Sermons from Acts: A kingdom in God’s Image – Love, Holiness, and Fear, #2

 

A kingdom in God’s Image – Love, Holiness, and Fear

Acts 4:32-5:16

Have you ever considered the oddity of human governments – that somehow

the practice of injustice is the means by which justice is created,

or that violence is the means by which peace comes into existence,

or that hatred is the means by which love is grown?

    These practices are found in some degree in all human societies and governments on account of a universal reality – unfettered sin in the human heart.

    The kingdom of God through Jesus is unlike any human society, for unfettered sin is removed from the equation before a person even enters into God’s kingdom. When a man or woman repents in accordance to the gospel, it is no longer sin to which that person submits, but to God. That submission to God then leads to forgiveness and peace with God, and to the sharing in God’s holy spirit. The sinful spirit of this world begins to wither and die as God’s spirit grows increasingly prevalent.

Wherever the spirit of God is,

Impurity gives way to purity of heart, mind, and spirit.

Indifference and even hatred gives way to love.

Death gives way to life.

And this brings us to the state of things given in Acts 4:32-5:16.

Love made visible - Acts 4:32-37

     The full number of believers were of one heart and soul. They were united in love by God’s love. This in itself is a remarkable change in these who had become believers. No doubt many among them were already of generous hearts, but given human nature many were not. Though these believers all came from a common heritage, they nevertheless had many different backgrounds and experiences. But one thing they all shared in common was the choice to believe, repent, and enter into God’s kingdom, a kingdom a-washed with God’s own spirit.

     At the same time the apostles continued their witness of the resurrection, displaying the great power of God’s kingdom.The people experienced the reality of God’s great grace, and that grace became part of their own walk so that 

"There was not a needy person among them.” 

The very bedrock of God’s kingdom is love. Jesus told us to love one another in the same way he (Jesus) loves us,  

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John. 13:34-35) 

and then he himself proved his love by going to the cross on our behalf. John wrote concerning the love of God,

“And so we have come to know and to believe the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16

     The love of God produced incredible generosity in the hearts of those who obeyed the gospel to the end that those who owned property began selling it, giving the proceeds to the apostles to distribute as they saw need. They did not do this because they thought the end of the world was at hand, or because the apostles had given a law that they do so, but because they were filled with the same love and grace of God that compelled Jesus to go to the cross. This is the character of the kingdom of which they had become new citizens.

     It is here we are introduced to Barnabas, also known as Joseph. Barnabas is named here because this is the same Barnabas that later on traveled with Paul during their first missionary journey. Barnabas sold some land that he owned and gave all the money to the apostles.

The holiness of God’s kingdom – Acts 5:1-7

    The account of the judgment which fell upon Ananias and his wife Sapphira is perhaps one of the most difficult accounts in the NT for people to grapple with. At first blush it seems quite unfair of God to strike them down for what amounted to a simple lie. But we must see this in the context of all God had done to bring his great kingdom to all human kind.

     As with John’s testimony that God is love, God is also holy and no impurity can be found in Him. God is also the God of Light and Truth, and there can be no falsehood or deception found with Him. Jesus too is the very light of God, and as that light he has revealed the way of life in God. While human leaders and governments may routinely engage in falsehood and deception, such a thing is antithetical to the very person of God and therefore is a contradiction to the character of His kingdom.

     For whatever motive Ananias and Sapphira may have had – and in truth their motive is irrelevant – they did not take seriously the nature of God or His kingdom. They lied, not to Peter, but to God himself as to what they had done. 

"While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God."

Their actions were of the spirit of this godless world age.

     Just as Satan wanted to test Jesus through the 3 temptations as to what kind of king Jesus would be, perhaps he wanted to find out what kind of kingdom the kingdom of God would be. Peter, himself having been sifted by Satan, did not back down in the face of this challenge. God’s kingdom would always be one of truth and holiness.

     Their deed was not born from ignorance of the truth or a misunderstanding. They lied, and they knew they lied. Being Jews they knew from childhood the commandment, “You shall not bear false witness”, yet they contrived to do that very thing. This is the way of all human societies of this world age, but God’s kingdom is not of this world age.

     Word of the sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira quickly spread throughout the entire Church in Jerusalem, and where there was once only great and constant rejoicing, there was now also great fear. God will not be mocked.

     It’s not unsurprising that one of the immediate results was a sudden tendency of those believers gathering together to stay away from the apostles, not because of disapproval of what Peter had done, but from a very healthy respect and fearfulness. They held the apostles in very high esteem after this sad event, and they rejoiced in the continued signs, wonders, and healings that were taking place. Just the touch of Peter’s shadow resulted in healings! God multiplied all which the apostles did in order that the people might see the folly of Ananias and Sapphira in contrast to a genuine holiness before God.

And even more believed and were added to the Lord.

     While this world may deny even the existence of God, people hunger and thirst for something greater than what this world can create. Consider the ongoing peaceful protests and even the riots we see happening in our country. These things are being done in the name of Justice. While it angers me that those who demand justice are in the forefront of injustice, there is still this one bright shining hope – people seek rightness. People seek justice. People seek Love. It is up to us as the citizens of God’s kingdom to show them these very things.

