I SINNED AND I AM DEAD
ACTS 4:32-5:14
MAY 6, 2001
INTRODUCTION:
This epitaph adorns the grave of Ellen Shannon, twenty-six, of Girard, Pennsylvania: Who was fatally burned March 21, 1870 by the explosion of a lamp filled with “R.E. Danforth’s Non-Explosive Burning Fluid”
Epitaph of a dentist named John Brown: Stranger! Approach this spot with gravity! John Brown is filling his last cavity.
These words are inscribed on the tomb of a watchmaker at St. Petrock’s Church, Lyford, Devon, England: Here lies in horizontal position the outside case of dear George Routleight, watchmaker, whose abilities in that line were an honour to his profession—integrity was the mainspring, and prudence the regulator of all the actions of his life. Humane, generous, and liberal, his hand never stopped until he had relieved distress. So nicely regulated were all his movements that he never went wrong, except when set agoing by people who did not know his key; even then he was easily set right again. He had the art of disposing his time so well that the hours glided away in one continued round of pleasure and delight, till an unlucky moment put a period to his existence. He departed this life November 14, 1802, aged fifty-seven. Wound up in hopes of being taken in hand by his Maker and being thoroughly cleansed, repaired, and set agoing in the world to come.
Inscribed on the tomb of Mel Blanc, creator of the cartoon characters Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig: “That’s All, Folks!”
The epitaph of Benjamin Franklin: The Body of B. Franklin, Printer, Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And Stript of its Lettering & Gilding, Lies here. Food for Worms, For, it will, as he believed, appear once more, In a new and more elegant Edition, corrected and improved By the Author.
TRANSITION THOUGHT: There will come a time, when time temporal for us is no more. Our text tells us of the out going of some in a manner not well desired. Carried off by young men and buried. Judged in this life and judged in the life to come. What might the Epitaph have read, “Here we lay, because we lied, had so much, but we had to die. I agreed with Her, He agreed with me, O Holy Spirit, let me be.” Our text affirms the work of the Spirit to call us into true obedience. What happened in the “Flow of the Spirit,” that caused this couple to depart? What is this text trying to teach us? I believe it is the simplicity of obedience to the Holy Spirit of God. Willing, or unwilling?
THESIS SENTENCE: There will come a time when hope of Repentance is gone and life will be over, the time of opportunity to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit will be gone.
THERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
I. THE RESPONSE OF A WILLING HEART (4:32-37)
A. A willing heart is at one in heart and mind with all believers (v. 32)
1. “No one claimed…” There was a spirit of humility.
2. No one needed to claim any possessions as his or her own? What on earth does that mean?
3. There was such a since of trust and love among all those that had excepted Christ, that each treated the other and deeply loved family and the “Me Cassia, Su cassia” became reality.
4. This must be, within certain bounds, the relationship between parent and child. The child enjoys all the possessions of the parent without the parent with holding any good thing. It must be like the relationship of a husband and wife, though one may work or, both work, either way, all possessions are shared in common!
5. There was no sense of selfishness, only SELFLESSNESS!
B. A willing heart shares the Gospel with power (v. 33)!
1. What enabled the Apostles to “Testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” with great power?
2. When the Church acts like the church, when the body of Christ functions like it really is the “BODY OF CHRIST,” when we live out before others, what we say we believe, OTHERS WILL GET IT!!
3. If those around you see a difference in you, A GOD Thing in you, do you suppose they will want it TOO?
C. A willing heart is filled with GRACE (v. 33)!
1. The Apostles “Testified,” but ALL where filled with Grace
2. What was the quantity of Grace the people experienced? MUCH!
3. Do you want MUCH Grace?
D. A willing heart gives away money (vv. 34-35)!
1. No one had need!
2. Why? People sold stuff and gave the money to the Apostles!
3. The Apostles gave the money to those who had need!
E. A willing heart has a name (vv. 36-37)!
1. This may have all looked like pie in the sky by and by, but the details increase! 2. We are given a specific example of one who did as the Spirit lead!
