atmospheric holiness – part 6: simplicity acts 4:32 – 5:11
TRANSCRIPT
Atmospheric Holiness – Atmospheric Holiness – Part 6: SimplicityPart 6: Simplicity
Acts 4:32 – 5:11Acts 4:32 – 5:11
Simple is not easy.
• Easy is effortless.
• Simple is basic, uncomplicated, and fundamental.
Acts 4:32-35Acts 4:32-35
All the believers were one in heart and All the believers were one in heart and
mind. No one claimed that any of his mind. No one claimed that any of his
possessions was his own, but they possessions was his own, but they
shared everything they had. shared everything they had.
Acts 4:32-35Acts 4:32-35
With great power the apostles With great power the apostles
continued to testify to the resurrection continued to testify to the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was
upon them all.upon them all.
Acts 4:32-35Acts 4:32-35
There were no needy persons among There were no needy persons among
them. For from time to time those who them. For from time to time those who
owned lands or houses sold them, owned lands or houses sold them,
Acts 4:32-35Acts 4:32-35
brought the money from the sales and brought the money from the sales and
put it at the apostles' feet, and it was put it at the apostles' feet, and it was
distributed to anyone as he had need. distributed to anyone as he had need.
Five Marks of a Five Marks of a HealthyHealthy Church Church
• A church marked by A church marked by spiritualspiritual unityunity
All the believers were one in heart and All the believers were one in heart and
mind. – v.32amind. – v.32a
Five Marks of a Five Marks of a HealthyHealthy Church Church
• A church marked by A church marked by simplicitysimplicity
No one claimed that any of his No one claimed that any of his
possessions was his own, but they possessions was his own, but they
shared everything they had. – v.32bshared everything they had. – v.32b
Five Marks of a Five Marks of a HealthyHealthy Church Church
• A church marked by A church marked by powerfulpowerful
preachingpreaching
With great power the apostles With great power the apostles
continued to testify to the resurrection continued to testify to the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus – v.33a,bof the Lord Jesus – v.33a,b
Five Marks of a Five Marks of a HealthyHealthy Church Church
• A church marked by A church marked by gracegrace – v.33c – v.33c
and much grace was upon them all. – and much grace was upon them all. –
v.33cv.33c
Five Marks of a Five Marks of a HealthyHealthy Church Church
• A church marked by A church marked by metmet needsneeds
There were no needy persons among There were no needy persons among
them. – v.34-35them. – v.34-35
“ “there should be no poor among you”there should be no poor among you”
(Deut 15:4).(Deut 15:4).
Exceptional Efforts Exceptional Efforts for Special Needs for Special Needs
For from time to time those who owned For from time to time those who owned
lands or houses sold them, brought the lands or houses sold them, brought the
money from the sales 35and put it at money from the sales 35and put it at
the apostles' feet, and it was distributed the apostles' feet, and it was distributed
to anyone as he had need.to anyone as he had need. - vv.34b-35 - vv.34b-35
An Extraordinary ExampleAn Extraordinary Example
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom
the apostles called Barnabas (which the apostles called Barnabas (which
means Son of Encouragement), sold a means Son of Encouragement), sold a
field he owned and brought the money field he owned and brought the money
and put it at the apostles' feet.and put it at the apostles' feet. - vv.36- - vv.36-
3737
An Extraordinary ExampleAn Extraordinary Example
• This was extraordinary because Joseph This was extraordinary because Joseph
was a was a LeviteLevite..
• The LORD said to Aaron, "You will have The LORD said to Aaron, "You will have
no inheritance in their land, nor will you no inheritance in their land, nor will you
have any share among them; I am your have any share among them; I am your
share and your inheritance among the share and your inheritance among the
Israelites. - Numbers 18:20Israelites. - Numbers 18:20
An Extraordinary ExampleAn Extraordinary Example
• This was extraordinary because Joseph This was extraordinary because Joseph
was a was a LeviteLevite..
• That is why the Levites have no share That is why the Levites have no share
or inheritance among their brothers; or inheritance among their brothers;
the LORD is their inheritance, as the the LORD is their inheritance, as the
LORD your God told them.) - LORD your God told them.) -
Deuteronomy 10:9Deuteronomy 10:9
An Extraordinary ExampleAn Extraordinary Example
• This was extraordinary because of the This was extraordinary because of the
valuevalue ofof thethe landland..
• This was extraordinary because of the This was extraordinary because of the
reputationreputation of Joseph. of Joseph.
An Extraordinary ExampleAn Extraordinary Example
• An essential ingredient of a great An essential ingredient of a great
church is an “church is an “unlimitedunlimited commitmentcommitment to to
Christ and each other which is Christ and each other which is
expressed in expressed in unrestrainedunrestrained loyaltyloyalty”.”.
An Interruption of Simplicity - An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11Acts 5: 1-11
Now a man named Ananias, together Now a man named Ananias, together
with his wife Sapphira, also sold a with his wife Sapphira, also sold a
piece of property. With his wife's full piece of property. With his wife's full
knowledge he kept back part of the knowledge he kept back part of the
money for himself, but brought the rest money for himself, but brought the rest
and put it at the apostles' feet. and put it at the apostles' feet.
An Interruption of Simplicity - An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11Acts 5: 1-11
Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it
that Satan has so filled your heart that that Satan has so filled your heart that
you have lied to the Holy Spirit and you have lied to the Holy Spirit and
have kept for yourself some of the have kept for yourself some of the
money you received for the land? money you received for the land?
An Interruption of Simplicity - An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11Acts 5: 1-11
Didn't it belong to you before it was Didn't it belong to you before it was
sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the
money at your disposal? What made money at your disposal? What made
you think of doing such a thing? You you think of doing such a thing? You
have not lied to men but to God." have not lied to men but to God."
