Sermon Tone Analysis
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*Acts 5*
Satan is still attacking the believers, and as he does, he uses a dual plan: deception from within and persecution from without.
Satan is a liar and a murderer, and we see him operating in both spheres in this chapter.
*I.* *Opposition from Within (5:1–16)*
Here we see Satan operating as the serpent, using believers within the assembly to hinder the work of the Lord.
/A./ /The deception (vv.
1–2)./
Ananias and Sapphira wanted to gain the reputation for being more spiritual than they actually were.
When the others brought their donations (4:34–37), these two were jealous and wanted the same recognition.
Please keep in mind that their sin was not stealing money from God, because Peter stated in v. 4 that it was in their own power to use the money as they wished.
Their sin was hypocrisy, trying to appear more spiritual than they really were.
/B./ /The discovery (vv.
3–4)./
Peter was a man with Spirit-given discernment.
Here we see him exercising the “binding and loosing” power given to him by Christ (Matt.
16:19).
Sin is always discovered in one way or another.
This couple had not mentioned anything openly, but the terrible sin was in their hearts.
They had lied to the Spirit of God who was graciously working in the hearts of the believers, leading them to sell their belongings and share with others.
/C./ /The deaths (vv.
5–11)./
This was not a case of “church discipline” since God dealt with the sinners directly.
The two deaths illustrate the kind of judgment Christ will exercise during the kingdom (see Jer. 23:5 and Rev. 19:15).
Unlike local church discipline, where the pastor and the church investigate a matter, give opportunity for repentance and forgiveness, and seek to restore the erring ones, this was a definite case of divine judgment.
It is interesting to compare this chapter to Joshua 7, where the covetous Achan tried to hide sin from God and was killed.
Great fear fell on the church (v.
11) as people saw the hand of God at work.
/D./ /The testimony (vv.
12–16)./
The assembly was now unified and magnified, and it therefore multiplied.
This will always happen when an assembly is purged of sin.
Satan works inside the church and tries to divide it, disgrace it, and destroy it; but if we let the Spirit work, we will detect the devil’s operation and avoid church problems.
It is not the church that welcomes everybody that has the best testimony, for the people were afraid to join the church there in Jerusalem (v.
13).
A local church must have standards and must let the Spirit lead.
Note that Peter is the key man at this period of church history; even his shadow was thought to bring healing.
Satan still opposes the work of the church from within.
Paul warned the elders that wolves would come in from the outside to attack the flock, but also that men would arise “from among yourselves” to harm the church (Acts 20:29–30, NKJV).
The greatest danger the church faces today is not so much opposition from without, but sin from within.
This is why it is important to seek God’s guidance in receiving new members and in disciplining those who stray.
[1]
TITLE: The Church as a community
TEXT: Acts 4:32‑5:14
Objective: The church is here to meet our needs.
We must at all times understand that we are to do the work of caring for those around us in an honest and truthful way.
INTRODUCTION:
1. KEYS TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM 1:1-6:7
5.
The leaders took responsibility in dealing with problems in the church.
(5:1-11; 6:1-7)
8.
The devotion to these elements produced a unity which caused them to find favor with those around who were observing, resulting in many being added to the faith.
(2:47; 5:13)
9.
The unity and sincerity of their faith was threatened by the display of religious activity without inner integrity, and was disciplined severely (5:1-11)
2.
God's Work is always disturbed by man's devices.
These devices are prompted by Satan
I.
The church community Acts 4:32‑37
A.
Taking care of one another
1.
Meeting financial needs
2.
Meeting the needs of food, clothing, shelter
B.
Taking care of encouragement needs.
v.
36
C.
Result of taking care of one another v.
33
1.
Great Grace was upon them all
2.
There was no lacking
3.
People were greatly encouraged
II.
Misuse of the system 5:1‑10
A.
Lie of Ananias and Sapphira
1.
Could have kept some for themselves
2.
Decided together to lie
B.
Caught in their lie--Directed by the Holy Spirit
1.
Died that instant
2.
Discipline is essential
III.
Result of the purified church 5:11‑14
A.
Fear came on all
B.
Scared to join the church ‑‑ 13
‑‑Lord added people to the church 14
Lessons:
1.
We have many who are in need of encouragement
2.
We should be willing to help another family in time of need
3.
Wounded heart
‑‑dries the bones
‑‑Causes death
‑‑isolation
4.
We must reach out to those who are wounded
5.
We must purify the church
6.
KEYS TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM 1:1-6:7
5.
The leaders took responsibility in dealing with problems in the church.
(5:1-11; 6:1-7)
8.
The devotion to these elements produced a unity which caused them to find favor with those around who were observing, resulting in many being added to the faith.
(2:47; 5:13)
9.
The unity and sincerity of their faith was threatened by the display of religious activity without inner integrity, and was disciplined severely (5:1-11)
\\ ----
[1]Wiersbe, Warren W.: /Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament/.
Wheaton, Ill.
: Victor Books, 1997, c1992, S. 287
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