Overview
This teaching connects one accord with God’s grace and with a generous view of stewardship. Beginning with God as the owner and giver of creation, it follows the believers in Acts 4 as they hold possessions loosely, meet one another’s needs, and move together in powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The teaching presents giving not as attachment to things or obligation, but as a practical expression of sharing God’s heart for people and His gracious purpose.
Transcript
Opening: Grace and Giving
Good morning everyone. I just couldn’t be more excited about what’s going on here this weekend and being here and seeing the things that God is doing with us and among us and I really feel like this is just the beginning. I really feel like this is like a new beginning and just really excited about it.
God’s Ownership, Wisdom, and Gracious Purpose
If you could subject is grace and giving and while you’re turning there I would like to quote for you Psalm 24 one which says the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof the world and they that dwell therein God made the world he owns the world and he also filled it with innumerable fantastic things did he not it’s just so full and he also filled it with people and that’s really why he made the world and he is the owner of the world and he allows people he allows human beings which he’s for some reason very delighted with just loves people and he made us stewards so we get to you for a time steward and care for things that God has made and owns so we’ll see a little bit of this in Proverbs chapter 8 let’s start in verse 11 it’s talking about this is the chapter in Proverbs is talking about wisdom and it says for wisdom is better than rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared with it nothing can compare to the wealth and great value of wisdom and we can see it again you know in this chapter God goes on and on about how valuable will wisdom is more than fine gold more than silver it’s just that valuable and wisdom this thing called wisdom God made sure he had it with him before he started his creative activity you know first I need wisdom now let’s make the heavens and the earth that’s what it says here look in verse 22 the Lord possessed me wisdom in the beginning of his way before his works of old I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the worth the or ever the earth was so as I recall Genesis 1 1 says God created the heavens in the earth right but this is before that he had wisdom and in verse 30 then I was by him as one brought up and I was daily his delight rejoicing always before him rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth and my delights were with the sons of men that’s see it’s that those verses just show us that in God’s wisdom what he was building what he was designing he was just delighted about it he had this plan and he was he was rejoicing in it he was delighting in it and it’s all about the habitable places of his earth which is where people dwell let’s turn in our Bibles to Romans chapter 8 so as Rico told us on Friday night God has a plan he has a will he has a desire and a gracious plan and that’s that’s what God’s wisdom is it’s his desire his gracious plan for man to inhabit and populate this rich earth that he gave us Romans 8 28 very familiar oh by the way when God created all things right in Genesis he said it was what it was very good very good and verse 28 of Romans 8 and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose these people that God made and love so much and is so excited about he’s working all things together for good to them and you know the ones he can really do it for is those who love him because he loves people and when we respond and to God’s love and give him his love and do and what he is so given to us then he can really work all things together for good to those who are called we’re his called we’re the ones he called out he chose us out and we are chosen and called out according to his purpose well what is his purpose well let’s read verse 29 for whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren Jesus Christ is exactly what God was looking for and dreaming of from the very beginning that’s exactly what he wanted and according to this verse he’s the firstborn among many brethren so the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ that’s exactly what God wants and for us he made this beautiful earth and filled it with all these good things and that’s his purpose
Being “All In” With God
you know he called people out in the past as well right he called out Israel Israel was his chosen people Israel were those men and women that he was able to call out from the world and the reason he could do that was because he had some men and some women that were all in with God Abraham Isaac Jacob they they’re given so much ink in in the word because they just had this heart for God that they wanted God and they wanted his way his purpose his world that’s what they wanted and they were all in when I was I I was laid off during the pandemic and so I spent a whole year looking for work and applied for all kinds of jobs all kinds of different jobs and one company that I applied to was he is here in Florida and it’s they’re a defense contractor and the name of the company is Arcturus I don’t know if anybody’s ever heard of them Arcturus okay I think that is the name in the book of Job but anyway that’s the name of the company and here’s their slogan we’re all in that’s it that’s their slogan and I thought well if you’re a defense contractor that’s a good that’s a good attitude and stance that we’re all and that’s the way Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and their wives they’re beautiful wonderful wives and families they were all in for God and that’s what allows God to do so much for his people
Returning to God in One Accord
we remember from Victoria’s teaching she gave us that wonderful view into the times of Nehemiah and Nehemiah chapter 8 and at that time God’s chosen people had kind of forgotten about God you know they weren’t all in anymore and they had turned from God’s purpose of love and sharing and fully engaging with God and this beautiful world he made they had turned away from that to something else and they they suffered for doing that but then they came back to God right they came back out of captivity and they had that one remember it was as one man and their their hands their hands were raised to God and their faces to the ground in humility they just wanted to hear what his word had to say so the Ezra and and the Levites and the teachers taught them the word they taught them so that they could understand and when they heard the word they felt terrible they felt bad because they realized well we haven’t been doing this or anything close to this you know they felt like God was not happy with them but God was happy with them because they were doing at that moment exactly what God wanted them to do you know they were all in with God again and their hearts were open to God that’s why those teachers said hey this day is holy not because of what you’ve done or haven’t done this day is holy because you’re here face to face with God your hearts are open that makes this day holy we should rejoice over that we should rejoice and not only that hey we should share we should share in all of this great stuff that we have that we can rejoice with because God made a lot of great stuff right he made wine he made delicious food he made accommodations and furniture well he didn’t make the furniture but he made the materials right so they shared they shared those things and they made sure that nobody was left out that’s what was important it wasn’t the things it was the people
