Devotion to Christ’s character

Unity of focus

Singleminded

Leaders serve

Serve

Act 2:42-47

Fellowship, Unity - Love

Joh 13:35 (ESV)

35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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Act 2:42 (ESV) And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

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Act 2:43 (ESV) And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

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Act 2:44 (ESV) And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

Not commune living but holding lightly

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Act 2:45 (ESV) And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Retain ownership and sold as the Lord led…

Need not greed. Because someone has something does not mean you need it.

Php 4:11-12 (ESV)

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Pro 30:8-9 (ESV)

8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,

9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

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Act 2:46 (ESV) And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

Generous - aphelotēs - af-el-ot'-ace

simplicity, singleness

Unity and other centered focus

Human nature versus God’s nature

Selfishness versus selflessness

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Act 2:47 (ESV) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Why did they have favor with all people?

Exhortations to love and unity…

Rom 12:10 (ESV)

10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Rom 13:8-9 (ESV)

8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Rom 15:5 (ESV)

5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

Gal 5:13-14 (ESV)

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Heb 10:24-25 (ESV)

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1Pe 4:8-10 (ESV)

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

This is the type of lifestyle God is calling Christians to: selfless service of others – always looking out for the best of others!

this is the example Christ gave and it is the one he called us to copy. If we live this way, the world will sit up and take notice!

favor with all the people