3. Joseph, called Barnabas, sold and gave!
4. His name means Son of Encouragement!
5. Nice epitaph for a tombstone, wouldn’t you say?
6. What do you want on your tomb stone?
IF THIS IS THE WAY A WILLING HEART RESPONDS, IS THERE AND ALTERNATIVE?
THE GREAT CONTRAST:
II. THE RESPONSE OF A DECEIVING HEART (5: 1-11)
A. A deceiving heart may appear pure (v.1)
1. The story starts out great!
2. There is another Barnabas on the scene. God was truly blessing and others caught the fire?
3. Surely Barnabas and all that served God with obedience received honor as Persons of God. Now Ananias and Sapphira will receive honor?
4. Do you remember the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)?
5. Two offering given, one pleasing, the other not!
B. A deceiving heart schemes a plan (v.2)
1. Deceivers like company.
2. “With full knowledge,” two plan act.
3. Is the sin of two, worse than the sin of one? Genesis 3 tells the story. 4. “Kept some back…” Have you ever “Kept some back”?
5. About how much does the Lord require of you?
C. A deceiving heart is one yielding to Satan (v. 3)!
1. Who is the master deceptor?
2. Who opposes the work of the Holy Spirit and the Church?
D. A deceiving heart does not go unnoticed (vv. 3-4, 8-9)!
1. Peter knew! How did Peter know? Do preachers get special mailers that other Christians don’t? Do those led of the Spirit see things differently? Do those led of the Spirit see the works of Satan?
2. Peter knew and Peter confronts!
3. Do you remember 2 Samuel 12 and the Story of Nathan and David?
4. Why would God want a deceiving heart to be known? REPENTANCE?
E. A deceiving heart lies to the Holy Spirit/ God (vv. 3-4)
1. Did Ananias and Sapphira lie to Peter?
2. When we refuse to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit, what are we doing really doing? Better Stated: When we choose our own agenda over that of the Holy Spirit, Who loses?
3. When we loose integrity with others, what have we really done?
4. When I lie to you, to whom am I really lying?
5. Does God know everything?
6. Where did the lie begin? Did Ananias and Sapphira both lie?
F. A deceiving heart loses life (vv. 5-11)!
1. What is the outcome of lying to God?
2. Does gender matter to God?
3. What is the end of Sin (Romans 6:23a)?
G. A deceiving heart has a name.
1. Ananias and Sapphira are forever recorded as those that opposed the leading of the Holy Spirit.
2.This information is included in their eulogy. Do you think they wanted this as the final word on their life?
3. What do we want the last word on our lives to be?
COULD THERE POSSIBLY BE ANOTHER RESPONSE?
III. THE RESPONSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (vv. 5b, 11-14)
A. The Holy Spirit brings fear (vv.5b & 11)!
1. Verse 5 tells us that all that heard about Ananias were afraid, “seized with great fear.” 2. Verse 11 adds to the “all who heard,” the church.
3. Why would fear be a response?
4. Do you think God will punish your sin?
5. Just when do you think God will punish your sin?
6. If we have lied to God, should we be afraid?
B. The Holy Spirit brings “Miraculous signs and Wonders.”
1. Verse 12 tells us that the work of the Church continued unhindered.
2. The Apostles were able to continue to “Testify” about Jesus.
3. God’s power was revealed!
4. Read Hebrews 2:1-4
C. The Holy Spirit brings Salvation (v. 14)
1. What is the ultimate role of the Holy Spirit?
2. Verse 14 tells us His work continued!
3. How many were added?
4. Why were they added?
D. The Holy Spirit brings Unity (4:32)
1. Where did we start?
2. Why The contrast?
3. What does God want us to know from this passage?
4. There is a difference and only those that follow the leading of the Spirit will have life!
CONCLUSION: Let’s finish where we started, the church together having one heart and mind. Let us gather around the Lord’s Table and share a meal together proclaiming “OUR WILLING HEARTS!” Are you walking in complete obedience to the Spirit of the Living God? Are you walking in love with your fellow believers? Do you desire to do so from this day on? IF SO, COME! COME! THE FEAST HAS BEEN PREPARED!
