When Christians Disappoint Us.

When Christians Disappoint Us

July 11, 2010 New Liberty Christian Church with Rich McQuinn, Minister

TEXT: ACTS 5:1-11

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostle’s feet. Then Peter said, Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received from the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men, but to God. When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, tell me is this the price you and Ananias got for the land? Yes, she replied, this is the price. Peter said to her, how could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and finding her dead carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

INTRODUCTION: I want you to get a good look as to who is sitting around you. Look at the ones in front, behind and beside you. Chances are they are going to disappoint you sometime in your life. Those Christians that you pal around with, or do business with, those you trust, even your Elders, Deacons, Sunday School teachers and the Preachers. Disappointment is bound to happen. We are all human.

Christians are folks who follow the teaching of their Lord. They pledge their life, heart, money to the cause of Christ. Most are sincere. Most are truthful. Most try not to sin. There are a few who mismanage their bond, their word as a man or woman, or they just plain lie about it. Jesus says, by watching people and listening to them, by the fruit they bare, you will know what they are like.

Our text this morning is about two people who suffered from that nasty sin called greed. This is what happens when greed enters a picture. Remember that the love of money is the root of all evil.

There are folks who are members of all churches who have money. Lots of money, but they think at times that their money can run the church. They are like a spoiled brat who may not get his way and takes his marbles and goes home. In this case too much, those who want to rule their church by the ransom of their money turns out to be nothing more than the power of greed.

If you do not do what I say, then we will stop giving to the church and the church will fold because you will not have enough to run the budget. For heavens sake! This is God’s church. God does the leading. Amen. We are His servants. He does not need us, we need Him!

I know that we are all human and we all have our own weakness. Even satan knows all too well what it is. He uses that weakness against us. Satan wants to use us against each other, to destroy our witness, to say to the world that there is nothing real here with this Christian religion.

What happens when you get hurt? When the people that you look up to disappoint you, tell stories about you, or even lie to you or about you? It hurts all of us when this happens. We expect to be able to trust each other and speak the truth in love. When that breaks down, we have trouble, and despair. Who can we trust anymore? You know that answer right away. The Lord, the Almighty Lord!

Of course I have had many disappointments with people I have loved, honored, and had faith in, even business partners. It was a form of Greed that caused them to do what they did. I did not stop loving them in the Lord, but I received a different picture of them. Some I still have friendships with, others I keep in a distance.

It is not easy for any of us to try to go through each day without sinning. In other words trying to be perfect. Sin we have to live with. We have to live with our own failures let alone others we have to deal with. That is why we have to keep on our knees in prayer for ourselves and for each other.