1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,180 Speaker 1: So that your giving may be in secret, and your 2 00:00:03,220 --> 00:00:09,320 Speaker 1: Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6.4 3 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:14,010 Speaker 1: Gracious Father, we thank you for seeing our hearts and 4 00:00:14,070 --> 00:00:18,810 Speaker 1: knowing our motives. We ask for humility, Lord, that we 5 00:00:18,850 --> 00:00:24,020 Speaker 1: may give generously without seeking the recognition of others. Help 6 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 1: us to remember that our reward is not in the 7 00:00:26,579 --> 00:00:29,640 Speaker 1: praise of man, but in your approval. 8 00:00:30,230 --> 00:00:30,530 Speaker 2: Alone. 9 00:00:31,730 --> 00:00:37,070 Speaker 1: Teach us to give faithfully and quietly, trusting that you 10 00:00:37,220 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 1: see what is done in secret. May we be content 11 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:46,300 Speaker 1: with your acknowledgement, finding joy in serving others out of 12 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: love for you. Keep our hearts pure, focused on your 13 00:00:51,420 --> 00:00:57,410 Speaker 1: glory and not our own. Strengthen us to remain faithful 14 00:00:57,630 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: in our giving. even when no one else sees. In Jesus' name, amen. 15 00:01:04,540 --> 00:01:07,539 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 16 00:01:07,580 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for another dramatized story inspired 17 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:16,339 Speaker 1: by the book of Acts and the birth of the church. 18 00:01:17,020 --> 00:01:20,140 Speaker 1: If this podcast has blessed you, make sure to follow 19 00:01:20,620 --> 00:01:26,420 Speaker 1: so you never have to miss an episode. Ananias made 20 00:01:26,459 --> 00:01:30,330 Speaker 1: his way tiresomely down the darkened street. He had taken 21 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:32,830 Speaker 1: longer closing up his shop than he would have liked, 22 00:01:33,470 --> 00:01:36,870 Speaker 1: and the price to pay was smelling warm cooked meals 23 00:01:37,050 --> 00:01:41,970 Speaker 1: through lighted windows while his stomach growled with hunger. Ananias 24 00:01:42,010 --> 00:01:45,190 Speaker 1: grumbled mindlessly to himself in cold bitterness. 25 00:01:45,650 --> 00:01:49,780 Speaker 3: All these people enjoying their lives, and I'm always working 26 00:01:49,810 --> 00:01:51,140 Speaker 3: with the short end of the stick. 27 00:01:51,820 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: He was suddenly drawn from his complaining. When he heard 28 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 1: a loud thud, he turned and squinted down the lane. 29 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:01,620 Speaker 1: He could make out a dozen or so figures standing 30 00:02:01,830 --> 00:02:04,630 Speaker 1: out front of a house. He bent his ear to 31 00:02:04,690 --> 00:02:07,870 Speaker 1: listen in. If he had to endure the late walk, 32 00:02:08,290 --> 00:02:11,170 Speaker 1: he might as well do so with the enjoyment he 33 00:02:11,250 --> 00:02:13,450 Speaker 1: found in eavesdropping. 34 00:02:13,470 --> 00:02:15,450 Speaker 4: I went to the market today to sell one of 35 00:02:15,510 --> 00:02:18,660 Speaker 4: my fields. You see, the Lord has graced me with 36 00:02:18,790 --> 00:02:21,700 Speaker 4: more than I need. The fruit of my other fields 37 00:02:21,780 --> 00:02:25,290 Speaker 4: alone will continue to feed those who hunger. I hope 38 00:02:25,330 --> 00:02:27,630 Speaker 4: that the money this field has brought will be able 39 00:02:27,669 --> 00:02:31,130 Speaker 4: to bless the people of God in an even greater way. 40 00:02:31,730 --> 00:02:33,829 Speaker 4: I would have given it at the gathering today, but 41 00:02:34,150 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 4: I thought it best to wait, considering the amount. 42 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:42,720 Speaker 1: Ananias recognized Barnabas' voice. Not only did they own land 43 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:46,100 Speaker 1: near one another, but both had become followers of Jesus 44 00:02:46,419 --> 00:02:49,940 Speaker 1: since the resurrection. Ananias stepped behind the corner of a 45 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 1: nearby house, cautiously peering around the edge. 46 00:02:53,700 --> 00:02:56,520 Speaker 3: May the world know of the goodness of God demonstrated 47 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:59,639 Speaker 3: to you today, Barnabas. The Lord will use what you've 48 00:02:59,660 --> 00:03:03,300 Speaker 3: done in secret to glorify himself in the light. 49 00:03:04,940 --> 00:03:08,530 Speaker 1: As the men entered the house, Ananias pressed the small 50 00:03:08,550 --> 00:03:11,130 Speaker 1: of his back against the wall with a heavy sigh. 51 00:03:11,770 --> 00:03:13,910 Speaker 1: He pounded it with the heel of his fist. 52 00:03:14,669 --> 00:03:18,169 Speaker 3: One day, I'll have the recognition I deserve. 