BE SURE YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT

 

Acts 5:1-11

The story of Achan found in Joshua chapter 7, has some similarities to this chapter that is before us. He stole, and he deceived the camp, so God called Joshua, and the soldiers, to find the person who caused Israel to be an enemy, and God would not protect them until the matter was dealt with. We read, “And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver and the cloak and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep and his tent and all that he had. And they brought them up to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The LORD brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.” Achan, his family, everything he owned, was destroyed, be sure your sin will find you out. All sin in general, has consequences and the sin that is before us this morning is the sin of lying, and the sin of deception. Sin, comes to us so naturally to us, we are deceivers by nature; we know Satan is a lair from the beginning, brought about our fall by convincing us to believe his lies.

 

Making us children of deception!

Lying is the act of communicating false information with the deliberate intent to deceive or mislead the audience. What does the bible say about lying? Lying is forbidden founded in the Ten Commandments…. Exo 20:15-16. Lying is an abomination to God. “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” Prov 12:22. Lying hinders our prayers. “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness.” Isaiah 59:1-3. Lying is something the devil prompts men to do. “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.” John 8:44

Lying is associated with….

False prophets…. Jeremiah 23:14

False witness….. Prov 14:25

The hypocrite’s addiction…. Isaiah 57:4

Lying characterizes the wicked….. Psalm 58:3

Lying is characteristic of the end times….. 2 Thess 2:9

 

Lying leads too….

Hatred…. Proc 26:28

Accompanies gross crimes…. Hosea 4:1-2

Exclusion from heaven…. Rev 21:8

 

Lying began in the book of beginnings, in the Garden where God said it was good. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden found in Genesis 3, this is the first recorded lie in Scripture. Satan deceived Eve by twisting God's word, leading to the Fall of Man. Cain when he killed his brother. “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” Gen 4:9. Jacob, who deceived his father Isaac, by pretending to be Esau, in Genesis 27, Jacob lied to his father to steal his brother’s blessing, showing how deception fractures family relationships and results in long-term consequences. Jacob’s sons when they were questioned to the whereabouts of his other son Joseph. Gen 37:31-32.  Even, Peter, “… I do not know the man.” Matt 26:72

 

Lying is a terrible thing that eats at the core of our being, or at least it should; if you have a conscience that isn’t completely seared with flesh and death. Generally, when we do something, we know is wrong, we try to hide it. Children do this instinctively. The art of lying is not something that you have to go to school for, or be taught by your parents, it just comes completely natural to you and I. The famous words of Judge Judy, “You know how you can tell a teenager is lying? When their mouths are moving.” David said this, “The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.” Psalm 58:3

 

Lying comes natural to the flesh and the gospel reveals and exposes the sin of lying as treasonous to a holy God. Lying has its place in the Lake of Fire as John penned these words, “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.” Rev 21:27. We are to be a people of integrity, honesty, and transparency with nothing to hide, because we have been redeemed from the curse of sin and death. We have been redeemed from the curse of lying and deceptions.

 

As believers why do we continue to lie at certain times? Is it to save face? It’s our responsibility to be honest with ourselves and others. Is it because we are so proud, and we don’t want others to think less of us. Is so that we can play the hypocrite, by giving the impression we have it all to together. What do we learn from this tragic, lying encounter with Ananias and Sapphira?

 

There Are Spiritual Beings, Both Good And Evil, That Influence The World. Satan Filled Ananias' Heart, Leading Him To Sin. (V3)

“Why has Satan filled your heart” Here the lie occurs when a person states something they believe to be false, intending for the listener to accept it as the truth. It generally requires an intent to mislead, as we see with Ananias. This is truly sad since things were going so well for the church as we read in chapter three and four, despite the opposition with the religious rulers. Joseph, who is called Barnabas became the example for believers to live in harmony with one another with his sacrificial giving. Barnabas saw the need and met the need, by helping where it was most important. Things were going great in the new church, but this is always the enemy of God’s plan as Satan has already begun to counterattack by filling Annais with lies.

 

Its yours Ananias, why should you share with

anyone else, it my precious.

