United We Stand - Acts 2:42-47; 4:23-24, 29-35 - July 1, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – United We Stand – July 1, 2007

Our background scripture is Acts 2:41-47; 4:1-37.

Our focal scripture is Acts 2:42-47; 4:23-24, 29-35.

This begins a new series of study entitled “Let’s Do Church Right.” Our focal scripture for our series will be taken from the Book of Acts.

The Book of Acts was written by Doctor Luke for Theophilus. Theophilus was likely an influential acquaintance of Doctor Luke who wanted to know the details about this new movement involving JESUS called “The Way” or later “Christianity.” Likely Theophilus commissioned Luke to give him a historical record of the life of CHRIST as Luke recorded in the Gospel of Luke and the continued activities of the HOLY SPIRIT in the lives of believers especially the Apostles as recorded in The Book of Acts.

Doctor Luke was a physician who was close to the Apostles and traveled with Paul. He records the activities of the Apostles as they established Christian fellowships (churches) and spread the gospel of JESUS CHRIST. He records the workings of the HOLY SPIRIT in the lives of the Apostles and these new believers. He gives us a good look at the life of the early church.

These early Christians were looking for the return of CHRIST at any moment. They wanted others to know about CHRIST and to be ready when HE returned.

This is true for us today. We are even closer to the return of CHRIST than ever before. We should, as the early Christians, have a sense of urgency about getting the gospel to all people. CHRIST will either return or we will be meeting HIM when our time comes to leave earth and join HIM in heaven.
Our previous lessons have focused on Christians entering into the Spiritual Promised Land here upon earth. These lessons will focus on what Christians will do in the Spiritual Promised Land.

As always Christians have choices. When we know the truth, will we share the truth of JESUS with others or will we hide the truth? Will we share our possessions with others in need both spiritually and physically?

CHRIST wants us to share the Goods News which is the gospel of CHRIST. The gospel is the good news about CHRIST. CHRIST lived as 100% human yet HE was 100% GOD, HE was tempted in all ways as we are yet HE lived a sinless life; HE died for our sins, was resurrected from death, showed Himself to over 500 people before HE ascended into heaven and sent the HOLY SPIRIT back to indwell the body of all believers. HE gives us the gift of grace, gives us the gift of eternal life, gives us the assurance of salvation and makes us part of GOD’S family through the miracle of rebirth in our spirit.

Now let’s take a look at the life of the early church through the eyes of Doctor Luke as he recorded it in the pages of Acts. Our study today focuses on the unity of these new believers. Unity is the key for serving GOD. First, we must have unity within our hearts as an individual and then we must have unity as a body of believers. A house divided cannot stand.

Let’s read Acts 2:42-47:

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers. 43 Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 So they sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.[14] Or to all, according to one’s needs 46 And every day they devoted themselves [to meeting]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. together in the • temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them[15] Other mss read to the church those who were being saved.

This is after the arrival of the HOLY SPIRIT on Pentecost and Peter had preached during the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost. After Peter’s sermon 3,000 people accepted JESUS as their SAVIOR. This was only the beginning of many others becoming believer’s because the scripture tells us that new believers were added daily.

Pentecost was a celebration fifty (50) days after the Passover. It was a well attended celebration in Jerusalem. GOD knew that the Festival would attract a broad mixture of people. (Note the scripture below – salves, gentiles, priests, orphans, widows, sons and daughters were invited.) Those who attended the Festival gave a freewill offering in proportion to how the LORD had blessed them. GOD’S timing is awesome. GOD blessed the new believers with the HOLY SPIRIT and in turn the new believers shared both the good news of CHRIST and physical sustenance with others.

Those who were invited to attend this celebration are recorded in Deuteronomy 16:9-12:

The Festival of Weeks (Pentecost)
9 “You are to count seven weeks, counting the weeks from the time the sickle is first [put]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to the standing grain.[3] Lv 23:15–21 10 You are to celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the Lord your God with a freewill offering that you give in proportion to how the Lord your God has blessed you. 11 Rejoice before the Lord your God in the place where He chooses to have His name dwell—you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreign resident, the fatherless, and the widow among you. 12 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt; carefully follow these statutes.