An Interruption of Simplicity - An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11Acts 5: 1-11
When Ananias heard this, he fell down When Ananias heard this, he fell down
and died. And great fear seized all who and died. And great fear seized all who
heard what had happened. Then the heard what had happened. Then the
young men came forward, wrapped up young men came forward, wrapped up
his body, and carried him out and his body, and carried him out and
buried him. buried him.
An Interruption of Simplicity - An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11Acts 5: 1-11
About three hours later his wife came About three hours later his wife came
in, not knowing what had happened. in, not knowing what had happened.
Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the
price you and Ananias got for the price you and Ananias got for the
land?" land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price." "Yes," she said, "that is the price."
An Interruption of Simplicity - An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11Acts 5: 1-11
Peter said to her, "How could you agree Peter said to her, "How could you agree
to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The
feet of the men who buried your feet of the men who buried your
husband are at the door, and they will husband are at the door, and they will
carry you out also." carry you out also."
An Interruption of Simplicity - An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11Acts 5: 1-11
At that moment she fell down at his feet At that moment she fell down at his feet
and died. Then the young men came in and died. Then the young men came in
and, finding her dead, carried her out and, finding her dead, carried her out
and buried her beside her husband. and buried her beside her husband.
Great fear seized the whole church and Great fear seized the whole church and
all who heard about these events.all who heard about these events.
An Interruption of SimplicityAn Interruption of Simplicity
The threat has something to do with The threat has something to do with
possessionspossessions but the threat is not about but the threat is not about
moneymoney..
Acts 5:3-4Acts 5:3-4
Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it
that Satan has so filled your heart that that Satan has so filled your heart that
you have lied to the Holy Spirit and you have lied to the Holy Spirit and
have kept for yourself some of the have kept for yourself some of the
money you received for the land? money you received for the land?
Acts 5:3-4Acts 5:3-4
Didn't it belong to you before it was Didn't it belong to you before it was
sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the
money at your disposal? What made money at your disposal? What made
you think of doing such a thing? You you think of doing such a thing? You
have not lied to men but to God." have not lied to men but to God."
Acts 5:7-9Acts 5:7-9
About three hours later his wife came About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the price you and Ananias got for the land?" land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." "Yes," she said, "that is the price."
Peter said to her, "How could you agree Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?to test the Spirit of the Lord?
An Interruption of SimplicityAn Interruption of Simplicity
Whenever we pretend Whenever we pretend fullfull disclosuredisclosure in in
order to keep something for ourselves order to keep something for ourselves
we are attempting to we are attempting to deceivedeceive God and God and
we we destroydestroy community. community.
Luke 12:1-3Luke 12:1-3
Meanwhile, when a crowd of many Meanwhile, when a crowd of many
thousands had gathered, so that they thousands had gathered, so that they
were trampling on one another, Jesus were trampling on one another, Jesus
began to speak first to his disciples, began to speak first to his disciples,
saying: "Be on your guard against the saying: "Be on your guard against the
yeast of the Pharisees, which is yeast of the Pharisees, which is
hypocrisy.hypocrisy.
Luke 12:1-3Luke 12:1-3
There is nothing concealed that will not There is nothing concealed that will not
be disclosed, or hidden that will not be be disclosed, or hidden that will not be
made known. What you have said in the made known. What you have said in the
dark will be heard in the daylight, and dark will be heard in the daylight, and
what you have whispered in the ear in what you have whispered in the ear in
the inner rooms will be proclaimed the inner rooms will be proclaimed
from the roofs.from the roofs.
An Interruption of SimplicityAn Interruption of Simplicity
You can’t fake You can’t fake holinessholiness!!
An Interruption of SimplicityAn Interruption of Simplicity
• The name Ananias means God is The name Ananias means God is
graciousgracious..
• The name Sapphira means The name Sapphira means beautifulbeautiful..
An Interruption of SimplicityAn Interruption of Simplicity
To hold back To hold back ourselvesourselves and what the and what the
Lord is doing in us is the greatest act of Lord is doing in us is the greatest act of
deceitdeceit and and disloyaltydisloyalty to God and to to God and to
others.others.
Bottom Line:Bottom Line:
We must choose to live in simplicity – We must choose to live in simplicity –
no self preservation or hold outs – if we no self preservation or hold outs – if we
expect the Spirit of God to continually expect the Spirit of God to continually
breathe life into the church. breathe life into the church.
Bottom LineBottom Line
The potential of doing church The potential of doing church withoutwithout
or or contrarycontrary to God’s Spirit is real. to God’s Spirit is real.
We must admit two realities:We must admit two realities:
• We can We can grievegrieve the Spirit the Spirit
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of
God, with whom you were sealed for God, with whom you were sealed for
the day of redemption. - Ephesians 4:30the day of redemption. - Ephesians 4:30
We must admit two realities:We must admit two realities:
• We can We can grievegrieve the Spirit the Spirit
We grieve the Spirit when we We grieve the Spirit when we affirmaffirm in in
character what the Spirit of God would character what the Spirit of God would
resistresist..
We must admit two realities:We must admit two realities:
• We can We can quenchquench the Spirit’s fires the Spirit’s fires
Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 1 Thess. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 1 Thess.
5:195:19
• We quench the Spirit’s fires when we We quench the Spirit’s fires when we
resistresist the instruction that the Holy the instruction that the Holy
Spirit would Spirit would affirmaffirm..
Bottom LineBottom Line
Seeking the Spirit’s leading attunes our Seeking the Spirit’s leading attunes our
sensitivities to the actual and relational sensitivities to the actual and relational
presence of God’s goodness.presence of God’s goodness.