Summary
Theological statement from the book of Acts. You need the Word (apostle’s teaching) and you need the Spirit. Word and Spirit.
4 Qualities of the Church in Acts
- Devoted (apostle’s teaching + prayer)
- Holiness/Fear of the Lord
- Rejoiced in suffering
- Radical generosity
Transcribed by Beluga AI.
Acts 5:42.
42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. (Acts 5:42, ESV)
And so what, what sticks out to you on the theme of devotion? What sticks out to you in that short verse? Anybody? Every day? Is there anything that you do every day? I mean school, work, every day you’re devoted to those things.
But what if church was every day? It just seems like there is a lot of room for the average church. I mean an hour on a Sunday, maybe most people.
And these people, their version of church was every day. And in what context did they meet? Where did they meet? Houses? Yes, in the temple or synagogues. And what is the difference?
You might have read Acts in preparation for this. Did you notice anything different about what happens in the temple and the synagogues versus what happens in homes? Like why were there two gathering places?
Did anybody notice that the different gatherings of home versus synagogues? Solomon’s portico. Well, the temple was where the Levitical priests back from the Old Testament would offer animal sacrifices. Very ritualistic. And there’s only one temple, the one in Jerusalem.
And then you have synagogues which are local gatherings around a rabbi. So this is like raised synagogue in some sense. It’s probably a smaller gathering, possibly even in a home. And synagogues were all over the place. Wherever this Jewish community would gather, the apostles picked up on the common gathering.
Because remember, in the beginning, these apostles were mainly Jewish men. And so, where were they fishing for souls? Because at this point in history, who was the focus of salvation? The Jews.
And so, where would born-again Jews who are apostles, where would they go fishing for souls if, in their understanding, the salvation was for Jewish people? Yeah, they would go to the temple in the synagogues.
And so our modern-day church, you could think of it as that is like a temple synagogue where not everyone who comes into the church is a born-again believer. It is a mixture of Christians and non-Christians. It’s where evangelism takes place.
And if you look at the Scripture, not just evangelism, but that’s when healings would happen, supernatural signs and wonders would happen. And then people would see that, hear about it, and they would be added to the number of this group through that demonstration of power and through the preaching of the apostles.
Holmes, it seemed like especially in the context of persecution, it was a closed group. You knew everybody. No stranger is knocking on your door because it could be a Roman soldier arresting you. So it was a closed group of vetted out believers who are born again, baptized.
So this is similar to, you know, Paul went house to house, apostles went house to house, and they strengthened the believers there. But they also, believers were gathered where they used to gather, which is a temple and the synagogues.
And in that context, not only was the church hearing the preaching getting built up, but they’re watching evangelists at work and God adding to their number. Does that make sense? Yeah. Okay, let’s see.
Acts 18:4.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. (Acts 18:4, ESV)
Okay, so by that point we know that this is Paul the apostle.
He was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles. So by this point, he is going to the synagogue, and he is persuading both Jews and Greeks. And so it is clearly evangelism. But the church is there witnessing what is happening and getting the preaching and teaching there.
Acts 20:18-21.
18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:18-21, ESV)
So again, it’s the public teaching which is in the synagogue or the temple, and the private teaching for believers only, house to house.
And so that’s the mechanism of how the teaching went forth and how God added to their number in the early church.
So what is a one line summary? Theological summary from Acts 2:42, 47. Who are we or what is the church? Yes. Even before, what is the theological statement? Spirit and the Word. Yes, word and spirit. Conservative, Charismatic.
And then what is the one description, one quality of a church from this first section of verses that we can discern? Devoted.
This church is devoted, meaning every day, whether it’s publicly, to watch evangelism happen through the apostles and even Spirit-filled deacons and house to house. And it’s every single day.
So this, I think, challenges all of our view of a one-hour-on-a-Sunday view of church. So that’s part one.
Next section of verses. Can somebody read Acts 5:1-6?
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 12 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. 3 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? 4 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 man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. (Acts 5:1-6, ESV)
And can someone read just the next few verses, 7 to 11?
