals in England then saved England from its own bloody revolution.
Speaker 1: Well, if the prayer in last week's passage is one of the most powerful in Scripture, I think today's reading is one of the most challenging pictures of the church we find.
Speaker 1: So Acts, chapter 4, verse 32.
Speaker 1: Now, the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common With great power.
Speaker 1: The apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them, for there was not a needy person among them, because all of those who owned lands or houses, sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid them at the apostles' feet.
Speaker 1: Wow, I mean, there's a lot that's challenging in there.
Speaker 1: One of the things I find most challenging is the extreme unity that this church experienced.
Speaker 1: They were one heart and one mind, and now, in the context of Acts, it's clear that the unity revolved around Jesus.
Speaker 1: Jesus was the sun around which the church orbited.
Speaker 1: The Holy Spirit was the glue that held the community together.
Speaker 1: Paul picks up on this theme in Acts, chapter 4, verses 3 to 6.
Speaker 1: Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Speaker 1: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope at your calling.
Speaker 1: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all Friends.
Speaker 1: That is where our unity lies.
Speaker 1: And so, as a result, paul says because of this unity, we should walk with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, bearing with one another in love.
Speaker 1: Now, for the Jerusalem church.
Speaker 1: This had what might seem to us to be an even more challenging effect, in that no one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but instead they held everything in common.
Speaker 1: It was such a radical love and unity that they even sold their property to ensure everyone in the church had enough and, as a result, there was no needy person among them.
Speaker 1: What do we do with that?
Speaker 1: Well, the vast majority of people in that they didn't actually own property.
Speaker 1: So there was a very small number of people who would have even been able to do this, probably less than 20% of the population.
Speaker 1: I read one estimate that maybe 10% of the population is what we might call middle class today.
Speaker 1: They would have owned some property.
Speaker 1: Six, seven, eight percent were probably extremely wealthy and owned most of the property, with over 80 percent of people being quite poor.
Speaker 1: And, of course, that was in a context where there was no social welfare like we have in advanced economies today.
Speaker 1: And you know to make matters even worse in Greek and Roman society.
Speaker 1: And you know to make matters even worse in Greek and Roman society, they did not consider it a virtue to help the poor because, it was said, you only prolong their suffering.
Speaker 1: You know, when we have a concern for the poor in our society today and we have a welfare system.
Speaker 1: Do you know why?
Speaker 1: Because Christianity won.
Speaker 1: Consider that, given where society was headed and then what it became as Christianity rose up.
Speaker 1: The Jews, of course, did have a lot more of a culture of helping the poor it was commanded in Torah but they couldn't eradicate poverty I mean, there wasn't even consideration but they could help relieve it.
Speaker 1: But what we see in the church in Acts is a whole new level.
Speaker 1: I mean, this is actually a glimpse of the kingdom of God in the new creation.
Speaker 1: The question for us is is this something we're meant to copy?
Speaker 1: Should we set up a charitable fund under today's sort of regime, and sell our houses, those who own one, so that we can use it and all have this radical equality in the church?
Speaker 1: Well, it is noteworthy that later on we read about a drought in the region that plunged the whole region, and including the Jerusalem church, into poverty, so that the Gentile churches, which by then have been planted, are taking up collections to help the Jerusalem church.
Speaker 1: So, whatever else is happening, the conditions we read about today did not last that long.
Speaker 1: Now, jesus did teach us to live a life of radical simplicity that many of us, I think, miss and I have to include myself in that category and a radical love and generosity remained a mark of Christianity.
Speaker 1: And you know, in fact, at different times and in different places, christians have plunged themselves into poverty deliberately to help the poor and to help set people free.
Speaker 1: In the early centuries, christians would even sell themselves into slavery to help set slaves free.
Speaker 1: Later on, in the 17th, 18th century, some people would the Moravians, a movement out of Germany would sell themselves into slavery so they could preach the gospel among slaves In our society.
Speaker 1: Of course, we need to consider that we do live in a society that's a welfare state, really.
Speaker 1: We have a social safety net, the needs of the poorest are taken care of, at least in theory, and I know it's still very, very hard for many people.
Speaker 1: But in any case, I don't think that what we see here is something we need to take as normative.
Speaker 1: You're not sinning if you own property and investments at least, I hope not, because I'm in trouble as well.
Speaker 1: Then Now, that, of course, is within reason.
Speaker 1: But within reason is a topic for another time, but this passage does prompt us to ask some questions of ourselves, like who actually owns my possessions?
Speaker 1: Do I recognise that as a servant of God the Bible uses the language of not only children, but slaves being family?
Speaker 1: Do I have an idea that I own my possessions or that actually I'm a steward of them on behalf of God, my father, my master?
Speaker 1: Whichever way you look at it?
Speaker 1: And if I am only a steward of my possessions, not an owner holding them in trust, what does that mean?
Speaker 1: How does that affect my view of my possessions, my money, my property, my toys and what I do with them, my toys and what I do with them?
Speaker 1: That being the case, how can I use what I have for the benefit of Christ's church, his people?
