INTRODUCTION

1. One accord

a) The disciples were in one accord in prayer and supplications Acts 1:14

b) One accord was noted again Acts 2:1

c) They continued to be in one accord in the temple Acts 2:46

2. Oneness

a) This was the desire of the Lord Jesus

b) This was also His prayer

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [j]will believe in Me through their word;

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;

that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20-21

 

THE GROWTH OF THE JERUSALEM CHURCH

1. Founding members were 120 people Acts 1:15

2. Great influx of new members Acts 2:41

3. The men alone numbered 5000 Acts 4:4

Was the Church still able to maintain “one accord?”

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE GROWING CHURCH

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul;

neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. Acts 4:32

1. The members were called “a multitude”

2. They were still of “one accord”

3. The new description

“Those who believed were of one heart and one soul” Acts 4:32

4. Reasons why they were able to maintain one accord

a) They were true believers

i) They repented from their sins

ii) They received the Lord Jesus as Savior

iii) The Holy Spirit resided in them

b) They responded effectively

i) They responded well to the teaching of God’s word

ii) Their heart and soul were knit together

iii) They shared things freely

iv) Everyone contributed in any way they could

 

THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands

or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,

35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Acts 4:33-35

1. God gave

a) Power to the apostles

b) Great grace was given to all

2. The development of a dynamic Church Community

a) There were poor people but no one lacked

b) The rich who possessed lands contributed significantly

c) They laid their gits at the feet of the Apostles

d) An effective distributive system was set up

 

THE EXAMPLE OF BARNABAS

36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles

(which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,

37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37

1. Joses

a) Nicknamed Barnabas

b) Son of Encouragement

2. He was from Cyprus

a) He could trace his family tree to Levi

b) He was in the Jerusalem Church

3. He had land

a) He sold it

b) He brought the money to the Apostles

 

CONCLUSION

1. Is it possible to be of one accord?

Yes!

2. Is it possible to sustain one accord?

Yes!

3. What would it take to sustain one accord?

a) The power of God

b) The people of God

c) The purpose of God to be borne in mind