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” (Acts 5:7-8, ESV)
9 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.” 10 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. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. (Acts 5:9-11, ESV)
Okay, so what’s another quality of this early church from this section of Scripture, which is a really tough, tough one, tough pill to swallow? How would you characterize a church like this? Serious. Okay. Yep. Very serious. What else? Yes. Fear of the Lord was very high. Fear of the Lord is very high. Yeah. What else? Anything else?
I mean, I think fear of the Lord is one of the major takeaways that I want to talk a little bit more about. But any other observations or words that come to mind as you think about a quality of a church here?
Radical. Okay. Yeah. So another way to say radical or fear of the Lord is this church is holy. It is not a social club.
And Peter, how did he know about Ananias and Sapphira? That they. Yeah, that they were saying that it was a full amount when it was not the full amount.
How did Peter know that? Holy Spirit, it is a supernatural gift. This is not because Instagram or any spying on Peter’s part, just supernaturally he knew.
And is there a problem with selling your property and only giving, let’s say, 50%? Is there any problem with that? So if there’s no problem, why was it? Why is this such a big deal? Lied to the Holy Spirit. Yes.
And who gave a full amount after he sold a field or property earlier in the book of Acts? Joseph Barnabas. Barnabas. And what happened to Barnaby? He got praised.
He got praised. He got elevated into, like, leadership. And so what’s driving this deception? Yeah. What’s the motive that’s driving Ananias and Sapphira, this couple? Yeah. Praise of man. Yeah. Recognition. Yep.
And so just what’s your reaction when you read this section of Scripture? Like, do you want to be a part of a church like this where you might lie and then you’re going to get, like, struck down and die in the meeting? I mean, like, how do you, like, how do you feel about it? Yeah, where does it say that the element?
He wasn’t elevated right away, but he was traveling with the apostles like Paul and Barnabas were.
Well, that’s the first mention of Barnabas. And then next thing you know, him and Paul are like a tag team doing church planting missions. So it’s just kind of filling in the blank. It doesn’t say explicitly, but that act of generosity, definitely people notice this person is called by God to lead. Through that, they gave him a name: Son of encouragement. Son of encouragement.
We’re going to definitely circle back on this theme of generosity.
But the question, I guess, is like, does it really lead to leading just because you’re—it’s strong enough motivation, though, if you’re getting praise, whether you get elevated to leadership or not for the praise of man. Could be a strong motivation. Yeah. Or could there be another motivation why they would lie? I guess it’s only because.
So it’s not like selling the field would necessarily equate to being put in a place of leadership or something. Not for sure. But in Barnabas’ case, which it was done with a pure motive, it was the full amount.
And he is given a title, nickname, and then he’s with Paul in his ministry. Ananias and Sapphira are watching it. So we’re just kind of filling in the detail. It’s not 100% sure, but they hatched this plan together that we are going to imitate Barnabas and say it’s the full amount when it was not the full amount.
And again, it’s not an issue if you give 50% of your assets away. That’s an amazingly generous act. But the fact that they lied, kind of the same thing.
It’s like when Moses took a census of the people, and so did David. Those just counting people, 1, 2, 3. David took a census of the people, and then what happened? 70,000 died. Because that’s a good parallel. Good parallel. Yep, yep.
So it’s kind of the motive, I think, or whatever. Was he to put confidence in his army as opposed to, yep, yep, God? So I think yes. Doesn’t say. Yeah, I mean we don’t have, we have to read. Yeah, right. You know, fill in the blanks. Yeah, yep. Yeah. That’s good. Yeah.
This group was like holy means, not like morally blameless. But it eventually does lead to that. But God has set apart a people unto himself.
And this is not a group that you casually stroll into, especially if, you know, people die like this. I mean, this is an act of judgment which causes awe that Peter knew that there’s this kind of a gift that’s in operation at this church.
And the fear of, well, I better get my act together. I better not be a hypocrite and pretend to be something I’m not.
And I just wonder, in our definition of church, is the bar so low people can call themselves Christian without fear of the Lord, without holiness, with like private stuff going on that they think it’s, you know, it’s fine to still lead?
The start of this church, God was making it clear this group is wholly set apart. And there should be this fear of the Lord and this awe through the signs and the wonders, operation of spiritual gifts. God doesn’t strike down everyone, but that doesn’t mean that God doesn’t see it.
