Sins of the Saints Acts 4:32-5:11 January 13, 2019

The Sharing of the Saints: Spiritual participation Strong preaching Sharing practically

James 2:15-16 (ESV) If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

1 John 3:17 (ESV) But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

The Sharing of the Saints: Spiritual participation Strong preaching Sharing practically Sample person

The Sins of the Saints: Spiritual pretense

Matthew 6:1-4 (ESV) Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The Sins of the Saints: Spiritual pretense Spiritual perception Swift punishment Solemn purging

1 Peter 4:17 (ESV) For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the out-come for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Implications & Applications: We need to take seriously the Lord’s commands to love each other. And that does not just mean in theory – but in practical ways. We should share as we can in bearing one another’s burdens. We need to realize how seriously the Lord takes the holiness of His Church – including the individual members of it. Hypocrisy can be dangerous even to your health. Christ takes away our eternal death sentence.