When was the last time you shared something with someone in need?
When was the last time you shared because you simply wanted to?

Sharing Naturally Flows Out of the Presence of the Spirit
We read about the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-13 and about Peter’s sermon in vv. 14-36.
Read: Acts 2:37-47
Westminster Bible Church’s PHILEO youth group in a series this year on who we are in Christ and what that should look like in our actions. Here in Acts 2:37-47 what results do you see of people coming to Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit? What do these early Christians look like?
New believers were baptized,
-   They brought more people to hear the words of God,
-   They devoted themselves to the teaching and fellowship of the Apostles,
-   They remembered Christ’s death on a regular basis,
-   They sought God in prayer,
-   They were in awe of God,
-   And they shared with anyone who had need.
Tonight we are going to discuss sharing.
What were these early Christians sharing? Property, possessions, and food.
Did these early Christians sell everything they had? No (see v. 46).
Did these early Christians have an obligation to share or was it simply something they wanted to do? It appears that their sharing was an outflow of their love and thankfulness for God.
“2:44 all things in common. Though some people have referred to this situation as ‘early communism,’ this is clearly not the case, since (1) the giving was voluntary and not compelled by the government, and (2) people still had personal possessions, because they still met in ‘their homes’ (v. 46) and many other Christians after this still owned homes (see 12:12; 17:5; 18:7; 20:20; 21:8, 16; Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Philem. 2; 2 John 10). Further, Peter told Ananias and Sapphira that they did not have any obligation to sell their property and give away the money (Acts 5:4). In contrast to communist theory, the abolition of private property is not commanded or implied here. (See 1 Tim. 6:17–19; but also 1 Tim. 6:6–10.) On the other hand, there is a voluntary generosity in sharing possessions that is seen as commendable.” (ESV Study Bible).

Sharing Can Meet the Needs of the Needy
Read: Acts 4:32-37
When would these early Christians share what they had? When someone had need of something (see vv. 34-35).
Did these early Christians literally sell everything they had to give it away? No. How do you know that? In vv. 36-37 “Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas” (NASB) only sold “a field” (ESV) rather than all of his fields.
“Please note that this sharing of goods was a temporary occurrence and is not required by the church of Christ today. While Christians today are to have the same spirit of love, they are not expected to sell their goods and form a separate community.” (Wiersbe).

Heavenly Riches Bring “Life Indeed”
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NASB) “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”
Where can Christians find enjoyment (see v. 17)?
“Enjoyment consists in giving, not in holding fast” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).
What is different about being “rich in good works” (see v. 18)?
“Rich in good works” (NASB) is here contrasted with “rich in this present world” (v. 17 NASB). Being “rich in good works” (NASB) leads to a life much better than those who live without God.
What does it feel like “to be generous and ready to share” (NASB)?
“To be generous and ready to share” (NASB) means “the heart [is] not cleaving to possessions, but [is] ready to impart to others” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).
If “good works” brings about a better life what should we do with the stuff we have in this world (see v. 19)?
“Good works” (v. 18 NASB) “is a treasure which we act wisely in laying up in store, whereas the wisest thing we can do with earthly treasures is ‘to distribute’ them and give others a share of them (1Ti 6:18)” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).
“We gather by scattering” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown). Proverbs 11:24 (ESV) “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”

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Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001.

Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Empowered Witnessing Until the Kingdom Comes
How many of you are looking forward to Jesus coming back to earth?
Have you ever asked yourself when Jesus is coming back?
Do you think Jesus will come back soon (say, in your lifetime) or a long time from now (after you die, perhaps)?
If Jesus was coming back soon how would that effect your witnessing of Him?
If Jesus was coming back a long time from now how would that effect your witnessing of Him?
Acts 1:6-8 (NASB) "So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, 'Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 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 remotest part of the earth.'"
“When the kingdom comes is not our concern. What we do until it comes is: we are to be His witnesses.” (Dockery).
What else do you see in Acts 1:6-8 that has something to do with being a witness?
-     We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses and
-     We know that witnesses are needed everywhere.

Confessing Jesus before Men Because He Provides For Us
Read: Matthew 10:24-33.
What do you think it means to “confess” (NASB) the Son of Man?
“Confess” (NASB; Greek: ὁμολογέω “homologeō”) literally means “(of one mind); to speak the same, to agree” (NASB Dictionaries).
Will all Christians witness? How do you know this? See verses 32-33.
Does this passage offer any comfort to people who witness of Christ? What is it?
 “Disciples were to remember their great value to God the Father, and do His will without fear of men” (Richards and Richards).
Have you ever been afraid to “confess” (NASB) the Son of Man to your peers? When was that?
Next time you have an opportunity to confess Christ what comfort can you rely on (based on Acts 1:6-8 and Matthew 10:24-33)?
-     We have been given the power we need in order to be witnesses and
-     Jesus is providing for us even when men reject us.

Reporting What the Lord Has Done
What does it mean to “share your testimony”?
Read: Mark 5:1-20.
What was this man’s testimony?
Based on this passage what does it mean to share your testimony?
Sharing your testimony is as simple as telling someone what great things Jesus has done for you.
How hard would it be to do THAT with a friend?
Sometimes we get so caught up worrying about whether we are sharing the right verses or using the right illustration when it can be much simpler than that. We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us and God is providing for and protecting us. Often all we need to start with is sharing what God has done for us and then letting the Holy Spirit carry the conversation for us. Try sharing your testimony with a non-believer.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.