What
Happened Next #8 “Don't Solicit Celebrity” Acts 5:1-11
Go
walks alongside us
Ready
to hear
Ready
to speak
Ready
to act
He
sets us free
Use
your freedom wisely.
Who
are your Spiritual Heroes? Who have you seen live? Whose books do you
read? Who do you search for online? Whose TV channel is on your
favourites list. Who do you try to sit by in church?
Some
of mine: John Wimber, David Watson, Rob Bell, Bill Vanstone, CS
Lewis. And I'd like to add Jurgen Molttmann, Hans Kung, Kart Bart,
because that will make me look less lightweight. Because, like it or
not, we do care what we look like to others. It's good to be
attractive.
Living
in the power and presence of the Spirit is very attractive: that
first Pentecost outpouring of people praising God in “my own
language” attracted thousands to faith. These first miracles of the
disciples and the extravagant generosity of the newborn church
attracted many to be “added to their number”. Its great for
evangelism, but is there a danger that we want to be "attractive"
rather than obedient?
To
be inspired by a good example – witnessing, praying, serving,
healing, giving – is brilliant. We all have people whom we have
tried to emulate. Above all we try to emulate Jesus: to “be Christ
to others”. Its not hubris. It's a laudable if not completely
achievable aim. But remember that Jesus is not a celebrity. His acts
of service; His teachings; His miracles; His death and resurrection
are not done to boost His popularity (which is the goal of celebrity,
isn't it?). They are done to save, to heal, creation.
In
the early church this danger of celebrity is opposed in a very
dramatic fashion. This couple are attracted to the example of
extravagant generosity that they see around them They see how God is
praised, what goodwill is earned among the people, how those acts of
generosity stand out – and they want that acclamation too. They too
go and sell some valuable property. They too want to lay this at the
apostles feet. So what's the problem?
Q's:
How do we know that our urges are from the Holy Spirit?
Are
our acts of service done for God or for our own sense of worth?
Do
we really feel that God is walking alongside us all the time?
Will
I die if I get it wrong?!!!
1.
Will this action help in the establishment of God's rule? Is it like
Jesus? LJPPKGFGS?
- Is this mostly for God or for my own reputation?
- Remembering that the Holy Spirit is right alongside me, am I still comfortable with it?
The
problem with Ananias and Saphira is not what they decided to give. It
was their land. When they sold it it was their money. They could give
as much or a little as they wanted to. But it seems that they
proclaimed themselves as more “extravagantly generous” than they
were. They wanted the acclaim for themselves rather than for their
Lord. Generosity makes you feel good about yourself, yes. Nothing
wrong with that. But it can't be the reason. Have you ever
been the recipient of a favour when the helper tells you in so much
detail how costly and sacrificial they are being that in the end
you'd rather they hadn't bothered. The “working my fingers to the
bone” approach?
But
much more importantly they were pretending. They were pretending to
be “in the Spirit”. They didn't really think that God was walking
alongside them, knowing the deepest longing of their hearts, wanting
to bless them in every way, wanting to make them whole in his love.
They thought that the Spirit realm was somehow distinct from the
everyday. It is not. Incarnation means God as a human being. Immanuel
means “God with us”. Pentecost means the Holy Spirit of God
poured into our hearts here and now, here to stay. So remember;
Go
walks alongside you
Ready
to hear
Ready
to speak
Ready
to act
He
sets you free
Use
your freedom wisely.
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