Lying To God

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. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 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, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 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. 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? 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.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 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.” 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. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Today we begin a new section of the book of Acts. We are dealing with

1. The Spread Of The Gospel In Jerusalem Chs. 1-8:3

a. The Preparation Of The Disciples To Preach Ch. 1

b. The Enabling Of The Disciples To Preach Ch. 2

c. The Opportunity For And Opposition Against The Disciples To Preach Chs. 3-4:31

d. The Problems That Burden The Disciples To Preach Chs. 4:32-6:7

Today we are going to deal with

The Problem Of Lying To The Holy Spirit 4:32-5:11

1. The selflessness of the early church vv. 32-37

The Problem Of Lying To The Holy Spirit 4:32-5:11

a. Selflessness expressed through sharing vv. 32-35

Let’s begin with PRAYER.

On February 26, 2014 The Patriot Ledger, a newspaper in Quincy, MA, reported the following. “Tuesday, the city’s licensing board approved a plan to open a Honey Dew Donuts at the café counter inside the new $30 million YMCA … It will be the only Honey Dew store in Quincy. … However, because of the Y’s focus on physical fitness, the vendor won’t sell doughnuts, said Sara Trubiano, spokeswoman for the South Shore YMCA said. … The new Honey Dew will sell coffee, low-fat muffins, salads, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit cups and smoothies, Trubiano said. All menu items must first be approved by Y leadership.” Did you catch that? Honey Dew Donuts will not be selling donuts. Instead they will sell salad. Because everyone wants to go into a doughnut shop and get salad, right? This shop compromised and ended up with the ridiculous situation of a doughnut shop that doesn’t sell donuts! Compromise never leads to blessing and joy. Compromise leads to difficulty and pain. Our passage this morning deals with compromise and its consequences.

Because of the Y’s focus on physical fitness, the vendor won’t sell doughnuts, said Sara Trubiano, spokeswoman for the South Shore YMCA said. ...

The new Honey Dew will sell coffee, low-fat muffins, salads, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit cups and smoothies, Trubiano said. All menu items first must be approved by Y leadership.

There is a clear contrast presented in these verses. You have the attitude and activity of Barnabas and the early church on one side, and that of Ananias and Sapphira on the other side.

“Little” compromises can lead to big consequences.

There is eternal significance to any compromise.

Today we will be challenged to avoid compromise and live to exalt Christ.

There is a clear contrast presented in these verses. You have the attitude and activity of Barnabas and the early church on one side, and that of Ananias and Sapphira on the other side. We are first presented with…

i. Sharing possessions v. 32

1. The Selflessness Of The Early Church vv. 32-37

This has already been mentioned by Luke in the end of Ch. 2. Having described the first wave of persecution, Luke now turns to the internal activity of the early church. What we see is both challenging and encouraging. We find…

ii. Sharing power v. 33

a. Selflessness expressed through sharing vv. 32-35

Those who believe are described as a multitude in v. 32. There could easily be around 10,000 believers at this point. The words used here express great unity. Their minds, wills, and emotions are aligned. One evidence of this is that they were willing to share their possessions. No one considered the things they owned as elusively their own. They shared equally. Their activity provides us with a challenge.

iii. Sharing proceeds vv. 34-35

Those who believe are described as a multitude. There are probably 10,000 believers at this point.

The words used here express great unity. Their minds, wills, and emotions are aligned. One evidence of this is that they were willing to share their possessions. No one considered the things they owned as elusively their own. They shared equally. This unity and commonality seems to be what enabled v. 33 to take place.

In the body of Christ we belong to one another. We should be willing to share possessions for the common good of the body. Connected to that is to treat the goods of others with the care and respect you would want them to treat yours. However, you can’t get mad at Larry when he borrows something and ruins it because you are part of the same body! You should care more for Larry than you do for your stuff! Our stuff is temporary. People are eternal. The early church believed and practiced this reality. This unity and commonality seems to be what enabled v. 33 to take place.