Speculation is that many who had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost decided to remain because they had become Christian’s. They had found the truth in JESUS, as the promised Messiah and the HOLY SPIRIT had confirmed this truth in their hearts. They wanted the fullness of CHRIST in their lives and to learn of HIM. So they remained in Jerusalem to hear from the Apostles. As a result Jerusalem was very crowded.

The young Christians were eager to hear the Apostles pass along all that CHRIST had taught them. They witnessed the power of the HOLY SPIRIT through many signs and wonders. Verse 43 uses the word “fear”. This is not “fear” as being afraid but being in “awe” of what they were observing and experiencing. They knew that the power of GOD was being manifested in their midst. They had never witnessed such a happening, it was a physical confirmation of the presence and power of GOD. This caused some to fear or stand in awe. The signs and wonders got their attention. As a result many gave their lives to CHRIST daily.

Those who lived in the area sold their homes, land, possessions and gave what they had for the common good of their fellow brothers and sisters in CHRIST.

Their willingness to share reveals that their hearts had been changed by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. The attitude of the heart is key in serving GOD.

As we study these lessons, we must keep in mind that this is not a receipt for performing. If we have the wrong attitude of heart, we will work very hard and be miserable. If the LORD leads us then, although hard, it will be rewarding.

Let’s read Acts 4:23-24, 29-31:

23 After they were released, they went to their own fellowship[6] Or friends, or companions and reported all that the • chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices to God unanimously and said, “Master, You are the One who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them.
29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, 30 while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness.

The Apostles Peter and John were on their way to the temple to pray. A man lame from birth asked them for money. This account is recorded in Acts 3:1-10:

1 Now Peter and John were going up together to the • temple complex at the hour of prayer at three in the afternoon.[1] Lit at the ninth hour 2 And a man who was lame from his mother’s womb was carried there and placed every day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so he could beg from those entering the temple complex. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple complex, he asked for help. 4 Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, “Look at us.” 5 So he turned to them,[2] Or he paid attention to them expecting to get something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have, I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the • Nazarene, get up and walk!” 7 Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. 8 So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.[3] Isaiah 35:4–6 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple complex. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.

Notice they were going to the temple to pray. The temple was still the focal point but now there was a new message being taught by the Christians. The new believers were meeting in the temple area and in homes. JESUS while HE walked upon earth went to the temple to teach. So the temple was the place to go. The temple is where people came because they were seeking forgiveness of their sins and had a desire to know GOD and have a relationship with GOD.

The healing of the lame man was proof of GOD’S power and got the attention of those in and around the temple. The combination of GOD healing of the lame man, the Apostles presenting the gospel of CHRIST and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT resulted in 5,000 people becoming believers in CHRIST as their SAVIOR. This did not set well with the Jewish religious leaders. In particular the Sadducees did not like the Apostles reference to the resurrection of CHRIST because they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. That is why they were sad-u-see. So Peter and John were held in custody over night.

Our scripture picks up after Peter and John are released from custody and they return to their fellowships.

Peter and John give a report of what happened. Let’s examine some of the key words which will reveal the attitude of these young believer’s hearts.

In verse 24 they refer to GOD as “Master.” This is the strongest word which means absolute rule and authority. The absolute authority is GOD WHO is sovereign as demonstrated by the fact that HE created heaven, earth, sea and everything in them. GOD had also revealed HIS power through signs and wonders. As a result, these early Christians were willing to place complete trust in HIM. This is the key for serving GOD. Do we trust and have utmost confidence in HIM? If not, could that be one reason we, as Christians today, do not see the manifestation of GOD’S power through signs and wonders through our lives?

In verse 29, notice the word “grant.” Grant denotes a sense of urgency or “do it now”. Then they used the word “slaves.” This expresses the attitude of their hearts. They were ready to serve our LORD as HE directed. They were aware of the threat from the religious authorities but they wanted to speak with boldness. They had a sense of urgency to tell others about JESUS. Do we have that same sense of urgency? If not, do we have an attitude of our heart problem?

