In Acts chapter 4 we see a group of people united by their belief in Jesus

Christ. This belief led to living selfless lives that were committed to the

welfare of the whole of their community. The world had never seen anything

like this. And while their Christian community was astounding,

their Christian community was not the goal. It was the bi-product of being

committed to the mission of Jesus. 

This week we move on to Acts chapter 5. The dramatic events in chapter 5

show us that when mission is not the goal, and community, which should be a

byproduct, takes center stage community gets harmed and the mission gets

jeopardized.