“Gave witness” is the idea of repayment. When we witness for Christ we are repaying, in a small measure, all that He has done for us. There is also a measure of authentication here. The apostles are authenticating, testifying to the fact of Christ’s resurrection. As a result, there is great grace experienced by all. Grace has saved us and it is by grace that we stand! The great grace we have experienced ought to lead to great power in testifying and witnessing of Christ! The one who has been forgiven much, loves much.

1. Selling property v. 34

Challenge: The great grace we have experienced ought to lead to great power in testifying and witnessing of Christ! The one who has been forgiven much, loves much.

These believers did more than just share their possessions. They sacrificed property to help one another! This is described in v. 34. Nobody lacked! No one was poor or needy because they were willing to sell the temporary possessions of this life to help their brothers and sisters in Christ. The idea seems to be of having extra property and possessions and selling them. They are not putting themselves in need to help others. This common ownership and sharing was mentioned in 2:44-45. Yet 2:46 mentions that they broke bread from house to house. They are not selling their only home. They seem to be selling extra land and property to help others have basic necessities.

2. Spreading prosperity v. 35

iii. Sharing proceeds vv. 34-35

b. Selflessness expressed through giving vv. 36-37

1. Selling property v. 34

Nobody lacked! No one was poor or needy because they were willing to sell the temporary possessions of this life to help their brothers and sisters in Christ. The idea seems to be of having extra property and possessions and selling them. They are not putting themselves in need to help others. This common ownership and sharing was mentioned in 2:44-45. Yet 2:46 mentions that they broke bread from house to house. They are not selling their only home. They seem to be selling extra land and property to help others have basic necessities.

There is a lot of trust placed in the apostles in v. 35. They are in charge of distribution and of knowing who has needs. On the flip side, they couldn’t know people had needs if the people didn’t share that. Those who were in need had to recognize and admit their need and then they had to accept help when it was offered. Do we have surplus things that are not really needs? Things that could be sold to help others in the body of Christ have basic necessities? This is a difficult and challenging question! Yet that is how the early church functioned. They were selfless in their sharing. Further, we find their…

i. Giving encouragement v. 36

2. Spreading prosperity v. 35

There is a lot of trust placed in the apostles. They are in charge of distribution and of knowing who has needs. On the flip side, they couldn’t know people had needs if the people didn’t share that. Those who were in need had to recognize and admit their need and then they had to accept help when it was offered.

Challenge: Do we have surplus things that are not really needs? Things that could be sold to help others in the body of Christ have basic necessities? This is a difficult and challenging question!

ii. Giving earnings v. 37

b. Selflessness expressed through giving vv. 36-37

2. The selfishness of a husband and wife vv. 1-11

These verses set up ch. 5. I believe it is best to see this section and 5:1-11 as being part of one story. It is good to be reminded that chapter and verse divisions are not inspired. They were added much later. Chapter divisions were done by Stephen Langton in 1382. Verse divisions in the OT were done by Rabbi Nathan in 1448 and the NT verses were added by Stephanus in 1555. I am deeply grateful for these men and the work they did. However, sometimes the chapter and verse divisions hinder a proper understanding of the text. This is one of those times. So we will just ignore the chapter division today.

In v. 36 we are introduced to Barnabas. Barnabas is a favorite Bible character of mine because of his encouraging nature. He was such an encouragement to those around him that they changed his name to “Son of Encouragement”! Some manuscripts have his name as “Joseph” so if you are looking at a more recent translation that is what you probably have. This man was a huge blessing to the early church. We are going to learn later that he was instrumental in bringing Paul into the early church. He was always willing to give people a chance, or in John Mark’s case, a second chance. The word translated “encouragement” here is the Greek word παράκλησις (paraklēsis) meaning comfort; encouragement. Consolation, the act of giving relief or comfort in affliction. This is the same root word given for the Holy Spirit when He is called our comforter!

i. Giving encouragement v. 36

Barnabas is a favorite Bible character of mine because of his encouraging nature. He was such an encouragement to those around him that they changed his name to “Son of Encouragement”! Some manuscripts have his name as “Joseph” so if you are looking at a more recent translation that is what you probably have. This man was a huge blessing to the early church. We are going to learn later that he was instrumental in bringing Paul into the early church. He was always willing to give people a chance, or in John Mark’s case, a second chance. The word translated “encouragement” here is the Greek word παράκλησις (paraklēsis) meaning comfort; encouragement. Consolation, the act of giving relief or comfort in affliction. This is the same root word given for the Holy Spirit when He is called out comforter!