Eventually, there is judgment for leaders who get away with it, but God sees it, and it’s just His mercy that He doesn’t strike us dead the first time you act this way.
But the motives of the heart, very important. It is so subtle, like praise of man. Focusing on people. I was part of a group where I got elevated because I was great at certain things, and you know, other people get jealous and that I want to be like Ray, and other people feel insecure. Why is, you know, this person elevated?
And I know the power of like a huge group where you are, where you got kind of get handpicked for leadership and all of the eyes and the pressure. It’s really easy to lose yourself and have a twisted motive and to focus on people and do it and not realize that our eyes are not on the Lord, and He sees everything.
So the holiness of the people, not just devotion, but the holiness of the people. Fear of the Lord stands out to me. And related to that.
Can somebody read later in the chapter, Acts 5:37-42? Wait, no, hold on. Actually, no, I’m getting ahead of myself. Actually, scratch that.
So devotion, holiness, fear of the Lord. These are qualities that I see in Scripture.
Next section of verses. Yeah, let’s read Acts 5. This is a new section. Acts 5:37-42.
37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. (Acts 5:37-42, ESV)
Yes. So, what is a word that stands out? Another quality of the church in this section? I cherish that blank. It rejoices in suffering. Yes. And would you say that this is a common thing in your church experience, that generally Christians that you know have encountered something like this in their life? Probably not, right?
So in some sense, I think in other countries, I’ve heard some stats that more Christians have died in recent years, decades, than in all history of the world combined.
We just don’t think about it. We don’t actually see it because we are quite comfortable. In America, the most suffering we get is someone was unkind to us. Perhaps we’re soft.
This church knew about suffering. I don’t know. There’s something unstoppable about a Christian who could be beaten for their faith and rejoice. That person is unstoppable.
There’s another verse that says, if you’ve suffered in the flesh, you’ve ceased from sin. There’s some threshold you cross in your spiritual growth because you go through something like this.
Even in the throne room of God, there’s an incense bowl of prayers, and it is the prayers of the martyrs. They get a special audience with the Lord. A church that knows how to suffer because of Christ clearly is a quality in the first century and something that we don’t know much about.
I don’t think we have to, like, invite suffering or look for suffering, but just to be the kind of person that if I’m in this position, how would I respond? Hopefully, all of us can just like this, rejoice.
Maybe if we’re on the mission field, it could happen to us where we would have to be in a situation, God forbid, where your life was threatened. But these are the questions you want to wrestle with, like, how would I fare in that situation?
Do I really believe that much that I would die for this? Is Jesus that precious to me?
A church that can rejoice in suffering is an unstoppable church. And pastors give up all the time. And I would not even call it for any serious reason or anything that amounts to suffering. It is just.
Oh, go, go ahead. When you say suffering, do you mean like in terms of strictly persecution?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean there’s all kinds of suffering.
But this is a very unique suffering that Jesus suffered. Persecuted, he was scorned, he was rejected by his own people, eventually nailed on the cross. And then he says, all of us who follow him will walk the same, same steps that he walked, and we will also be hated by this world.
But I think in this country it is part of the blessing that we have. I guess in some sense we’re here, and we are shielded and protected. But you leave America, you go to some countries, and it is so different.
We just have to be aware. This is like the biblical standard of church. A church that knows how to suffer well under persecution and rejoice and not give up. Not throwing in the towel just because my church is small, people are unkind, not enough money, or whatever reasons I got burned out, I worked too hard.
Whatever reasons people have for throwing in the towel, I don’t think it amounts to just standard Christian in the early church. Not even leaders, just members. They’re in a context where any day it might cost them their life.
When they say I’m a Christ follower. So just being aware of that, I think it’s a challenge. Oh, one thing I didn’t say about fear of the Lord is Acts 5. Can someone read verse 12 to 16? I forgot this one.
12 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. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 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. (Acts 5:12-15, ESV)
16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. (Acts 5:16, ESV)
So put yourself in the mind of a non-Christian witnessing this very thing. At Solomon’s Portico, which is connected to the temple in Jerusalem, is a public space where people are preaching. And that’s where the Apostles went, and this kind of stuff is happening.
