1. Freedom from possessions Acts 4:32 -5:11

2. Filling with the Holy Spirit
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Indwelling of the Spirit ; on confessing Jesus
The ongoing filling of the Spirit

3. Transformed by the Holy Spirit
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

4. Whose manifesto??
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared

5. Freedom from the love of things
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:32-34

6. Progression of giving
And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Giving
Grace
Apostles
No needs

7. Money and us….

8. Two examples of giving
Barnabas
Gave freely
Gave honestly
Held as an example
Ananias & Saphira
Gave freely
Gave dishonestly
Hypocrisy
Died suddenly

9. Why did Ananias & Saphira die?
5:5 : And great fear seized all who heard what had happened
5:11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard
4:30 : Signs and wonder
5:12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonder
“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.” Acts 9:31

10. The Grace of God The Fear of God Source: www.pinterest.com
Source: ©DISNEY/WALDEN
Source:
Source: hero.wikia.com/wiki/Aslan
Source: Jadis-the-White

11. A warning – Ananias & Saphira
They loved money
They wanted approval
They sought the wrong counsel
They disregarded the Holy Spirit
They interpreted grace as permissiveness
Saviour
Lord
Money
Approval
Relationships

12. A model for us Barnabas He gave freely Son of encouragement
Brought Paul to the believers
Missionary heart; sold out for Jesus
Took the gospel to the gentiles; to you and me
Saviour
Lord

13. To finish… Filled with the Holy Spirit
Freedom from the love of possessions
Where are we at with money?
Fear of God
Honesty before God
Barnabas an example for us
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12: 22