Return To: Dumb and Dummer Sermon Menu

Return To: Miscellaneous Sermon Menu

Return To: Lowell F. Johnson Master Sermon Menu

ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA:

THEY LIED AND DIED

Acts 4:36-5:11

Before Reading the Passage

Someone has pointed out, “If can't conquer the , he'll seek to corrupt it.”

The way Satan often does that is by activating some old hypocrite. A hypocrite is an actor … a pretender; usually , with a desire to look better in the eyes of others than they really are. I would remind you that not all hypocrites are lost. In fact, I'm afraid that there are more saved hypocrites than there are lost ones. We are about to meet a couple – a couple that I believe were saved, but they were pretenders … hypocrites.

In -5 the church was in its infancy.

They were a small, struggling band of believers. They really loved the Lord and loved each other, but committing themselves to Jesus was not easy. They were tolerated by the majority, perhaps, but despised and feared by the Jewish leaders. Consequently, to become a Christian often meant disgrace. Men lost their positions. Families disowned and disinherited members who aligned themselves with this growing “sect.” This forced the early Christian community into a communal life style. They pooled their resources, subsidized the poor widows, gave support to believers who were forced out of their jobs. They loved the Lord and loved one another and it showed.

One day a man from the island of sold a piece of property, took the money and gave it to Peter, to help meet the needs of the believers. His name was .

Read the Passage

The believers were not only impressed with the genuine generosity of Barnabas, they were also deeply moved. He came through and gave the church a much-needed encouragement, not only in resources, but by example.

In the same congregation there was a couple who watched the whole proceedings. They saw the gratitude swell in the hearts of their fellow believers. They watched as Barnabas became the center of their affection.

33

Let's eavesdrop on their conversation:

“A penny for your thoughts, Ananias!”

“Oh, I was daydreaming.”

“Is something bothering you? Maybe it's the same thing I've been thinking about. You're thinking about what Barnabas did. Right?”

“How did you know?”

“It's written all over your face.”

“Does it show that much?”

“Only to me.”

“Sapphira, what do you think we ought to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“I think we should sell our property right now. You saw what happened when Barnabas sold his property. That's the least we can do.”

“It's the least we can do and the most we can do, Ananias! That's all we have, you know. Listen, honey, I've got an idea. Let's sell the property. Then we'll take some of the money and put it aside and pretend that we only got so much for it. No one will ever know the difference. We'll still get the credit. You know, like Barnabas did.”

“Wait a minute, Sapphira, are you suggesting...”

“Well, think about it. We're not hurting anybody. After all, we don't have to sell the property in the first place. Let's do it.”

Down deep I can't help but feel they both knew it was wrong. I also think if either Ananias or Sapphira had said, “No, I can't go along with this,” the whole chapter would have been a different one.

I. The Expression of Their Sin 5:1-2

Note 5:1 “But” in contrast to what Barnabas did. He gave it all with no strings attached. Barnabas didn't give to be seen of men, but he wasn't ashamed to let folks see him give. He didn't give to be noticed or to draw attention to himself, but Ananias and Sapphira did.

34

Romans 12:8 “He that giveth, with simplicity” … with no fold, no hidden motive, without seeking something for yourself.

Let me remind you again, this couple didn't have to sell their land. They did it so folks would think more highly of them. They pretended they were more committed and devoted to the Lord than they were. If they had only said, “We got $50,000 for the land. We want to give $25,000 and we are going to keep $25,000,” the gratitude from the believers would have still been there and they wouldn't have lied and died!

II. The Exposure of Their Sin 5:3- 6

What would happen if God struck down all liars in our churches? Peter, the very one who confronted the couple, lied about knowing Jesus. It's easy for a lie to slip from our lips.

- We lie about our weight – I went to the doctor and the nurse told me to step on the scales. I

told her that was the most painful part of the exam. Then I told her the scales were lying!!

- We lie about our age. Women have six stages: Infant, child, junior miss, young lady, young

lady, young lady.

- Someone calls at 2:00 A.M. – “Were you asleep?” As a pastor I feel like I'm always on duty

so I say, “No, I've just been up reading the Book of Lamentations.” Later, the

says to me, “Why didn't you just tell them you were asleep?” - A lie is a lie. Why did God strike them down when they lied and we still live and we've lied?

Notice :3, 9

A. Theirs was a Deliberate Sin

The deed was premeditated. It was not an innocent mistake or oversight. They planned it between themselves to deceive the apostles from the start.

B. Theirs was a Deceptive Sin

They wanted their gift to appear to be more sacrificial than it was. Their real desire wasn't to make a donation to the church, but to grab glory for themselves.

C. Theirs was a Defiant Sin verse 9

- They agreed together to tempt the Lord. What does that mean? They had determined to put the

Lord to the test … to see whether or not God could find out their wickedness and do something about it.

- They lied to the all-seeing, all-knowing God. We can't hide anything from God. Their conversation was heard in heaven.

D. Theirs was a Disengaged Sin

It was uncalled for. They went out of their way to commit it.

- They were under no obligation to sell their land and give the proceeds to the church.

35

They could continue in good standing even if they had not sold their land. - But under the desire to have a good reputation and gain favor with men, they lied to the Holy

Spirit.

III. The Expulsion of Their Sin 5:5-11

A. It was a severe judgment

God judged them on the spot

B. It was a saving judgment

. For Ananias and Sapphira they would never play the hypocrite again . For the church 5:11 . For the lost 5:12-14

What a dumb thing to think we can lie to God and get by with it. Be sure your sin will find you out.

Return To: Dumb and Dummer Sermons Menu

Return To: Miscellaneous Sermon Menu

Return To: Lowell F. Johnson Master Sermon Menu