“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all were common property to them…..” Acts 4:32
“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes,….so you will My people, and I be your God.”Ezekiel 36: 26-28
The prophets foretold a renewal that to take place in God’s people (Jer.32: 39, EzK.36:26). The message of the Gospel preached by the apostles giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus was a sure indication that this a fulfillment of the prophecy.
For there was not a needy person among them in that church in Jerusalem. If the need required it, owners of property worked to sell that property and lay the proceeds of the sale at the apostles’ feet.
Joseph is a case in point. Known by his nickname—Barnabus; Son of Encouragement —he did that very thing. Not of compulsion, or guilt, or to receive accolades from the apostles. But because the need was real and God had blessed him to meet it. This was something that God had done; his heart of stone had been replaced by a heart of flesh. Paul would later write :” Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom.12: 1)
John Bunyan in his wonderful allegory of Pilgrim Progress captures the joy of salvation when Christian walked up the hill to the cross. Our sacrifice is just reasonable when you consider the price He paid for us.
“He has given me rest by His sorrow and life by His death.” For a while he stood still in front of the cross to look and wonder; it was very surprising to him that the sight of the cross should ease him of his burden. He continued looking at the cross until tears began to streaming down his cheeks. As he stood looking and weeping, three Shining Ones came to him and greeted him with. “Peace be with you.” Then the first said to him, “Your sins are forgiven.” The second stripped him of rags and dressed him with new clothing. The third put a mark on his forehead and gave a scroll with seal on it.
This last was to indicate “having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Eph.1:13
This is God’s desire: “They shall be My people , and I will be their God; Then I will give them one heart and one way…. Jer.32:38-39
The joy in Jerusalem in that first century church came from” owning nothing yet possessing all things.” 2 Cor.6:10
Missionary Jim Elliott said it best: “He no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Amen.
Questions To Think About
“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes,….so you will My people, and I be your God.”Ezekiel 36: 26-28
The prophets foretold a renewal that to take place in God’s people (Jer.32: 39, EzK.36:26). The message of the Gospel preached by the apostles giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus was a sure indication that this a fulfillment of the prophecy.
For there was not a needy person among them in that church in Jerusalem. If the need required it, owners of property worked to sell that property and lay the proceeds of the sale at the apostles’ feet.
Joseph is a case in point. Known by his nickname—Barnabus; Son of Encouragement —he did that very thing. Not of compulsion, or guilt, or to receive accolades from the apostles. But because the need was real and God had blessed him to meet it. This was something that God had done; his heart of stone had been replaced by a heart of flesh. Paul would later write :” Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom.12: 1)
John Bunyan in his wonderful allegory of Pilgrim Progress captures the joy of salvation when Christian walked up the hill to the cross. Our sacrifice is just reasonable when you consider the price He paid for us.
“He has given me rest by His sorrow and life by His death.” For a while he stood still in front of the cross to look and wonder; it was very surprising to him that the sight of the cross should ease him of his burden. He continued looking at the cross until tears began to streaming down his cheeks. As he stood looking and weeping, three Shining Ones came to him and greeted him with. “Peace be with you.” Then the first said to him, “Your sins are forgiven.” The second stripped him of rags and dressed him with new clothing. The third put a mark on his forehead and gave a scroll with seal on it.
This last was to indicate “having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Eph.1:13
This is God’s desire: “They shall be My people , and I will be their God; Then I will give them one heart and one way…. Jer.32:38-39
The joy in Jerusalem in that first century church came from” owning nothing yet possessing all things.” 2 Cor.6:10
Missionary Jim Elliott said it best: “He no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Amen.
Questions To Think About
- In what areas of your life do you still feel a “hardness” or resistance toward God’s leading regarding the needs of others?
- Barnabas gave out of a heart of encouragement, not guilt. When you give —whether it’s time, money, or emotional support—do you do it out a sense of “have to”(compulsion) or “get to” (joy)?
- Reflecting on Jim Elliot’s quote, what are you currently “keeping” that you will eventually lose? What could you “give” today to invest in what cannot be lost?
- Paul calls presenting our bodies as a sacrifice our “reasonable service” because of what Christ did. When you look at the cross, does it feel like a burden to serve God or a natural response to His mercy?
- John Bunyan’s Christian found rest by looking at the cross. What “burden” are you carrying today that you need to lay down at the feet of Jesus?
Posted in My People