Money and Drop Dead Liars

Dodgeball in the nursery

Shortcomings Always Show out

Acts 4:34–37 ESV

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 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5:1–2 ESV

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 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.

Shortcomings Always show out.

Competition

Greed

Insecurity

Scripture doesn’t say why

Why doesn’t matter

It shows in a moment the depravity of ones heart

Mark 7:21–23 ESV

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

-This is scripture

Sanctification - "the process of sanctification takes deliberate action on our part". The action of causing something to be or seem morally right or acceptable.

Babies Learning to walk

Choices are WE Not ME

Acts 5:3–6 ESV

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? 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.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

Acts 5:7–10 (ESV)

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 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.” 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.

Choices are WE Not ME

Our choices of selfishness have affect on others

We only think it has no effect

When someone doesn’t get the best you they are effected

you do not plant corn and expect to harvest beets. You cannot “plant” sin—even in private—and not expect to reap a harvest of consequences. And consequences have a way of spilling out over everyone and anyone that comes into contact with us because of another principle called "association." This means that those around you can be blessed or hurt by association with you and the choices and actions you make, both privately and publicly.

Your own life

Thoughts

Actions

responses

Guilt and shame are deadly

Your family

Your kids

Your job

Grafting and fungus in trees

Acts 5:10–11 (ESV)

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. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Issue with today

We don’t like hell, fire, and brimstone but we love the grace of God

Loving trust vs sobering fear