Speaker 1: Of course, we should consider more broadly than the church, and Christians have always done that, but the image here is of the church first and foremost taking care of its own, and in fact, the Bible says do good to all, but especially to the household of faith.
Speaker 1: I mean, you look after your family first.
Speaker 1: Right, that's what we do.
Speaker 1: Now what does this mean?
Speaker 1: Well, for some people, a home means an opportunity to offer hospitality.
Speaker 1: For some, having investments might mean an opportunity to invest in the kingdom and to give.
Speaker 1: For some, it's the availability of time and skills.
Speaker 1: Or maybe you think I don't have any of that.
Speaker 1: I don't have property, I don't have money, I don't even have time.
Speaker 1: I'm working so hard just to make ends meet.
Speaker 1: Well, a simple question is what can I do to love my church more deeply?
Speaker 1: And when I say my church, I don't mean the institution, I don't mean the things that keep this running.
Speaker 1: I mean one another, the people.
Speaker 1: And what about Christ's church worldwide?
Speaker 1: How can we love the church?
Speaker 1: Because, of course, the church is bigger than us.
Speaker 1: We're a small part of it.
Speaker 1: How can we love the church?
Speaker 1: Because, of course, the church is bigger than us.
Speaker 1: We're a small part of it.
Speaker 1: There are many opportunities to live the principles we see in this passage, but it is still a call to radical unity, generosity, love.
Speaker 1: There's something else going on in this passage, though.
Speaker 1: Do you notice how Luke sandwiches the comments about the apostles' ministry in the?
Speaker 1: Okay, I thought I had that more highlighted, but comments about the apostles' ministry in the middle of a passage about radical community.
Speaker 1: So we read about this community in verse 32 and then verse 33.
Speaker 1: With great power, the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.
Speaker 1: 34, for there was not a needy person among them.
Speaker 1: Kind of seems funny to put that in the middle of there.
Speaker 1: But Luke is wanting to draw a link between the quality of the community that they were experiencing and the quality of the ministry that they were doing.
Speaker 1: The apostles are clearly moving in the power of the Spirit, but they're doing so in the context surrounded by a radically loving, a spirit-filled church.
Speaker 1: I think what Luke is trying to tell us is that where there is a genuine move of God, there will be a radical change in heart and community transformation.
Speaker 1: True revival has wheels on it and, at the same time, where a church is truly devoted to Christ and has a deep unity in him, we can expect to see God do amazing things.
Speaker 1: Friends, the opposite is also true.
Speaker 1: There is nothing like disunity to stop a church's effectiveness.
Speaker 1: Maybe you've experienced that where churches are, it's just not a good environment to be in.
Speaker 1: Maybe they're backbiting, niggly, whatever, and you're just like, why would you even want to be there?
Speaker 1: And you've got to ask why would God even want to be there.
Speaker 1: You know, one of the longest prayers recorded in the Bible is Jesus praying for the unity of his church.
Speaker 1: At the end of John.
Speaker 1: It was a priority for Jesus.
Speaker 1: God loves a church in unity.
Speaker 1: So, friends, pray for the unity of our church, ok, but we're not going to leave that there this morning.
Speaker 1: There's more and it's scary Joseph, verse 36, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, which is translated son of encouragement sold a field he owned, brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Speaker 1: But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.
Speaker 1: However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife's knowledge and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Speaker 1: Ananias Peter asked why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land?
Speaker 1: Wasn't it yours while you possessed it and after you sold it?
Speaker 1: Wasn't it at your disposal?
Speaker 1: Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart?
Speaker 1: You have not lied to people, but to God.
Speaker 1: When he heard these words, ananias dropped dead.
Speaker 1: Not surprisingly, a great fear came on all who heard.
Speaker 1: The young man got up, wrapped his body, carried him out and buried him.
Speaker 1: About three hours later his wife came in not knowing what had happened.
Speaker 1: Tell me.
Speaker 1: Peter asked her did you sell the land for this price?
Speaker 1: Yes, she said for that price.
Speaker 1: And then Peter said to her why did you agree to test the spirit of the Lord?
Speaker 1: Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out.
Speaker 1: And instantly she dropped dead at his feet.
Speaker 1: When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
Speaker 1: And then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.
Speaker 1: No kidding, oh, what a strange and terrifying story.
Speaker 1: This is what's going on.
Speaker 1: Well, I think, first of all we have to remember that the church is in its infancy.
Speaker 1: I mean, this is probably only weeks into Pentecost and if the church fails in its mission here, the mission ends.
Speaker 1: The gospel project is over.
Speaker 1: Project is over.
Speaker 1: We never hear about Jesus and we've seen just already that in the context of the mission, the quality of the church is crucial.
Speaker 1: Quality church it just leads to quality, ministry and mission, not only the unity of the church which we just looked at, but also its purity.
Speaker 1: The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not that they withheld funds from the sale of their property.
Speaker 1: Peter makes that clear.
Speaker 1: They were free to do with their money whatever they wished.
