Hypocrisy Kills
Acts 4:36-5:11
Good morning…
I heard a story about a bad snowstorm that happened while one of the employees had a scheduled day off and stayed in bed.
But just then, his phone rang. It was his boss asking him to come in to work because many of the employees called and said they were unable to navigate the roads during the storm.
The man informed his boss that he was not comfortable driving in the storm because of the road conditions, but the boss kept putting pressure on him, telling him the roads were not too bad.
Just then, the employee heard a child on the other end of the phone asking the man’s boss to make him breakfast. The employee asked the boss, “Wait, where are you?”
The boss replied, “Oh, well, I’m at home”.
The employee replied, “You’re asking me to drive into work in a snowstorm, but you’re not going in to work yourself?”
The boss said, “My car is worth $90,000!
I’ve seen what you drive. If you damage your car in the snow, it would not be that great of a loss.”
The employee hung up on the boss and went back to bed. Hypocrisy can kill our witness, our relationships with other people, and sometimes, our relationship with Christ, as well.
Please open your Bibles to Acts 4
Last week, we learned in Acts that Peter and John returned to the other Christians after being questioned by the Sanhedrin.
At this time in the Church's history, the believers had sold their possessions and were financially supporting each other.
Their common interest in furthering the Gospel overshadowed their differences and their desire for the world’s wealth.
We learned that it is a ploy of the enemy to divide Christians over minor differences.
Their genuine faith and love for the LORD motivated them to assist their fellow Christians with financial needs.
I. Holding back.
Read Acts 4:36-5:2
As a review, again we see Barnabas, the son of Encouragement, gave the proceeds of his belongings to the needs of the Church and its members, like some of the other believers had also done.
George MacDonald once said, “Half of the misery in the world is caused by people trying to look, rather than trying to be.”
Again, Acts 4:32, neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
These gifts were not obligations, rather, the gifts were given as a love response to all the LORD had saved them from.
I don’t know how much land these followers sold, but I can imagine it was worth a lot of money, so the people were excited to see that huge offering.
In our passage, a husband-and-wife team wanted to fit in and receive the notoriety that came from that extravagant giving.
This married couple was trying to imitate Barnabas because they witnessed the amount of attention Barnabas’ giving, caused.
Certain behaviors from Christians can cause a bad reputation within the world or among younger believers.
We are also told by Jesus in Matthew 7:20, Therefore by their fruits you will know them. NKJV
Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of land and gave part of the proceeds to the Apostles. The issue was not that they kept some of the money; the issue was hypocrisy and lying to the Spirit!
They were not forced to sell off their property, nor did they have to give the entire amount of money to the Church.
Jesus taught in Matthew 6:1, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Matthew 6:2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Matthew 6:3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, NKJV
Matthew 6:4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
When you offer your time, talents, or treasure to the Lord, why do you want the thanks to come from men? Again, Matthew 6:1 Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Everybody enjoys an accolade at times, but instead of sounding your trumpet, you should let the LORD promote you!
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established. NKJV
II. Compounding the problem.
Read Acts 5:3-4
The sin of this couple was that they lied about this transaction to the Holy Spirit, and they were not being authentic.
As a side note, these verses prove the Triune nature of God.
Acts 5:3 "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…Acts 5:4 You have not lied to men but to God."
Most of us understand that we are not under the Law but Grace, so our giving is to be an offering of worship, unto the LORD.
These Christians gave all they had as a response to the LORD.
Randy Alcorn is a noted author on Christian stewardship, whose emphasis is on giving as an act of faith.
In his book, “The Treasure Principle”, Randy Alcorn offers some biblical facts regarding God’s perspective on giving and how it ties into our relationship to Him.
Randy Alcorn said that there are over 2,350 verses in Scripture about money. Why did Jesus talk about money so often?
Jesus often spoke on giving because there is a fundamental connection between people’s spiritual lives and their actions and attitudes concerning money and possessions.
1. You can also tell what a person is passionate about by what they consistently talk about. People always talk about what’s on their minds.
2. You can also tell what a person is passionate about by what priorities they set with their money and possessions.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. NKJV
But, Ananias and Sapphira’s real sin was hypocrisy. Basically, “hypocrisy” is when a person claims to believe something but acts in a different manner than their claims.
Webster’s says, “The word hypocrite ultimately came into English from the Greek word hypokrites, which means “an actor” or “a stage player.”
Jesus calls hypocrisy a sin in the New Testament, and there are verses in the Old Testament that call hypocrisy a sin as well.
Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, NKJV
It is not what we say, but how we live, that tells the truth about what we really believe. The LORD wants first place in our hearts. Lying to the LORD is futile.
The LORD wants us to be authentic with Him. He knows our hearts and our thoughts anyway. Why are we inauthentic?
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. NKJV
III. One consequence of sin is fear.
Read Acts 5:5-11
Last week, we witnessed how the church received great Grace and great power, but in our passage, great fear came upon them.
When we read of people getting frightened in scripture, it happens when sin enters into the equation.
During this celebration for the early Church, sin entered the assembly, and the celebration was interrupted by fear.
Why do Christians allow sin to ruin the work of God in their midst? Allow me to give you an acrostic for the word “fear”.
F = false. E = expectation. A = appearing. R = real.
What was the false expectation that these early believers had?
They thought that because they were under grace, they could behave any old way they desired, and that meant that the LORD didn’t care about their sin any longer.
God’s grace is amazing, as He offers forgiveness of sin and takes on our shame to give us eternal life! But the LORD’s character and nature did not change because of the Cross.
You see, the LORD does love you and He wants what’s best for His children, but His love does not change His holiness.
If the LORD stops being Holy, then He no longer has the power to forgive. If His nature changes, then He is no longer God.
The name Ananias in Hebrew = "the LORD is gracious."
The name Sapphira in Aramaic = "beautiful".
This account of the deaths of this couple shows the LORD deals with sin, especially in Christian’s deceit and lack of integrity.
If the LORD will preserve the integrity of the community that the Gospel produced, we can have increased confidence in the truthfulness of the message. The LORD is perfect and righteous.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, NKJV
If He loves me because He is rich in mercy, why does the LORD still allow consequences for sin for His children?
The LORD loves you and He loves His bride, the Church, but if He didn’t allow consequences for our sin, we would abuse Grace and would ruin our witness and lives.
The LORD knows sin harms and creates fear in His children, and He is a good Father who wants to protect His children.
A neglectful father would allow his children to continue down the path of destruction, but the LORD wants us to stop harming ourselves with sin because we are His prized possession!
One of the consequences of sin is fear and the LORD wants His children to live without fear, just like any good Father.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. NKJV
IV. Sin that leads to physical death.
There is a controversial scripture in 1 John that I want to discuss
1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. NKJV
There are sins that we do that lead to physical death, and there are sins that do not lead to death.
Now wait a minute; sin is sin and God is holy!
James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. NKJV
The sin unto death is a deliberate, willful, continuous, unrepentant sin.
The LORD, in His Grace, sometimes allows His children to sin without immediate consequences.
However, there comes a point during His patience and Grace that the LORD will finally correct us for our sinful behavior, to stop us from spiraling out of control.
Only God knows the point this will happen. Remember, Romans 3:23, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, NKJV
But the LORD decides in His wisdom when to correct one of His children.
We are told that after Christ saved us, we are left here on Earth and given power to witness for the Gospel's sake.
If a Christian continues in willful, deliberate sin, to the point that he/she has no effect for the Gospel on earth, the LORD may take that person home because they are of no value here on Earth.
There are some Christians who hinder the work of God with their behavior.
I am not here to judge whether you are a child of God or not; that is a personal matter between you and the Spirit.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble!
James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? NKJV
Now wait a minute…Paul said in many of his Epistles that the only thing needed for salvation is faith/belief…
Are Paul and James disagreeing?
Not at all...there is a said faith and a genuine faith spoken about in scripture. Many people have an emotional experience where they realize they are sinners.
God has put their realization of sin in the hearts of all people.
Once we realize we are sinners, we need to not only confess Jesus as Savior, but we should also surrender to His Spirit, making Him LORD of our lives.
True belief in God causes us to want to allow Him to control us.
Now this side of Heaven, we will all still sin at times, but if there is never fruit from your life, it is hard to prove the LORD lives in you.
The sin that leads to death with a child of God happens like this:
• At some point in the person’s life, they realized they were a sinner in need of a Savior.
• They confessed their sin to God and asked Him to come into their life.
• God entered their life, and that person surrendered enough to allow the Holy Spirit to produce some amount of fruit.
• At some point, that person stopped surrendering to the Lord and insisted on ruling their own life.
While talking to believers in Corinth, Paul talks about different sin in their life as well.
1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, NKJV
1 Corinthians 11:29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1 Corinthians 11:30 For this reason, many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. = (physical death)
But God is merciful, or else we would all be dead!
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. NKJV
Thank God for His mercy and forgiveness…none of us here can stand before a Holy God without the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
But God has left you here to be His witnesses, and when we are caught up in sin, our witness is ruined.
V. Hypocrisy kills
Jesus, speaking to the religious leaders, said in Matthew 15:7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
Matthew 15:8 "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. NKJV
5273 hypokrit?s–like a performer acting under a mask (i.e. a theater-actor); a two-faced person; a "hypocrite," whose profession does not match their practice.
A believer should be open and above board. Their lives should be like an open book, easily read.
The events in the Early Church involving Ananias and Sapphira should challenge believers today to examine their hearts and motivations as they seek to live for Jesus Christ.
Ananias and Sapphira are a reminder of the consequences of deceit and hypocrisy, especially within the church.
Their unholy actions could have caused disunity among the Early Christians, which is why there was swift divine judgment from the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. NKJV
Even though Christians are saved by Grace, they are called to be faithful with His resources, as stewards of the LORD.
Even though Christians are saved by Grace, they are called to be accountable to the LORD and each other, to maintain their witness to the world.
Even though Christians are saved by Grace, they are called to worship and serve as they approach the LORD with awe and respect.
Even though Christians are saved by Grace, they are called to be authentic to strengthen the community and build trust among each other.
What happens when we live the life of a hypocrite?
1. Hypocrisy can kill our witness.
There are too many stories from non-believers about a Christian who has cheated them or lives a life that is not Christ-like.
And there are more than enough excuses the enemy uses to keep people from accepting Christ
So, when we give in to the flesh in front of non-believers or weaker brothers in the faith, it can kill our potential witnesses.
2. Hypocrisy can kill our joy.
Just as Ananias and Sapphira were struck down physically, when we live a lifestyle contrary to Christ, we will be struck down emotionally.
3. Hypocrisy can kill our peace.
When we are living as hypocrites, we always keep our masks on and our guards up. Fearing someone will see the real us behind the mask.
Great fear came on the believers there because of the hypocrisy of this couple. The Lord came to give us rest, Peace, and assurance. Worrying about what others think steals our peace.
But the Lord grants perfect peace to those whose minds are focused on Him! The Lord has created you as a new creation, and He does not make mistakes!
Hypocrisy is a ploy of the enemy to keep us from being vulnerable and confident in Dad’s love and Grace!
4. Hypocrisy is an imitation.
The enemy would much rather us be religious than be authentic.
Religion is do’s and don’ts, but in a relationship with the LORD, we can be honest about our struggles and allow the LORD to change us into His image.
After we come to faith in Christ, we still all blow it and sin.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. NKJV
But as we grow in the Grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we allow the Holy Spirit to keep our hearts soft and stay away from the willful, deliberate sin lifestyle.
As He is in control, we get Joy, peace, and an abundant life.
Christians must realize that the selfless, transparent fellowship of the church must never be violated by selfish hypocrisy.
Allow the LORD to live in and through you, so that you will be the New Creation He created you to be!
The LORD wants us to be authentic in our relationship with Him. He knows our hearts and our thoughts anyway.
Live authentically in love with the Savior and represent that authentic relation to the lost and hurting around you. Hypocrisy kills, but Jesus gives Grace and freedom!