Encouragement – παράκλησις (paraklēsis)

There are three interesting things about Barnabas. 1 - His name change. Which we already discussed. 2 - He is a Levite. They weren’t supposed to own land. Yet by this point that wasn’t enforced. It is also possible that the land he owned was outside Israel. 3 - He is from Cyprus. Cyprus is 3rd largest island in the Mediterranean it is NW of Israel (S). The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary describes it as

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Cyprus (Place)

A Mediterranean island located 43 miles S of Asia Minor, 76 miles W of Syria, and 264 miles N of Egypt.

Barnabas was a man who freely gave encouragement. He also gave monetarily in v. 37. Barnabas had land. This specifically references a farm or field. He sold it and gave the money to the apostle’s. What was generally described in vv. 34-35 is now given a specific example from the life of Barnabas.

ii. Giving earnings v. 37

a. Selfishness expressed through defrauding vv. 1-6

ii. Giving earnings v. 37

Barnabas had land. This specifically references a farm or field. He sold it and gave the money to the apostle’s. What was generally described in vv. 34-35 is now given a specific example from the life of Barnabas.

This was the generosity and self-sacrificial giving of the early church. This serves to give a strong contrast with what will take place in the beginning of ch. 5. The generosity of Barnabas is challenging. Would those who see our lives rename us with a name like “encouraging”? Are we committed to our brothers and sisters in Christ to the point that we would sell our own property to provide for their needs? Barnabas was. He is an example for us to follow. As we learn more of his life in the book of Acts we will find a man of consistency, faithfulness, and self-sacrificial service. The selflessness of the early church contrasts sharply with…

Challenge: Would those who see our lives rename us with a name like “encouraging”? Are we committed to our brothers and sisters in Christ to the point that we would sell our own property to provide for their needs? Barnabas was. He is an example for us to follow. As we learn more of his life in the book of Acts we will find a man of consistency, faithfulness, and self-sacrificial service.

The selflessness of the early church contrasts sharply with…

2. The Selfishness Of A Husband And Wife vv. 1-11

i. The fraud decided vv. 1-2

1. Opportunity to defraud v. 1

There is a very important question that must be asked about this couple as we begin. The question is “are Ananias and Sapphira believers?” While I will not presume to know anyone’s heart, there are some Biblical realities that help us answer this question. First let’s answer it from the context. The context is believers sharing with one another. The positive example of Barnabas has been given, now a negative example is given. As already mentioned, this is one continuous story. The context is of early church believers and their activity. We have already learned in Acts that there are thousands of believers. They have all been baptized and are enjoying fellowship.

states that only sons are disciplined (S).

Hebrews 12:8 NKJV

But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

The fact that they are disciplined by God demonstrates that they were believers! If they were unbelievers, their actions here would be consistent with their unbelief, while leaving them facing the judgment of eternal condemnation for their rejection of Christ, it would not lead to temporal punishment. For these reasons it seems best to view them as believers. As such, their experience serves as a strong warning to us as believers. Failure to live in submission to Christ can lead to severe consequences.

For these reasons it seems best to view them as believers. As such, their experience serves as a strong warning to us as believers. Failure to live in submission to Christ can lead to severe consequences.

Again we note that there is a contrast presented here. The selflessness of the early church is being contrasted with the selfishness of Ananias and Sapphira. We first find this…

a. Selfishness expressed through defrauding vv. 1-6

2. Occasion to defraud v. 2

Verses 1-2 describe for us The fraud decided. The wording in v. 1 seems to suggest ‘Ananias being the instigator and mastermind of this plan. In studying this I learned that I have mispronounced this name all my life. In Greek there is a mark before this name giving it an “h” sound at the beginning. His name is actually Hananias. His name means “whom Jehovah has graciously given”. His wife’s name is better pronounced SaPphera. In Aramaic her name means “beautiful”. Talk about not living up to your name! ‘Ananias and Sapphira sell a possession. This most likely refers to property containing lands and houses. So far so good. V. 2 is where the problems start.

