Unstoppable: The Story of the Church in Acts The

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Unstoppable: The Story of the Church in Acts The Danger of Hypocrisy Acts 5:1-11 Dr. Stephen Rummage, Senior Pastor Bell Shoals Baptist Church March 18, 2018 Acts 5:1 (ESV) But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, Acts 5:2 (ESV) and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:3 (ESV) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? Acts 5:4 (ESV) While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” Acts 5:5 (ESV) When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. Acts 5:6 (ESV) The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. Acts 5:7 (ESV) After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Acts 5:8 (ESV) And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” Acts 5:9 (ESV) But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Acts 5:10 (ESV) Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Acts 5:11 (ESV) And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

1. The Sin of Ananias and Sapphira Was Rooted in Pride Acts 4:36 (ESV) Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Acts 4:37 (ESV) sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:1 (ESV) But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, Acts 5:2 (ESV) and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 1 Peter 5:5 (ESV) Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 2. The Sin of Ananias and Sapphira Resulted in Deception Acts 5:3 (ESV) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? Acts 5:4 (ESV) While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” John 8:44 (ESV) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 3. The Sin of Ananias and Sapphira Was Revealed by the Holy Spirit Acts 5:3 (ESV) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? Acts 5:5 (ESV) When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Acts 5:6 (ESV) The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 4. The Sin of Ananias and Sapphira Was Rebuked by the Church Acts 5:7 (ESV) After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Acts 5:8 (ESV) And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” Acts 5:9 (ESV) But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Psalm 141:5 (ESV) Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. 5. The Sin of Ananias and Sapphira Received God’s Judgment God’s judgment delivered Ananias and Sapphira from further sin. 1 Corinthians 5:5 (ESV) You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. God’s judgment delivered the church from pollution. Acts 5:11 (ESV) And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. God’s judgment delivered lost people from Hell. Acts 5:14 (ESV) And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. God’s judgment can deliver us from hypocrisy. 1 Corinthians 10:11 (ESV) Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.