To withhold part of the proceeds was not sin, to lie to the Holy Spirit however was, and the sad reality it was completely unnecessary, while the land remained sold or unsold. (v4) Why did Ananias do this? Was he possibly trying to match Barnabas since it was well received. Was he trying to show how spiritual he was by selling land and giving it all to the body of Christ? Was he trying to get the praises of men for his sacrificial gift to the church? Ananias’s name means “God is gracious” and his wife Sapphira means “Beautiful” so this would be a beautiful and gracious gift to give to the body of the church. But we see that nothing beautiful or gracious came from this; only an unhappy couple receiving the strictest of penalties. Maybe there first intents were honest in the planning, but poorly executed in the delivery. A good idea turned bad, when they had money in hand, their thoughts change to what we can do with this money, instead of giving it all like they planned.

 

Let’s be careful and not destroy them as we like to do in the church, remember these are early Christians, they are not veterans or theologians. They know what Jesus has done, and now the church is being built by passionate believers in the gospel who don’t have it all figured out, we don’t have it all figured out. This Christian life was new to them and maybe like most people, they wanted to be recognized by others in the church. So, their good intentions were poorly executed for the glory of God and the blessing of men. The natural habits of the old life take over the plans you had to seek your interests and not the interests of others. They over estimated themselves, a common error of any new believer. As with Eve, Satan is subtle in his deception, “Did God really say” casting doubt in the heart of believers, you don’t have to give all that money, its yours. Satan has already counterattacked with persecution through civil and religious authorities But this tactic is not as effective, so now the devil tries a different strategy and attacks the church from within. The enemy thrives when church members turn on each other, splintering congregations over trivial issues, gossip, or power struggles. He doesn’t barge through the front door; he breaches the weak parts until he finds a way in, if we are not careful. Here, he uses a young couple in the faith as his agents to cause division and strife in the church with worldly goods.

 

This is why John warns us about the dangers of the flesh, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

There Is An Ongoing Battle Between The Forces Of God And The Forces Of Satan. Christians Are Caught In The Middle Of This Battle. (V4)

 

“Why have you contrived this deed in your heart? They lied to the church, they lied to God, they lied to the Holy Spirit. Being heavily tempted by Satan, Ananias responsibility still falls on himself. He had freedom to do what he wanted with his property. Can you imagine standing behind Ananias as he deceptively gives his offering at the feet of Peter. Because Peter’s face must have been straight, no smiling at all; but a face of sadness and frustration. Why isn’t Peter smiling? (v4) Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit was not buying this for one moment, he knew Ananias was lying. Can you imagine now Ananias at this very moment, heart is beating faster, your stomach is in your throat, your face is turning red, sweat and anxiety fills your heart. Lying only leads to pain, suffering and brokenness. And the crazy thing he didn’t I have to lie about it. 

But we lie to save face at times. You and I, are no different then them. See, we all share Ananias’s sin when we are thinking…. 

We are more spiritual than we are.

We are people of prayer when we are not.

Making it look like we have it all together when we don’t.

Promoting that we are generous when in reality we are tight, we squeak when we smile.

All Ananias had to do was say, “Peter and everybody, Sapphira and I, decided to keep some of it for our needs I hope you all understand.” And to be honest the church would have said, “Ok, it’s your money, your property, it’s nice to receive what you can give.” It supposes to be voluntary, not demanded; its to come from the heart not to receive the praises from men. Peter explained that Ananias did not have to give anything; but pretending to give everything he had was now under the control of Satan, lying to the church.

 

The first problem among the believers was born, and we have

not fully recovered from that even today.

 

There Will Be A Final Judgment, Where God Will Judge All People For Their Actions And Hold Them Accountable. (V5-V10)

 

“he fell down and breathed his last” This means Ananias and Sapphira “gave up the ghost” a sudden terrible, judicial death. This was divine judgement. Ananias and Sapphira weren't punished for keeping some of their money; even though their giving was entirely voluntary. Their sin was lying and seeking the praise of men by pretending to give the full amount. The sudden, supernatural judgment highlights the unseen spiritual world is active and preeminent, warning believers against a purely materialistic or secular worldview. This world system is filled with attractive and distracting things that can easily take our heart and mind of the things of God. That is why we need to be careful how we treat this couple, because you and I, should have dropped dead long ago. Though their example is severe, humanly speaking, its pure and absolutely correct, and it is to speak to the church that God is not to be mocked or played around with. Dr Barnhouse said, “If God acted in the same way today that He did in the fifth chapter of Acts, you’d have to a morgue in the basement of every church and mortician on the pastoral staff.” If the truth known, there would be no pastoral staff either; but we also need to recognize that we will all stand before the Bema-Seat of Christ as He tests all our deeds, and words by fire.

