They Were One in Heart and Mind
Terry J. Hallock
Acts 4:32-35
February 9, 1997
Our text for this morning gives a clear picture of the Church Jesus built and thus a guidepost by which we can see how we measure up.
"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. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 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 and put it at the apostle's feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
They were one in heart and mind! When one member hurt the rest felt the pain. When one was hungry the rest felt the gnawing. When one was without clothes the rest embraced that nakedness as their own. Every personal possession was viewed as if it no longer belonged to the one who held it but as a stewardship from God given to meet the needs of His family. Those who owned land sold it so those without land might have a place to live. Those with health cared for those who were sick. Those with wisdom protected those who were simple. Those with power shielded those who were weak. Those who were accepted wrapped their arms around those who were rejected. Those in prominent seats got up and sat with those in the back of the room. If made no difference if one was slave or free, male or female, Roman or Greek, Jew or Gentile, black or white. All that mattered was another's need. All that counted was faith expressing itself in love. They were one in heart and mind!
It was literally as if this radical new community of believers was one body with just one aim - to so love each other that a hurting world would see just how much Jesus loved them! Yet isn't that what The Word says the Church is to be and what the Church is to do?
". . .So in Christ we who are many form ...
Terry J. Hallock
Acts 4:32-35
February 9, 1997
Our text for this morning gives a clear picture of the Church Jesus built and thus a guidepost by which we can see how we measure up.
"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. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 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 and put it at the apostle's feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
They were one in heart and mind! When one member hurt the rest felt the pain. When one was hungry the rest felt the gnawing. When one was without clothes the rest embraced that nakedness as their own. Every personal possession was viewed as if it no longer belonged to the one who held it but as a stewardship from God given to meet the needs of His family. Those who owned land sold it so those without land might have a place to live. Those with health cared for those who were sick. Those with wisdom protected those who were simple. Those with power shielded those who were weak. Those who were accepted wrapped their arms around those who were rejected. Those in prominent seats got up and sat with those in the back of the room. If made no difference if one was slave or free, male or female, Roman or Greek, Jew or Gentile, black or white. All that mattered was another's need. All that counted was faith expressing itself in love. They were one in heart and mind!
It was literally as if this radical new community of believers was one body with just one aim - to so love each other that a hurting world would see just how much Jesus loved them! Yet isn't that what The Word says the Church is to be and what the Church is to do?
". . .So in Christ we who are many form ...
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