Sin as Self-Deception

Introduction

Series recall.

Sin is culpable shalom breaking

Sin is a predator

Today we look at sin as Self-Deceit. This is important because tends to devour us slowly over time through our own self-justification.

Ananias and Sapphira

: The Promise of the HS (To the Apostles/Great Commission)

Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology 9.3. The Narrative Progression of the Mission in Acts

Jesus’ missionary instructions thus fly in the face of the generally acknowledged holiness of the temple and its status as the location of God’s presence. The boundaries to be crossed by this mission are deeply rooted in Israel’s self-identity, so that the mission mandated for Jesus’ followers calls for a transformation of conventional ideas about “the way God made the world,” “the way the world is.” But in “evangelizing the poor” (Luke 4:16–30)—that is, in proclaiming good news to those of low social status (women, Samaritans, toll collectors, and the like)—Jesus had already set in motion this world-transforming, revolutionary mission.

: Pentecost (Summary at end of 2)

The New International Version Chapter 2

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachingx and to fellowship, to the breaking of bready and to prayer.z 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.a 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.b 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.c 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.d They broke breade in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.f And the Lord added to their numberg daily those who were being saved.

The New International Version Chapter 2

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachingx and to fellowship, to the breaking of bready and to prayer.z 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.a 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.b 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.c 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.d They broke breade in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.f And the Lord added to their numberg daily those who were being saved.

The New International Version Chapter 2

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachingx and to fellowship, to the breaking of bready and to prayer.z 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.a 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.b 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.c 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.d They broke breade in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.f And the Lord added to their numberg daily those who were being saved.

: Chapters three and four tell of the trials that some of the Apostles are going through and what the church is doing by praying, taking care of the poor, bringing together all their possessions, etc.  Luke makes it a point to say that the church was bigger than just one person.  Headed by one Lord, the church “were in one heart and one mind” (4:32).  Johnson points out that Luke understands the movement of the God in the early church is bigger than any one person or group of people in the community; it is a movement of God. "At the most basic level, this perception leads the church—and every individual within the assembly—to grasp that the church is not answerable to itself or to its traditions, but to the presence and power that presses upon it at every moment” (66).

: Chapters three and four tell of the trials that some of the Apostles are going through and what the church is doing by praying, taking care of the poor, bringing together all their possessions, etc.  Luke makes it a point to say that the church was bigger than just one person.  Headed by one Lord, the church “were in one heart and one mind” (4:32).  Johnson points out that Luke understands the movement of the God in the early church is bigger than any one person or group of people in the community; it is a movement of God. "At the most basic level, this perception leads the church—and every individual within the assembly—to grasp that the church is not answerable to itself or to its traditions, but to the presence and power that presses upon it at every moment” (66).

5:1-2

Ananias (Hebrew, “the Lord is gracious) and Sapphira (Aramaic, “beautiful”) sell property and keep some of the money for themselves.

3-4

“father of lies” starts in the heart

This sin was not against anyone but against God

5-10

Saphira’s lie

The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary C. Ananias and Sapphira (5:1–11)

Luke sees this story not just as being about human greed and duplicitous actions but about an invasion of the community of the Spirit by the powers of darkness, by means of Ananias.

A and S “were hoping that by counterfeiting the gesture, they could both partake of the community life and ‘hold back something of their own.’ Once more, Luke uses the language of possessions to express self disposition. Like Judas, this couple had Satan enter their hearts; like Judas, they broke fellowship by seeking something of their own.” LTJ (Acts 92)

C. Keener: Judgment Miracles; B. Witherington: May not be

Read Plantinga, Armor Mortis (P. 47-48 para 1&2)

Close

Contrast A and S 4:32-37 (especially Barnabas)

The slow fade to death (Mirror)

The Gospel

Contrast A and S 4:32-37 (especially Barnabas)

Call to repentance