SERMON SUMMARY
Sunday, November
18,
2007
The Power of the Church
Sermon given by Youth Leader, MaeLeah Pitts
Introduction:
• Word of encouragement- Proclaiming God’s goodness
• I am forever an optimist when it comes to the Christian church. I have
been told and have witnessed what is called the “nature of ministry” and
the “nature of people.” That being inconsistency, discouragement, and the
lesson of waiting for God’s timing. I know what God has shown me. That
means a church beyond its areas economic, educational, and mentality
status.
• I have been told that the Christian church in the United States is dead,
that’s not true. I do however; feel that God is calling us to step up the
level in which we approach our personal and corporate walks with him.
Because regardless of past experience I know that what God wants and what
is possible is a people and area that are ready for his move. This morning
I want to challenge each person here. Those who have a relationship with
God- good or bad and those who do not. I’m excited because I have tasted
something new in God, I want more for myself, for this church, and
especially for this region.
• This morning I want to highlight three things: Unity, trust through our
giving, and the outcome when we walk in his ways, and when we do not.
Acts 4:32-37
32 Sharing in All Things
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul;
neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own,
but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles
gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was
upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who
were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of
the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and
they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is
translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37
having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles'
feet.
NKJV
5:1 Lying to the Holy Spirit
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being
aware of it, and brought a certain part 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 keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4
While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not
in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You
have not lied to men but to God."
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So
great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men
arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing
what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the
land for so much?"
She said, "Yes, for so much."
9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test
the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your
husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Then immediately
she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in
and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So
great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
NKJV
12 Continuing Power in the Church
And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done
among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. 13
Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both
men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and
laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing
by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the
surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were
tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
I. Unity
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul;
neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own,
but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles
gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was
upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who
were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of
the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and
they distributed to each as anyone had need.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is
translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37
having land, sold it, and brought the money
What do we see here?
- We are talking a church that was a baby, a church that did not have
their leather bound bible, a new building, and all of the fluff and hype
we can esteem as important. A church who understood their purpose a church
that understood who their God was.
- It says they were of one heart and of one soul. We can see the outcome
of this mentality. People were healed and a great multitude was saved. As
a church what is our goal?
- Do we rely only on those who are in a form of leadership?
Illustration:
The militia ( who served at will) was a leading force in the victory of
America in the Revolutionary war. They were not those who were trained
necessarily to fight but were responsible for victory and changed war fare
of the time. The militia was so effective in the war that the British
troops were unable to travel unless in large groups. Now, 40 percent were
unable to join the militia due to age or religious beliefs. We can assume
that the remaining 60 percent were not all part of the militia. This
morning, percentage wise, we make up the man or Jesus power required to
win this area.
It is not the leadership’s responsibility alone to get the work done. It
won’t work. We need more!
• 1 Cor 12:12-14
For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that
one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one
Spirit we were all baptized into one body — whether Jews or Greeks,
whether slaves or free — and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
Psalms 133
133:1 Blessed Unity of the People of God
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing —
Life forevermore.
II. Trust through our giving
- We just covered the importance of every member in unity. So, if were are
in unity – what does it look like. GIVING.
- When we give of our time, money, hearts, anything there typically is a
level of trust. We would not invest money or love into something we have
no faith in.
Psalms 37:5
5 Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret — it only causes harm.
NKJV
-I have heard the comment from people about myself and other church goers
that we are overly committed. If your not overly committed, your something
else. I know God is the only thing to trust in.
5:1 Lying to the Holy Spirit
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being
aware of it, and brought a certain part 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 keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4
While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not
in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You
have not lied to men but to God."
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So
great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men
arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing
what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the
land for so much?"
She said, "Yes, for so much."
9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test
the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your
husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Then immediately
she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in
and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So
great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
NKJV
- As people- we are control freaks. We like to make up our own Christian
manual highlighting what is right for us. That is a lie.
- Complacency is the biggest problem with Christians and religion.
- There is way that seems right to a man and Satan has a field day with
that.
- This verse is not about money alone. This is about your level of giving
in every area of your life. If you are more committed to something else,
there is a problem.
Deut 16:17
17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the
LORD your God which He has given you.
III. Consequences
Illustration: One of my classes in graduate school was a heavily
intensive writing class. You were given two grades in the class on two
assignments; both were not due until the last day of class. One was a
group project. 5 people, 10 videos, and around 75 pages. It was
interesting as I looked around the room at my classmates trying to figure
out who I wanted to be in a group with and who I did not want to be in a
group with. Parents, I am sure that your kids have all come home and said
“I hate group projects, I have to do everything.” Now, what I have learned
is that in those situations the one who does all the work suffers for a
season, but will get a good grade in the course. The person who does not
do the work will get a good grade on the project but may fail the course.
What’s my point? There are consequences to unity and giving and lack there
of.
12 Continuing Power in the Church
And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done
among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. 13
Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.
14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both
men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and
laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing
by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the
surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were
tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Do we see the potential of what God has given us? We have only sent the
tip of the iceberg.
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