TEXT: Acts 4:32-5:11

SUBJECT: Acts 4

Today with the Lord's blessing, we'll continue out study of Acts. Its theme is implied in the opening verse, "The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach".

This means we're to look for Christ in the Book. And to ask ourselves, "What is He doing?" and "What is He teaching?" These matter most. Whatever we miss of Peter's personality or the Church's practice, let's not miss what Jesus Christ is up to in His Church. Then and now.

AN OVERVIEW OF CHURCH LIFE, 4:32-35.

The story begins with an overview of Church life. What we read is quite encouraging.

God's people were living in love and peace. That's hard to achieve in even the smallest and most homogeneous group. But this group was neither. It is called "the multitude" and numbered at least "five thousand". They were all Jews, of course, but some were native to Israel and others were immigrants. The two groups were not always compatible, having different customs, speaking different languages, and so on.

Yet here they are--thousands of them--"Of one heart and one soul".

How do you explain this? With one word: Christ. Ephesians 2:14 says,

It is a common interest in Christ that brings people together. It is only when we subordinate that interest to other things that we lose the unity He gives.

Thus, it is Christ who united the Early Church, who knitted their hearts together in love.

Love in the soul has a way of leaking out into the practical matters of life. That's what happens in Jerusalem. Not only did they love each other "from the heart"; they loved each other "from the wallet" too!

Love is more than affection or a warm feeling. It includes a desire to share or to help others in need. John makes this perfectly clear,

The practice is called The Community of Goods. Some have taken the example as binding on the Church in every age. Is it? It is nowhere commanded in the Bible, nor, is it anywhere else practiced. Thus, the form of sharing is not a command to us, but principle behind it is!

Christ wants us to be generous. He says so in His Word. And not only in His "Word", but even more so in His "Deed". I John 3:16.

How do we explain this remarkable generosity? The same as before: Christ. "Where a man's treasure is, there will his heart be also". Most men value money more than anything else. That's why they're so reluctant to part with it. But when Christ comes into the life, He takes the place of money as a man's chief love. This, in turn, makes the man eager to share.

And so, what is Jesus "doing and teaching" in the passage? He's uniting His people in love. He's teaching us to live together in the same way.

BARNABAS, 4:36-37

The whole church was giving, but one man in particular stood out. His name was "Joses"--but he didn't go by that. The Apostles had nicknamed him "Barnabas". Why? Because he was a Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement". He lived to cheer and comfort other people.

He was concerned about the poor in the Church and wanted to do something about it. Without any pomp or ceremony, he sold his land on Cyprus and "Laid the money at the Apostles' feet".

Others had shared what they had--very generously. But Barnabas "gave all he had".

What's this say about the man? It says he loved others more than himself; it says he trusted God to supply his needs. But most of all, it says Jesus Christ was working in his soul.

Who better to inspire a full sacrifice than the One who gave His all? Barnabas knew II Corinthians 8:9.

Does the Lord call every believer to do what Barnabas did? No, He doesn't. That's made clear in the following paragraph. But some people are called to do that. The Rich Young Ruler was; Paul was. If Christ is commanding you to do something like this--to give your money or yourself to Him in some special way--then I urge you to do it.

We've heard horror stories of young Christians stirred to act imprudently. To follow callings they never received. To take promises that were never made. To act in folly and call it "faith". And so on. That is something to beware of.

But so is the opposite. To be so deafened by prudence and caution and ordinariness that we can't hear the voice of Christ telling us to "Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God".

William Carey heard that call and sailed for India, despite the warnings of the conservative pastor who called him "an enthusiast" (or, a fanatic). Georg Mueller heard it too, and opened orphanages without money or any promise of future funding. Not everyone receives this calling! But everyone should listen for it. And answer it if it comes!

Don't do it for the prestige it offers. Do it for Christ. You won't be sorry.

ANNANIAS AND SAPPHIRA, 5:1-11

Barnabas' gift inspired the church. Soon, others were following his example, including a couple named Annanias and Sapphira.

They put their farm up for sale intending to give the proceeds to the church. They didn't get what the land was worth. They got a little bit...more.

This gave them the chance to "have their cake and eat it too". They would be known as people who "gave their all to Christ" while at the same time pocketing the extra money. And no one would be the wiser.

Anninias came in first, laying his money at the feet of the Apostles. Much to everyone's admiration. Well, not quite everyone's. Peter knew better. How did he know? Maybe the man who bought the farm was a friend of his. Or, maybe God told him. In any event, he knew.

On hearing this, Anninias dropped dead. And the young men carried him out and buried him.

Three hours later, Sapphira came in, expecting a congratulations! But she didn't get it. What she got was a question:

"Yes, for so much" was the answer.

She too dropped dead. The young men buried her next to her husband.

What sin did they commit? They lied to God. But why did they do that? Not because they loved money (in fact, they were quite generous). What they loved was admiration.

F.F. Bruce puts it this way,

Lest we think too hard of the man, Bruce adds,

The judgment that fell on the lying couple was a terrible thing. But good results followed,

The shocking deaths reminded both believer and unbeliever that Jesus Christ is alive and will punish people for their sins.

That's the Christ-centered meaning of the story. I Peter 4:17 says,

Last time, we found the Church aware of the Living Presence of Jesus Christ. He was with them! To heal the lame man, to reprove the judges, to shake the room, and to give them boldness.

This chapter tells the same story. Jesus Christ is with His Church. Not only as our Savior. But also as our Judge.

Jesus Christ killed two Christians for lying to God. In Corinth, He made some weak, some sick--and some dead--for abusing His Supper and dividing His Church. Our Lord is still alive today; He hates sin as much now as He did then; He has every right to purify His Church "by any means necessary".

The story of Anninias and Sapphira was told to make you and me respect the Lord more than we do. It's not enough to know "God is love". We must also know "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all".

Some think "fear" is a base motive for obedience. If it is, it's the base motive that Christ and the Apostles gave us. It is they--not I--who said, "Fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell...Fear God...Perfecting holiness in the fear of God". And more.

Let us be afraid of God. With a godly fear. And let His fear keep our feet from straying. Have you got sins to confess to the Lord? If so, confess them right now. Covering them up is nothing but a lie. Have you got sins to forsake? If so, forsake them right now. Confessing them with no resolve to quit is another lie. And God kills people for lying to Him.

Let us, therefore, "Serve God with reverence and fear, for