1. Opportunity to defraud v. 1

ii. The fraud discovered vv. 3-4

The wording seems to suggest ‘Ananias being the instigator and mastermind of this plan. You know you learn something new when you study the Word. I learned that I have mispronounced this name all my life. In Greek there is a mark before this name giving it an “h” sound at the beginning. His name is actually Hananias. His name means “whom Jehovah has graciously given”. Talk about not living up to your name! His wife’s name is better pronounced SaPphera. Her name means “a sapphire” or in Aramaic “beautiful”. Both fail to live up to the names they had been given. This couple ‘Ananias and Sapphira sell a possession. This most likely refers to landed property containing lands and houses. So far so good. V. 2 is where the problems start.

1. The source of the fraud v. 3 – Satan

They make a decision to work a fraud. They are going to present a part of the money they recieved but act as though it was all of it. The desire here is obvious. They want the accolades, the acclaim and popularity of having given money from selling property. But they also want to gain financially from this sell. And so they lie. Their motivation is wrong, their thinking is wrong. Everything is wrong here. The text makes this very clear in the words that are used. “Kept back” is the Greek word νοσφίζω (nosphizō) meaning steal; keep back; hold back. To withhold ; refuse to hand over or share.

They make a decision to work a fraud. They are going to present a part of the money they recieved but act as though it was all of it. The desire here is obvious. They want the accolades, the acclaim and popularity of having given money from selling property. But they also want to gain financially from this sell. And so they lie. Their motivation is wrong, their thinking is wrong. Everything is wrong here. The text makes this very clear in the words that are used. “Kept back” – νοσφίζω (nosphizō) steal; keep back; hold back. To withhold v. — to hold back; refuse to hand over or share. Finite verb, aorist, middle, indicative, third person, singular.

Kept back – νοσφίζω (nosphizō)

In withholding part of the price while presenting it as if they gave all, they are stealing! Misrepresentation of funds is stealing! Sapphira is completely aware of what her husband is doing. This makes her an accessory. This lying and fraud is deliberate and planned.

Let me make a connection for you because this is very, very important. What Ananias and Sapphira are doing is attempting to appear spiritual, mature, and holy, when in reality they are selfish, self-centered, and greedy. In short, they are guilty of hypocrisy. So am I. So are you. We have a tendency to harshly judge this couple for their sin while harboring similar sins in our own lives! All of us are tempted to misrepresent ourselves! Someone asks us how we are and we lie! We come to church and put on our best face pretending like everything is okay whether it is or not. That is hypocrisy! That is lying! If there is one place we should be able to let our guard down and show our struggles, fears, and concerns, it should be here. With the body of Christ. While Ananias and Sapphira are an extreme example, we dare not engage in even a small amount of false pretense.

Let me make a connection for you because this is very, very important.

What Ananias and Sapphira are doing is attempting to appear spiritual, mature, and holy, when in reality they are selfish, self-centered, and greedy. In short, they are guilty of hypocrisy. So am I. So are you. We have a tendency to harshly judge this couple for their sin while harboring similar sins in our own lives! All of us are tempted to misrepresent ourselves! Someone asks us how we are and we lie! We come to church and put on our best face pretending like everything is okay whether it is or not. That is hypocrisy! That is lying! If there is one place we should be able to let our guard down and show our struggles, fears, and concerns, it should be here. With the body of Christ. While Ananias and Sapphira are an extreme example, we dare not engage in even a small amount of false pretense.

ii. The fraud discovered vv. 3-4

2. The severity of the fraud v. 4 – Lying to God

Ananias brings part of their money to the apostles and sets it before them. He is thinking he has gotten away with it. Here he is, looking all holy. But vv. 3-4 reveal The fraud discovered. V. 3 is very interesting because it reveals the source of the fraud to be Satan. Satan filled Ananias’ heart. helps us understand what Peter is talking about (S).

iii. The fraud disciplined vv. 5-6

1. The source of the fraud v. 3 – Satan

Ephesians 4:26–27 NKJV

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.

