Transformation TO Generosity - Acts 4:32-37
Generosity_Transformed to Generosity • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsWe are transformed by the Holy Spirit from being TAKERS to GIVERS for the glory of God.
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TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY - ACTS 4:32-37
TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY - ACTS 4:32-37
APPRECIATE CROSSROADS COMMUNITY MEMBERS ONLINE/PRESENT; Encourage GENEROSITY from BOTH GROUPS.
Acts 4:32-37 “32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. 36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.”
PRAY
TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY
INTRO: Generosity is more than a word; it’s a lifestyle. Take a note - Am I a giver or a taker?
TAKERS = All about “ME.” What can I gain? How can I benefit? Takers are always willing to receive and hardly ever contribute.
GIVERS = All about “OTHERS.” What can I give? How can I contribute to the need of another? GIVERS are always willing to share generously with others without being asked.
Believe it or not, we were once all TAKERS…But through the power of the Holy Spirit we have been TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY.
Phil 2:4 “4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
WE ARE TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY THROUGH OUR SAMENESS - 32
WE ARE TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY THROUGH OUR SAMENESS - 32
ACTS 4:32 “32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.”
When believers gather there is a UNITY of heart - The heart is the center of physical and spiritual being; it is compassion and understanding.
Eph 4:3-6 “3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”
The UNITY of the mind - total agreement to the Great Commission Jesus gave us, and determination to obey His instructions.
So the UNITY of believers heart and mind is evidenced in the COMMUNITY of believers.
In that, Believers are TRANSFORMED because they felt whatever they owned was not their own, but was to be shared with others…GENEROUSLY. NOT PRIDEFULLY; BEGRUDGINGLY
This is why Worship and Fellowship ARE SO IMPORTANT…Not to be a TAKER but a GIVER. Takers never tell the Pastor or the Church their need. “They ain’t gonna give me money.”
SO WE ARE TRANSFORMED THROUGH OUR SAMENESS.
WE ARE TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY THROUGH OUR SPIRITUALITY - 33
WE ARE TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY THROUGH OUR SPIRITUALITY - 33
We are spiritual beings...NOT carnal. We are not led by the flesh, BUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Acts 4:33 “33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.”
The powerful testimony of the risen Christ can only be done by those transformed by the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:1-31-Then Peter, being full of the Holy Spirit...
As believers we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit…to LIVE by the Spirit...Not the flesh.
Gal 5:16 -Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Gossip.
Rom 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world (carnal), but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
God’s will is that you and I are TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
WE ARE TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY THROUGH OUR SUBMISSIVENESS - 34-37
WE ARE TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY THROUGH OUR SUBMISSIVENESS - 34-37
ACTS 4:34-37 “34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. 36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.”
Nations have attempted to accomplish something that the early Church accomplished years ago…eliminate poverty/provide equality. Tax the rich; Equal Opportunity; Welfare; etc.
Notice how they accomplished this feat - Acts 4:35 “bring the money to the apostles (CHURCH)...to give to those in need.” Barnabas; son of encouragement (he encouraged others to follow his example; he encouraged those in need);
And the Apostles had a process to identify the needy - 1 Timothy 5: 3-7; 9-13;
Do you trust YOUR PASTOR? CHURCH? LEADERS? The leaders that walked with you; were there for you when no-one else was?…if so, are you submissive in your generosity...so others can be blessed?
“I don’t want Sally to get my money”…it ain’t yours.
“I want Jimmy to get a blessing”…let Jimmy humble himself and come to the church.
God TRANSFORMS US THROUGH OUR SUBMISSIVENESS, so that our GENEROSITY brings glory to His name.
CLOSE: We Are TRANSFORMED TO GENEROSITY
Through our SAMENESS - let’s live with the same heart and mind. UNITY!
SPIRITUALITY - let us live by the Spirit and not be controlled by the flesh.
SUBMISSIVENESS - let us SUBMIT to God by being GENEROUS in our GIVING.