THE FEARFUL FOOTPATH TO FAITHFULNESS

Deuteronomy 6:13–16 (NASB95)

“You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. “You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, for the Lord your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the Lord your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth. “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah.

Many Christians fear a hot stove or a stoplight more than they fear God.

Biblical Fear happens when a person knows that they are not in control, knows who is in control, and knows that they are accountable to that person. It causes them to examine their thoughts and actions because they know they will have to give an account.

TWO MEN

Barnabas

Acts 4:36–37 (NASB95)

Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Ananias

Acts 5:1–2 (NASB95)

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.

TWO MOTIVATIONS

Giving from Conviction

Acts 4:32 (NASB95)

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

The early Christians rejected Materialism.

Giving from Compulsion

Acts 5:1–2 (NASB95)

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Paul warned the Corinthian church to give for the right reasons, and the same applies to us today.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (NASB95)

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The sin was not keeping some of the money, it was challenging the Holy Spirit on whether He would see and know, and whether He would allow it.

TWO MOVERS

The Spirit of God

Acts 4:31–32 NASB95

And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

Peter affirms the Spirit’s deity.

Acts 5:3–4 (NASB95)

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

The Holy Spirit is a real person, with real power, who will give out real punishment.

The Spirit of Satan

Acts 5:3 NASB95

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?

Satan “filled” in a similar way to the Holy Spirit “filling.”

Acts 5:9 NASB95

Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.”

Sapphira “tested” the Holy Spirit when she lied, assuming that He was not able to discern her thoughts and actions.

Satan encouraged them to test the Holy Spirit to see if He would retaliate.

When pressure is applied to a sponge, everyone can see what it was filled with.

When God gives you a command or a challenge, how you respond will show what spirit you are being led by. What spirit are you filled with this morning?

TWO MULTITUDES

Distant Watchers

Acts 5:12–13 NASB95

At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.

Having fondness for the church and fellowship with the church is not the same thing.

The church is something that you are, not something that you admire.

Dedicated Workers

Acts 5:14–16 NASB95

And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Dr. Mohler:

Acts 1–12 for You (Signs and Wonders)

Verses 12–16 remind us once again that the Lord builds his church, not humans. You may imagine how some Christians might have thought that no one would join the church once word had got out of what happened to Ananias and Sapphira. But the church is not built on marketing strategies or pragmatic advertisement schemes or feelgood programs. The church is built on the power of God’s word and Spirit. Persecution, fear, and negative reports could not keep God’s Spirit from saving sinners and bringing them to Jesus. We should never look for alternative means to spread the gospel that downplay the centrality of God’s word or undermine the truth about his judgment or his salvation. The apostles watched the Spirit at work in bringing men and women to Christ because they were committed to sharing the message of Christ in the power of the Spirit, and so could leave the results to God. We must follow in their footsteps; we must be faithful as they were.

CONCLUSION

Do you want the obedience of Barnabas or the appearance of Ananias?

Are you giving regularly to the Lord out of excitement or expectation?

Are your thoughts moved by God’s ways or the world’s ways?

Are you a watcher or a worker?