Untitled Sermon (3)

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? You have not lied just to human beings 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 some 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 conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! 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.      ACTS 5:1-11

· What IN THE WORLD is going on here? 

· Through the Holy Spirit, We’ve seen miraculous healing, powerful sermons, and God adding to and multiplying the church—now we get subtraction?

THE HOLY SPIRIT:

· CREATES A COMMUNITY OF SINCERE GENEROSITY

o We need to understand the context of the passage in ACTS 5…

o The new movement is only months old—growing quickly and one of its values is radical sincere generosity.  Context in chapter 4…

33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who 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.            ACTS 4:33-37

· This is a miracle.  And we know Joseph’s name because of the kind of generosity he showed.  People took note

· “Put it at apostles’ feet” ---completely gave it over.  not directing it or controlling it, but saying God, what’s mine is yours.  Because…

WHEN WE TRULY GRASP GRACE, IT LEADS TO GENUINE GENEROSITY!

THE HOLY SPIRIT:

· CREATES A COMMUNITY OF SINCERE GENEROSITY

· REVEALS TRUTH

o He will open up our minds and heart to see what’s really going on.  Sometimes called a word of knowledge.  This is what He does with Peter

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? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”  ACTS 5:3-4

· Notice “filled your heart” is the same as being “filled with the Holy Spirit”. Allowed to come and influence, even control.

· We are always being filled with something.  What you put in, what you meditate on, what you surrender to will begin to influence you.

o Ananias and Sapphira find an angle to be seen as special.  They want to be like Joseph/Barnabas.  They want the praise of people!

o It was your money, your prerogative, you could have said, I sold it and want to give 25%--AMAZING! 

o But They are Clout Chasers, Want to Be Influencers!

THE HOLY SPIRIT:

· CREATES A COMMUNITY OF SINCERE GENEROSITY

· REVEALS TRUTH

· EXPOSES HYPOCRISY

o What this passage is NOT SAYING:

§ You have to give all your money—not COMMUNISM, but COMMONISM

· Ex.—they had lost jobs for the sake of faith.

§ If you sin you die, Judgment is coming for you. 

§ THERE IS NO JUDGMENT FOR CHRISTIANS, BUT THERE IS JUSTICE

· Christ has taken care of Judgment for us. But there are consequences.

o Why does He do this?  Why DOESN’T He do this all the time now?

§ ILLUS:Startup company whose brand and credibility isn’t fully formed yet. If you had an employee lie to a customer, the CEO would be fully justified to fire the employee.  10 years later with 100 million in sales and 1000 employees, you may not fire an employee who does the same thing—although it’s in your right.  And the employee should not presume on the mercy of the CEO.  But the stakes are different.

o God cannot allow hypocrisy to infiltrate His community of sincere generosity…

o What does He do about it? 

o As much as we dislike Ananias and Sapphira, we are like them

§ How many times have we wanted to look more spiritual than we are?  To get credit for what we haven’t actually done? 

· EX. I’ll pray for you; really pray! 

o Some of the people who are the biggest show and loudest critics support the least. 

o Beat with the club of truth but no grace to help

o Use Bible to justify our

o WHAT WILL GOD DO? –THE GIFT OF GRACE IN CONVICTION of SIN

THE HOLY SPIRIT:

· CREATES A COMMUNITY OF SINCERE GENEROSITY

· REVEALS TRUTH

· EXPOSES HYPOCRISY

· CONVICTS OF SIN

o Jesus had said this is one of the things the indwelling Holy Spirit will do when He comes. He will help us by convicting us. 

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 conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

ACTS 5:7-9

· Sapphira had a chance to confess her sin, that Ananias did not.  She doubled down on the lie. 

· Without the Holy Spirit at work in us, when we are caught, the pattern looks like this-

THE CONVICTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS TO…

· CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE

OR

· CONCEALMENT AND REBELLION

· Conviction is different than Condemnation

o CONDEMNATION IS HAZY, HATEFUL AND HOPELESS

§ Not specific, identity centered, lost cause

o CONVICTION is HIGH DEFINITION, HELPFUL AND HOPEFUL

§ Specific sin—clear path—I’ll apologize; from love like a good parent

"The sin that is most destructive in your life right now is the one you are most defensive about."—TIM KELLER

o We are scared to be found out.  And the shame and darkness that surrounds that secret turns into a stronghold.  We think if it comes down it is a crashing, destructive result. 

o But God the Holy Spirit wants to set us free.  He is Creative, remember?

IN THE HANDS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, CONFESSION IS CREATIVE NOT CATASTROPHIC

o This is the opportunity to find mercy, grace, freedom, cleansing, light and restoration.

o “Create in me a clean heart” David in confession

"The Holy Spirit's conviction feels like pain, but it's actually the road to healing. It's the divine surgeon cutting away what will destroy us."—J.D. GREARR

o Creates chance to be transformed. 

o Creates experience of Holy Spirit—the fastest way to experience Him is confession and repentance

32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” JOHN 8:32

· The Holy Spirit loves to help us.  He is the Advocate, the Helper.  So, He will EMPOWER US TO DO WHAT HE INVITES US TO DO.

THE HOLY SPIRIT:

· CREATES COMMUNITY OF SINCERE GENEROSITY

· REVEALS TRUTH

· EXPOSES HYPOCRISY

· CONVICTS OF SIN

· EMPOWERS CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE

o He gives us strength, ideas, healing, security in our identity. 

BIG IDEA:

THE CONVICTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A GIFT THAT LEADS TO GRACE AND FREEDOM

"A church without the Spirit's conviction is either dead or dying. The presence of loving conviction is a sign of spiritual health, not harshness." - FRANCIS CHAN

13 None of the rest dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.   ACTS 5:13-14  NKJV

· ILLUS: First paratroopers in WW2 were revered, they were held in esteem.  Nobody would try to pretend to be one.  attach a parachute and walk around. 

· “None of the rest” the Pharisees trying to infiltrate, imposters stopped trying to join. For a time the destructive inside is stopped.  But people keep joining. 

· BECAUSE—a community of sincere generosity and grace filled, authentic living is attractive.  Not just then but now…