Liar Liar Pants On Fire

Acts 5:1–11 NKJV

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together 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 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

1-THE STORY OF BOB HARRIS THE WEATHER MAN FOR WPIX-TV

2-A LIST OF FAMOUS AMERICAN FIBS

1-THE MOTIVE

A- ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA WANTED TO MAKE A NAME FOR THEMSELVES.

NOTICE THE BUT THAT CHAPTER 5 STARTS OUT WITH. THIS MEANS THAT THERE HAD TO BE SOMETHING THAT PRECEDED THIS EVENT.

Acts 4:36–37 NKJV

36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 4 NKJV

1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. 5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed. 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ 27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

ACTS 4

ACTS 4:36+-37

APPARENTLY THIS ACT PERFORMED BY BARNABAS WAS WELL THOUGHT OF BY THOSE IN THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH HAD ABOUT 5000 MEMBERS AND ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE TALKED ABOUT BY ALL OF THEM.

B- YOU ARE ONLY ABLE TO EXALT ONE PERSON IN YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK. IF THE PERSON YOU CHOOSE TO EXALT IS YOURSELF, THEN YOU HAVE MISSED THE POINT ALL TOGETHER.

THE PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR PRAYING IN THE TEMPLE

Luke 18:14 NKJV

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Isaiah 2:11 NKJV

11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

ISAIAH

2- THE JUDGMENT

A- ANANIAS WAS JUDGED INSTANTLY FOR HIS DECEPTION.

Acts 5:3–6 NKJV

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

ACTS 5:3

B-SAPPHIRA WAS GIVEN A CHANCE TO REPENT BEFORE HER JUDGMENT.

ACTS 5:7

Acts 5:7–10 NKJV

7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together 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 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

C- THERE IS COMING A DAY WHEN WE WILL BE JUDGED. BE READY!!!

IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN THEN YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE CAUGHT IDLE. IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN THEN YOU DO NOT WANT TO CAUGHT AT ALL.

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

2 CORINTHIANS

2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Matthew 12:36 NKJV

36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

Matthew 12:31 NKJV

31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

1 Corinthians 3:15 NKJV

15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Revelation 20:15 NKJV

15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

REVELATION 20:16

3- THE FOUNDATION

A- THIS EXAMPLE, GAVE THE CHURCH A HEALTHY FEAR FOR GOD.

Acts 5:11 NKJV

11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

B- WE MUST MAINTAIN A RESPECTFUL FEAR FOR GOD.

PROVERBS 14:

Proverbs 14:27 NKJV

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

PSAL

Psalm 19:9 NKJV

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

Luke 12:4–5 NKJV

4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

1 PETER

1 Peter 2:17 NKJV

17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1 PETER