Sermon Notes 08-31-08

Ananias and Sapphira
(Kevin Asmann) Pastor asked me to preach on Ananias and Sapphira, thanks a lot Pastor!
But Paul said in; 2 Timothy, chapter 4: verse 2 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-- with great patience and careful instruction.” (NIV)
So let’s read the text found in Acts chapter 4: verse 32 through chapter 5: verse 11;32 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.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.
CHAPTER 51 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.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? ((KJV) Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?) You have not lied to men 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 the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.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 agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! 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. (NIV)

How many of you want to be just like Ananias and Sapphira?
Interestingly enough, Ananias means (God is gracious) and Sapphira means (beautiful)
What is the point of this story? Is it about giving offerings? No.
Is it about communism? No.
It’s about pride, hypocrisy, greed, honesty.

1. Pride / hypocrisy; Barnabas sold a field and gave the money from the sale to the apostles. This evidently impressed Ananias who would not be out done and sold a piece of property too but though he was unwilling to give all of the proceeds he wanted everyone to think he had and his wife went along with him. They were trying to copy the appearance of Barnabas’ charity.
Peter asked them why they did it. There is no response from Ananias or Sapphira recorded so we can only speculate as to the reasons. Some have argued that they were not really saved, that they were merely acting as Christians. I would mention the fact that it was not easy or popular to be a Christian then;
Acts chapter 4: verses 1-4 says;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 and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. (NIV)

It’s not likely that under such conditions of persecution that someone would pretend to be a Christian. That would just bring them trouble for no good reason.

2. Greed; They kept back some of the money. They didn’t have to give all but it was just for show with them. (Acts 5:4) Peter said to him; “Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal?” They could have said; “This is the portion we felt to give.” And they would have been fine. Instead, they lied and said they gave it all. How many times have you been caught up in the emotion or passion and made a pledge to help? Then, when the time came to give you had second thoughts?

3. Honesty; “Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'”

Jesus said in Matthew chapter 5: verses 33 through 37:33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.'34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (NIV)

And James repeats this more succinctly in James chapter 5: verse 12;12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear-- not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned. (NIV)

Peter said they lied to the Holy Spirit, not to men but to God. They so offended Him that when confronted with it they fell dead. These were serious times, I believe the Lord allowed this to happen as an example of just how serious things were. What about now? How serious are the times we are living in? So, what’s the bottom line? Don’t embellish. [to heighten the attractiveness of by adding decorative or fanciful details.]
Keep it simple, real and honest.