Speaker 1: It was their money.
Speaker 1: You know, in our church and most healthy churches we teach and challenge you to give.
Speaker 1: Now here's something a little more challenging.
Speaker 1: Some of you may not like I don't know that, I like it but you know, how we handle our money is part of our discipleship, part of our following Jesus, and how we handle our money is one of the things that we can and should hold one another accountable for.
Speaker 1: Like anything else, if there are things in where, if you see something in a brother or sister's life that you think, ah, that's not quite right, that's not honouring to the Lord, shouldn't we call it out?
Speaker 1: Money is part of that as well.
Speaker 1: So we hold each other accountable, but ultimately, what you do with your money is between you and God.
Speaker 1: You are responsible to God for what you are doing with his possessions that he's entrusted to you, and in fact, one of the signs of a cult is that they will try to coerce and control what you do with your money, with your purse.
Speaker 1: Not even Peter is trying to control people here.
Speaker 1: What they did with their money was not the issue.
Speaker 1: The issue was that they lied about it.
Speaker 1: They lied to the church, and Peter actually says in doing that, they lied to God.
Speaker 1: Wow, that's pretty serious, isn't it?
Speaker 1: What does that tell you about what God thinks about his church?
Speaker 1: Jesus seems to be saying you hurt my church, you hurt me.
Speaker 1: We are the body of Christ.
Speaker 1: Take the church seriously, folks.
Speaker 1: You see, the success of the church's mission required not only a radical love and unity, but a radical holiness as well.
Speaker 1: If disunity kills a church, so does sin, and especially, I think, where the truth is concerned, because how can we have unity if we like one another, if we can't trust one another?
Speaker 1: And I think we can say the same things like gossip, which isn't a problem in our church.
Speaker 1: I have to say I just put it out there, at least, I don't heard any gossip in our church.
Speaker 1: Is it still the case, though, that this level of People dying because of this?
Speaker 1: Well, obviously, we don't see people dropping dead all over the place for lying in the church, but you know, this isn't the only place we read this warning 1 Corinthians 11, 29 to verse 30, whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, that's a body of the Lord.
Speaker 1: Now there's debate over what that means, but I think in context it's talking about the church eats and drinks judgment on himself.
Speaker 1: This is why Paul says many are sick and ill among you and many have fallen asleep, falling asleep being a euphemism for death.
Speaker 1: And we do see this is true at some level today.
Speaker 1: Again, sin, disunity, kill a church, if not literally, at least metaphorically.
Speaker 1: Sin makes Christians ineffective.
Speaker 1: Well, this story about Ananias and Sapphira scares us and it's meant to Put the fear of God in the church.
Speaker 1: But look what happens next.
Speaker 1: Chapter 5, verse 12,.
Speaker 1: Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles.
Speaker 1: They were all together in Solomon's colonnade, which was part of the big temple complex.
Speaker 1: No one else dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them.
Speaker 1: I love this.
Speaker 1: No one dares to join them, but the people spoke well of them.
Speaker 1: I love this.
Speaker 1: No one dares to join them.
Speaker 1: And yet believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers, multitudes of both men and women.
Speaker 1: I love Luke's writing.
Speaker 1: He's keen to make sure that men and women are counted there.
Speaker 1: That was not something that was generally considered in that culture.
Speaker 1: As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that, when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
Speaker 1: In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits.
Speaker 1: You know what this reminds us of the ministry of Jesus being repeated here by his apostles.
Speaker 1: We're starting to see as well.
Speaker 1: The gospel go out as people from the surrounding towns of Judea bring people in.
Speaker 1: If you cast your mind back, that's what Jesus said would happen.
Speaker 1: Jerusalem, judea, samaria and the ends of the earth Happens because the Spirit is powerfully at work in his church that is burning with a love for God and for one another and with holiness Friends.
Speaker 1: The Spirit moved powerfully in an atmosphere of love and unity, expressed in radical generosity and an atmosphere of holiness.
Speaker 1: And so the question we need to ask ourselves is there anything in my life and my relationships, particularly with other believers, but also unbelievers, that is hindering the work of the Spirit in my life or in our church?
Speaker 1: And here's another question we naturally get very focused on our own congregation.
Speaker 1: But what about the church in Perth?
Speaker 1: Is there anything that hinders the unity of the church in Perth among us?
Speaker 1: Do we look not only to the needs of Bentley Baptist or do we have a concern for Christ's church in our city?
Speaker 1: As a church, we do in our world because through our kingdom, builders, ministry.
Speaker 1: And how can we express that?
Speaker 1: How can we express unity with the wider church?
Speaker 1: Put another way, am I living with open hands and an open heart towards others?
Speaker 1: Jesus said that the world would know we are his disciples by our love for one another.
Speaker 1: Well, you know, the good news is the spirit is moving in Christ's church in Perth and in Australia.
Speaker 1: The question we need to ask ourselves is how can I help foster that and how can we as a church help foster that?
Speaker 1: Let's pray, father.
Speaker 1: We thank you for the unity.