Acts 5 Recap Lame man healedSermonAbout 5,000 men became believers. Second sermonThey sold land, houses, and other possessions. They brought the proceeds to the disciples to give to those in need. Acts 4:34-35 ESV 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Acts 5:1-42 ESV Verses 1-11 The fact that both dropped dead tends to distract us from the main point. No one commanded this type of giving. The Spirit led individuals to give extravagantly. Was this for prestige or did greed grip them?The sin was not against man but the Spirit. The amount of money was never disclosed. The Spirit desires the heart not your money. Matthew 17:24-27 ESV 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel.[g] Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” Jesus wanted Peter to release the right or wrong and submit his heart. Nearly half of Jesus parables were regarding money or giving. This was never out of need for money but heart. Matthew 6:19-21 ESV 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. His desire is for our heart not some surface level commitment. Verses 12-16 The signs and wonders continued and the church grew.Both men and women were added to the church. Just as we normally do they made this about the person even his shadow. Everything that was being done was to validate the message of Christ. Verses 17-42 They were arrested by religious and political leaders.They were released by the Spirit. Told to continue to preach publicly. When they were brought in to those leaders they asked why they went against their command?Their response is the root of the issue you and I battle today. God or man which will it be? It’s time to choose this day who you will serve. Joshua said it this way to the Israelites. Joshua 24:14-15 ESV 14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Paul said it like this to the Ephesians. Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm Peter again delivered a sermon of Christ crucified and raised.After this they were beaten and released. They counted it as joy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. Choosing to follow God is a no matter what choice.Support the show