And you’re watching this. What are you noticing or what are you feeling as you see everything that’s happening? Yeah. No one dared to join them. Yep. Yes. Yes. Yeah, let’s unpack that one. Any other comments about this section? So interesting. About the text itself. Yeah.
It’s kind of mind-blowing that, you know, they were healed by even a shadow, kind of like. Yeah, like, wow, God’s the same yesterday, today, and forever, you know, things like that. Yeah.
Okay. Where are the signs and wonders in our church today? The Bible says that signs and wonders would follow. Yes. The believers. Yes. You know, and you know, a lot of times, you know, we see the things going on, whether it’s in a church, on TV, things like that. Benny Hinn. Yes. Throwing their jacket around and things like that.
And it’s like, man, Lord, you know that to me it shows a lack of reverence for God in that point. But then, Lord, I believe that though. You know, I believe that God is. Yeah. The same. God is a healing, heal. Yeah. It’s a miracle working God. Yeah.
Let’s see. I look forward to every day to see what God does today. Yes. What he does here. You know, I anticipate how to move the Holy Spirit to move in every individual’s life. I want to, I want to be a part of it.
I want to see it. I want to witness it. We’re a peculiar people. Yeah. And it’s an exciting time, especially these. I believe these are the last days. And this particular portion of Scripture is a mind blow. Yeah. Just a shadow. Yep. You walk by and you’re a shadow. Yeah. But yeah, I believe that. I don’t know if you ever heard that. God’s word says it. I believe it. That sounds. Yeah, yeah.
Where is that in Scripture that the signs and wonders follow? Believers? Did you know that’s in the Bible? Does that sound familiar?
There is the Bible-believing people’s version of the Great Commission, which is in Matthew 28. You make disciples of all nations, you teach them, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19, ESV)
And then you have the Charismatic version of the same Great Commission where you lay hands and people are healed, and demons are cast out, and snakes bite you, and you’re supernaturally protected. And it says these signs follow. Not apostles, not spirit-filled deacons in the book of Acts, but all believers.
And that’s from the mouth of Jesus in the book of Mark. Yeah. Book of Mark, yeah.
So if I’m a non-Christian and I’m watching what’s unfolding in Acts 5, I realize that this is not a normal group of people. This is not a normal religion where people just say nice religious things and do the ritual and they go home. But they’re actually witnessing something visible, a sign or a wonder, a healing of deliverance. And it is shattering people’s paradigms, and so they would not dare to join.
And yet at the same time, they are drawn, and God is adding to the number. Not because somebody is dragging them to church, but they watched a miracle. And the Lord is just adding these people to the church through this demonstration of power and the preaching of God’s word.
Okay. And then suffering, suffering church. Lastly, the last section I want to cover, which has already been talked about. Can someone read Acts 2:45? And then can somebody read Acts 4:32-37?
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. (Acts 2:45, ESV)
32 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. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 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 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:32-37, ESV)
So what do you, what can you say about the generosity of this early church? Is equally generous or like generous? They’re not needed.
Yes, yes. Do these verses seem like normal in your experience of finances and church? Doesn’t sound like. Seems radical. Yeah. Right.
And actually, I want Ron to share his view of money and what you do with the money the Lord gives you. My view of money. Yeah. Because I’ve talked to you over the years. I believe in my perspective maybe as we get older, maybe not so much age wise.
I was sharing with Pastor livid that I just don’t have very many wants. Not saying I don’t want certain things.
They’re just definitely not important. Our conversation was basically, I want to work for free. I want to do things like I build. I would like to.
We’re family. I would like to do things for my family without having a choice. You know, I would like to somehow, if God would provide for me, to do things like that so that I can basically work for free because I have responsibilities. But I don’t. But those are things that need to be taken care of. Absolutely.
You got to keep a roof over your head. That’s responsible.
You know, you got to pay your insurance and things like that. But as far as finances go, just don’t. It’s not. It doesn’t have me. It just doesn’t. I don’t know. I don’t know how I got here. I just. Life is short, very, very brief, even for you. Ask God to give you a better perspective or a good perspective. I’m asking him every day to give me, help me to be responsible and to have the proper perspective, a biblical perspective of how I handle my finances.