Unconfessed sin in our lives give Satan a platform from which to attack us in other areas! We don’t know what was going on with Ananias and Sapphira but somehow they had given Satan access to their lives and he used that to attack them in this area of greed and pride. It is so essential for us to keep short accounts with God. To keep our sin confessed and our relationship with Him open and unimpeded.

Peter calls out Ananias for lying to the Holy Spirit and keeping back part of the money for himself. He is putting things into perspective by calling it what it is, a lie. He rips off whatever justification and rationalization Ananias had given himself and names the sin. In v. 4 Peter reveals the severity of the fraud. Ananias has lied to God!

2. The severity of the fraud v. 4 – Lying to God

1. Immediate discipline v. 5

Peter asks four questions before he makes his concluding statement. He wants Ananias to understand what he has done as well as the foolishness of this act. There was no reason to do this! When he owned it, it was his. No one made him sell it. When he sold it, the money was his, no one made him give it. This plot that he has made is completely ridiculous! He could have given part and told the truth and all would be well! Instead, he chose to lie. In his mind he was only deceiving the apostles and early believers. But Peter demonstrates that this is a big deal by informing Ananias that he has lied to God.

5:3-4 – The HS is God!

This highlights something important. The Holy Spirit is God! In v. 3 Paul states he lied to the Holy Spirit, then here in v. 4 he says it is God. The Holy Spirit is not a force, influence, or mystical presence. The Holy Spirit is a person and He is God! We find out what happens to Ananias in vv. 5-6 as we see the fraud disciplined. This discipline is immediate and final.

iii. The fraud disciplined vv. 5-6

2. Indisputable discipline v. 6

Ananias immediately collapses and breaths his last breath in v. 5. He dies the moment Peter proclaims that he had lied to God! This was severe error and it required severe discipline. The result of Ananias’ death is great fear comes on all who heard it. People were reminded of the power and sovereignty of God! Our lives are in His hands! Disobedience will be dealt with.

With him being dead his body is wrapped up, carried out, and buried in v. 6. This is swift and final discipline designed to demonstrate to the church that God takes sin very seriously! He took it seriously before Christ's death, serious enough for the Cross, and He takes it just as seriously after. Warren Wiersbe writes that

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: Beware of the Serpent! (Acts 4:32–5:16)

It is worth noting that the Lord judges sin severely at the beginning of a new period in salvation history.

Are we harboring hypocrisy? Are we attempting to lie to God? has a great reminder for us (S).

b. Selfishness expressed through deception vv. 7-11

2. Indisputable discipline v. 6

i. Confirmation of the deception vv. 7-8

Galatians 6:7–8 NKJV

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

We reap what we sow, therefore, consider well what you are sowing. The selfishness of Ananias and Sapphira is displayed through their defrauding. We also find…

The selfishness of Ananias and Sapphira is displayed through their defrauding. We also find…

b. Selfishness expressed through deception vv. 7-11

1. Determined deception v. 7

2. Destructive deception v. 8

No explanation is given of the time gap in v. 7. Sapphira comes in and Peter seeks confirmation of the deception in vv. 7-8. Notice how determined she is to maintain the deception in! Had she come in confessing seeking forgiveness her fate would have been different. She comes in and Peter gives her a chance to come clean in v. 8! Not knowing her husbands fate, Sapphira continues the same destructive deception he had begun. Such simple words. “Did you sell it for this price?” “Yes”. There are moments in our lives when everything hangs in the balance. Will we be honest? Will we confess, come clean, and seek forgiveness? Will we do the right thing? God gives us opportunities to turn around! To abandon the path of sin and resume walking with Christ. Sapphira chose sin. She chose deception and now she faces the consequences of the deception in vv. 9-10.

