Acts 4: 33-37 - 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 all 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 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 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.
What is it that fuels our dreams today? Jesus. Always Jesus. Around what will we unite today? Jesus. Always Jesus. What about us and our city? Our church? Other churches? We won’t agree on everything, but on this we’d better agree: There is no answer for that which our hearts ache and what our world desperately needs outside of Jesus. Always Jesus.
Greg Holder
Read Acts 9:26-28
When he (Saul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
Reflect
What fueled the magnificent generosity we see in
Acts 4?
Paul actively persecuted the early church and desperately needed Gods grace. How does that make you feel about the grace God has offered you?
How has an encouraging word from someone helped you in the past?
Has anyone ever vouched for you like Barnabas did for Paul? How did that make you feel?
What are your take aways from this weeks message?
The Power of Grace:
There was a reason Paul was such a fan of God’s grace—he knew how desperately he needed it. I’m hoping you or I don’t have the things he does on his resume, but is there anyone here willing to admit that you too are in desperate need of grace? This is the antidote to our hatefulness and our fear, our longing to get even, our tendency to self-righteously celebrate the stumble of another. Greg Holder
Let's Do This:
Consider writing an encouraging note to someone. Not typing one or texting one or leaving a voicemail, even though all of those are great. Of all the things we could do encouraging another person makes so much sense these days. Let’s see what God does with our words in the heart of another and how it heals our own hurts and aggravations.