In verse 30, they acknowledge the LORD as the source of signs and wonders. They wanted to speak with boldness as HE continued to perform signs and wonders. The Jewish religious leaders wanted them to be quiet but the new believers wanted to shout the good news of CHRIST from the roof tops. They wanted to be bold witnesses for the LORD.

When the attitude of their heart matched their willingness to serve the LORD the very foundation of earth was shaken. GOD confirmed their confidence in HIM with something only GOD could do. HE shook the ground.

In verse 31, we read that they were filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. This could raise questions regarding the HOLY SPIRIT. We know that JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT at Pentecost. All believers from Pentecost to this moment receive the HOLY SPIRT at the moment they believe in JESUS.

The new believers were born-again in their spirit. They were children of GOD and had eternal life. So what is happening in the scripture we just read?

I have to go back to my own conversion experience. I accepted CHRIST when I was about 9 years old. Often, when I give my testimony I will say, “I think I became a Christian when I was about 9 years old.” I was never sure. I struggled for years trying to figure out what it meant to be a Christian. I was a very poor Christian when I compared myself to other Christians. I was in my 30’s and had a renewed interest in serving the LORD as a Christian. I tried very hard to be what I thought a Christian was supposed to be. I could not do it. It was very frustrating to me. I felt defeated and helpless. There was no power in my life and no assurance of salvation. When I thought about dying I thought if my good out weighed my bad then I would go to heaven. My concept of Christianity was performance oriented.

I was driving to work early one morning, June 1971 and I was praying. I told the LORD that I had tried to live the so called Christian life and just could not do it. I said I had cleaned up 60% or 70% of my life and could turn it over to HIM but the remaining 30-40% I could not control. Therefore, I would give HIM all of my life, the good and the bad, if HE would give me the strength to live the Christian life.

Well let me tell you, in the twinkling of the eye HE took my life as it was and from that moment forward it has been an awesome journey with HIM. I had to yield the control of my life to HIS control. When I did it was an overwhelming sense of joy and assurance. It was me getting out of the way and allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to take over the direction of my life. In other words, I was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.

When the new believers acknowledged GOD as Master of their lives, they determined they would serve CHRIST regardless of the cost. They empted themselves of self and they were filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. Think of a glass to drink from. If it is filled with tea but you want it to be filled with water, you must empty the tea. Then you can fill the glass with water. As long as self rules our lives the LORD cannot. Allow HIM to be the LORD of your life. Empty the rule of self from your life and ask HIM to fill you with the HOLY SPIRIT. Awesome!!!

Let’s read Acts 4:32-35:

32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as anyone had a need.

Once again we see the attitude of the heart. They were of one heart. There was unity among the believers. They voluntarily shared with each other. Selling their possessions and sharing with others was not a mandatory. Each believer responded as they felt led to respond.

We must be careful. Often we see other Christians giving and they get the praise of others. This may prompt us to give. We have to be careful. Are we giving because we are led to give from a pure heart or do we want to be praised?

Remember the new believers were selling their property and possessions and laying the proceeds at the feet of the Apostles. But there was a couple whose heart was not pure. The event is recorded in Acts 5:1-11:

1 But a man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property. 2 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. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds from the field? 4 Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!” 5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. 6 The young men got up, wrapped [his body]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , carried him out, and buried him. 7 There was an interval of about three hours; then his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the field for this price?” “Yes,” she said, “for that price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree 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 Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. 11 Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.

Again this was all voluntary. Ananias and Sapphira did not have to do what they did. HE wants us to serve HIM with a pure heart. HE knows our heart and whether or not we are being truthful or deceitful.

Unity is critical in the body of believers. When we are unified, much can be accomplish as our LORD leads us. There are many denominations that serve our LORD. May all Christians be unified with a pure heart before the LORD to accomplish HIS work.