The Gospel on the Ground Bible Study
Week 4 - Subversive Generosity on the Move
Introduction:
Jesus and his first followers wore tassels on their garments called a /tzitzit/. Jesus know a time would quickly come when his followers would no longer be classified among the Jewish people.
While talking with Peter and his other followers, Jesus explained how the world would know they are his disciples.
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
John13:34-35, NLT
I. They will know we are Christians by our...... what?
The earliest followers of Jesus did not earn the name, Christian, just because they dressed a little differently. They didn't even have WWJD bracelets yet. Followers of Jesus were recognized by and known for their kindness, and amazing generosity. Most importantly they were known as Christians by the love they shared.
In Antioch on the Orontes, society was extremely divided into various people groups and classes. But just as Jesus demonstrated, His followers did not let social order, positions, or ethnicity influence who they spent time with, who they ate with, or who they helped care for, they shared God's love with everyone and the people in Antioch noticed.
The early church took the responsibility and role as a family very seriously. Everyone had a place regardless of where they came from, who their parents were, or what job they had. They belonged. They truly saw each other as brothers and sisters, all adopted into God's family.
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power, the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in all that there were no needy persons among them. From time to time, those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need." Acts 4:32-35 NIV
Subversive Generosity on the Move
Just imagine being invited to a generous community.
What if you were forced to leave your Greek, Roman, or Gentile family because you no longer wanted to follow the imperial cult. As a result, you are greeted with open arms and assured you would have everything you needed. This would provide relief and shalom.
This was the situation for many of the earliest believers in Jesus. They were kicked out of their families and forced to walk away from loved ones and lost everything they had. But God made sure they were welcomed into His family, by instructing His followers to extend subversive generosity to everyone who believed Jesus to be their Lord and Messiah.
"The earliest followers of Jesus lived with such extravagant generosity towards one another because they were living like they were their brother's keepers." Kristi McLelland, p. 95 of "The Gospel on the Ground"
Being a part of God's family was warm and loving. Everyone was taken care of, and all physical and financial needs were met by everyone caring for each other as brothers and sisters. Paul beautifully expressed the importance of this type of love in I Corinthians 13:1 when he said,
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." I Corinthians 13:1, NIV
The NIV, NLT, and many other translations of this verse use the words, "do not have love," but interestingly the King James Version says, "and have not charity."
Christians displayed radical brotherly love through their unstoppable generosity to one another. People couldn't help but notice this attractive generosity. The love of God moving through them was more obvious than their clothing. Kristi McLelland asks us a thought-provoking question in her video lesson for session 4 of "The Gospel on the Ground, when she says,
"In the world of Empire, how are you living, for Empire to look at you and say, 'Oh you, right there, the way you're walking and living, you're a Christian?" Kristi McLelland, "The Gospel on the Ground" session 4 video.
We can absolutely continue wearing our cross necklaces, and WWJD bracelets. It's great to share Scripture and talk about the amazing blessings of God on social media. This way of communicating is very important. However, we should do more as Christians. People we encounter every day should be able to tell whether or not we're followers of Jesus.
We should exemplify the loving generosity of Jesus to everyone.
"We don't live in ancient Antioch on the Orantez, but you live in your city and I live in mine, and the gospel is still moving on the ground. And we have an opportunity to be people with eyes that are opened twice, a hopeful embodiment and manifestation of the reality of the kingdom of abundance in a world of scarcity." Kristi McLelland, "The Gospel on the Ground" session 4 video.
Today we Learned:
* Jesus knew His followers would be in a category of their own.
* The earliest Christians were known by the love they shared.
* The early church openly welcomed everyone as their brothers and sisters in Christ.
* People should know we are Christians by the way we share God's loving generosity with others.
Question for Next Week: What are some creative ways you can share God's loving generosity with others?
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