53 00:03:22,020 --> 00:03:25,640 Speaker 5: What's the cost of pretending? What are the ripple effects 54 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:29,500 Speaker 5: of our fake faith? Make no mistake, friends, a fake 55 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:33,100 Speaker 5: faith can cause some serious damage to you and to 56 00:03:33,139 --> 00:03:36,780 Speaker 5: God's people. Welcome to The Jesus Podcast, a year of 57 00:03:36,860 --> 00:03:40,830 Speaker 5: stories showcasing the depth of Christ's love and the glory 58 00:03:40,950 --> 00:03:43,670 Speaker 5: of his spirit. We've been going through a mini-series on 59 00:03:43,710 --> 00:03:46,630 Speaker 5: the birth of the church, showcasing that the power and 60 00:03:46,690 --> 00:03:50,130 Speaker 5: work of Christ lives on through his followers. Take a 61 00:03:50,150 --> 00:03:52,490 Speaker 5: moment to follow on whatever platform you're listening to so 62 00:03:52,510 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 5: you never have to miss an episode. Today we're diving 63 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:57,100 Speaker 5: into one of the more shocking stories in the book 64 00:03:57,120 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 5: of Acts. Today's episode is inspired by Acts 5, 1-16, 65 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:03,700 Speaker 5: and it introduces us to a couple who wanted to 66 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:06,370 Speaker 5: make a name for themselves in the early church, but 67 00:04:06,450 --> 00:04:11,170 Speaker 5: ended up as a cautionary tale. Their names? Ananias and Sapphira. 68 00:04:11,650 --> 00:04:14,190 Speaker 5: The story of their deceit reminds us that while we 69 00:04:14,210 --> 00:04:16,450 Speaker 5: can fool people, we can never fool God. 70 00:04:18,810 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 1: Back at home, Ananias sat at his table. He swirled 71 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: a cup of wine around in his hand, like a 72 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,790 Speaker 1: fortune teller trying to see the future in the circular wavelets. 73 00:04:29,550 --> 00:04:33,710 Speaker 1: His wife, Sapphira, busily scurried around the kitchen, fixing him 74 00:04:33,750 --> 00:04:35,180 Speaker 1: a plate of lukewarm food. 75 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:39,870 Speaker 3: It's just not fair, Sapphira. Barnabas has all this wealth, 76 00:04:40,110 --> 00:04:43,390 Speaker 3: so of course he can afford the praise. Where does 77 00:04:43,410 --> 00:04:46,270 Speaker 3: that leave the rest of us? To scurry under the 78 00:04:46,430 --> 00:04:48,570 Speaker 3: feet of the apostles for table scraps? 79 00:04:49,270 --> 00:04:53,729 Speaker 1: Ananias held nothing back. If asked, he would have blamed 80 00:04:53,790 --> 00:04:56,630 Speaker 1: his lack of control on the tiredness from the day. 81 00:04:57,410 --> 00:05:00,270 Speaker 1: But his heart knew he would feel the same emotions 82 00:05:00,330 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 1: in the morning, after a heavy night of sleep. The 83 00:05:04,060 --> 00:05:08,580 Speaker 1: sourness from years of self-loathing and envy had corrupted away 84 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:12,750 Speaker 1: at his heart. Regardless of whether his feelings were right 85 00:05:13,290 --> 00:05:17,010 Speaker 1: or wrong, he felt a sense of security sharing it 86 00:05:17,050 --> 00:05:21,529 Speaker 1: with his wife. Sapphira was faithful to a fault and 87 00:05:21,550 --> 00:05:25,010 Speaker 1: would follow Ananias to the ends of the earth. She 88 00:05:25,050 --> 00:05:28,060 Speaker 1: had fallen deeply in love with him at a young age, 89 00:05:29,010 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 1: and the years together only fortified her affection for her husband. 90 00:05:33,460 --> 00:05:37,780 Speaker 6: You're absolutely right, dear. You work just as hard as Barnabas, 91 00:05:38,380 --> 00:05:41,380 Speaker 6: if not harder, for I've heard he can afford help 92 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:41,860 Speaker 6: this year. 93 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:45,160 Speaker 1: Ananias grunted with a judgmental nod of his head. 94 00:05:46,220 --> 00:05:48,860 Speaker 6: But have some food. I'm sure you're hungry. 95 00:05:49,370 --> 00:05:50,230 Speaker 3: Try to relax. 96 00:05:50,750 --> 00:05:51,950 Speaker 6: Things will turn for the better. 97 00:05:52,470 --> 00:05:56,970 Speaker 1: Sapphira carefully laid a plate of homemade rosemary bread, olives, 98 00:05:57,029 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 1: and grapes before her husband. He thanked her as he 99 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:04,390 Speaker 1: looked up into her eyes. He could see that she 100 00:06:04,529 --> 00:06:07,430 Speaker 1: was just as worn out as he was, yet her 101 00:06:07,630 --> 00:06:10,930 Speaker 1: eyes still glowed with the vibrancy of a youthful soul. 102 00:06:11,870 --> 00:06:15,930 Speaker 1: When she stepped away, Ananias pushed around the food on 103 00:06:15,970 --> 00:06:19,510 Speaker 1: his plate. But satiating his hunger was going to have 104 00:06:19,550 --> 00:06:23,070 Speaker 1: to wait, for a deeper desire burned within him. 105 00:06:23,550 --> 00:06:26,529 Speaker 3: You know, my love, I've been thinking, thinking about what 106 00:06:26,570 --> 00:06:29,599 Speaker 3: you were saying. about things turning out for the better? 107 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:32,020 Speaker 3: I believe I have a way to help us. 108 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:36,540 Speaker 1: Sophia returned with an inquisitive look. Ever since they had 109 00:06:36,580 --> 00:06:40,780 Speaker 1: devoted themselves to the teachings of Jesus, she struggled to 110 00:06:40,820 --> 00:06:41,700 Speaker 1: think about herself. 