Rev Jim Lyons_Sin in the Church'_3rd May '26 am

Continuing in our study in 'Acts Of the Apostles'.  This time, our Bible Reading is from Acts Chapter 4 verse 32 through to Chapter 5, verse 11.

Transcript

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We're reading from the book of Acts as we continue through in our studies. Acts chapter 4 and we commence at verse 32 and reading through to chapter 5 and verse 11. Acts chapter 4 verse 32 to Acts 5 verse 11. We have finished this section which began with the healing of the lame man in chapter 3 on his way to the temple, and then Peter's sermon came after that, and the rest of chapter 3. And then the response, Peter and John are arrested. They come back to the believers, they pray together, they pray for boldness, and this is the outcome of that prayer as well. Verse 32. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul. Neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own. But they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there any one that among them who lacked, for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet, and they distributed to each as any one had need. And Joseph, who also was named Barnabas by the Apostles, which is translated son of encouragement, a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. But a certain man named Ananias with Sapphira, his wife, sold the possession, and he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostle's feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God. Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much. She said, Yes, for so much. Then Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed together to test the spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out. Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. Amen. When selling a car, presentation is important. Not just how it looks, but a positive presentation, of course, can be a good selling point. The salesman, or if you're selling your car secondhand, you might most likely seek to avoid any negative features about the car, but rather focus upon the good selling points. For example, its condition, its fuel economy, low mileage, service history, etc., etc. You will avoid the fact if it's been in an accident or all kinds of stuff had gone wrong with it. You will avoid any of that stuff altogether. How different it is when you turn to the Bible. And there's one who said the Bible is so stubbornly honest. It doesn't leave out the messy bit. So we have the murder of Abel in the first two chapters. We have Israel, God's chosen people, doing their own thing, going their own way, regardless of the stipulations that God has laid down for them to follow, to show them how they ought to live. We have David and his display of sexual passion with Bathsheba. And now here in Acts chapter 5, we have sin in the church. These and many other shady issues, naturally, we will want to keep from public viewing. Yet God reveals it all for everybody to read. Up to this point in Acts, things have looked good as we have a united praying people, and by all accounts of church that is vibrantly active for God. You would think it would be better to live out leave out this messy episode in chapter 5 concerning this couple, Ananias and Sapphira. But God doesn't gloss over these things which are painful, downright ugly, and even embarrassing. But right at the outset, it's here in this church. He wants us to see at the outset that this isn't perfect. That among this sincere group of believers, there were those who were insincere and hypocritical. We've often referred to the story of the court painter who was commissioned to paint the portrait of Oliver Cromwell. It was common practice for portraits to flatter the subject by softening or removing any blemishes. Royalty in particular expected portraits to show them and present them in the best possible light. But Cromwell's face was a bit disfigured due to several warts. We wouldn't call them warts now, would we? We call them wee spots and we get out all this stuff and try and hide them. But the painter thought it would be better to remove them altogether. So we finished the portrait and presented it to Cromwell, and he looked at it and said, Take it back. Paint me warts and awe. And that's exactly how God presents the heroes of the faith. And now the early church, just as it is, with its glory and with its sins. Then as you follow the New Testament through and you get to the stage of the epistles, you will sense there is a continual battle against sin as we witness the writers addressing issues in the church. We know that from then until now we're part of this imperfect body of people, those who know Christ, and sin in saints is a reality. This doesn't mean it's excusable, just a reality. So throughout the New Testament, there was a plea for purity, for unity and love in the church. And this, of course, is a continual plea from God through his word to the church in the 21st century. So as we try to cover these verses, we've read together at the end of chapter 4 and into chapter 5. We've just got two main points: the positive picture of unity and the negative picture of sin. So, first of all, the positive picture of unity in the section in chapter 4 we read. This is a wonderful description Luke gave, and it is, of course, a great testimony to the unity that existed among believers. It could have been sung of them that there was love shared among them. Their love was real, and that's evident from verse 32. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul. Now we read it often in Psalm 133, that it is both a good and pleasant thing to behold unity among God's people. This brought delight to God's heart as it stands as an answer to Jesus' prayer, which he prayed in John chapter 17. And he praised his father and says, I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they may also be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me, and the glory which you give me I have given them, that they may be one, just as we are one. So the prayer of Jesus is answered in this genuine unity that was evident among these people. And we often say the Lord's blessing is upon a united people, and it's so here. So when the believers prayed, God came to them and filled them with the spirit of boldness, which is evident now from verse 33. And with great power the apostles give witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. The response to the preaching is recorded for us in verse 32. Not in terms of thousands as previously recorded, but now it's a multitude who have responded in faith to the word. When it says they gave witness to the resurrection, the word gave is in the imperfect tense, which means that this was something that they were at constantly. They were constantly, consistently giving witness to the resurrection of Jesus. Along with that, the word, there is also the sense of obligation that as they preached, it was like they were discharging a debt. So as they are united in love and zealous in evangelism, God pours his great grace upon them. And there aren't these two characteristics that ought to shine forth constantly from the Church of Jesus Christ. But sadly, we know at times some do harbor bad feelings toward others. Often wrong things are said and done. Also, we live in times when the love of many has waxed cold, as many have lost the zeal and enthusiasm that they once had for the Lord. And you can just judge yourself in that light. How is it with you today? Are you what you were once? Are you as keen and enthusiastic as you used to be for the Lord? So these marks were there: unity and zeal. So here we have this positive picture of unity. And Luke seeks to point out how practical this was, as you look again at verse 32. Neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. They operated as a body, as each of the members were caretered, were catered and cared for. This united group displayed such a tremendous attitude of compassion and generosity toward one toward the other members. Could we be very on grammatical, well, that wouldn't be unusual for me, and say that in this church there was a one-anotherness. There's absolutely no such word as one-anotherness. Because when you put it on your computer, there's this big red language underneath it. And when you click it, you know there's no such word as one-anotherness. But I'm using that word one anotherness. It was evident among. I think sometimes I get rid of we dictionary just on my own. And it's the silly words that I come up with, and the statements that I make, we could put them into a weed and compile it into a book that absolutely nobody on the earth would buy. As you follow the New Testament through, we find exhortations toward one another. For example, love one another, be patient toward one another, be kind to one another. And so the list just goes on and on throughout the New Testament. The compassion and generosity they put on show flowed from love. And it's just as Jesus said to them. Love was, if we like, the badge that they wore. And Jesus said, through it others would know that they belonged to him, that they were his disciples. And this now is amplified further in verse 34 and 35. Nor was there any among them who lacked, for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet. And they distributed to each, to each as any one had need. Now the apostles are not the equality commission of the first century, and this isn't a restriction placed upon those who own property, but it was an expression of generous Christian love. Obviously, how this worked was that as there were people in the church in need at Jerusalem, those who had the means to provide for them could do it, and obviously many of them did do it. There isn't warrant here for advocating that we sell everything to help others in the church. There was no universal credit or benefits from the state. Therefore, affluent, generous believers sought to make up the shortfall in believers' lives who were in need. It didn't mean they sold everything, because that would be detrimental, wouldn't it? If they sold everything they had, then they would be in need, and that would put a greater strain upon the system that was working to help other believers. They did what they could to demonstrate Christian love in action. Then in verse 36 to 37, we have the example of one individual who did just that. And Joseph, who was also named Barabb, not Barabbas Barnabas, by the Apostles, which is translated son of encouragement, a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. Barnabas is mentioned 24 times, at least in this book. And at this point, we're introduced to him. From the information that Luke gives, we know that his Christian name was Joseph or Joseph. He was from the tribe of Levi, and although from Cyprus, most likely he's here at Jerusalem for business or for the feasts. He has heard the gospel, he has been converted to Jesus Christ, and he's evidently a member of the Church of Jerusalem, and would in the future play a major role in the missionary endeavors of God's kingdom throughout this book. Obviously, his influence didn't affect his affluence didn't affect his zeal for God. And it's amazing the people that God has gifted with wealth down through the years. And they