I don’t give it away like a bonehead, but I believe that generosity is key. I’m never without. I can ask the Lord for work, and he always has provided for. I never was out. God has proven himself faithful and true every time. He has never, ever failed me.
My faith has been tested, and it still is tested quite often, but it created. Finances cannot have a hold of you. It becomes a burden. It becomes a weight that is just unbearable. The Lord gives you wisdom. He will.
And as long as your heart is devoted to him, he’ll lead you and guide you every step of the way. I truly believe that.
And the reason I was asking Pastor Ray earlier, our conversation with him, Pastor this and young adult. I want to know if any of them help with gas or what. What do I. How do I help them? I just. I got a little bonus and I don’t want to share it with my family.
You know, it’s a blessing to be a blessing. You know, like I said, you know, I don’t want to challenge anybody to go out and be generous in a way that you don’t have. Put gas in your car, you know, but, you know, follow the Lord’s direction when it comes to your finances.
He’ll heed you. He really will. He really will. You know, I’m praying right now in the area of ministry so that I don’t like to do more ministry and less work.
You know, I’m getting physically tired, but I want to be able to pick and choose my jobs in a way that would be beneficial for my family. I want to train people how to do things, to be able to help handicapped people that can’t afford to pay. You know, why can’t I do things like that?
Why is God too small that he can’t open a door to where we can’t do that as a family? I’m not gonna. No, it’s not. It’s not the God that I serve.
But again, does it have this stuff, approval on it? Is this what he wants? Is this a God-given desire? Or is there a wrong motive or an intention in there that is driving me?
We said, Lord, show me, reveal me to me. But as far as finances go, you know, we work to live, we don’t live to work. There’s a difference there. I don’t want to take away from hopes and dreams.
One thing I’m dealing with is the men, is that they’re so eager to get back to work, get jobs and have a wife.
And I’m like, all your responsibilities are waiting for you. As soon as you finish this, they’re waiting for you. But take the time that you have while you’re on this ranch. Build your Ganesha. Get some strong legs, and you can stand when the tests and the trials come. Build that love relationship with Jesus. Because if you’re here because this is a homeless shelter, it’s not the place for you.
I mean, I’m not saying that God can’t get ahold of you, but you guys have such an amazing opportunity while you’re there on that ranch to really, really dig into the Word and ask the Lord, what are you saying? Talk to me. I want to know your word. And he was just saying, I said, you guys, you’re not going to know if you’re being misled or deceived unless you know his word.
You can go to a church and they can pump you up, man. Put some fire come out of their fingertips. Financially.
I’m praying for all of you. I don’t know all of you by name. I’m bad with him. But I’m praying for the group.
I’m praying for my family here. And I’m so grateful for you. I really am. I can be myself. You know, I don’t ever feel judged here because of my past or anything like that.
I am so grateful, you know? And I tell you this.
God has shown me more and more that I should be even more grateful and more grateful and more grateful. Once we lose gratitude for our salvation or for any little bit of finances or my brother next to me or sister, when we start losing our gratitude, it’s kind of like a slow spiral. It’s just something happens.
So grateful. Let’s keep. Gratitude toward the Lord is key. Good times, bad times, stay grateful. I think the Lord will show you when you’re losing gratitude, you know, it’ll affect a lot of different areas of your life.
Relationships work, and it’ll affect it. So stay grateful, even for the little. I was telling Pastor, I got a little bonus, you know, I did a little project. Pastor, do we have a gas fund for any of them or some? But, you know, we’re family. And he said, well, take care of your teeth first. I said, you know, I made payments on that, you know, but, you know, I don’t know.
You know, when, if you look at the story of Zacchaeus, I don’t know if you guys know the story.
When he just wanted to make things right, he wanted to right his wrongs, and he’s just so overjoyed on just stirring up, you know.
And I’ve been asking the Lord to reignite my personal life, my love for him, and he’s doing that, you know. And this church, since I’ve been here, I had been to, I hadn’t found a church in years. And it’s like it was very difficult. I cried and pleaded with God, and this is where he brought me to go visit, to go do a sink. And that’s how I met Pastor Ray.
