Gateway Baptist Church
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      • 2 Chronicles 7:14LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

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      • 2 Chronicles 7:14LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

  • It Came Upon The Midnight Clear (Carol)
  • Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Mendelssohn)
  • Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
  • I Stand Amazed In The Presence
  • Just as I Am
  • Gateway Church

  • Acts 4:32-37

    What does it mean to be unified? Merriam-Webster defines the word unified as "brought together as one." We know the word is an adjective. An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, providing extra information about its qualities, characteristics, or quantity. We hear people make statements like these: 'I am a Baptist Christian.' 'I am a Catholic.' I am an American Christian. I am a white Christian, a black Christian, and a Mexican Christian. Do those sound like a unifying statement? In John 17:21, Jesus prays for all believers to be one, just as He and the Father are one, highlighting the true essence of unity beyond labels. Similarly, Ephesians 4:3 encourages us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. These scriptures remind us of the importance of seeing beyond our differences and embracing the unity we are called to live.
    John 17:21 LSB
    that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
    Ephesians 4:3 LSB
    being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
    Could you imagine a football player making statements like these? I know some do, but the majority just say they are football players. It’s the same in the military. To have that mindset, unity will never happen. We can become all that God intended, but it won’t happen until we are unified. To foster this unity, let's consider practical steps we can take in our daily lives. For example, we can initiate the practice of gathering in prayer groups to pray together for unity amongst ourselves and our communities. Additionally, participating in collaborative community service projects can enhance our collective spirit and reinforce our commitment to serve as one body in Christ. Through these actions, we actively embody unity, moving closer to the vision of oneness that God desires for us.
    We read how the early Church was unified. They had no other option. The Romans did not want them, and the Jews tried to kill them. Living under constant threat, the early Christians faced persecution from both the Roman authorities, who viewed them as a destabilizing sect, and the Jewish leaders, who saw them as blasphemous to their faith. Despite these challenges, the early Church members understood their mission and how to accomplish it. United in faith, they demonstrated remarkable solidarity and resilience, maintaining unity in every area of their lives.
    We see that the unified believers had four common areas of their lives. The first common area among unified believers is one heart and one soul, as exemplified in Acts 4:32, which states, 'All the believers were one in heart and mind.' The second common area among unified believers is that they have witnessed. This is supported by Acts 1:8, where it is said, 'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.' The third common area among unified believers was the need being met, reflected in Acts 4:34-35: 'There were no needy persons among them. From time to time, those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.' The last common area among unified believers is that they encouraged one another, a practice highlighted in Hebrews 10:24-25, which calls for believers to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, encouraging one another.'
    Acts 4:32 LSB
    And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one was saying that any of his possessions was his own, but, for them, everything was common.
    Acts 1:8 LSB
    but 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 end of the earth.”
    Acts 4:34–35 LSB
    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 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
    Hebrews 10:24–25 LSB
    And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

    Oneness:

    We read they had One HEART and SOUL. To have one heart and soul, you must first be a believer. Listen, it said, "the multitude who believed." We read in verse thirty-one that they were filled with the Holy Spirit and started to speak with boldness. They believed, and their belief could not be contained. Has anyone seen a player begin to dominate the other team? No matter what they tried, they could not contain him. This is what happened to those who were filled with the Holy Spirit: they could not be contained. Because they were of one heart and soul, not just with each other but first with God. One example of this unity is seen in our congregation's serving at the Evansville Rescue Mission, Hands of Hope, and Isaiah House. Such acts of unity and collective purpose illustrate the profound connection mentioned in scripture, not just among themselves, but also in unity with our faith.
    In His prayer in John 17, Jesus asked the Father for the unity of all believers: 'That they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me' (John 17:21). He also told His disciples, 'By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another' (John 13:35). Because they followed these teachings, their lives were twofold, centered on serving one another and reaching out to the world with love and the gospel message.
    John 17:21 LSB
    that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
    John 13:35 LSB
    “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
    First, they were preoccupied with ministering to one another. When you and I minister to one another, we help align our hearts and souls through Jesus Christ. They did not worry about earthly possessions but each other. Remember what our Lord said in Mark 8:36? Material possessions are not more important than each other. I could have everything in this world, but if I do not have my Lord, it is worthless. I cannot say I have my Lord if I put my possessions before people. We can have this unity by placing our Lord and each other before our desires and possessions. To put these words into action, we can organize small-group meetings where members can share personal challenges and pray for one another. Additionally, we can initiate a buddy system pairing members who can encourage one another in their spiritual journey. Second, they were focused beyond themselves on reaching the lost world with the truth of the Gospel. To extend this outreach, we could plan community-based events, such as hosting a charity day or participating in local outreach programs, to extend our support and share our faith with those around us.
    Mark 8:36 LSB
    “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

    Witness:

