Holding Back from God
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32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
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34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
Lands, Houses… more than one. they had extra. they nevre gave away what was needed to sustain their familys needs.
when they did sell land or houses they brought the proceeds to the church and gave to the apostles so that they could give as was needed to the people as seen in vs 35
35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
in this verse we see that Barnabas sold his only land and gave the proceeds,
remember the motive here, to help others as they had need. to sustain life as they grew in Gods Word and got rooted in their faith.
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
Ananias and his wife,
They were together, they were one.
Sold a peice of property.
This indicates to me that they actually had more property left over.
We know that the ones who were selling houses and properties were not selling the main living quarters.
But Ananis and his wife sold a peice, i beleive they actually had other properties as well that they still owned.
This is all ok, no sin in owning properties. Good for them as I am sure they had worked hard to have these.
vs 2
2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
with his wifes knowledge..
She knew what he was doing, I think she didnt just have knowledge of what he was doing but had actually agreed with what he did.
what did they do?
They sold the property, then kept some of the money for themselves.
then they went to the apostles and laid the money at their feet,
Here you Peter, we just sold some property and here is the money!
This is a picture of trying to appear to be something that they werent.
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
wht were they trying to be,
what were they trying to look like,
they wanted to look like everyone else their,
They wanted to look like christians. I dont beleive they were saved at all. for verse 3 shows me this.
vs 2, the second part , it says that a witness saw that Ananis sold the property for one amount and yet Ananias only brought part of the money and was claiming they this is what he had sold it for.
Do you see that part in verse 2 in your bible?
I dont see it in my bible either.
So How did Peter know this?
Peter was called and appointed by God to sherpeherd these people.
The Holy Spirit had told Peter,
It was only after the ordination service that was held for me by three pastore that God had used in a powerful way in my life.
It was when they had laid hands on me and prayed over me and for me.
This was a night I wont ever forget, i thought it was just a formoritly. So that it could be said I was a Pastor now.
It was so much bigger that this. It was bigger that anything than man could ever do. It was God doing what He does.
God had ordained me, man was just being obedeint to Him in this service.
After this service God began to show me things, to equip me for things that I would be dealing with.
God would show me problems with people , families without my eyes seeing it or ears hearing of it.
And God was right!
The Holy Spirit is alive and working.
At times I have been asked something and I have said no, or not yet.
I dont have a answer as to why but I only know the answer.
Some might think who does he think he is, of course thisis Gods Will.
It very well may be Gods Will but the timing isnt right. God says go, stop and wait.
God tells me that I have to give a account one day for each person here… I will be obedient and listen to Him no matter what.
No one told Peter about what has happened, the Holy Spirit has told Peter.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
I had previously said that I didnt thing Ananias was a christian, its because of this verse.
Satan has filled your heart Ananias.
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
A Christian has Christ in them.
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Jesus will not hold hands with satan.
I beleive Ananias was only trying to seem to be releigious, wanting to fit in without surrending to God.
I beleive this is a big problem today.
It really is and we see this in the Bible, 1 out of 4, and .
A hyprocrite, a two faced person.
A hyprocrite, being something your not. A Actor.
Ananias, why have you lied to the Holy Spirit?
You held back part of the proceeds for yourself.
Now some may want to think that maybe they were holding back to give the rest at a later date.
Dont be fooled by this.
Its been said you might fool me, you might even fool yourself but you will never fool God!
Ananis why are you trying to fool God, You are lying to God !
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
Ananias did not have to sell his property.
after he sold it he did not have to give any of it to the apostles.
Peter ask a question… Why have you contrived this deed in your heart?
You haven’t lied to man, You have lied to God!
in verse 4 i see an oppertunity here for Ananias,
I see a oppertunity that Peter is giving to Ananias to confess, to repent of what he has done but we see nothing at all here.
in verse 3 we see it was satan that filled his heart to do this,
yet in verse 4 we see that it was Ananias that contrived, meaning he laid this in his own heart as well.
Ananias was about self as so was his wife!
The onle person that was told to give all was the rich young ruler in ,
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Ananias could have said I want to give this amount to you from the proceeds of my land.
But he didnt do this, he gave it as if he was giving it all.
How many times do we seem to be giving all that we have and all that we are to God and yet we hold back for ourselves?
I remember the first time I had studied this text years ago and then went to church and heard the who church sing I surrended all.
I was like ducking and scared to death.
I was expecting the whole church to just drop dead right their!
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
5
Ananias had said, I surrender all to you Lord, here it is. and bammm. dead as a doornail.
look at the second part of this verse,
and great fear came upon all who heard it!
I wonder why they were scared?
It goes without saying.
6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
three hours later,
The wife comes in, no cell phones, no text, no messageing so she had not a clue as to what had happened to her husband.
She comes walking in supposeing all the others woud be looking at her as a super spirtual pperson who had sold property and gave the proceeds to the apostles.
Yeah we did that. Its me.
But she was met by Peter at the door.
8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
So many people read this in and think God had no grace, gave no second chance, this was harsh.
But dont miss it, in verse 8 Peter asks her.
She like her husband had a chance to confess.
But she like her husband said nope. This is my story and Im sticking to it!
What a bad decesion it was for Sapphira.
9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
Sapphira just heard the news of the death of her husband.
and she never had time to mourn his death,
10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
Annanias and Sapphira lied to God together and were buried together.
They were in this together,
All to many times we all try to be what we are not. The result in Gods eyes.
We are lieing to Him!
God tells us to come to Him as we are, Its our slogan here at CCB, come as you are!
God already knows who you are, He knows where you are.
Don’t try to fool Him, God cant be fooled.
Why did Annanias and Sapphira do what they did?
Jesus taught about this in
Dont be what you arent so that others will think more of you than they ought to.
1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
So why did God strike them dead?
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mt
Back in verse 11
11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
This is the very first verse that the word church is seen.
God made a example to the people. Great Fear came upon the whole church.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
This was from satan, Jesus had already said, I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail agains it!
They had agreed to sin together.
They had agreed to not give to God together.
How many couples today agree together to be what they arent?
How many people with hold from God?
Witholding tithes,
Witholding gifts
With holding time, spirtual gifts, with holding worship.
What do we with hold from God in order to satisfy ourselves?
witholding
How often do we think of what God wants over what we want and still surrender to what God wants?
This is the picture of
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Why dosent God do this today?
If God did this today their would not be a church.
Liars, Hypocrites, Deceivers.
That pretty much decribes us.
Its been said, If yo dont like hyprocsisy and you end up leaving here to find another church. If you find one without hyprocisy dont go their because you will reuin it!
But just as Annanis and Sapphira had the opportunity to confess and to repent of their holding back from God, we to have this opportunity this morning.