One Heart and One Soul in Acts 4
let’s look at Acts chapter 4 which is pretty much where we’re gonna stay now but the word was not to condemn them the word has always been God reaching out to the hearts of his people and and impressing upon them what he what he is and what he wants to give them and then when we respond it’s like that’s it that’s one accord that’s being one of one mind with God and that’s what he wants and you know it really is all about God’s grace because nobody earned the earth or anything that God created or made we haven’t earned it we just get it from God and he’s delighted to give it to us acts 432 and the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul just like those people at the time of Nehemiah right neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things common so it gets right into the physical things for some reason physical things are very important they’re very important God filled the world with physical things that are awesome and they become important to people you ever have anything a belonging of yours it was very important to you your brand new car or maybe something smaller but these people these people said hey none of the things that I possess are my own they’re not my own they’re not I I mean me this is mine I earned this I keep this they didn’t say that they had all things common the word possessed what it really means is to come into being to come into existence under my hand that’s what it really means it’s like that’s the way it was with God right the world came into existence under God’s hand he’s going to do with it what he wants to do and he gives that to his stewards see in our lives we don’t we when you were born when you were a kindergartner did you have all the belongings that you have now no see they come and they go they come under our hand and then they move on and that’s the way it is with belongings and that the beautiful thing about that word is to come into existence right God’s the one that brings things into existence and they come into existence when we need them right when we need them because God is going to meet every need so if someone has a need somewhere somehow somebody has it under their hand to meet that need and
Stewardship: What Comes Under Our Hand
maybe they just got like I was I live in Michigan and they got rid of the old no-fault auto insurance thing and the result was pretty great the result was that every auto policy holder in Michigan got $400 back for nothing just because they no longer needed this fund so they so when I got my $400 I’m like I wasn’t expecting this I had no plans for this you know could I have used $400 for something yeah of course right you could think of something you could spend $400 on but I thought you know what I would rather donate this money to oikios because I didn’t see it coming I don’t really need it it’s on it came into existence under my hand and I as a steward I decided this what I’m going to do with it and I believe God wanted me to do that so I did it that’s that’s being a steward that’s how it’s and that’s the way with every possession that we have it’s under our hand to use and you know they had all things common common means it’s it’s ordinary it’s not sacred it’s not reserved and only for my use
Possessions, Needs, and Witnessing the Resurrection
remember the showbread in the in the tabernacle and later in the temple it was the bread that only the priests were allowed to eat right it was set out fresh up and then when it when it needed to be replaced once it was replaced the priests were allowed to eat the showbread and and they were the only ones that were allowed to eat it but when David had a need that’s the important thing when he had a need guess what he did he ate the showbread he and his men they were they were going about God’s business they were fulfilling what God had called David to do and his men and they had a need for food so he realized that he had that heart for God he understood stood God’s purpose and the reason for things and so he said you know what we’re gonna eat this bread because we have a need and I think in three of the gospels Jesus brought that up don’t you remember when David when he he when he had need he ate the showbread which was not lawful except for the priests so that’s the way that the attitude that these early Christians in this young church had and it was pretty awesome and that’s a key to why they were so powerful and free look at the next verse and with great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all great power well yeah and the Apostles gave witness well why does it mention the Apostles giving witness well they were the leaders somebody has to lead right somebody has to lead and the Apostles were leading so there they’re shown as being out front giving powerful witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and follows upon the attitude of these people with their belongings you know because if people let go of things realizing that they’re not important it’s what it’s God and people that are important if they let go of their attachment to think they can be led further we can go further in this movement of God to go further and so they did they went further with great power they gave witness and what are they give witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus you know he’s our brother he’s he’s the perfect man he’s the man that God dreamed of and he’s our brother and and he’s been raised to life and preaching the resurrection is is just a critical thing you know it’s pretty easy in culture to bring up God you know it’s really pretty easy to bring up God but if you bring up the resurrection of Jesus Christ there’s there’s often a little bit it’s not a quite as easy to bring it up and everybody nods in agreement but it’s something that there’s a reason for that right the world is not set up to for the knowledge and speaking about the resurrection to just flow that’s not the world the way the world is set up but we need to do that and we’ve heard that several times this weekend that preaching the resurrection I’m I’m planning to spend a lot more time thinking how can I bring up the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and I just want to see what happens
Meeting Needs and Barnabas’s Example
