This communion Sunday service began with the Psalm 147, the Gloria Patri and the hymn of praise was "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus." We had words of joy and testimony, and special music by Becky Hawkins. The acolytes were honored with special certificates.
The sermon was based on three concepts from the bible: great grace, great power, and great fear.
Ac 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Ac 4:32
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Ac 4:33
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Ac 4:34
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Ac 4:35
And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Ac 4:36
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Ac 4:37
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Ac 5:1
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Ac 5:2
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Ac 5:3
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Ac 5:4
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Ac 5:5
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
Ac 5:6
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
Ac 5:7
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
Ac 5:8
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
Ac 5:9
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Ac 5:10
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
Ac 5:11
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Pastor Robbie talked about the Greek word Megas which we translate as "great" and the significance of the phrase great grace.
Pastor Robbie said that the author of Acts was also the author of Luke, and through his eye witness accounts was making a point. The description of the death of Stephen is similar to the description of the death of Jesus:
Ac 7:59
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Ac 7:60
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Pastor Robbie said this is similar to the description in Luke of the death of Jesus.
Lu 23:33
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Lu 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Pastor Robbie said the reason the accoounts are so similar is that the work of grace was evident in Stephen through the life of Jesus. Grace fell upon the church. But grace is not cheap; you must pay the price.
2Co 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Pastor Robbie said we should be humbled by how little we deserve God's grace.
The closing hymn was "His Name Is Wonderful."
