1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,180 Speaker 1: So that your giving may be in secret, and your 2 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:09,320 Speaker 1: Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6.4 3 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:14,020 Speaker 1: Gracious Father, we thank you for seeing our hearts and 4 00:00:14,060 --> 00:00:18,820 Speaker 1: knowing our motives. We ask for humility, Lord, that we 5 00:00:18,860 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: may give generously without seeking the recognition of others. Help 6 00:00:24,060 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 1: us to remember that our reward is not in the 7 00:00:26,579 --> 00:00:32,250 Speaker 1: praise of man, but in your approval. alone. Teach us 8 00:00:32,350 --> 00:00:37,770 Speaker 1: to give faithfully and quietly, trusting that you see what 9 00:00:37,850 --> 00:00:43,029 Speaker 1: is done in secret. May we be content with your acknowledgement, 10 00:00:44,070 --> 00:00:47,279 Speaker 1: finding joy in serving others out of love for you. 11 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:52,960 Speaker 1: Keep our hearts pure, focused on your glory and not 12 00:00:53,060 --> 00:00:58,140 Speaker 1: our own. Strengthen us to remain faithful in our giving. 13 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:03,580 Speaker 1: even when no one else sees. In Jesus' name, amen. 14 00:01:04,540 --> 00:01:07,559 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 15 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for another dramatized story inspired 16 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:16,339 Speaker 1: by the book of Acts and the birth of the church. 17 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 1: If this podcast has blessed you, make sure to follow 18 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 1: so you never have to miss an episode. Ananias made 19 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:30,319 Speaker 1: his way tiresomely down the darkened street. He had taken 20 00:01:30,380 --> 00:01:32,819 Speaker 1: longer closing up his shop than he would have liked, 21 00:01:33,459 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 1: and the price to pay was smelling warm cooked meals 22 00:01:37,060 --> 00:01:41,990 Speaker 1: through lighted windows, while his stomach growled with hunger. Ananias 23 00:01:42,030 --> 00:01:45,190 Speaker 1: grumbled mindlessly to himself in cold bitterness. 24 00:01:45,670 --> 00:01:49,790 Speaker 2: All these people enjoying their lives, and I'm always working 25 00:01:49,830 --> 00:01:51,150 Speaker 2: with the short end of the stick. 26 00:01:51,830 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: He was suddenly drawn from his complainings, When he heard 27 00:01:54,700 --> 00:01:58,180 Speaker 1: a loud thud, he turned and squinted down the lane. 28 00:01:58,700 --> 00:02:01,640 Speaker 1: He could make out a dozen or so figures standing 29 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,620 Speaker 1: out front of a house. He bent his ear to 30 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,890 Speaker 1: listen in. If he had to endure the late walk, 31 00:02:08,310 --> 00:02:11,190 Speaker 1: he might as well do so with the enjoyment he 32 00:02:11,270 --> 00:02:12,910 Speaker 1: found in eavesdropping. 33 00:02:13,410 --> 00:02:15,470 Speaker 3: I went to the market today to sell one of 34 00:02:15,530 --> 00:02:18,670 Speaker 3: my fields. You see, the Lord has graced me with 35 00:02:18,810 --> 00:02:21,710 Speaker 3: more than I need. The fruit of my other fields 36 00:02:21,790 --> 00:02:25,310 Speaker 3: alone will continue to feed those who hunger. I hope 37 00:02:25,350 --> 00:02:27,630 Speaker 3: that the money this field has brought will be able 38 00:02:27,669 --> 00:02:31,130 Speaker 3: to bless the people of God in an even greater way. 39 00:02:31,750 --> 00:02:33,850 Speaker 3: I would have given it at the gathering today, but 40 00:02:34,169 --> 00:02:37,410 Speaker 3: I thought it best to wait, considering the amount. 41 00:02:37,970 --> 00:02:42,730 Speaker 1: Ananias recognized Barnabas' voice. Not only did they own land 42 00:02:42,830 --> 00:02:46,110 Speaker 1: near one another, but both had become followers of Jesus 43 00:02:46,430 --> 00:02:49,929 Speaker 1: since the resurrection. Ananias stepped behind the corner of a 44 00:02:49,970 --> 00:02:53,130 Speaker 1: nearby house, cautiously peering around the edge. 45 00:02:53,700 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 2: May the world know of the goodness of God demonstrated 46 00:02:56,580 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 2: to you. 47 00:02:56,940 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 4: Today, Barnabas. 