One of Heart and Soul

In one paragraph

On the first Sunday of Advent, with Pastor Ray out of town, the congregation worked through Acts 4:32 through 5:11, looking at the early church's common life, a positive example in Barnabas, and a sobering negative example in Ananias and Sapphira. Three short applications came out of the text: encourage one another, be alert, and fear the Lord. The passage opens with a portrait of remarkable...

Read together

1. Psalm 98:4 opening call to shout for joy to the Lord
2. Romans 15:13 Advent candle of hope reading about the God of hope filling us with joy and peace
3. John 17 Jesus praying for unity among believers, that all may be one
4. Deuteronomy there should be no poor among you, give generously to the poor
5. 1 Corinthians 3:16 you are a temple of God and the Holy Spirit dwells in you
6. Romans 12 different gifts according to grace: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy
7. John 10:10 the enemy comes to steal and kill and destroy; Jesus comes to give life abundant
8. 1 Peter 5 the enemy prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour
9. Ephesians 6 putting on God's armor to stand firm against the strategies of the enemy
10. Luke 4 Jesus using scripture to combat the enemy's lies in the desert
11. Proverbs the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
12. Philippians 2 benediction about encouragement in Christ, unity, humility and looking to the interests of others

Talk about it

1. The pastor described the early church as being 'one of heart and soul,' with Christ at the center as the source of their unity. What does that kind of unity look like practically in a local church, and where do you see it happening or struggling in your own experience?
2. The sermon pointed to how the believers held their possessions loosely, with all things as common property, and connected that to God's original intent for the temple community in Deuteronomy. How does the idea that we are now God's temple, where the Holy Spirit dwells, change the way you think about generosity?
3. Barnabas is described as someone who used his gift of encouragement at a moment when the church was scattered and afraid. Can you think of a time when someone's encouragement kept you going, or when you had the chance to be that person for someone else?
4. Peter tells Ananias that the property was his to do whatever he wanted with, yet the sin was in the deception. What do you think was driving Ananias and Sapphira to lie, and what does that tell us about the kinds of temptations that can quietly work against unity in a church community?
5. The sermon closed with three applications: encourage one another, be alert, and fear the Lord. Which of those three do you find most difficult to hold onto in your daily life, and why?