Journey Through Acts (Part 4) Series

The Journey: Following Jesus through Acts (4)

Scott Bayles, pastor

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/16/2017

If you were with us the last couple weeks, you know we began a ten-week journey through the book of Acts. The book of Acts picks up right where the Gospels leave off and tells of the harrowing voyages and thrilling adventures of Jesus’ hand-picked Apostles. In short, we’re following in the footsteps of those who followed in the footsteps of Jesus.

Last week, we focused on the story of the disable beggar by the Beautiful Gate. As Peter and John passed him by, they stopped, looked at him intently and healed him. When the crowd saw what happened, Peter used the miracle as a springboard to preach about Jesus. Unfortunately, the priests and the Sadducees weren’t happy about Peter’s homily, so they arrested the disciples and held them overnight for trial. Undeterred, Peter and John stood strong and steadfast in the face of life-threatening harassment. My prayer is that all of us might follow the example of Peter and John—helping those in need, witnessing about Jesus, and standing firm in the faith.

Now, as a result of these events people began coming to faith in Christ by the hundreds and the church experienced an unprecedented outpouring of generosity. Luke writes, “God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:33-34 NIV).

He also said that some of the wealthier believers who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and laid it at the apostles’ feet, so it could be distributed to anyone who had need.

A man named Joseph, for instance, sold a field that he owned and gave the money to the apostles. This wonderful act of kindness and charity earned him the nickname Barnabas, which means son of encouragement. It’s on the heels of this event that we come to one of the most unforgettable and uncomfortable stories of the early church.

If you have a Bible or an app on your phone, please open it to Act 5 and let’s read the first eleven verses of this chapter together:

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him… 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened. (Acts 5:1-11 NLT)

The church has always attracted people with impure motives: hucksters who want to profit financially from religion, power mongers seeking control, the self-centered who want to be pampered and cared for, and glory-seekers who want to be noticed and affirmed for their “holy” acts.

Ananias and Sapphira fell into this last category.

As we examine this story, I want to highlight four key features to help us really grasp what’s happening here and why this story made it into the Bible. First, is the deception itself.

• THE DECEPTION

Ananias and Sapphira concocted a plan whereby they hoped to give a little and get a lot. The couple had likely been at the worship service when Barnabas laid his gift at the apostles’ feet—a great gift, a great moment. The “wow” of the crowd, who probably knew what the gift was worth and what level of sacrifice it was, caught their attention. The “buzz” probably followed on the streets and in their small group meetings: “Can you believe Barnabas gave all that money away? What a man of God! What a generous and selfless person!” Ananias and Sapphira grew jealous. They wanted the same reputation, but they didn’t want to make the same sacrifice.

Like Barnabas, they sold a plot of land. But unlike Barnabas, when they arrived home that night, they divided the money into two piles—one for the church and one for themselves. Thus, when Ananias went to church the next morning, his money bag bulging, no one would know there was a second pile of coins hidden away in his house. With a flourish and a look of piety, he laid the money at Peter’s feet, saying, “A prime piece of land has been in our family for years, but… we sold it yesterday. Here are all the proceeds.” Then he stood back, ready to receive his applause.