    What does it mean to witness? First, we must realize that we cannot witness without the Power of the Holy Spirit. The apostles with GREAT POWER were bearing witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. They received this great power in verse 1:8, and we read it in verse 31. To practically rely on the Spirit in our daily lives, we can start by dedicating specific times in our routine for prayer and reflection, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide our words and actions. Additionally, immersing ourselves in the Word and remaining open to the guidance and inspiration the Spirit brings will help us become more attuned to its presence. Second, we need to understand what is required of us. The word is from the Greek word ‘martyrion’, meaning to witness, give testimony, and where we get the word martyr.
    I need us to grasp what a unified believer does when they witness. They die to themselves and start to live for Christ and each other. We can have this feeling of obligation when we die to self and preach or witness for Christ. Peter told the Sanhedrin Court in Acts 4:20, and Paul explains it to the Rome in Romans 1:14-15. We minister to each other by meeting needs so nobody goes without. I believe we have lost this in America. I wonder if we have anguish for each other to the point that it breaks us. How is it possible to minister to others if we are not ministering to each other? To help focus on this aspect, we could implement specific actions such as organizing regular check-ins with members of our congregation. Creating support groups for those going through difficult times or establishing a meal train system for those in need could foster stronger connections and ensure that needs are met. With these concrete actions, we can truly embody the spirit of living for each other. This leads us to the third point, needs met.
    Acts 4:20 LSB
    for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
    Romans 1:14–15 LSB
    I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. In this way, for my part, I am eager to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

    Needs Met:

    Allow us to reread verse 34 again. Did we pick up on the beginning of the verse? "For there was not a needy person among them..." We have an opportunity to help some families out that are struggling this Christmas. I know we will fulfill this ministry because I understand the congregation's heart. I can also say that I am proud to be part of this great and mighty Church, and I am proud of how you rise to the challenge of helping each other. Because of your generosity, we were able to buy a bed for a brother, fix a sister’s car, buy groceries for a family in need, and get tires for another family.
    To continue this mission of kindness, I invite each one of you to participate in our Christmas outreach program. Here are some ways you can get involved: consider adopting a family, volunteer for a few hours in food and gift distribution, or reach out to our ministry leader to learn more about other service opportunities this season. Let us take action and make a difference together.
    How wonderful a gift I have received to be able to say the Lord allows me to shepherd you for Him. Could we do more? Yes, every church in the world could do more. Are we getting there? Absolutely! Meeting each other's needs is a sign of the unified believer having one heart and soul. It also leads us to the last common area among unified believers: encouragement. As we continue to support one another, I encourage you to engage in simple yet meaningful acts of kindness. Consider setting aside a moment each week to pray for a fellow congregation member in need. A thoughtful note of encouragement or a quick phone call to check in on someone can make a significant difference. These small, heartfelt gestures not only uplift our spirits but also strengthen our community bonds.

    Encouragement:

    We touched briefly on being an encouragement to one another. At the end of chapter four, we meet this man named Joseph, who was a Levite of Cyprian birth. We know him as Barnabas, which translates to (Son of encouragement). Although Barnabas was a Levite and, by tradition, could not own land, scholars have debated how he might have held land in Cyprus or how to resolve this discrepancy. What remains central in this narrative is not the mystery of land ownership but his generous act of selling the land. This generous deed reveals his loving heart, a theme we witness throughout the Book of Acts.
    Barnabas was not an enemy of Jesus; not all the priests were enemies. Barnabas stood up for Paul to the skeptical Jerusalem church after his conversion. He accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey. He was the copastor of the Antioch Church with Paul. Paul and Barnabas brought the money to those in need. Barnabas stood up for John Mark when Paul wanted to leave him. We can learn a great deal about being an encourager through Barnabas.
    As we reflect on the examples set by Barnabas, consider your own experiences with encouragement. How has someone been a Barnabas in your life, or how have you played that role for others? Sharing these stories can help us understand and appreciate the power of encouragement in our community.
    We need to encourage one another. John does a great job sending out his Bible verse of the day. He sees the sunny side of every doom situation. He strives for unity because of his love for God and each of us. John is our Barnabas, and thank God for both of these men; we can learn from them. To actively practice encouragement, consider writing a kind note or sending a thoughtful message to someone who needs a lift. Another idea is to offer a prayer for a friend or to remind someone in the church how much they are valued. By taking these small actions, we can make a big difference in our community.
    How do we put this into practice?
    To help each other grow as encouragers, let's engage in some practical activities this week. First, reach out to at least one person in our group with a kind gesture—such as a quick note of appreciation or a supportive text message. Second, consider offering help or companionship to someone who might be facing challenges. Third, organize a small group discussion or meeting to share experiences of encouragement within the community. These steps can turn our insights into meaningful actions.

    Application:

    1. If we can have ONE HEART AND SOUL living for Christ and each other.
    2. We can witness with power because we have the Holy Spirit.
    3. We can meet needs because of the heart we have for our Lord and each other.
    4. We can live a life of encouragement through lifting each other up.

      • John 17:21LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • Ephesians 4:3LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • Acts 4:32LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • Acts 1:8LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • Acts 4:34–35LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • Hebrews 10:24–25LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • John 17:21LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • John 13:35LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • Mark 8:36LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • Acts 4:20LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • Romans 1:14–15LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

      • 2 Chronicles 7:14LGCYSTNDRDBBLSB

Gateway Baptist Church
gatewaybaptistchurch@live.com
8128533787
11 members