Atmospheric Holiness – Part 6: Simplicity Acts 4:32 – 5:11

Simple is not easy. Easy is effortless. Simple is basic, uncomplicated, and fundamental.

Acts 4:32-35 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

Acts 4:32-35 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

Acts 4:32-35 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them,

Acts 4:32-35 brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Five Marks of a Healthy Church A church marked by spiritual unityA church marked by spiritual unity All the believers were one in heart and mind. – v.32a

Five Marks of a Healthy Church A church marked by simplicityA church marked by simplicity No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. – v.32b

Five Marks of a Healthy Church A church marked by powerful preachingA church marked by powerful preaching With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus – v.33a,b

Five Marks of a Healthy Church A church marked by grace – v.33cA church marked by grace – v.33c and much grace was upon them all. – v.33c

Five Marks of a Healthy Church A church marked by met needsA church marked by met needs There were no needy persons among them. – v “there should be no poor among you” (Deut 15:4). “there should be no poor among you” (Deut 15:4).

Exceptional Efforts for Special Needs For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. - vv.34b-35

An Extraordinary Example Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. - vv

An Extraordinary Example This was extraordinary because Joseph was a Levite.This was extraordinary because Joseph was a Levite. The LORD said to Aaron, "You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites. - Numbers 18:20The LORD said to Aaron, "You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites. - Numbers 18:20

An Extraordinary Example This was extraordinary because Joseph was a Levite.This was extraordinary because Joseph was a Levite. That is why the Levites have no share or inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as the LORD your God told them.) - Deuteronomy 10:9That is why the Levites have no share or inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as the LORD your God told them.) - Deuteronomy 10:9

An Extraordinary Example This was extraordinary because of the value of the land.This was extraordinary because of the value of the land. This was extraordinary because of the reputation of Joseph.This was extraordinary because of the reputation of Joseph.

An Extraordinary Example An essential ingredient of a great church is an “unlimited commitment to Christ and each other which is expressed in unrestrained loyalty”.An essential ingredient of a great church is an “unlimited commitment to Christ and each other which is expressed in unrestrained loyalty”.

An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price."

An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11 Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

An Interruption of Simplicity - Acts 5: 1-11 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

An Interruption of Simplicity The threat has something to do with possessions but the threat is not about money.

Acts 5:3-4 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Acts 5:3-4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

Acts 5:7-9 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?

An Interruption of Simplicity Whenever we pretend full disclosure in order to keep something for ourselves we are attempting to deceive God and we destroy community.

Luke 12:1-3 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Luke 12:1-3 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

An Interruption of Simplicity You can’t fake holiness!

An Interruption of Simplicity The name Ananias means God is gracious.The name Ananias means God is gracious. The name Sapphira means beautiful.The name Sapphira means beautiful.

An Interruption of Simplicity To hold back ourselves and what the Lord is doing in us is the greatest act of deceit and disloyalty to God and to others.

Bottom Line: We must choose to live in simplicity – no self preservation or hold outs – if we expect the Spirit of God to continually breathe life into the church.

Bottom Line The potential of doing church without or contrary to God’s Spirit is real.

We must admit two realities: We can grieve the SpiritWe can grieve the Spirit And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. - Ephesians 4:30

We must admit two realities: We can grieve the SpiritWe can grieve the Spirit We grieve the Spirit when we affirm in character what the Spirit of God would resist.

We must admit two realities: We can quench the Spirit’s firesWe can quench the Spirit’s fires Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 1 Thess. 5:19 We quench the Spirit’s fires when we resist the instruction that the Holy Spirit would affirm.We quench the Spirit’s fires when we resist the instruction that the Holy Spirit would affirm.

Bottom Line Seeking the Spirit’s leading attunes our sensitivities to the actual and relational presence of God’s goodness.