111 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:47,180 Speaker 3: Well, us and the believers, of course. A mutually beneficial plan, 112 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:50,460 Speaker 3: if you will. You know our field, the one that's 113 00:06:50,540 --> 00:06:53,320 Speaker 3: dried up as of late? Perhaps it would be better 114 00:06:53,420 --> 00:06:56,700 Speaker 3: if we rid ourselves of the burden. We can give 115 00:06:56,740 --> 00:06:59,860 Speaker 3: some of the proceeds to the apostles and keep some 116 00:06:59,900 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 3: for ourselves, of course. The apostles need not know that 117 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:04,020 Speaker 3: last part, though. 118 00:07:04,670 --> 00:07:09,350 Speaker 1: Sapphira questioned Ananias' words silently in her mind. She could 119 00:07:09,390 --> 00:07:13,330 Speaker 1: feel a subtle prodding within her that caused her to 120 00:07:13,410 --> 00:07:18,210 Speaker 1: struggle with the idea. Though Ananias didn't say it explicitly, 121 00:07:19,090 --> 00:07:23,550 Speaker 1: he fully intended to deceive the apostles. She knew what 122 00:07:23,580 --> 00:07:27,150 Speaker 1: he was saying was wrong. But her love for Ananias 123 00:07:27,250 --> 00:07:31,290 Speaker 1: caused her to mistakenly take her duties as an encouraging 124 00:07:31,370 --> 00:07:36,410 Speaker 1: wife to mean disrespecting the spirit. His prompts to oppose 125 00:07:36,470 --> 00:07:40,890 Speaker 1: the plan would possibly upset her husband further. And this 126 00:07:40,950 --> 00:07:44,900 Speaker 1: was the gateway to her flesh playing the part of 127 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:50,540 Speaker 1: opposing counsel. She began to convince herself The plan wasn't 128 00:07:50,650 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: entirely wrong. What harm could come from seeking a little 129 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:59,580 Speaker 1: recognition if the church still received support? As she thought 130 00:07:59,660 --> 00:08:04,140 Speaker 1: through Ananias' plan, she allowed herself to admit the weight 131 00:08:04,180 --> 00:08:07,020 Speaker 1: of life she had started to feel. It was the 132 00:08:07,060 --> 00:08:11,380 Speaker 1: first time in a long time. Her shoulders slumped forward. 133 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:15,760 Speaker 1: Perhaps this was how God would allow them a chance 134 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:16,980 Speaker 1: at a fresh start. 135 00:08:17,770 --> 00:08:21,610 Speaker 6: You are crafty, my love, with a sharp mind. Do 136 00:08:21,670 --> 00:08:23,790 Speaker 6: as you see fit, and I will follow up with 137 00:08:23,810 --> 00:08:25,770 Speaker 6: you accordingly. I trust you. 138 00:08:26,370 --> 00:08:29,250 Speaker 1: Sapphira stared into the flame of the rusted lamp in 139 00:08:29,270 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: the kitchen. She held her hand up to it, feeling 140 00:08:33,100 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 1: its small, radiating warmth. She pressed her fingers closer, allowing 141 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: the dancing flame to tap her fingertips. She winced in 142 00:08:42,220 --> 00:08:46,560 Speaker 1: pain as she drew her hand back swiftly. She pondered 143 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:50,459 Speaker 1: the duality of its nature to both comfort and harm. 144 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:54,020 Speaker 1: In its right place, it gave light to the whole house, 145 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:58,939 Speaker 1: but uncontained, it would burn the entire house without a 146 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 1: consideration for what laid in its path. Near the end 147 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:08,370 Speaker 1: of the week, some believers gathered to listen to the apostles' teaching, pray, 148 00:09:08,770 --> 00:09:12,430 Speaker 1: and worship together. The sound of hundreds of voices lifting 149 00:09:12,510 --> 00:09:15,830 Speaker 1: the name of the Lord high in praises rang through 150 00:09:15,850 --> 00:09:19,730 Speaker 1: the streets and up to the heavens. People working their 151 00:09:19,790 --> 00:09:23,650 Speaker 1: way up and down the street would regularly stop and 152 00:09:23,690 --> 00:09:27,550 Speaker 1: listen in. On many occasions they would find themselves staying 153 00:09:27,630 --> 00:09:31,260 Speaker 1: longer than they intended. Something in the depths of their 154 00:09:31,380 --> 00:09:36,540 Speaker 1: soul would cry out in satisfaction at the words of Jesus' gospel. 155 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:40,780 Speaker 1: And hearing the simplicity of receiving the grace of Jesus 156 00:09:41,250 --> 00:09:45,080 Speaker 1: through his scandalous rescue plan, They would give their hearts 157 00:09:45,150 --> 00:09:48,339 Speaker 1: to the Lord and join the people of the way. 158 00:09:49,179 --> 00:09:52,980 Speaker 1: And Ananias wriggled through the people. His eyes set on 159 00:09:53,020 --> 00:09:56,490 Speaker 1: the apostles at the center of the congregation. He had 160 00:09:56,530 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: arrived from the marketplace and carried two coin purse. one 161 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: in each hand. He passed the two bags between his 162 00:10:04,540 --> 00:10:08,260 Speaker 1: left and right hands before slipping the larger of the 163 00:10:08,300 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: bags into his satchel. He found Sapphira near the front rows, 164 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:14,940 Speaker 1: just as John began addressing the crowds. 165 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:19,660 Speaker 3: Brothers and sisters, people of the way, blessed be the 166 00:10:19,740 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 3: Lord our God, King of the universe, who provides for 167 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:28,090 Speaker 3: our needs. He is exceedingly grateful for your cheerful giving, 168 00:10:28,890 --> 00:10:31,829 Speaker 3: and we are humbled to distribute his provision to the needy. 169 00:10:32,370 --> 00:10:35,790 Speaker 1: This was the perfect opportunity, Ananias thought to himself. 170 00:10:36,510 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 3: Today we have wonderful news. Last week, a believer among 171 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:44,510 Speaker 3: you sold a large piece of property, And they have 172 00:10:44,610 --> 00:10:48,329 Speaker 3: chosen from the goodness of their heart to give all 173 00:10:48,410 --> 00:10:50,410 Speaker 3: the money they have earned from it to the Lord 174 00:10:50,790 --> 00:10:53,750 Speaker 3: and his people. But they have asked that the left 175 00:10:53,809 --> 00:10:56,430 Speaker 3: hand not know the works of the right, and they 176 00:10:56,450 --> 00:11:00,330 Speaker 3: will therefore remain anonymous. But the Lord knows when you 177 00:11:00,350 --> 00:11:03,950 Speaker 3: give in secret, and he will reward you openly as 178 00:11:04,030 --> 00:11:05,530 Speaker 3: he sees fit. 179 00:11:06,190 --> 00:11:11,220 Speaker 1: Ananias' eyes turned to slits as his nostrils flared. A 180 00:11:11,290 --> 00:11:16,069 Speaker 1: white fury raged within him. as he realized Barnabas' humility, 181 00:11:16,490 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 1: had slung an army of arrows into his plan. He 182 00:11:20,340 --> 00:11:24,620 Speaker 1: had mistakenly assumed John's note of God being glorified in 183 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: the light was a hint at publicly acknowledging Barnabas by name. 184 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:33,910 Speaker 1: Never had he considered Barnabas' delicate choice for anonymity to 185 00:11:33,950 --> 00:11:37,989 Speaker 1: be set in stone along with his gift. He calculated 186 00:11:38,130 --> 00:11:42,270 Speaker 1: his options. Perhaps there was still hope for recognition for 187 00:11:42,309 --> 00:11:46,010 Speaker 1: his good deeds. Even if he had to work the system, 188 00:11:46,650 --> 00:11:50,530 Speaker 1: he waited until the gathering ended before sharing it with Sapphira. 189 00:11:51,050 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 3: I shall follow them home, just as Barnabas must have. 190 00:11:54,540 --> 00:11:58,100 Speaker 3: There I will present them with our offering. Then they 191 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:01,420 Speaker 3: will acknowledge us before the gathering, just like with Barnabas today. 192 00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:06,130 Speaker 1: Sapphira gave a sullen nod, a mark of her inward wrestling. 193 00:12:06,570 --> 00:12:07,290 Speaker 6: Lead the way, then. 194 00:12:07,770 --> 00:12:12,050 Speaker 1: As the people began to scatter... Ananias slithered behind the 195 00:12:12,110 --> 00:12:16,030 Speaker 1: apostles as they made their way home. He mimed everything 196 00:12:16,090 --> 00:12:18,590 Speaker 1: he had seen and heard the night he had stumbled 197 00:12:18,630 --> 00:12:20,450 Speaker 1: upon Barnabas and the apostles. 198 00:12:20,970 --> 00:12:23,470 Speaker 3: Excuse me, apostles, wait! 199 00:12:23,970 --> 00:12:27,410 Speaker 1: Ananias sped into a light jog. He could hear the 200 00:12:27,490 --> 00:12:31,189 Speaker 1: coins jingling in the bag at his side. He firmly 201 00:12:31,330 --> 00:12:34,630 Speaker 1: placed one hand over the bag to silence them as 202 00:12:34,670 --> 00:12:37,380 Speaker 1: he lifted the other coin purse high into the air. 203 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: A triumphant display. of his deceitful generosity. 204 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:48,900 Speaker 7: Ananias, how splendid to see you. How are you in Sephara? 205 00:12:49,520 --> 00:12:52,870 Speaker 3: We are quite well, brother Peter. In fact, we are splendid, 206 00:12:53,470 --> 00:12:56,530 Speaker 3: for the Lord has been gracious with us, and we'd 207 00:12:56,570 --> 00:12:58,130 Speaker 3: like to share our good fortune. 208 00:12:58,630 --> 00:13:02,110 Speaker 1: Ananias dropped the coins on the ground and took a knee. 209 00:13:02,910 --> 00:13:06,530 Speaker 1: He pressed his face low as his eyes flitted about 210 00:13:06,990 --> 00:13:07,870 Speaker 1: in anticipation. 211 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:09,500 Speaker 4: Oh, a gift. 212 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:11,340 Speaker 3: How marvelous. 213 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:17,150 Speaker 7: Please, tell us how the Lord has placed such generosity 214 00:13:17,230 --> 00:13:17,750 Speaker 7: on your heart. 215 00:13:18,210 --> 00:13:20,270 Speaker 3: Well, you see, my wife and I have a field. 216 00:13:20,770 --> 00:13:23,810 Speaker 3: That is to say, we had a field. We sold 217 00:13:23,890 --> 00:13:26,449 Speaker 3: it so we might give the full earnings to the. 218 00:13:26,410 --> 00:13:30,390 Speaker 1: People of the way. Peter noted the familiarity of Ananias' 219 00:13:30,460 --> 00:13:35,319 Speaker 1: newfound wealth, quickly connecting the dots to John's interactions with Barnabas. 220 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 1: The spirit whirred around Peter's mind like a watchman's trumpet. 221 00:13:40,780 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 1: sounding at the sight of the enemy. Peter was washed 222 00:13:44,420 --> 00:13:49,579 Speaker 1: over with supernatural clarity, as Ananias' dark deeds were being 223 00:13:49,660 --> 00:13:54,820 Speaker 1: revealed to him through the Spirit's divine revelations. Righteous anger 224 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:59,260 Speaker 1: swept over the apostle, like the Red Seas closing over 225 00:13:59,300 --> 00:14:00,020 Speaker 1: the Egyptians. 226 00:14:00,550 --> 00:14:04,550 Speaker 7: Ananias, how have you allowed Satan to fill your heart? 227 00:14:05,090 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 2: You have lied to the Holy Spirit! For you have 228 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:10,860 Speaker 2: indeed kept some of the money you received for the 229 00:14:10,900 --> 00:14:11,900 Speaker 2: land for yourself. 230 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:16,880 Speaker 1: Ananias quaked as fear sunk its claws into his heart. 231 00:14:17,620 --> 00:14:20,290 Speaker 1: He had been caught and he could feel the color 232 00:14:20,430 --> 00:14:24,110 Speaker 1: draining from his face and any hope of being praised. 233 00:14:24,830 --> 00:14:27,470 Speaker 1: He dug through his thoughts to find an excuse that 234 00:14:27,590 --> 00:14:29,590 Speaker 1: might dampen the blow to his pride. 235 00:14:30,230 --> 00:14:31,120 Speaker 4: But nothing came. 236 00:14:32,140 --> 00:14:34,660 Speaker 1: Peter began to reason with the lost disciples. 237 00:14:35,100 --> 00:14:37,520 Speaker 7: Didn't the land belong to you before it was sold? 238 00:14:38,220 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 2: And after it was sold, wasn't the money yours to 239 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:42,710 Speaker 2: use as you pleased? 240 00:14:43,410 --> 00:14:46,470 Speaker 3: What made you think of doing such a thing? I, well, 241 00:14:47,090 --> 00:14:48,830 Speaker 3: I thought maybe I... it was. 242 00:14:49,970 --> 00:14:55,300 Speaker 1: Ananias stammered incoherently. Peter's voice struck his soul like falling 243 00:14:55,540 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 1: oak trees splintering against the forest floor. Ananias felt himself 244 00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 1: sweating as a harsh, heated wind spiraled around him. 245 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:08,570 Speaker 2: You have not just lied to mankind, but to God. 246 00:15:09,190 --> 00:15:13,970 Speaker 1: At these final words, Ananias grasped at his chest in agony. 247 00:15:14,550 --> 00:15:19,250 Speaker 1: The man cried out in anguish before lifelessly dropping to 248 00:15:19,290 --> 00:15:23,290 Speaker 1: the ground below. The other disciples gasped at the suddenness 249 00:15:23,340 --> 00:15:26,060 Speaker 1: of what they had witnessed, but each one knew it 250 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:31,410 Speaker 1: was undeniably the spirit Protecting the people of God from 251 00:15:31,450 --> 00:15:36,670 Speaker 1: the cunning serpent of old. He had lured Ananias into 252 00:15:36,730 --> 00:15:41,030 Speaker 1: perverting the good things of life for personal gain, but 253 00:15:41,090 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 1: had been thwarted yet again. Peter whispered to Andrew, who 254 00:15:45,540 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 1: ran down the street. A few minutes later, Andrew returned 255 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:53,620 Speaker 1: with several other men. The men carefully wrapped Ananias in 256 00:15:53,660 --> 00:15:57,750 Speaker 1: a sackcloth and hoisted his body up. Though he had 257 00:15:57,830 --> 00:16:01,710 Speaker 1: left the world in shame, they would respectfully bury him, 258 00:16:02,370 --> 00:16:06,670 Speaker 1: guarding their own hearts against the same bitterness that had 259 00:16:06,770 --> 00:16:14,360 Speaker 1: consumed Ananias in life. Hours passed along sluggishly as Sapphira 260 00:16:14,420 --> 00:16:18,220 Speaker 1: worried in an empty home. She watched the late afternoon 261 00:16:18,260 --> 00:16:22,820 Speaker 1: shadows stretch slowly into the evening. Ananias had been gone 262 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:26,930 Speaker 1: far longer than she would have expected. If the apostles 263 00:16:26,970 --> 00:16:30,750 Speaker 1: had invited him in, as they had with Barnabas, wouldn't 264 00:16:30,790 --> 00:16:34,690 Speaker 1: he have called for her to join? Or worse, had 265 00:16:34,710 --> 00:16:38,830 Speaker 1: something gone wrong? She shuffled to her seat. No harm 266 00:16:38,910 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: could come from checking on her husband, she thought to herself. 267 00:16:42,930 --> 00:16:46,260 Speaker 1: She anxiously strode along the winding streets of the neighborhood. 268 00:16:47,100 --> 00:16:49,640 Speaker 1: All she could think about was the well-being of her husband. 269 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 1: She had worked hard to provide a stable life for them. 270 00:16:53,730 --> 00:16:57,370 Speaker 1: and she desperately wanted him to find some reprieve from 271 00:16:57,410 --> 00:17:01,770 Speaker 1: his weariness in the recognition of the apostles. She found 272 00:17:01,810 --> 00:17:05,730 Speaker 1: the house where the apostles stayed and gently knocked on 273 00:17:05,770 --> 00:17:09,790 Speaker 1: the door. She peered through the window as a slight 274 00:17:09,910 --> 00:17:14,609 Speaker 1: breeze brushed the curtain back slightly. She noticed a dozen 275 00:17:14,670 --> 00:17:19,110 Speaker 1: men huddled around a table. They were in concentrated discussions 276 00:17:19,510 --> 00:17:23,570 Speaker 1: with one another. Her head whipped back forward, as the 277 00:17:23,590 --> 00:17:29,030 Speaker 1: door opened slowly. Matthias poked his face out. Matthias sheepishly 278 00:17:29,109 --> 00:17:31,950 Speaker 1: called for Peter, while pushing the door wider. 279 00:17:32,630 --> 00:17:34,010 Speaker 3: Peter, she's here. 280 00:17:34,710 --> 00:17:38,230 Speaker 1: Peter rose to his feet slowly. The creaking of his 281 00:17:38,310 --> 00:17:41,410 Speaker 1: chair emphasized the silence of the rest of the room. 282 00:17:43,650 --> 00:17:49,070 Speaker 7: Thank you, Matthias. Good evening, Sapphira. We were expecting you. 283 00:17:50,109 --> 00:17:50,690 Speaker 7: Please come in. 284 00:17:51,490 --> 00:17:55,230 Speaker 1: Sapphira was surprised to hear that she was expected, as 285 00:17:55,270 --> 00:17:58,629 Speaker 1: no word had been sent along to her. She stepped 286 00:17:58,750 --> 00:18:00,090 Speaker 1: cautiously through the door. 287 00:18:00,710 --> 00:18:01,090 Speaker 7: You. 288 00:18:01,750 --> 00:18:02,190 Speaker 6: you were? 289 00:18:02,780 --> 00:18:03,040 Speaker 4: Yes. 290 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 7: Ananias was here not too long ago to share a 291 00:18:07,220 --> 00:18:11,980 Speaker 7: gift with the believers. I assume you knew of this? 292 00:18:12,580 --> 00:18:14,980 Speaker 1: Sapphira remained poised at the question. 293 00:18:17,070 --> 00:18:17,510 Speaker 4: I see. 294 00:18:18,650 --> 00:18:22,820 Speaker 7: Well then, Perhaps you can confirm that this is the 295 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:25,300 Speaker 7: price Ananias received for the land? 296 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:26,220 Speaker 4: Yes. 297 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:30,679 Speaker 6: We discussed it beforehand. We prayed and sought the Lord. 298 00:18:31,260 --> 00:18:34,419 Speaker 6: I fully supported Ananias in what he thought was best. 299 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:39,649 Speaker 1: Peter upended Ananias' coin purse into his hand. The truth was, 300 00:18:40,150 --> 00:18:43,510 Speaker 1: Sapphira hadn't known the amount Ananias received for the land. 301 00:18:44,330 --> 00:18:47,840 Speaker 1: But she remembered Ananias' plan to tell the apostle that 302 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:50,260 Speaker 1: his gift was the entirety of his profits. 303 00:18:50,980 --> 00:18:52,300 Speaker 3: Yes, that is the amount. 304 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:56,460 Speaker 1: In an instant, the same rushing wind that had encircled 305 00:18:56,540 --> 00:19:02,360 Speaker 1: Ananias swept around Sapphira. It rattled the house as floorboards 306 00:19:02,460 --> 00:19:07,459 Speaker 1: creaked and dust fell through the ceiling above. Sapphira's sight 307 00:19:07,619 --> 00:19:11,470 Speaker 1: left her as panic crept over her body. The hot 308 00:19:11,510 --> 00:19:15,710 Speaker 1: whirlwind seemed to draw the air straight out of Sapphira's lungs. 309 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:23,960 Speaker 1: She gasped helplessly, clutching the apostle's robes. Losing consciousness, Sapphira 310 00:19:24,020 --> 00:19:27,540 Speaker 1: released her grip and slammed her hands against the ground, 311 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:32,940 Speaker 1: fighting for stability. In her blindness, she heard Peter's thunderous voice. 312 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:37,810 Speaker 7: How could you conspire together to test the spirit of 313 00:19:37,850 --> 00:19:38,290 Speaker 7: the Lord? 314 00:19:38,310 --> 00:19:39,409 Speaker 4: Listen. 315 00:19:39,430 --> 00:19:39,710 Speaker 1: Listen. 316 00:19:40,350 --> 00:19:42,530 Speaker 2: The feet of the men who buried your husband are 317 00:19:42,590 --> 00:19:45,750 Speaker 2: at the door, and they will carry you out also. 318 00:19:46,510 --> 00:19:51,109 Speaker 1: Just as her husband had, Sapphira's body fell motionless. to 319 00:19:51,130 --> 00:19:54,070 Speaker 1: the dust from which it had come. The same men 320 00:19:54,210 --> 00:19:57,710 Speaker 1: who had buried Ananias now came for the body of 321 00:19:57,770 --> 00:20:02,129 Speaker 1: his conspirator. News of what happened took to the wind 322 00:20:02,530 --> 00:20:06,689 Speaker 1: the next morning. By evening the next day, all the 323 00:20:06,750 --> 00:20:11,900 Speaker 1: believers in Jerusalem were gripped with fear, not in fear 324 00:20:11,940 --> 00:20:16,940 Speaker 1: of punishment, but in admiration for his holiness. They were 325 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:22,300 Speaker 1: in awe that the Lord's righteous judgment devoted themselves steadfastly 326 00:20:22,420 --> 00:20:26,780 Speaker 1: to his teaching and purposed in their hearts to abide 327 00:20:26,940 --> 00:20:31,480 Speaker 1: by his way of living. The Lord had dealt seriously 328 00:20:31,640 --> 00:20:36,949 Speaker 1: with Ananias and Sapphira and would not take such selfishness lightly. 329 00:20:37,770 --> 00:20:40,830 Speaker 1: He needed his people to follow the lofty call of 330 00:20:40,890 --> 00:20:45,330 Speaker 1: following him and the dire need to care for one another. 