How does it all work in the church? How are things held together? What is the glue that makes it all stay put?

Scripture Text: Acts 4:32-35

4:32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.

4:33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

4:34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.

4:35 They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

1. Amazing Grace of the Lord holds together the family of God. The fellowship or sharing of our lives with God is the fellowship we have with one another.

2. Living by Grace is the theme of the church. We live by what God gives us. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve. It is unmerited favor. Living by grace is our theme. Since we have been given grace, we have grace to give.

3. The whole group was made up of those who believed. Do you believe then have you made a commitment to the Lord? Have you made a commitment to His church?

4. The individual members of the group had decided to love God and each other. Love is a commitment / decision.

5. They were of one heart and soul. How can this be accomplished among so many? We have one Lord, one faith, one body, one baptism, and one church. They believed in the word of the Lord as given to them by the apostles who were filled with the Holy Spirit.

6. They loved God and they loved one another. God has first loved us and given us his son. Now we love him and one another.

7. Everything they owned was held in common. They held a scriptural worldview. Their earthly possessions were gifts from God that were given to be used for one another.

8. With Great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

9. Great grace was upon them all. God’s amazing grace was their power. The grace was the fuel for the fire.

10. There was not a needy person among them. They took care of one another.

11. They were willing to accept new family members as God brought them in.

12. They were willing to give what each one had to help another. They were charitable.

13. They were filled with the Grace of God.

14. Invitation: Have you decided what you think of this amazing grace? What do you think of God? What do you think of one another? What do you think of those that the Lord has yet to bring in to his church? He gave himself for you and now he asks that you give yourself to him and to the others that he brings into your life. Have you decided? What have you decided?

Psalm 133

133:1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

133:2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.

133:3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore.