Be Like Barnabas Not Like Annanias

But even though the membership of this church consisted of some of the greatest Christians that ever walked on this earth. They also had some of the worst.

For example, this church had two kinds of people:

(1)Dedicated Christians like Barnabas.

Look at Acts 4:32-37 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

When we read about Barnabas we can not help but to conclude that he was a dedicated Christian. WOULDN’T IT BE NICE TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE BARNABAS IN OUR CHURCH!!!

But look at what a contrast he was to…

(2)Ananias.

We read in Acts 5:1-11 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Ananias and Sphria were all about making a GOOD APPEARANCE!!!

For many today, life is all about appearances. We live in an age where people want to APPEAR one way but the reality they are just the opposite of their appearance.

Illus: For example, during the Oscars in Hollywood the actors and actresses try to give the impression that they cared about people living in poverty. Listen, if they really cared about the poor as they pretend to care, instead of buying those dresses that some of the actresses paid thousands of dollars for, they would have given the money to the poor.

For example:

• Anne Hathaway wore a dress that cost $80,000. It was a strapless gown that perfectly highlighted her $10 million worth of Tiffany & Co. necklace.

• Cate Blanchett at the 2014 her entire ensemble was valued at a staggering $18.1 million, while the dress alone cost her $100,000.

• Nicole Kidman wore a dress that cost at $2 million.

Anybody can say they are concern about the poor, but if they will spend this kind of money on making an appearance, I DOUBT THEY CARE ABOUT THE POOR!!!

Today, many are giving a false impression. They appear to be one thing and are really something else.

Even our children learn how to make a good appearance at an early age. That’s why they want to wear the expensive name-brand clothes.

While many are learning to make a good APPEARANCE, they are not being taught that:

• A person can look like a king and not be a king.

• A person can look like a football player and not be a football player.

• And a person can look like they love the Lord but they do not love Him.