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Sunday Worship 9 June 2024 : One heart and one soul

Text: Acts 4 : 32
9 June 2024

MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE 9 JUNE 2024

Theme: The things pertaining to the kingdom of God

Text: Acts 4

Title: “One heart and one soul” Acts 4:32

INTRODUCTION

1. The things pertaining to the kingdom of God

a. The Lord Jesus’ promise to build the Church
i. He will build His church (Matthew 16:18)
ii. The apostles will do greater works (John 14:12)
b. The Lord Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit
i. He will send the Holy Spirit to be their Helper (John 14-16)
ii. The apostles shall receive power through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
c. These promises were fulfilled (The book of Acts)
i. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4)
ii. They bore powerful witness for the Lord Jesus (Acts 2:5-39)
iii. 3,000 souls were added to the church (Acts 2:41)
iv. The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:47)
v. Another 5,000 men came to believe (Acts 4:4)

2. One aspect of the kingdom of God – oneness

a. Luke noted that the church were “one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32)
b. How may we understand the Lord Jesus’ involvement in the oneness of the church?

THE LORD JESUS’ PROMISE TO MAKE THEM ONE

14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

John 10:14-16

1. The Lord Jesus as the Good Shepherd

a. He knows His sheep
b. He lays down His life for the sheep

2. What He promised to do as the Good Shepherd

a. He will bring other sheep which are not of this fold
b. He will make them one flock
c. He will be their One Shepherd

THE LORD’S PRAYER FOR THEM TO BE ONE

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

John 17:20-23

1. The Lord Jesus’ prayer for His disciples

a. Not just the 12 (less Judas Iscariot)
b. Also for all who would believe in Him through their word

2. The prayer for oneness

a. That they all may be one just as the Father and Son are one
b. That they also may be One in Them
c. That they may be made perfect in one

THE POWERFUL EXPRESSION OF ONENESS

32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

Acts 4:32-35

1. The connection between the believers

a. Despite being a multitude (more than 8,000 people)
b. They were able to find a deep sense of connection with each other
i. At the level of the heart (“one heart”)
ii. At the level of the soul (“one soul”)
c. It was a connection that went beyond being in the same location!

2. Practical demonstration of one heart and one soul

a. No one said that any of his possessions was his own
b. Instead, they had all things in common
c. Those with possessions sold them and brought the proceeds to the apostles to support the needy
d. The result – there was no one among them who lacked!

THE ENCOURAGEMENT FOR US ALL

1. To remember the Lord Jesus’ involvement in bringing oneness to the church

a. He is the Person behind the oneness of the church
i. His promise
ii. His prayer
iii. His power
b. We must never lose sight of Him and His involvement!

2. To believe that this oneness we see in the church in Acts can also be our reality

a. To exercise our faith in the Lord Jesus’ promise to make us one
b. To apply our faith in practising oneness
i. To be “one heart and one soul” with each other
ii. To demonstrate oneness in practical deeds

3. May we strive to be one as the flock of our Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus!