Welcome Home everyone
Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. It has been a struggle, but With God’s help we are managing and overcoming.
Up to now we’ve been talking about people and their actions and/or reactions of being influenced by the Holy Spirit. How they behaved. Even miracles that were performed. In addition, we have also seen how others have responded to these “Acts of the Apostles”
My big idea for today is to witness a contrast of influences where we might choose good over evil. My prayer for today is that by hearing this message, together we might find a strengthening of our orthodoxy/certainty in our faith that might carry us into like in Christ Jesus.
If you have your Bibles today you can join me in Acts chapter, verse
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:36-5:11
Ananias and Sapphira
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 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 for the land? 4 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 just to human beings but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 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. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
In order to help me share with you today, I have separated my thoughts into a comparison of two perspectives.
POINT #1: Barnabas (Son of Encouragement)
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:36-37
Barnabas sold his field and placed the money at the Apostle’s feet. Here is what we should know… As a Levite personal ownership of real property is not allowed. So probably, this means that Barnabas sold his burial place. He sold the property and was honest about what has transpired. As a result, the Apostle’s honored Barnabas’ generosity. These scriptures introduce Barnabas as a significant person in the NT history.
In light of Christ Jesus, selling this burial plot demonstrated… He thought little of his own earthly status. Barnabas thought little of his earthly death. And Barnabas was so influenced by the life of Christ living inside of him that he cared little for his early remains.
Barnabas he become focused on things that held eternal value. Caring for the poor. Spreading the Gospel. These are the things that possessed eternal value.
I’ll move on to my next point.
POINT #2: Ananias and Sapphira
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 5:1-4
3 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 for the land? 4 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 just to human beings but to God.”
Here’s some truths that emerged from this that we should consider. Their intention was to defraud the Holy Spirit. Deceit was the real issue. It was their own money and they could have done with whatever they wished. Satan had so filled Ananias’ heart that he was carried away by his actions. Satan’s activity does not make Ananias and Sapphira less to blame. They are each asked for and account and both chose to lie. Both were punished. They desired to be honored like those (Barnabas) who gave. Luke (and others) equates sin against the church to be sin directly against the Holy Spirit.
There was a seed or of sinful pride that was planted in their hearts. It was nurtured and allowed to take root in the heart.
The Spirit of God will empower and lead us into all truth and Godliness.
To know Christ is to walk in the integrity of His Spirit. Deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him.
Will you join me as we seek an authentic relationship united in Christ and each other? Rejecting division, embracing God’s reality in Jesus, and encouraging one another. It’s just between you and God. Here’s the thing, If we love God and abide in Christ we will find ourselves more and more loving each other. You will we more and you will love better. We will experience God in spirit and in truth and we will share that amongst each other. Share all the ways God has shown you mercy and grace. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to stir faith in someone through your testimony? Would you join me as the Holy Spirit moves on us to be unified in the spirit of Christ? These are the kingdom values. This is truly the work of God. The intentional actions of the body of Christ. Remember the devil seeks only to kill steal and destroy. Steal your freedom, kill your joy, and destroy your destiny for hope and love. He’s stealing from your neighbor, your family, and your loved ones today. But God has a plan!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Jesus, He’s the Son of the living God, and we can receive from Him today His Righteousness, His purpose and His calling. Will you call on him today? Your salvation/forgiveness is just one prayer away. Will you trust in his ability to do what He said He would do? Will you believe today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. Is there some form of unbelief or a fracture of trust as it relates to God in your life today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late.
It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here. Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me.
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”