“Sold Out to Jesus: What Does That Look Like?”

Study of Acts 4:32-37

In Acts 4:32-37 (ESV), we witness a transformative moment in the early Christian community. They were not just believers; they were sold out to Jesus. This devotion was not an isolated event but a profound lifestyle echoing through the pages of the Old and New Testaments. Today, we are looking at what it looks like to be “sold out” to Jesus. What does that mean? Should I sell my possessions, my house, my land? That is exactly what happened in the first-century Church. I have known many families who “sold out” everything to become missionaries: sold-out pastors and sold-out members. The question is how does it look when you sell out? I believe this is a matter of possession. Who owns your stuff? Is everything “mine”? These folks sold “their” possessions and gave them to be distributed to others who were less fortunate. We can model this behavior in our lives today by accepting and exemplifying that God owns it all and it belongs to Him. Therefore, when He requires we give we respond out of love. The saints here were sold out to the mission and the mission was preaching the message. Also, they were under severe persecution, something we have trouble comprehending in America. But, this blog post is reaching out to people with no protection except the community of believers. May we understand that we are in the same Church as they are and help those who are less fortunate.

The Foundation: Acts 4:32-37

The narrative begins with Acts 4:32-37, portraying a community where the Gospel was the heartbeat, resulting in unity, radical generosity, powerful preaching, and great grace. However, this is not an isolated instance; it’s a pattern seen throughout the Bible.

Sold Out in Love: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, emphasizes that without love, even the most extraordinary acts are meaningless. Being sold out to Jesus involves a love that surpasses mere actions, echoing the selfless love of Christ.

Renewed Minds: Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12:1-2 challenges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, transformed by the renewing of their minds. Being sold out to Jesus means a radical transformation that extends beyond actions to the very core of our being.

Sacrificial Living: Philippians 3:7-8

In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul declares that everything else is rubbish compared to knowing Christ. Being sold out to Jesus involves counting all things as loss for the sake of Christ—a profound surrender of personal pursuits for the surpassing worth of knowing Him.

Radical Obedience: Luke 9:23-24

Jesus Himself lays out the cost of discipleship in Luke 9:23-24, emphasizing the necessity of denying oneself, taking up the cross daily, and following Him. Being sold out to Jesus requires radical obedience, a daily commitment to prioritize Christ above all.

Examples from the Old Testament: Abraham (Genesis 22:1-18)

The Old Testament provides powerful examples of being sold out to God. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, in Genesis 22:1-18, demonstrates a profound trust and obedience—a foreshadowing of God’s sacrificial love in Christ. Abraham was truly on mission with God. From the moment God called him to leave his home and go to a place that he had never been, he obeyed, Did that mean Abraham would not have possession to manage? No. In fact, Abraham had tremendous wealth but his perspective was exemplary as he did not hold back the most precious thing he had, Isaac.

Old Testament Devotion: Ruth 1:16-17

Ruth 1:16-17 illustrates loyalty and devotion. Being sold out to God involves a steadfast commitment that perseveres through trials and uncertainties.

The Ultimate Example: Jesus (Philippians 2:5-8)

Philippians 2:5-8 presents Jesus as the ultimate example of being sold out to God. His humility, obedience, and sacrificial love demonstrate what it truly means to prioritize God’s will above everything. We have no better example. His word calls us to forsake all to follow Him.

Luke 9:23-26 (ESV): 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

Matthew 16:24-26 (ESV): 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

Mark 10:21 (ESV): And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Luke 14:33 (ESV): So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Be a Barnabas: Encouraging Us To Give

Barnabas stands out as an inspiring example of being sold out to Christ—Barnabas. A Levite by birth, he goes beyond the expected norms, selling his lands and contributing to the welfare of the community. Barnabas becomes a living testament to the sacrificial spirit that defines a sold-out follower of Christ. By selling a field he owns and presenting the proceeds to the apostles. His actions go beyond a mere financial transaction; they embody a heart sold out to Christ. But he was not the typical Levite. It was not common for those in priesthood circles to own land. So he may have already been under suspicion when he converted to Christianity, but make no mistake his actions caused a stir. He changed his identity completely when he accepted Jesus as Messiah and would no longer be accepted by the Levites or the Jewish religion. His actions show us the potential cost of being sold out. When we sell out it may me being rejected by your family.

What Does Barnabas’ Act Imply? Forsaking all to follow Jesus. Forsaking all for the Gospel.

Barnabas Encourages Through Generosity:

1. Leading by Example: Barnabas provides a concrete example of what it means to be sold out. His actions inspire others to consider the depth of their commitment to Christ. Generosity becomes not just a commendable virtue but a defining characteristic of a sold-out disciple.
2. Supporting Gospel Proclamation: In Acts 4, the apostles were giving powerful testimony, and great grace was upon the community. Barnabas, through his giving, becomes a partner in this proclamation. His resources contribute to the expansion of the Gospel, reflecting the interconnectedness of sold-out living and the spread of the Good News.
3. The Joy of Sacrificial Giving: Barnabas challenges the notion that giving is merely an obligation. Instead, his giving exudes joy and encouragement. The act of selling his land is not a burden but a source of joy, illustrating that being sold out to Christ is not about loss but gain—spiritual, communal, and eternal.

His action speaks to believers today. His story challenges us to evaluate the depth of our commitment to Christ. Are we willing to break from societal expectations for the sake of the Gospel? Do our actions reflect a joyous and sacrificial giving, echoing Barnabas’ example? Today, being sold out to Christ might involve radical acts of generosity, a willingness to break from societal norms, and finding joy in sacrificial giving. Barnabas encourages us not just through his financial contribution but through the profound statement that our resources can be a powerful tool for Gospel advancement. Barnabas, the “Son of Encouragement,” remains an enduring model of being sold out to Christ through radical generosity. His example challenges us to examine the depth of our commitment, break from societal norms when necessary, and find joy in sacrificial giving. In the spirit of Barnabas, may our lives become a testimony to the transformative power of a sold-out devotion to Christ, impacting not only ourselves but also the community and the proclamation of the Gospel.

Apply the scripture today

Being sold out to Jesus is not a one-time decision; it’s a daily commitment, a journey of transformation that echoes through the pages of Scripture. Acts 4:32-37 serves as a foundational snapshot, but the narrative extends, encompassing love, renewed minds, sacrificial living, radical obedience, and examples from both the Old and New Testaments. The question we continue to ask ourselves today: Will I sell out?

As we explore these passages, let us be inspired to cultivate a sold-out devotion to Jesus—a commitment that shapes our actions and the very essence of who we are. May this journey draw us closer to the heart of God, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in every aspect of our lives.