Daily Bread Acts 4
Daily Bread Acts 4
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
Observation:
We see the disciples boldly living out their newfound faith in a couple of ways. First, we see Peter and John boldly proclaiming and witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus. Despite being told they could not preach this anymore, they continued to obey God rather than men. Even when threatened, they held their ground and eventually the rulers let them go. The main reason they couldn’t do anything to these guys was because they were not really breaking the law, and most of the hubbub was over the fact that they had healed a crippled man.
This last paragraph again gives us a glimpse of the closeness of this community. Though they were of one heart and mind, they also did not just look inward, but sold property and gave to the needy among them. This community had three key aspects. They worshipped God (up). They enjoyed close relationships together (in). And finally they gave to those in need outside of their community (out).
Application:
The early church showed a good balance between looking upward, building inward and sharing outward. They didn’t neglect prayer and worship, and meeting together, but also looked to those outside who were in need. As they were faithful to preach in the power of the resurrected Jesus, God added to the number in the community…often and plentifully!
The persecution of the apostle’s and subsequent release from prison even energized the new community even more. All throughout the ages, we have seen the persecuted church that stands faithful to the core message of Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead. After one meeting it was said that the whole place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Will you pray with me for the revival of our church? Will you pray with me that we will be shaken up and filled with the Holy Spirit? Will you pray for your leaders to be filled with boldness to preach in the power of the resurrected Lord?
Let us pray. Jesus come to us today and fill us with your power. Teach us how to be the people of God like the early apostles’ and disciples. In the midst of persecution help us not to be afraid for you are with us! In Your name we pray, Amen.
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
Observation:
We see the disciples boldly living out their newfound faith in a couple of ways. First, we see Peter and John boldly proclaiming and witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus. Despite being told they could not preach this anymore, they continued to obey God rather than men. Even when threatened, they held their ground and eventually the rulers let them go. The main reason they couldn’t do anything to these guys was because they were not really breaking the law, and most of the hubbub was over the fact that they had healed a crippled man.
This last paragraph again gives us a glimpse of the closeness of this community. Though they were of one heart and mind, they also did not just look inward, but sold property and gave to the needy among them. This community had three key aspects. They worshipped God (up). They enjoyed close relationships together (in). And finally they gave to those in need outside of their community (out).
Application:
The early church showed a good balance between looking upward, building inward and sharing outward. They didn’t neglect prayer and worship, and meeting together, but also looked to those outside who were in need. As they were faithful to preach in the power of the resurrected Jesus, God added to the number in the community…often and plentifully!
The persecution of the apostle’s and subsequent release from prison even energized the new community even more. All throughout the ages, we have seen the persecuted church that stands faithful to the core message of Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead. After one meeting it was said that the whole place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Will you pray with me for the revival of our church? Will you pray with me that we will be shaken up and filled with the Holy Spirit? Will you pray for your leaders to be filled with boldness to preach in the power of the resurrected Lord?
Let us pray. Jesus come to us today and fill us with your power. Teach us how to be the people of God like the early apostles’ and disciples. In the midst of persecution help us not to be afraid for you are with us! In Your name we pray, Amen.
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