331 00:20:46,430 --> 00:20:49,990 Speaker 1: They were a chosen people who were called to endeavor 332 00:20:50,090 --> 00:20:53,760 Speaker 1: together to keep the unity of the spirit in the 333 00:20:53,859 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 1: bond of peace. 334 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:03,780 Speaker 5: Our story today started on a high note, or so 335 00:21:03,820 --> 00:21:08,070 Speaker 5: it seemed. Ananias and Sapphira, inspired by the generosity of Barnabas, 336 00:21:08,369 --> 00:21:11,650 Speaker 5: sold a piece of property. Sounds great, right? But there's 337 00:21:11,690 --> 00:21:14,210 Speaker 5: a twist. They kept back part of the money while 338 00:21:14,230 --> 00:21:17,290 Speaker 5: pretending to give it all. Imagine them coming in, smiles 339 00:21:17,330 --> 00:21:20,020 Speaker 5: on their faces, laying the money at the apostles' feet 340 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 5: as if to say, look how generous we are. It's 341 00:21:22,619 --> 00:21:26,119 Speaker 5: a classic case of keeping up with appearances. But the 342 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:29,360 Speaker 5: Holy Spirit is not one to be deceived. Peter, filled 343 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:32,400 Speaker 5: with the Holy Spirit, calls them out. Ananias, why has 344 00:21:32,460 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 5: Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? 345 00:21:36,109 --> 00:21:38,689 Speaker 5: Notice Peter's words here. He doesn't say, why have you 346 00:21:38,730 --> 00:21:41,149 Speaker 5: lied to us? Or, why have you lied to the church? 347 00:21:41,470 --> 00:21:43,990 Speaker 5: He says, you've lied to the Holy Spirit. That's like 348 00:21:44,030 --> 00:21:45,910 Speaker 5: trying to pull a fast one on someone who can 349 00:21:45,970 --> 00:21:49,590 Speaker 5: see right through you. Peter also doesn't reprimand Ananias by saying, 350 00:21:49,710 --> 00:21:52,660 Speaker 5: why didn't you give all the money? Because here's the thing. 351 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:55,160 Speaker 5: If they wanted to keep half the money for themselves 352 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:57,260 Speaker 5: and give half the money to the church, that would 353 00:21:57,300 --> 00:22:00,820 Speaker 5: have been totally fine. It's the fact that they wanted 354 00:22:00,859 --> 00:22:04,680 Speaker 5: the appearance of giving everything, but only giving half. Let's 355 00:22:04,740 --> 00:22:07,780 Speaker 5: pause and consider all of this. Was their sin keeping 356 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:10,370 Speaker 5: a part of the money? Not at all. Peter makes 357 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:12,920 Speaker 5: it clear. While it remained, was it not your own? 358 00:22:12,940 --> 00:22:15,410 Speaker 5: And after it was sold, was it not in your 359 00:22:15,450 --> 00:22:18,490 Speaker 5: own control? They were free to do what they wanted 360 00:22:18,550 --> 00:22:21,609 Speaker 5: with the money. The sin wasn't in holding back, but 361 00:22:21,650 --> 00:22:24,850 Speaker 5: in pretending to give it all. They wanted the reputation 362 00:22:24,950 --> 00:22:28,669 Speaker 5: of being sacrificial without the actual sacrifice. They wanted the 363 00:22:28,710 --> 00:22:32,060 Speaker 5: applause with none of the cost. And there's the rub, friends. 364 00:22:32,490 --> 00:22:33,900 Speaker 5: Their sin wasn't stinginess. 365 00:22:34,180 --> 00:22:35,140 Speaker 4: It was hypocrisy. 366 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:38,520 Speaker 5: How often do we fall into that same trap? We 367 00:22:38,560 --> 00:22:41,420 Speaker 5: put on our Sunday best, not just in clothes, but 368 00:22:41,460 --> 00:22:44,100 Speaker 5: in our spiritual lives. We might drop a Bible verse 369 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:46,760 Speaker 5: in conversation or post it on social media to sound 370 00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:49,879 Speaker 5: holy or talk about how we've been praying fervently for 371 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:53,119 Speaker 5: someone when, in reality, we're hitting the snooze button on 372 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:56,330 Speaker 5: our spiritual lives. We're so busy crafting a holy image 373 00:22:56,369 --> 00:23:00,130 Speaker 5: that we forget holiness is an inside job. And then 374 00:23:00,210 --> 00:23:03,450 Speaker 5: we get to the jaw-dropping part of the story. You see, 375 00:23:03,830 --> 00:23:06,170 Speaker 5: this part makes me uncomfortable because I would have loved 376 00:23:06,210 --> 00:23:08,950 Speaker 5: it if Ananias and Sapphira were just rebuked and then 377 00:23:08,970 --> 00:23:12,150 Speaker 5: they repent and then everyone makes up. but that's not 378 00:23:12,230 --> 00:23:15,810 Speaker 5: how the story goes. And honestly, this is a really 379 00:23:16,090 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 5: weird and off-putting passage because this doesn't happen in any 380 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:22,460 Speaker 5: other parts of the book of Acts. We don't ever 381 00:23:22,500 --> 00:23:24,980 Speaker 5: see someone in the New Testament being offed because of 382 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:28,199 Speaker 5: their disobedience. That seems more like an Exodus numbers and 383 00:23:28,220 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 5: Deuteronomy type of thing to happen. You see, as soon 384 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:34,379 Speaker 5: as Peter confronts Ananias, he