Sermons from Acts: The Kingdom Opened, #1

     This is the first of a series of sermons from the book of Acts. The over arching theme of these sermons relate to the kingdom of God being established among mankind, to the Jew first and then to the Gentiles. For best results, I highly recommend reading the scripture references while reading through the sermons.

The Kingdom Opened

Matthew 16:18-19

    Today (May 31, 2020) is Pentecost Sunday. 50 days ago Jesus was resurrected from the dead. On that same day Jesus became the “wave offering” for the Feast of first fruits, a feast day took place on the first 1^st day of the week following the Passover. The Feast of first fruits gave thanks to God for the appearance of pre-harvest fruit. Therefore Jesus glorified God by becoming the first fruit of a soon to come great harvest of those saved from their sin and rebellion against God.

    Fifty days later we come to Pentecost when, for the first time, Peter used the keys given him by Jesus to “open” the kingdom of God by means of his proclamation to the people gathered in the temple complex celebrating Pentecost.

But before that day….

Another man is chosen to fill the place of Judas – Acts 1:16-17; 21-22

    I find it interesting that Jesus knew all about Judas’ character, yet still named him as part of the 12 with full intent to commission those 12 to be his apostles throughout the world. Judas can be seen as a lesson. He was given the same authority to do many great things in the name of Jesus as was given to the other disciples. Yet he had a habit of stealing from the group’s funds, and after he betrayed Jesus he took his own life in shame. Just because a follower of Jesus might do great things is not evidence his heart is right and his spirit is godly. At the same time, Jesus had given Judas authority even when his heart was not right and his spirit ungodly. Matthew 10:1-4 relates Jesus giving to his disciples authority to cast out demons and heal diseases. Notice verse 4 includes Judas. We see here it is not the power one wields that proves him or her as godly, but what is seen as the fruits of their lives, especially as given in Galatians 5:22-23.

    But now Judas is dead and there are only 11 of the original disciples. Peter called for 2 men to be put forward as potential replacements of Judas - "For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." Acts 1:17. 

    Two requirements were to be met:

    1. They must have been with the other disciples from the time Jesus was baptized until the day he was taken up.

    2. Their ministry would be that of proclaiming as eyewitnesses all that they had seen and heard Jesus do. The ministry of these 12 men was to lay the foundation of the Church by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. If you look at Revelation 21:13-14 you will see that the 12 gates of the heavenly Jerusalem were of the 12 tribes of Israel, and those gates were supported by the foundation stones of the 12 apostles. 

Two men were selected as a potential replacement; Joseph (Justus) and Matthias. After prayer, God revealed his desire that Matthias be Judas’ replacement.

Moving to the day of Pentecost itself -

We see the Kingdom opened – Acts 2:32-33; 36-38

    Before Peter even uttered a word, Jesus poured out upon all the disciples present the Holy Spirit. This was the same spirit that gave the prophets of old their power, but never was that Spirit given to all who were of the law of Moses. The prophet Joel spoke most clearly of this day – Joel 2:28 -29. Notice Joel did not say God’s spirit would rest only upon His chosen prophets, but upon all – the young and old and the great and small. Even mere servants would have God’s spirit.

    I cannot find words to express what an incredible thing this is. We who are of Christ are bathed in God’s spirit. We participate in God’s great holiness even though we currently live in a world bathed in sin’s great evil.

    In his proclamation to all the people, Peter used the keys of the kingdom to open that kingdom to those who were outside. He did this by giving to his hearers the knowledge to escape God’s wrath. Summarizing his key points:

1. The pouring forth of the Spirit is the fundamental characteristic of God’s kingdom.

2. Jesus was the man God had sent as the righteous king of God’s kingdom.

3. Though they crucified Jesus, God raised him to life, and exalted him.

4. All may escape wrath and find life by

1) Repenting (of rebelling against God).

2) Baptism into (identifying oneself with) the name of Jesus.

5. All who do these things will be completely forgiven and will share in the gift of God’s own holy spirit. They will go from enemies to friends; from doers of evil to partakers of God’s holiness!

3000 people believed and became new – Acts 2:41-47

    The proof and power of the pouring forth of the Spirit upon all who enter God’s kingdom is seen in the results. On that day 3000 people believed and were baptized and God was adding daily to the number who were believing.

    It is quite likely many of those who believed were among the crowds that cried out for Jesus to be crucified. But upon hearing the truth and witnessing the power of the spirit of God, they quit their rebelling and entered into a brand new life with the living God. See how their hearts and minds had been radically transformed:

1) They devoted themselves to the preaching and teaching of the apostles – seeking greater knowledge by which they may now please God and enjoy his favor and love.

2) They devoted themselves to fellowship, to the breaking of bread (with one another and as the Lord’s supper) and to prayers.

3) All who believed were as one and shared of their possessions with one another, and received their food with “glad and generous hearts”.

4) They were daily praising God and increasing in favor with all the people.

    The difference from 50 days earlier is breathtaking. With the knowledge of what God had done through Jesus and His pouring upon those who believed his own holy spirit, God transformed a people who boasted in their own goodness and who shook their fist at God’s chosen one, into a people whose hearts were filled to overflowing with the Love of God and whose minds now hungered and thirsted for ever more knowledge by which they might love one another even as Jesus loved them.