have used that wealth to bless God's people, God's servants, down through the years. And then the amazing thing about it is that God gifted them with wealth, and they give that gift back to the church. And you know what the wonderful thing is? They never lost their zeal for God through all of their affluence. And that's a challenge to people who whom God does gift with this wonderful blessing of wealth. That so often the more we get, the less we love him. So often the more we have, the less we trust him. So often the more we have in our possession, the less we are committed to him. Also in verse 36, it points out that the apostles give him the name Barnabas, which means son of encouragement. And that of course comes through as you go through the book. Possibly this was because of his genuine heart of love for others, through this encouragement to those who were less fortunate than himself. So here we have the positive picture of unity and the expression of it that is seen through giving to those in need. Luke points to Barnabas as a great example or principle of generosity. Now, I'm sure there were other people apart from Barnabas, but he sets this one individual down, and there's a reason why he sets it down here in this way. He sets it down to contrast what's about to take place in chapter 5. So we move from the positive picture of unity to the negative picture of sin in the first 11 verses in the next chapter. Luke commences this chapter with the little word, but what he's about to say is therefore set over against what he has already set down. It is at this point that Luke introduces us to this couple, Ananias and Sapphira in verse 1. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession. The meaning of their names is interesting. Ananias' name means great. God is gracious, Sapphira means beautiful. But from the reading the narrating the narrative, the reader will conclude that there wasn't much beauty or grace on show. But what they did was very deceitful indeed. They are not role models to follow, but rather they display a spirit which is to be avoided like a plague. Luke highlights what they did at the end of verse 1. They sold the possession. There's nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with that. From verse 3, we gather it involved a piece of land. So if sold land, nothing wrong with that. At first reading, it looks great. Because here's a couple in the church of Jerusalem, and they have witnessed the example of Barnabas, and it seems like they are going to follow suit. It's as you read on that you wish that they had, but they're not sincere in the action they took, which is revealed in verse 2. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part. So you got to focus there on keeping back part and a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. The truth is, when you read between the lines of the text, they have wrongly appropriated some of the proceeds. They were under no obligation to do what they did. No one would have pressurized them to. And possibly they just covered it that honor. How easy it is in a deceitful way to seek the praise of others. They could have kept the money from the seal and given some to the church, and that would be fine. That's not their problem. The problem was and their deceit. The word kept back is a word that means to steal or embezzle. The implication is clear then that they have vowed to give it all, but pull back on their initial commitment. As it would seem, they sold the land and give some for distribution to the needy. That's a good thing to do. But they pretended to give everything. How many in another sense profess to love the Lord Jesus who say we are completely committed to him? Yes, so much is kept back for themselves. The deceit now becomes apparent in the way Peter speaks to Ananias, verse 3 and 4. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not in your own? Was it not your own? Now, if there was soul, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? Peter says, You have not lied to men. You haven't lied to me. You have lied to God. He had lied and sought to deceive. The apostles. But he lied to God. This points out that God knows everything, and there is absolutely nothing hidden from him. He knows the attitudes we adopt, the motives we have and desires we have in our hearts. He knows how I've come before you this morning, now with a certain tie on me, but how I've gone in my attitude before you today. And he knows exactly how we respond to God's word. He knows whether we are sincere or just putting on a front to save face before others. God sees right into our hearts. And he knows why we do what we do. We mustn't look overlook the activity of Satan, which is mentioned there. He's behind it. And obviously, he has been given freedom through the temptation and the yielding to greed to oppose God through a destroyed testimony of believers. It's a very serious situation. And of course, what transpires out of that reveals how serious it was. And the actions that have been taken have got repercussions. Then we read in verse 5 to 6 what happened because of the path they chose. Then Ananias, hearing those words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men rose up and wrapped him up, carried him out and buried him. Now that's very serious stuff. And we might feel that it belongs more in the Old Testament than in the New Testament of Greece. There are many today, and they can be hypocritical in their walk with God. But they're not struck down dead. These are the early days of the church when Satan has tried to silence their voice through intimidation and opposition, yet it didn't work. Now he comes to work inside the church through sin. And God takes this seriously. The Holy Spirit has recently been outpoured upon these believers, and the sin of Ananias was against the Holy Spirit. It was also a sin against the church that the Lord loved and gave himself for. From verses 2 and 9, we know that his wife was in on this as well. So the judgment applies to her, which we will read again, verse 7 to 10. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter answered her, Tell me, whether you sold the land for so much. She said, Yes, for so much. Then Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed together to test the spirit of the Lord? Look, the fate of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out. She immediately fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young man came in and found her dead, and carrying out her and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. Her fate is the same as Ananias's. This is a shocking and horrific portion of scripture. But what we mustn't do with it is put God into our court and judge him. It's there to shock us into revering him all the more. As we draw this to a conclusion, we need to emphasize the facts that stand out here. What are the big things? Well, sin is something serious. After seeing the prominence of Barnabas that he was given, they wanted it. As obviously image and prestige meant a lot to them. Sin is sin. Whether that's a sin in an unbeliever's life or whether it's sin in a believer's life. We're quick to point out to people who don't know the Lord, there's a price to pay for sin. And that's the truth. It doesn't pay today if you're not a believer. And it doesn't pay if you are. It was serious in the life of King David. And through this story, we can see that in David's story there are repercussions. So we mustn't think that because we're believers, we somehow get off the hook. Do you think for one moment that you can live in disobedience to God's word and not pay a price for that? The scripture is clear that we reap what we sow. So if we sow a life without Christ, we reap eternity without Him. If we know the Lord Jesus today, we reap the fruit of disobedience to God, as did Israel of old. Do you wonder why the joy of the Lord is not your strength anymore? And when you sit under God's word, do you wonder why you're not where you are in a spiritual sense? Do you wonder why there is misery in your inner spiritual life? Do you wonder why it seems like a desert and just a dearth within your life? Not living at peace in your walk with God. Sin is a serious thing. And it's wonderful when I trust in the Lord Jesus and He saves me, He forgives me. That's not the issue. But we are called to walk in holiness. We are called to live a life that's holy unto Him. And you know, when we sin, if we don't get that before the Lord and get that sorted, there are repercussions. Take the whole issue where somebody falls out with somebody and you don't get that sorted. There are repercussions there. And it just burns away and it eats away at you. We can't sin and not face the consequences. Second thing is sin Satan is active. The language Peter uses here is the same that's used in respect to Judas. Why has Satan filled your heart? He's behind all this. He's right in his neck in it. His wickedness stains the whole scene. He can't stand it when a believer is doing well. When a believer is seeking to move on spiritually with God. So he sets out to attack them. Sometimes that's right in your face. And other times it's more subtle. He loves it when believers are at odds with each other, saying horrible things, harboring better attitudes, as then he is exalting his cause and bringing a slowness of progress to God's in that individual life. The story of Ananias and Sapphira is to the book of Acts what the story of Achan was in the book of Joshua. They both hold that the progress of victory of God's people. So sin is serious, and Satan is active, and God is to be feared. Look at the impact upon the church in verse 11. So great fear came upon the church and upon all the church and upon all those who heard these things. The fear of God spread like wildfire in the church. The point is that if we're living like Ananias and Sapphira, then we need to fear God. We need to remember that sin is serious. That doesn't mean he's going to strike us down dead, but it's serious. Therefore, we need to repent of our sin. If we're not a Christian today, we need to turn away from our sins and seek God's forgiveness. If we're a believer today who's living in disobedience to God, we need to confess that to him. We need to own up to it and seek for his forgiveness and move us on from that point. So there is this positive picture of unity, and that's set down to help us to see the awfulness that was taking place in chapter 5. And maybe we we're not living like that in our literal sense. We're not keeping money back from God, you know, that we promise to give Him. If we do get to that point, well we need to deal with that. But in our own Christian life, we can we can do that too, can't we? Oh, I'm committed to Jesus. Lord, I come to you, I give my life to you. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you. But then somewhere along we we pull back a bit. We withdraw from that stand that we once had. That's that's that's a sin. God says, you need to own up to that. And you need to complain about that to yourself. Be real to yourself about that and confess it to me. Repent of it. And I'll move you forward in a better direction and in a better situation than you're in at the present. Amen. Let's stand together and sing.