And many of us, including myself, will smell like smoke, but its only by the grace of God, that we are saved and that there is no condemnation for those who are His. Paul warned us, “Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” 1 Cor 3:12-15

Understand if a person in ministry, pastor, Sunday school teacher, evangelist calls people to holiness, but secretly is having an affair with someone, he is an Ananias. Note, it is not the individual who is consumed by fire, but the work he or she has produced in ministry to the body of Christ. But for those who are not His, they have been storing up the wrath of God and they will face for all eternity the full force of God’s wrath as they drink His judgement. Paul wrote, “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” Rom 2:5

 

The Message Of The Passage Calls People To Repent, Turn From Sin, And Believe The Gospel. (V11)

“great fear came upon the church…all who heard of these things” This story takes place right after a time of great unity, and generosity, in the early church. These two would have been known by many of the fellowship, no doubt many new friendships were birthed here in the early church. But now, they are both dead, great fear came upon everyone, and along with it much soul searching and long sessions of prayer. This swift judgement serves as a stark warning that God's grace does not negate His holiness, and He takes the purity of His church incredibly seriously. Sin results from a lie, and part of the lie we often tell ourselves is that we can get away with it. God loves us too much. Sin leads to death, so God exposes it for our good, and the good of others. In this case God removed their lampstand because they were no longer useful for ministry and gospel witness. People would no longer be influenced by them with their gospel witness, because of their deception and lying.

 

Never think that God needs you for anything, though

He chooses to use us for the spreading of His Word.

 

Remember what God wrote to the church of Ephesus? “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” Rev 2:2-5

 

Your witness will be infective, and when leaders fall into ego, moral failure, or lose their spiritual focus, it leaves the congregation vulnerable. Some say this was too severe of punishment; they didn’t have time to repent for what they have done….This doesn’t seem right or very merciful?

 

God is just in everything. We may not like it, we many not have people today being instantly removed from this earth, but they are forgotten for their ministries. They have smeared their name, this doesn’t mean they’re not saved, they are just disqualified. Forgiven into the body of Christ, but unable to be used as they once handling the word of God because of their lying and betrayal. Ex pastor, Steven Lawson a man saved by grace, disqualified because of his betrayal of adultery. All his sermons, all his books become tainted and unworthy of recognition. Sam Allberry, disqualified and resigned from his associate pastor position at Immanuel Nashville after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with an adult man. All his books and messages on staying pure was all destroyed by this one act. Philip Yancey, a noted Christian author and speaker confessed to an affair and stepped down from his public ministry…. everything tainted with betrayal. What he has said for years becomes obsolete because of his sinful choices.

When we see the sin of Ananias and Sapphira we need to look at this act of judgement through a narrative that forces us to look in the mirror. While we may not drop dead like Ananias and Sapphira did, we are all vulnerable to that same human urge to hide our flaws, and pretend to be "all in" when our hearts are actually somewhere else.

 

This judgement serves as a striking reminder of the

danger of pretending before God.

 

God wants you and me, to be faithful and true with everything we do, even if it means disqualification or removal from ministry or some form of punishment. The sudden, dramatic deaths of Ananias and Sapphira served to purify and to warn the church. “Great fear seized the whole church” The sad story of Ananias and Sapphira is not some obscure incident from the Old Testament regarding a violation of Mosaic Law. This occurred in the first-century church to believers in Jesus Christ. The story of Ananias and Sapphira is a reminder to us today that God sees the heart, and He truly hates sin; and that He is concerned for the purity of His church. As Jesus told the compromising church in Thya-tir-a, “All the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds” Rev 2:23. God desires is for a pure church,` and He will take drastic steps to achieve that desire. The church is important to the Godhead, and what was required to achieve the church, required a pure death from a pure sacrifice. The gospel reminds us what Jesus did to restore us back to the Father….the most extreme sacrifice to save sinners from judgement and death.

 

God demands, not perfection but truthfulness from His church, that we be a people that reflect the sacrifice of His Son and the glory of His resurrection to this world. Redeemed people should be living redeemed lives, for His glory and His truth. It begins here in the church. Remember as Peter said, “For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:10-11