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
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 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.
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.
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…
(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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