You Have Heard It Said

In Acts the Holy Spirit comes, and the church becomes a family where no one is in need. Barnabas sells a field and lays the money at the apostles’ feet. Then Ananias and Sapphira sell theirs, keep back part, and present it as everything. The land was theirs and the money was theirs… their sin was wanting the image of generosity without the heart of it. In Matthew 23:23 Jesus names justice, mercy, and faithfulness, “without neglecting the former,” refusing both legalism and neglect. And because God loved us first, we are freed from proving ourselves and from protecting ourselves at the same time… free to take our next step.

Also in this message: Matthew 6:21 · Acts 2:42-47 · Acts 4:32-35 · Acts 4:36-37 · Acts 11:24 · Acts 9:27 · Acts 5:1-11 · Joshua 7:1 · Matthew 23:24 · Numbers 18:21 · Deuteronomy 14:22-29 · Matthew 5:17 · 1 John 4:19 · Romans 5:8 · Exodus 35:5 · Exodus 36:6-7 · Genesis 14:20 · Genesis 28:22 · Luke 8:1-3 · Mark 12:38-44 · 1 Timothy 6:17-18 · 2 Corinthians 9:7 · Revelation 5:12