The Dangers Of Hypocrisy, Pt. 2 Series

The Dangers of Hypocrisy, pt. 2

Acts 5:1-11

1. The problem in the church

If satan cannot conquer the church he’ll try to corrupt it, if not from w/out, then from w/in.

Reminds us of story in Joshua where children of Israel suffered defeat in the little village of Ai…36 men lost their lives/Joshua got on his knees and asked God why/God said these words: there’s sin in the camp!

This was open, flagrant, pre-meditated sin…we all struggle and mess up and sin at times, but when we choose to LIVE there it’s different.

Ill—phone call at 3 am—I was up!

All lying is wrong…but this was clearly different!

Prov.—“he that being often reproved and hardeneth…”

2. The purging of the sin

The source of the sin was satan who planted the thought

The seriousness of the sin was it was lying to God!

…now:

3. The Punishment of Ananias and Sapphira

a. Severe

They died! Saved by grace doesn’t mean you have a license to sin. God judges believers…be sure your sin will find you out. God will not be mocked! We ALL reap what we sow!

Every believer undergoes 3 judgments…

As a sinner, as a servant, as a son

If you’ve been saved, your judgment as a sinner is in the past/as a servant will be in the future, but you are judged as a son right now!

In the past--As a sinner-judged on the cross, you died w/ Christ, God’s wrath toward your sin was poured out on Christ.

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Sin was fully judged there.

Ill.—prairie fire, stand in burnt patch.

The foot of the cross is the place to stand when judgment comes!

In the future—judged as a servant, during trib. on earth, judgment seat of Christ happens in heaven [not great white throne]…a 1 on 1 personal interview w/ Christ…you’ll be judged not as a sinner, but as a servant, how faithful have you been, what were your motives for service, etc. A time of rewards…if not, then why did Jesus tell us to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven?

Read I Cor. 3—wood, hay, stubble will burn up/gold, silver, precious stones are rewarded!

In the present—you are being judged as a son…right now you are being judged.

Heb. 12:6-11 [turn]

Not positional righteousness in v. 11, but practical.

Ananias and Sapphira were saved. And they were being judged as “sons.” They died because they crossed a line w/ God.

This is not pleasant, and I have not looked fwd. to this…but God sometimes takes a believer home early because of sin.

I Cor. 11—people abusing Lord’s Supper.

1 Cor. 11:29

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation [lit. judgment] to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

1 Cor. 11:30-32

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. [31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. [32] But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

That’s one example.

1 Cor. 5:1-5

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. [2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. [3] For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, [4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, [5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

The word destruction does not always mean annihilation, but I’ve sure seen it happen a few times following a nasty church discipline!

1 John 5:16

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death [implies what?], he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Written to Christians.

You say, you’re trying to scare me! [maybe, no worse than a cancer doctor who says, stop smoking or these spots that I see now will turn to cancer!]

Not only a severe judgment, but…

B. A Saving Judgment

1. for them

This judgment was for the purpose of saving them from further sin. He wasn’t getting even w/ them, God does not take “vengeance” upon His own. He was saving them from further sin.