And so God is God. He answered my prayer after many, many years. It wasn’t overnight. It took a long time.
I came from a church that we were just talking about recognition, man, hanging around with the pastors and carrying their Bibles for them, you know, just hanging out with them. It was like once you’re with this group of big shots, it’s like you were in the, in the, in the click, you know, you’re part of. It was, it was, that’s the way it was.
And, and I ran, I ran from that because I, something was wrong.
Man was elevated, and we were preaching our ministry, the church banner. Where was Jesus?
I just want to challenge you and encourage you and thank you for being you and for welcoming into the family. And I’m here for you, and you know, I love you, you know. Thank you so much. So grateful. Amen. Amen.
Yeah, Ron is a great challenge for me when I see how he stewards finances. I think there’s a great danger for all of us. We live in such abundance and plenty.
You can do a tithe to a church autopilot and then just chase after all the things that you want out of greed. And God only promises food, drink, and clothing, not even a roof over your head. He doesn’t even promise that in God’s word.
And he just seeks. He just commands us to seek first his kingdom. And then the way it plays out in this early church is that somebody has property, somebody has lack. I will sell my property to meet that person’s need. That’s a different way to steward your money.
And I see Ron doing that. So do we just blindly give into a fund, and this fund leads to a bigger building or renovation or bigger pastor salary? Or should you look at your money as, this is God’s money? How can I use it to actually meet somebody’s need?
And maybe everybody around your circle is. Their needs are met. That’s why there’s a global church. Maybe everyone’s need in this room is met. Maybe mostly in America because it’s such a land of plenty. Maybe mostly the needs are met even by the government.
But there are places in this world where people cannot even have enough food. And it is the abundance that the Lord has given to us so that we can meet the needs of a fellow brother or sister.
And that’s a completely different way to do it. And so for me, it’s like, I’m not going to a church right now, like every week the same one. And I’m not pastoring a church. So I’m not tithing to anywhere particularly.
But, you know, when I get a chance to feed people or to, you know, somebody has a need and they tell me my tithe goes there or even beyond the tithe, that’s just a different way to think. It’s not autopilot.
So, yeah, that’s great. And I think there’s a lot more that can be said about generosity. Let’s look at Apostle Paul as one model of how a Christian might steward money.
Can somebody read Acts 18:1-3? And then somebody else, can you read Acts 20:32-35? And then lastly, Acts 28:30-31.
So first, Acts 18:1-3. Can somebody read that?
1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. (Acts 18:1-3, ESV)
And then can somebody read Acts 20:32-35.
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:32-35, ESV)
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself: It is more blessed to give than to receive. Amen.
And then lastly, Acts 28:30-31.
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” 30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:28-31, ESV)
So Paul as a model steward, what kind of lesson can we draw about radical generosity from his life? Was Paul supported by the church? No, no. He supported himself as a tent maker. And even while he’s under house arrest, what is he doing? He’s living somewhere at his own expense. Expense.
And why did. Why did Paul live this way?
Didn’t he have a right to ask for money from the churches that he founded and pastored? Didn’t he have a right? Why did he not?
Yep, yep. Maybe he was setting an example to the up-and-coming pastors or preachers, ministers. Maybe it was setting an example too. Yeah, they should work, you know, not take advantage of. Maybe there’s a warning, maybe there’s a safeguard to those that see it as a financial benefit, you know?
Any other thoughts? I think in some books,when Paul writes to believers, he prefers to. He worked hard so that he wouldn’t be a burden to them. Yes. And so that he’s able to preach the gospel. Yes, yes, yes.
I think this view of our own finances from Paul’s life, I think it applies not just for pastors. I think it applies to all believers potentially. Because Paul, as a founder of multiple churches, in some sense he’s like the Spiritual parent.
And the last thing as a parent that I would want to be to my children is to be a financial burden. I want to just make sure. Don’t worry about dad and mom. We got it covered. You just take care of yourself, and if you need help, we’re here to help you. That was Paul’s thought process. I think he doesn’t want to burden the sheep. They’re struggling just to make ends meet.
