OJHS: Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Sermon Text: Acts 4: 32—37

Sermon Title: OJHS: Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Step 1: Unity Increases vs. 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind
Step 2: Lordship is Contagious vs. 32 No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had 

Lordship is viewing your possessions from the perspective that everything you have belongs to God. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” These Jerusalem believers did not claim ownership of their possessions.

Does this Kind of Giving Make?  Acts 11:23-24 – …they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Luke 16:11 – So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? The testimony of a committed giver makes a difference because…
Step 3 Vision is Advanced vs. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus…Giving fuels the future. It doesn't take a financial genius to recognize that a church has to give to grow.

Step 4  Needs are Met vs. 34 – 35 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Can you imagine a church where there were no needy persons? This is God’s ideal plan for His church. He distributes resources among the members so when a need arises, the resources are already in place to meet the need. The believers just have to be willing to relinquish their God-given resources instead of claiming them as their own. If God’s people give God’s things back to Him, needs are met. 

Step 5 Ministry Expands vs. 33 With great power… and much grace was upon them all.
This campaign is not just about raising money—it’s about expanding ministry. There is an explainable anointing of God that comes when believers dedicate themselves and their possessions completely to God. When a church unites to give wholeheartedly to its vision, that church experiences great power and much grace.

It attracts unbelievers to Christ. …and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.(v. 24).
Committed givers make a difference. They reflect the gospel and advance the vision of the church. As a result, other believers are encouraged and unbelievers are brought to Christ.

Give to advance the vision of your church.

Final Action Steps to Making a Difference:
(a) Transfer ownership of your possessions to God. Take time this week to verbally “lay your rights to ownership at His feet” through prayer.
(b) Evaluate your level of giving. Determine to be a committed giver who reflects the grace of the gospel and advances the vision of the church.
(c)  Ask God if there are any resources He has entrusted to you that He wants you to give or sacrifice for your giving commitment. Come ready to give your first fruit…week, day salary…toward 3 year commitment pledge…

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