The Biggest Threat to Relationship - (Acts 4:32-5:11) P10

Sunday, May 7, 2023

Introductory information

As people were getting saved in Jerusalem, the first church family was forming

The gospel was spreading, but the church was also starting to encounter real opposition from the authorities

More people were beginning to believe the apostles testimony because of the way they saw the church caring for one another

Jesus had made it clear to the apostles, that the state of their relationships was a critical part of validating their testimony about Him - John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

READ

Question to consider as we read:

What is the biggest threat to relationships?

Acts 4:32–5:11 CSB

32 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. 33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. 34 For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.” 5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. 6 The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. 7 About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the land for this price?” “Yes,” she said, “for that price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree 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.” 10 Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. 11 Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.

EXAMINE

What are some key points in this passage?

#1 | The early church in Jerusalem was united, unselfish, and honest

Acts 4:32–37 CSB

32 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. 33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. 34 For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

They had a different mindset...

They were so UNIFIED in Jesus, that they weren’t thinking selfishly anymore

They weren’t against personal possessions - they simply cared about meeting needs

Barnabas was a perfect example of this mindset...

Without being told to do so, he freely chose to sell his land and give all the money to whoever had needs

They were honest with one another

The unity was described as people being “of one heart and mind” - which excludes dishonesty

Ephesians 4:15 CSB

15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.

#2 | Ananias and Sapphira are dishonest

Acts 5:1–2 CSB

1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

There was more than one layer to their dishonesty:

They lied about how much money they received for their land

They lie about the condition of their heart - their values and priorities

They are trying to look like they are as committed to the group as people like Barnabas

In his commentary on the book of Acts, F.F. Bruce says: “No compulsion had been laid on Ananias to sell his property: the virtue of such an act as Barnabas’s lay in its spontaneous generosity... In a situation where those who followed Barnabas’s example received high commendation within the group, the social pressure on others to do the same, or rather to appear to do the same, must have been considerable.”

#3 | Peter points out the real depth of their dishonesty

Acts 5:3–4 CSB

3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.”

The issue was NOT that they had kept money back for themselves

Peter actually says the money was their’s and they could do whatever they wanted with it

The issue was that THEY LIED

Peter describes their dishonesty as Satan “filling their heart” - a contrast against being “filled with the Spirit”

Their dishonesty was a sin against God himself

Rather than participating with the Spirit of God to bring UNITY to the church, they were participating with the enemy to bring DISUNITY to the church

#4 | God judges the two, severely and publicly

Acts 5:9–10 CSB

9 Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree 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.” 10 Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband.

Peter points out that they were testing God - seeing how much they could get away with

The answer was clear: Don’t do that

Notice that Peter didn’t pronounce judgement - he just recognized it was happening

Only God has the authority to make such a judgement call

#5 | The result of this judgement, was a powerful warning against sin

Acts 5:11 CSB

11 Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.

The church community received some clear messages:

God has the right and the power to judge anyone whenever He chooses

God’s mercy and patience ISN’T a license to sin

Romans 2:3–4 CSB

3 Do you think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Dishonesty has no place in the body of Jesus because it separates what God has made One in Jesus

Ephesians 4:25–27 CSB

25 Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the devil an opportunity.

ANOTHER ANGLE: God’s judgement against these two people was a mercy towards thousands of others

This important lesson against tolerating lies in the church would save the early church from destroying itself

APPLY

[Pose the following questions for group discussion, offering the suggested answers below only if the group has nothing to say or drifts too far off topic]

What are the “big ideas” you see in this passage?

Suggested “big ideas”

As humans, if we have an unbalanced view of God’s mercy we will begin to think we can get away with anything and not take Him seriously

We tend to allow too much disunity in the church - gossip, slander, bickering, petty offense

Those behaviors and attitudes cannot be tolerated, because they will tear the community apart

Jesus has made the church body One in Him - and when we lie to one another, we sin against Him directly

How do these ideas apply in your life? and what might be some next steps?

Suggested application

I have to remember that God’s mercy is to inspire me to stop sinning, not to see how much I can get away with

I must develop a zero-tolerance for dishonesty in my heart, actions, and words

REFLECT

Prayer Point

Pray that God would convict us of any deceit or selfishness we have been allowing into our lives or in the church.

Devotional Question

Read Ephesians 4:1-4. God places a high value on unity in the church. Have you? What changes do you need to make?