- Collaboration – the action of working with someone to produce or create something
Genesis 11:6, The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.
John 17:20-21; James 3:1
Acts 4:23, On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Acts 4:32, 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.
Acts 3:13-17, 4:8-12
Acts 4:1-2, 1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people . . .
Why the Church Prevailed over the Powers of Darkness
- They lived with pure hearts.
- They spoke truth to power.
- They withstood persecution.
Acts 4:36-37, 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Hebrews 10:32-34, 32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
“If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century.” – Dr Martin Luther King Junior, Letter from Birmingham Jail
Why Our Collaboration is Essential to Fulfilling God’s Purposes
- Collaboration creates UNIFIED HEARTS.
Acts 5:1-2, 1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:32, 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.
- Collaboration that God blesses costs us something first.
Ephesians 4:2-3
1 Peter 3:7, Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
2. Collaboration creates GIVING HANDS.
Acts 5:3-6, 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
- Collaboration God blesses requires our cooperation.
3. Collaboration honors what we HOLD DEAR.
Acts 5:7-11, 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.