He doesn’t want to add to their burden by extracting a salary when it was fully in his right to ask for it, but he didn’t want to burden the little ones, God’s sheep, in that way.
He also, I think there were probably other ministers who did it for the money in Paul’s day, and he wanted to not associate himself with such people. Nobody could accuse him of being after people’s wallets because he did not accept it. I think that’s commendable.
Also, just the fact that Paul himself and all the apostles, all of us, we receive the gospel for free. It’s not the pastor that saved us, and we have to give that pastor a salary. God saved us. God uses pastors. God uses evangelists and ministers. But we were saved for free.
And I think Paul is showing that through his view of money, that I’m going to preach for free. I don’t want to be a burden. I want to communicate. It is a free gift you just have to receive. There’s no strings attached.
And if we have this view that the money that we have in our career, it’s all tent making versus a lofty vocation like I’m called to whatever profession, if you think of it differently and say, okay, every opportunity I have to earn money, it is tent making.
So my goal is not this career, my goal is not a huge whatever. But my goal is with this finances that the Lord has blessed me with, that he freely gave to me. How can I in turn not be first, not be a burden to others?
But Paul says even in he was not, he didn’t burden people. But on top of it, he says, I will take away some of your financial burden because I’ve earned a few extra, you know, some cash, and now I’m going to give it to you.
It just reminds me of Ron. You know, when Ron has money, he doesn’t have a lot of money. But when Ron has money, the first question he asks is, does somebody need this money? It’s a great question. Like why did God bless us with money? Isn’t it tent making?
This goes for pastors. Should we all be bi-vocational or fully vocational and do it all for free? It’s a challenge to pastors. At least if a pastor did that, no one could blame them that you’re doing it for money.
For missionaries. I know everyone, you know, a lot of ministries fundraise. It’s different if you say, well, I can fundraise or I’m going to work, I’m going to not burden other people. They got their own burdens.
They got to sort out what to do with their own finances, and I am going to pay my way for missions. It’s just a different mindset. Again, I think in a land of such plenty, it is so easy to just feed off of other people’s generosity.
But Paul, he could have done that. And he is, I think, he is a model, not just for pastors, but for all believers. He’s given us able bodies, he’s given us bright minds, opportunities so that we can support ourselves and do missions.
We can meet all of our ministry needs, and we have plenty to share with people with actual needs. And if all the needs here are met, most of the needs in America are met, then we look global, like, where are the actual needs? Which countries have needs? And we go and we meet those needs.
Isn’t that the picture of this early church and how they viewed money? So to sum up, what are the qualities of. Well, first of all, theological statement from the Book of Acts. Acts 2. Two things. What are they?
Theological terms, word and spirit, conservative Charismatics. I think that is actually a very biblical definition of a Christian.
What are the things, qualities of a church that we talked about today? Number one, devotion and devotion to at least two things. Which would be what? Apostles, teaching and in prayer and fellowship and breaking of bread. The Lord’s Supper.
Second quality of this early church, holiness, fear of the Lord, all signs and wonders. I dare not join, but I’m drawn to join because of what the Lord is doing. This is not a social club. There’s something supernatural.
God is at work. He’s confirming he’s behind these apostles through signs and wonders and also behind these believers.
Third quality of this church, they are rejoicing in suffering. And lastly, what is the quality of this church? Radical generosity.
Okay, let’s pray. Father, we’re so thankful that we can just study the church that you birthed, that was spotless and without blemish at its early stages, when it was a pure bride, filled with power, filled with love. Dedicated, devoted to the apostles’ teaching,prayer, fellowship, breaking of bread.
They met every single day in the synagogues, in public spaces, at the temple, and house to house. These were very devoted people. They were wholly set apart by you. Fear of the Lord. Awe, signs and wonders. They suffered and rejoiced when suffering. And they were radically generous. There’s so much more that we could extract from these chapters. But Lord, we just want to wrestle with these things.
It is our homework to see how we could think of your bride differently as we compare ourselves with this text.
The original church that you birthed, that was ushered in by Jesus dying on a cross and being raised from the dead. Thank you, Lord.
We pray that you bless every single person here as we leave this place. Thank you. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.