drops dead. Talk about a 385 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:37,239 Speaker 5: dramatic end to a church service. And just when you 386 00:23:37,260 --> 00:23:39,980 Speaker 5: think it couldn't get any crazier, three hours later, Sapphira 387 00:23:40,020 --> 00:23:43,010 Speaker 5: walks in completely unaware of what's happened. Peter gives her 388 00:23:43,030 --> 00:23:45,010 Speaker 5: a chance to come clean, but she doubles down on 389 00:23:45,030 --> 00:23:47,970 Speaker 5: the lie. And she also drops dead on the spot. Now, 390 00:23:48,150 --> 00:23:50,290 Speaker 5: I can hear some of you thinking, wow, isn't that 391 00:23:50,310 --> 00:23:53,610 Speaker 5: a bit harsh? But here's the thing. God's judgment here 392 00:23:53,710 --> 00:23:56,970 Speaker 5: is not just about punishing a simple mistake. It's about 393 00:23:57,040 --> 00:23:59,800 Speaker 5: protecting the integrity of the early church. This was a 394 00:23:59,820 --> 00:24:02,500 Speaker 5: critical moment for the church, and God had to set 395 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:05,700 Speaker 5: a clear standard. You cannot build God's kingdom on lies. 396 00:24:06,290 --> 00:24:09,510 Speaker 5: The church was growing rapidly and God knew that unchecked 397 00:24:09,550 --> 00:24:13,260 Speaker 5: hypocrisy could rot it from the inside out. And here's 398 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:15,700 Speaker 5: the thing. We've seen a lot of this in today's culture, 399 00:24:15,740 --> 00:24:18,399 Speaker 5: haven't we? We've seen a pastor or a church leader's 400 00:24:18,440 --> 00:24:21,959 Speaker 5: hypocrisy really blowing things up for other people's faith. How 401 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:23,960 Speaker 5: many of you have been in a church where the 402 00:24:24,010 --> 00:24:27,150 Speaker 5: senior pastor has had an affair or there's been some 403 00:24:27,190 --> 00:24:31,970 Speaker 5: serious money problems and dishonesty? These types of things cause rifts. 404 00:24:32,130 --> 00:24:34,810 Speaker 5: This type of hypocrisy can really hurt the faith of 405 00:24:35,230 --> 00:24:38,909 Speaker 5: people who have innocently come in yearning for connection, but 406 00:24:39,130 --> 00:24:42,250 Speaker 5: end up really burned by these types of things. It's 407 00:24:42,270 --> 00:24:44,070 Speaker 5: not that we have to be perfect, but we can't 408 00:24:44,090 --> 00:24:46,990 Speaker 5: be hypocrites. And I think this passage is so intense 409 00:24:47,070 --> 00:24:49,670 Speaker 5: as a warning sign for not only the early church, 410 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:53,480 Speaker 5: but for us today. You see, deceit and hypocrisy have 411 00:24:53,820 --> 00:24:58,660 Speaker 5: large consequences. And we see a very appropriate response after this. 412 00:24:59,060 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 5: What happens next after Ananias and Sapphira are buried? It says, 413 00:25:03,100 --> 00:25:05,480 Speaker 5: so great fear came upon the church and upon all 414 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:09,740 Speaker 5: who heard these things. Yeah, duh. Imagine if that happened 415 00:25:09,780 --> 00:25:13,340 Speaker 5: in today's church. The lesson was very clear. God takes 416 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:17,160 Speaker 5: the purity of his church seriously. But notice what also happens. 417 00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:19,940 Speaker 5: It says, and through the hands of the apostles, many 418 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:23,180 Speaker 5: signs and wonders were done among the people. Purity leads 419 00:25:23,220 --> 00:25:26,689 Speaker 5: to power. God's spirit moves mightily when his people are 420 00:25:26,730 --> 00:25:30,520 Speaker 5: walking in integrity. The early church responded with awe, and 421 00:25:30,540 --> 00:25:32,060 Speaker 5: the community around them took notice. 422 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:32,920 Speaker 4: The result? 423 00:25:33,140 --> 00:25:36,359 Speaker 5: More people believed and were added to their number. Here's 424 00:25:36,380 --> 00:25:39,639 Speaker 5: the irony. The church grew, not despite the judgment, but 425 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:42,810 Speaker 5: because of it. There's a lesson here, folks. A church 426 00:25:42,850 --> 00:25:46,690 Speaker 5: that pursues holiness, authentic, spirit-filled holiness, is a church where 427 00:25:46,730 --> 00:25:50,030 Speaker 5: God's power is manifest. People are drawn to it. So 428 00:25:50,050 --> 00:25:52,770 Speaker 5: what can we learn from Ananias and Sapphira? Be real 429 00:25:52,830 --> 00:25:55,290 Speaker 5: with God and with each other. Don't settle for a 430 00:25:55,350 --> 00:25:58,080 Speaker 5: facade of holiness when God is inviting you into the 431 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 5: real thing. Let's be a church where authenticity reigns, where 432 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:04,000 Speaker 5: we're not afraid to be honest about our struggles, and 433 00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:06,490 Speaker 5: where we trust God enough to believe he can do 434 00:26:06,550 --> 00:26:08,889 Speaker 5: mighty things among us. May we have the courage to 435 00:26:08,930 --> 00:26:11,710 Speaker 5: drop the masks, step into the light, and let God's 436 00:26:11,750 --> 00:26:15,300 Speaker 5: spirit move among us with purity and power. Because when 437 00:26:15,320 --> 00:26:18,100 Speaker 5: the church is real, God shows up in real ways.