look at verse 34 neither was there any among them that lacked yeah they weren’t needy people no they they were their needs were met because of the way they were taking care of one another for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold laid them down at the Apostles feet and distribution was made unto every man according to as he had me yeah the Apostles were the leaders somebody has to somebody has to organize and and do the distributing right so they laid them down at the Apostles feet probably not literally it’s like really can’t you just hand it to me you know to lay it up my feet I have to bend down and pick it up but Joe’s verse 36 and Joseph’s who by the Apostles was named Barnabas surname Barnabas which is being interpreted interpreted the son of constellation a Levite and of the country of Cyprus having land sold it and brought the money and laid it at the Apostles feet so here we have a specific guy named who did this right and there’s a lot of great details about Barnabas in the in these two verses but he’s an example of somebody that did it and maybe it’s because do we ever hear about Barnabas after this yeah maybe it’s to show that barn look look at Barnabas did look at his attitude toward physical things you know he saw needs and he saw that he had something under his hand that he could give and it wasn’t sacred to him it was common he said I can I can share this and we can we can use this to to spread the resurrection of Jesus Christ and and look at the life that Barnabas lived hey I’d like to live a life like Barnabas wouldn’t you so we can do the same things
A Contrast and the Church’s Growing Witness
Ananias and Sophia are come next and verses 1 through 10 you know it’s it’s a difficult record at times and so we can’t we don’t have the time to get into this record but you know they didn’t have that they didn’t have that same heart they the adversary had tried too slow and stop the spread of the preaching of the resurrection you know he tried a lot of pressure right tried a lot of threats that kind of thing and it wasn’t working too well so they tried the adversary tried something out well let’s see what we can do with these two because it says Satan at one point Satan filled the heart of Ananias right he was using these people and to infiltrate and to to get people going in the other direction especially regarding these physical things must be pretty important this is the way the adversary tried to tried to use this and you know they were pretty tragic results but we know that Peter would have done his best to try to help these people the same guy that said save yourselves from this untoward generation right he would try but you know they didn’t want to they had rejected God’s grace and didn’t go well so verse 11 of chapter 5 please great fear great respect came upon all the church and upon as many as heard these things so not not just great respect within the church but also upon it as many as heard these things so the word was really getting around and it was being respected remember when the Old Testament God says my name is going to be great among the Gentiles you may not think so maybe it doesn’t seem that way to you but my name is going to be great among the Gentiles it is great and it was it was they heard about it and they had respect
One Accord With God’s Purpose
and by the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people and they were all with one accord almost through Madonna in Solomon’s porch they were of one accord with just God’s simple plan simple plan I’m gonna make this beautiful world and I’m gonna fill it with fantastic things and I’m gonna fill it with these people and I’m delighted about this plan I rejoice at this plan every day me and wisdom we rejoice about what’s going to happen in the habitable earth and that’s the way these people got to be too they were of one heart with God they started loving people too and thinking people that were pretty fantastic and the things the rich things of the world that come under our hands are to be used to meet needs and there isn’t a need that can’t be met because the devil is not like God he’s not like God God is infinitely greater than the devil and he will not be thwarted you need
God’s Purpose Will Stand
I’m just going to read to you this verse from Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 3 14 I know that whatsoever God doeth it shall be forever nothing can be put to it nor anything taken from it and God doeth it that man should fear before him yeah that’s God’s plan God’s plan his purpose his gracious desire his gracious will for people nobody’s gonna diminish that in any way shape or form he will have a great name among his people he will have the loving children sons and daughters that he delights in you know he’s got one already right he’s got many he’s got one glorified and the rest of us are part of that same one accord with our our dear God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ so thank you for letting me share and God bless your hearts
Key Takeaways
- One accord begins with sharing God’s priorities: people matter more than the possessions entrusted to us.
- The teaching frames possessions as stewardship—things that come under our hand for a time and can be used to meet needs.
- Acts 4 connects unity of heart and soul with practical generosity, care for one another, and great grace upon the believers.
- The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is presented as central to the church’s witness, and freedom from attachment to possessions helps believers move together in that witness.
- Barnabas is presented as a concrete example of recognizing a need, releasing what was under his hand, and supporting the larger work of God.
- The teaching closes with confidence that God’s gracious purpose cannot be diminished and that believers can live in one accord with God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does one accord mean in this teaching?
One accord is presented as being of one heart with God’s gracious purpose—loving people, responding to His Word, and moving together in ways that reflect what He values.
How are grace and giving connected?
The teaching presents creation and what believers possess as gifts from God. Giving flows from stewardship rather than possessiveness, using what comes under our hand to meet needs and serve people.
Why does Acts 4 matter to the message?
Acts 4 shows believers of one heart and soul sharing what they had, meeting needs, and moving forward as the apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus while great grace was upon them all.
Scripture References
Psalm 24:1; Proverbs 8:11, 22, 30; Genesis 1:1, 31; Romans 8:28–29; Nehemiah 8; Acts 4:32–37; Acts 5:1–12; Ecclesiastes 3:14. The teaching also alludes to David eating the showbread, Jesus Christ’s later references to that event, and the Old Testament statement that God’s name would be great among the Gentiles.
Verification Note
Prepared from the original audio transcript. The transcript has been retained in source order and has not been silently rewritten. Before publication, verify scripture wording and apparent speech-to-text artifacts against the recording, including phrases rendered as “Ananias and Sophia,” “son of constellation,” and “almost through Madonna.”
