2. The positive example Living in grace Without grace there is no good news The New Testament is written in a context of grace Undeserved love – unmerited favour None of us deserve salvation Much grace was upon them all To live in grace is to live in humility
3. The positive example Living in unity All the believers were one in heart and mind A pattern is emerging To dwell in unity That they might be one A unity that would later cross huge barriers
4. The positive example Living to witness They had prayed for boldness They testified of the resurrection They had been threatened They knew their calling
5. The positive example Living in power When the Spirit descends, believers proclaim Christ “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.” Without the Spirit, evangelism is pointless
6. The positive example Living in generosity There were particular needs in the early church If we live in grace, there will be implications The Christian’s default position is generosity Living in the truth Barnabas walked the walk His life should challenge us
7. The negative example Playing games with God Grace is not licence They should have learned from Achan Our God is a consuming fire A heart filled by Satan Even in the early church, Satan was at work There is always a counterfeit How is it that Satan has so filled your heart?
8. The negative example Lying to the Spirit When we lose sight of God, we think we can hide things from him Jesus is full of grace and truth The Holy Spirit is described as the Spirit of Truth
9. The negative example Agreeing together Unity is powerful in the church Agreeing to deceive What was the thinking? Seeking acclaim? Playing to the audience and ignoring God
10. Our own example Which model fits us? What if we were exposed to the same scrutiny?
