Acts 4:32-35 NLT - 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

The real church was...

1. Together in unity

• Only in unity will we find success.
• Unified in the Son
  • Just like the sun is the center of the solar system and holds all things together, Christ is the center of the church and holds us together.
  • The early church had a culture of unity. It was Christ that unified them. First, it was Jews from different nations; then, it was Gentiles too.
  • Ephesians 2:13-14
• Unified around sound belief
  • Truth is important to unity. The early church had to work through much of the doctrine surrounding Christ, defend the faith, and unify around sound teaching.
  • Unity is not always easy.
  • Unity requires tough conversations.
  • Unity must always be based upon God's Word.
  • Ephesians 4:13
• Unified in mission
  • The mission of the early church was to spread the good news about Jesus to the whole world. To that end, they gave their lives.
  • Our mission as a local church is to "bring all people into the life, family, and purpose of God." We want you to join us in this mission.

2. Together in harmony

• Harmony happens where there is a melody. To sing harmony, you have to be in tune with the melody. The melody is Christ, and the rest of the chord is the body of Christ.
• Have a heart to harmonize-This is the attitude you carry into every conversation and interaction with believers. It's the desire to be one.
• Have humility to harmonize-This is the recognition that you don't know it all and must have humility before the Word and people of wisdom.
• Have presence to harmonize-You must show up to harmonize. You can't harmonize from the back room.

3. Together in generosity

• The early church was radically generous. It impacted one another's lives significantly. No one had lack, because of the early church's generosity.
• Basic principles of generosity
  • God owns it all; I am only a steward.
  • God wants to flow through me as a vessel of His generosity.
  • Generosity starts with your family, then to the church, then to the world.
  • Generosity is the key to the advancement of God's kingdom.