Return to Unity August 16. Remember when … When have you felt united with others in a common...
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Transcript of Return to Unity August 16. Remember when … When have you felt united with others in a common...
Return to Unity
August 16
Remember when …
• When have you felt united with others in a common cause?
• The early church were united together in a common cause– Today we look at the nature of that unity and its
results– Walking with Christ will bring us together in unity
and purpose.
Listen for what happened when God answered prayer.
Acts 4:23-24 (NIV) On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and
reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they
raised their voices together in prayer to God. … 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Unity in Prayer
• What led to this gathering to pray?• What phenomena confirmed that God heard
their prayers?• What happened on an occasion where you
were amazed by the power of prayer? • How can your faith in God be expressed
through the prayers you pray?
Unity in Prayer
• What does it mean when it says here, that they were “filled with the Holy Spirit”?
• What would be evidences today that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit?
• How can the Holy Spirit equip the Body of believers, the Church to meet needs and answer prayers?
Listen for how needs were met in the early days of the church.
Acts 4:32-33 (NIV) All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared
everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
Unity in Practice and Witness• What attitude did the believers have toward
one another? • What do you think was the motivation for their
giving?• What are the benefits to us in being generous,
sharing people?• Why are we as a society sometimes hesitant to
go to others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ when we have a need?
Unity in Practice and Witness
• Agree or disagree?• In most cases we do not have the same
attitudes about our giving as did the church at Jerusalem … How could our giving be an act of worship?
People today are more willing to give today
than in the past.
People today are more willing to give today
than in the past.
Agree Disagree
Listen for who was the example contributor.
Acts 4:34-37 (NIV) 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.
Listen for who was the example contributor.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son
of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at
the apostles' feet.
Unity in Sacrifice
• Why were there no needy persons among the members of the early church?
• On what basis were funds distributed?• Who was Joseph? • What is your initial reaction to these verses?
Unity in Sacrifice
• Where does generosity need to become more evident in the life of our church?
• Note some of the issues that must be faced– Avoid contributing to laziness– Inspect real needs without invading privacy– Avoid givers who show off
• Main point: People are more important than material possessions
Application
• Surrender your will– Ask God to reveal to you anything you are doing
or not doing that is detrimental to unity in your church
– Repent of your sin– Tell God your desire to walk closely in unity with
Him and with fellow church members
Application
• Unite in prayer– Invite two or three friends to gather with you
once a week to pray specifically for unity and purpose in your church
– Ask the Lord how your prayer group can promote unity and love in your congregation
Application
• Share– Talk with members of your class about what they
can do to help meet needs within your church body
– Invite a ministry leader to help you identify needs– Pray about making this an ongoing ministry
Return to Unity
August 16