Beyond the Weekend

April 21 | Fueled by Grace

April 21, 2015

Text: Acts 4.32-37

In the earliest days of the Church, soon after Jesus ascended to heaven, we see the difference between “have to” and “get to.” With the significant needs of fellow believers in Jesus right in front of them, “…there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales…and it was distributed to anyone who had need” (Acts 4.34-35).

Responding to the grace they’d received from God, those who had the ability demonstrated that grace to those in need. Because someone “looked out” for them, they did the same for someone else.

As recipients of God’s generosity and grace, it wasn’t a situation where these believers “had to” assist the needy: they “got to” help them. We get the sense because they recognized the helplessness from which God saved them, it was only natural they do what they could to alleviate the helplessness they saw with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Understanding the helplessness from which God has rescued us motivates us as we “get to” help others. Grace fuels our compassion.

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To better understand God’s grace in your life, and to be able to tell it well, write your story. Spend some time on this and really think it through. Condense it to one paragraph (three minutes speaking). For help, especially if you’ve never done it, go here.

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