READ
Acts 4:32-5:11
CONSIDER
My sister was married the same weekend I attended my cousin’s funeral, who had passed away from cancer. It was a confusing experience to be celebrating one moment and grieving another. In today’s text, we experience something similar. It begins with joy as we see the church working exactly the way it should followed by the sudden death of two of its members. Luke does this intentionally to make his point: generosity creates community but deceit destroys it.
When the Spirit of God is working in us, the church acts as his witness to the world but there is a warning embedding about the danger of allowing deceit to infiltrate our community. As we gather together this Sunday, I hope that we will walk away with a heart overflowing with generosity and also alert to how sin can tear our community apart.
Pastor Tim Sreedharan
PRAY
Lord, let us desire the following:
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:10-12 (Psalm 34:12-16)
DIVING DEEPER
Download the complete Acts sermon series study guide HERE.
Read 4:32-37. What 3-5 words would you use to describe the early church? Read 5:1-11 and discuss the differences between the two passages.
This was a time of growth and transformation for the early church yet Luke chose to include this passage about deceit in giving.
Why do you think this was the case? Take a look at 4:32. Point people to the unity of the church (one heart & mind) and how this serves as a warning for others not to allow their selfishness to hinder the unity of the body.
The expression “from time to time” (4:34) notes the actions alluded to were extraordinary and voluntary acts of Christian concern done in response to special needs among the believers*. What does this teach us about the nature of giving from this passage?
Giving is voluntary, not prescriptive or mandated, and comes from the overflow of the gospel transforming our hearts.
At first glance, the punishment doesn’t seem to fit the crime. What merits are there for such a severe punishment?
Watch the six-minute video HERE to help you understand why this punishment seems so extreme.