Calvary Church
A Church that Shared Everything
Main Idea: In this teaching we want to understand more about the Biblical responsibility of sharing, discipling, giving and having the right testimony.
Locations & Times
Calvary Church
4700 53rd St, Moline, IL 61265, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
1. Should local Church members be MANDATED to share everything that have? Does true Christianity call for ABANDONING the idea of personal property?
A. People BASE this false belief on their understanding of the phrase, “and shared everything they had”.
B. The New Testament POINTS us to the heart felt generosity, self-sacrifice and concern for others over ourselves.
C. It’s true that as a CHRISTIANS connected to the body of Christ, His Church, we have at times chosen individual comfort and luxury over self-sacrifice and concern for others.
D. The SOLUTIONS offered by political socialism or Marxism are certainly not the answers nor are they what God has for His Church.
2. We should ask ourselves: What is the COST of discipleship?
A. The word “Hate” in this passage does not refer to emotional or mental DISLIKE of the family members mentioned nor of one’s own life.
B. This passage is speaking about a rejection of anything or anyone that would BLOCK our commitment to Jesus as Lord of our lives.
C. In CONTRASTING the understanding of “Hate” in this Scripture and the Acts 2 passage where “they shared everything they had”, we realize that these men and woman were not to literally hate their father and mother nor were they to mandated to sell their property and give it to the local Church bank account.
D. The SHARING with other believers had nothing to do with a top-down mandate, but a DESIRE to care for one another.
3. What is our MINDSET of giving?
A. A life TRANSFORMED by the grace of God and filled with His Spirit gives freely in joy and humble gratitude.
B. The concepts in Acts 20:37-37 and Eph. 4:28 of stealing, earning wages and having something to personally give to others are all rooted in the fact that Christians still OWNED things.
C. The Gospel caused people to share what they had with those who were in legitimate need and these Christians held a HIGHER VALUE in doing that over their affection for temporal possessions.
D. If we went out and SOLD everything we had and gave it to the Church, it may not change HEARTS.
Three Important Questions for a Church that Shares Everything
1. How do we participate with a brother or sister in Christ being persecuted or in DISTRESS?
1. How do we participate with a brother or sister in Christ being persecuted or in DISTRESS?
A. Sometimes when we PURSUE Godly relationships with our Church family and one of us experience a challenging time, the Lord may choose to use that to SPARE the entire Church of something down the road as we pull together through prayer and support.
B. If the Church family does not pull together to care for a Christian brother or sister appropriately, there can be needless DIVISION.
C. If we have a RESPONSIBLE Church family member who is experiencing a great challenge, it’s the duty of other members to share in this through prayer and every suitable assistance.
2. How do we watch out for one another’s disorderly conduct or BEHAVIOR?
A. The answer is very clear and in STRONG language found in Matthew 18:15-17.
Threefold Duty in Correct Order
1) WATCHING—We’re to watch over each other. This shows care and attention.
2) WARNING—We’re to warn people in a caring way and pray that they would heed to it and redirect.
3) REPROOF—This duty ought to have much caution, wisdom, tenderness and moderation by anyone performing this.
1) WATCHING—We’re to watch over each other. This shows care and attention.
2) WARNING—We’re to warn people in a caring way and pray that they would heed to it and redirect.
3) REPROOF—This duty ought to have much caution, wisdom, tenderness and moderation by anyone performing this.
B. REMEMBER, the desire is to always bring GLORY to God with our lives and those of our brothers and sisters.
C. WHY should we bother with such duties? Because we live in this world and we need HELP by the Holy Spirit and our Church family.
3. What is the believer’s responsibility regarding the Church and it’s TESTIMONY?
A. ASSEMBLE—If we do not meet together, how can we be a Church?
B. PROTECT the Gospel—Every Church member is to uphold and confirm the gospel.
C. DEFINE Church Membership—Church members ought to be responsible to receive and if need be, dismiss members.
D. LOVE ONE ANOTHER—If we take responsibility to love one another, then we’ll actively seek to be discipled and disciple others. In this way, the whole church “builds itself up” in love.
E. SUBMIT to Your Pastors and Elders—These men are a gift from God to His Church.
F. EVANGELIZE the Lost—The Great Commission is for every Christian, Matthew 28:18-20.
Talk About It
Discussion Questions:
1. What would you say is the heart of God’s people to share everything they have? What is the principle? What does it not mean?
2. What is Luke 14:25-26 talking about? What is the principle? What does it not mean?
3. How can God’s people reconcile the heart of giving and also having material possessions?
Next Step:
• Of the six things mentioned regarding the believer’s responsibility regarding the Church and its testimony, which one or two may need the most work in your life? What is a plan of action for you?
1. What would you say is the heart of God’s people to share everything they have? What is the principle? What does it not mean?
2. What is Luke 14:25-26 talking about? What is the principle? What does it not mean?
3. How can God’s people reconcile the heart of giving and also having material possessions?
Next Step:
• Of the six things mentioned regarding the believer’s responsibility regarding the Church and its testimony, which one or two may need the most work in your life? What is a plan of action for you?