A Pure Church

Acts 4:32–37

In what ways has our church lost its gospel-centeredness?

How can we reclaim it?

In what ways has our church lost its gospel-centeredness? How can we reclaim it?

A gospel-centered church will enjoy the grace of God to accomplish its mission.

Acts 1:8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

Acts 4

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

Acts 4

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

Acts 434 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales [35] and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Acts 436 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), [37] and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Marks of a Gospel-Centered Church1. A gospel-centered church will enjoy the grace of unity.2. A gospel-centered church will enjoy the grace of testimony.3. A gospel-centered church will enjoy the grace of giving.4. A gospel-centered church will enjoy the grace of encouragement.

The Grace of Unity

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

Psalm 133Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forever.

The Grace of Testimony

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

The Grace of Giving34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales [35] and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Deuteronomy 15:4

“there will be no poor among you, since the LORD will surely bless you”

2 Corinthians 8:1–5Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

The Grace of Encouragement36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), [37] and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

In what ways has our church lost its gospel-centeredness? How can we reclaim it?

A gospel-centered church will enjoy the grace of God to accomplish its mission.