i. Confirmation of the deception vv. 7-8

ii. Consequences of the deception vv. 9-10

2. Destructive deception v. 8

1. Fatal consequences v. 9

Consequences of the deception vv. 9-10

2. Fixed consequences v. 10

The consequences are fatal and fixed. Peter is astounded and baffled by their behavior in v. 9. “How can you have done this?” Did they really think they would get away with it? That God wouldn’t know or wouldn’t punish? They were testing the Lord. I would submit that this is why they were so severely dealt with. “Test” is the Greek word πειράζω (peirazō) meaning test; put to the test; tempt. To put to the test in order to ascertain the nature of something, including imperfections, faults, or other qualities.

ii. Consequences of the deception vv. 9-10

Test – πειράζω (peirazō)

Notice who they were testing. The Spirit of the Lord. This refers to the master, the owner. They are putting their master to the test! That is not acceptable. We don’t test God! We don’t see how much we can get away with! How far we can push before discipline comes. That is what children do! We are called to be mature. At the beginning of the church age it is necessary for God to display the seriousness of sin.

The decision of Ananias and Sapphira lead to both of them dying (v. 10)! God is not always this immediate. He is often longsuffering. But there is a point at which He says, “enough!” And He takes the determinedly sinful believer home. Some do not like this doctrine. They balk at the idea of God ending believers lives. But that is what Scripture reveals. Others do not believe that a child of God can live in sin to the point that God calls them home. Yet, we must submit ourselves to Scripture. I have heard it said that calling someone home would be a reward because then they get to be with Christ. While it is true that they will “forever be with the Lord”, it is also true that their heavenly reward and ability to serve in eternity will be greatly reduced. This doctrine demands a proper understanding of rewards and their role in our eternal state. That’s something we will have to deal with at another time.

iii. Conclusion of the deception v. 11

2. Fixed consequences v. 10

1. Fear in the church v. 11a

Sapphira collapses, breaths her last, and the same young men take her out and bury her by Ananias. Sin has consequences.

V. 11 concludes this whole debacle for us by explaining the result of this sin and discipline with the Conclusion of the deception. First, great fear comes on the church. Why? Because they could face this too. Not wrath, but discipline. Their reverence and awe of God is increased. He not only saves, He sanctifies. That process sometimes requires the removal of those who detract from His glory.

iii. Conclusion of the deception v. 11

2. Fear in the culture v. 11b

1. Fear in the church v. 11a

Great fear comes on the church. Why? Because they could face this too. Not wrath but discipline. Their reverence and awe of God is increased. He not only saves, He sanctifies. That process sometimes requires the removal of those who detract from His glory.

The whole church, all these believers, fear the Lord more as a result of these events. What happens when the Church has a greater fear of and reverence for God? They are more obedient, more sanctified, and therefore, more effective. The reverence and fear of the Lord make the church what it is designed to be!

Not only is the church effected by these events, everyone who hears about what happened, fears. Today people are so disbelieving, so callus that I wonder if there would be any reaction to a situation of such blatant discipline today. God’s discipline of His children can be a powerful declaration of His presence.

Conclusion

The consequences of dishonoring God can be severe.

“Little” compromises can lead to big consequences.

There is eternal significance to any compromise. We dare not allow even the barest hint of compromise to take root in our lives and hearts. Saying that they were giving all when in reality they only gave a part might have seemed small to Ananias and Sapphira. But God treated it very seriously. There are “little” compromises that we allow that are not “little” in God’s eyes! Every single act of disobedience is an act that nailed Christ to the Cross!

We dare not allow even the barest hint of compromise to take root in our lives and hearts.

Saying that they were giving all when in reality they only gave a part might have seemed small to Ananias and Sapphira. But God treated it very seriously. There are “little” compromises that we allow that are not “little” in God’s eyes!

Every single act of disobedience is an act that nailed Christ to the Cross!

Compromise is disobedience.

I want to close by reminding us of something mentioned earlier.

We reap what we sow, therefore, consider well what you are sowing.

Remind us of something mentioned earlier. We reap what we sow, therefore, consider well what you are sowing.

This week I pray that we will sow seeds that bear spiritual fruit. Fruit that brings honor and glory to Jesus Christ.