True Unity

Sermon Notes: “True Unity”

Series: Acts: The Church on the Move
Text: Acts 4:32–37
Main Idea: A united church is pleasing to God, good for believers, and powerfully missional.

Introduction

Illustration: Think about a bundle of sticks — one can easily be broken, but together they’re nearly impossible to snap.
That’s a picture of the early church’s unity.
Let’s see how the Spirit created that kind of strength among believers.

Read Acts 4:32–37

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

After the believers prayed and were freshly filled with the Holy Spirit, we see how that spiritual renewal translated into genuine, practical unity.

I. Unity comes with an all-in, others-first mentality.

Acts 4:32

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

A. Notice that this unity came immediately after a prayer meeting and a filling of the Spirit.
B. Unity isn’t unity if there are divisions — this early church was of one heart and soul, showing deep friendship and shared purpose.
C. They were ready to share with others out of love and mission.

This doesn’t mean everyone sold everything they had — we see other examples of generosity later in Acts:

• Acts 11:27–30

  Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world... So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

• Acts 16:15

  And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.”

• Acts 16:34

  Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

These examples show generosity in different forms — giving resources, opening homes, and showing hospitality.

E. What we see happening here fulfills Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20–23:

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you... that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

II. Unity in the Church allows for undistracted preaching of the Word.

Acts 4:33

And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

A. The apostles preached with great power — the power of the Holy Spirit.
B. Even eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection relied on the Spirit for power.
C. Paul echoed this truth:

• Romans 15:18–19a

  For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me... by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.

• 1 Corinthians 2:2–5

  For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified... and my message and my preaching were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

D. When unity exists in the church, leaders can focus on proclaiming the gospel instead of resolving constant conflict.
E. The result of Spirit-empowered preaching was great grace upon them all.
F. The resurrection is grace to believers — the promise of our own resurrection — and grace to unbelievers who will trust in Christ.

III. Unity comes with sacrifice and great blessing.

Acts 4:34–37

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds... Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas... sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

A. As believers gave sacrificially, no one went without — not even the givers.
B. Often, we view generosity through a lens of scarcity, but God’s kingdom operates from abundance.
C. Think about the feast of the Lamb:

Revelation 19:9

“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
If we won’t hesitate to share at that table, why hesitate now?

D. Barnabas — the “Son of Encouragement” — modeled joyful, private generosity and was publicly blessed with a new name.
E. Jesus had already promised this principle to Peter:

Luke 18:28–30

“Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

F. Unity grows when believers hold their possessions loosely and bless one another freely.

Conclusion

Unity, generosity, and mission all flow from the Spirit’s work in God’s people.
When we’re filled with the Spirit, we love deeply, give freely, and preach boldly.

Lectio Divina – 1 Corinthians 12:1–26
Read – Reflect – Respond in prayer – Rest