48 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 2: The Lord will use what you've done in secret to 49 00:03:01,180 --> 00:03:03,300 Speaker 2: glorify himself in the light. 50 00:03:04,970 --> 00:03:08,530 Speaker 1: As the men entered the house, Ananias pressed the small 51 00:03:08,570 --> 00:03:11,150 Speaker 1: of his back against the wall with a heavy sigh. 52 00:03:11,770 --> 00:03:13,930 Speaker 1: He pounded it with the heel of his fist. 53 00:03:14,690 --> 00:03:18,190 Speaker 2: One day, I'll have the recognition I deserve. 54 00:03:22,030 --> 00:03:25,650 Speaker 5: What's the cost of pretending? What are the ripple effects 55 00:03:25,850 --> 00:03:29,510 Speaker 5: of our fake faith? Make no mistake, friends, a fake 56 00:03:29,700 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 5: faith can cause some serious damage to you and to 57 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 5: God's people. Welcome to The Jesus Podcast, a year of 58 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:40,820 Speaker 5: stories showcasing the depth of Christ's love and the glory 59 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 5: of his spirit. We've been going through a mini-series on 60 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:46,650 Speaker 5: the birth of the church, showcasing that the power and 61 00:03:46,710 --> 00:03:50,130 Speaker 5: work of Christ lives on through his followers. Take a 62 00:03:50,170 --> 00:03:52,510 Speaker 5: moment to follow on whatever platform you're listening to so 63 00:03:52,530 --> 00:03:55,050 Speaker 5: you never have to miss an episode. Today we're diving 64 00:03:55,090 --> 00:03:57,110 Speaker 5: into one of the more shocking stories in the book 65 00:03:57,130 --> 00:04:01,020 Speaker 5: of Acts. Today's episode is inspired by Acts 5, 1-16, 66 00:04:01,420 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 5: and it introduces us to a couple who wanted to 67 00:04:03,780 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 5: make a name for themselves in the early church, but 68 00:04:06,460 --> 00:04:11,190 Speaker 5: ended up as a cautionary tale. Their names? Ananias and Sapphira. 69 00:04:11,670 --> 00:04:14,210 Speaker 5: The story of their deceit reminds us that while we 70 00:04:14,230 --> 00:04:16,470 Speaker 5: can fool people, we can never fool God. 71 00:04:18,830 --> 00:04:22,450 Speaker 1: Back at home, Ananias sat at his table. He swirled 72 00:04:22,470 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: a cup of wine around in his hand, like a 73 00:04:25,140 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 1: fortune teller trying to see the future in the circular wavelets. 74 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:33,710 Speaker 1: His wife, Sapphira, busily scurried around the kitchen, fixing him 75 00:04:33,770 --> 00:04:35,190 Speaker 1: a plate of lukewarm food. 76 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:39,869 Speaker 2: It's just not fair, Sapphira. Barnabas has all this wealth, 77 00:04:40,130 --> 00:04:43,390 Speaker 2: so of course he can afford the praise. Where does 78 00:04:43,430 --> 00:04:46,270 Speaker 2: that leave the rest of us? To scurry under the 79 00:04:46,430 --> 00:04:48,600 Speaker 2: feet of the apostles for table scraps? 80 00:04:49,300 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 1: Ananias held nothing back. If asked, he would have blamed 81 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:56,659 Speaker 1: his lack of control on the tiredness from the day. 82 00:04:57,420 --> 00:05:00,290 Speaker 1: But his heart knew he would feel the same emotions 83 00:05:00,370 --> 00:05:04,020 Speaker 1: in the morning, after a heavy night of sleep. The 84 00:05:04,060 --> 00:05:08,599 Speaker 1: sourness from years of self-loathing and envy had corrupted away 85 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:12,750 Speaker 1: at his heart. Regardless of whether his feelings were right 86 00:05:13,290 --> 00:05:17,030 Speaker 1: or wrong, he felt a sense of security sharing it 87 00:05:17,070 --> 00:05:21,550 Speaker 1: with his wife. Sapphira was faithful to a fault and 88 00:05:21,570 --> 00:05:25,010 Speaker 1: would follow Ananias to the ends of the earth. She 89 00:05:25,070 --> 00:05:28,060 Speaker 1: had fallen deeply in love with him at a young age, 90 00:05:29,010 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 1: and the years together only fortified her affection for her husband. 91 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:37,779 Speaker 6: You're absolutely right, dear. You work just as hard as Barnabas, 92 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 6: if not harder, for I've heard he can afford help 93 00:05:41,460 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 6: this year. 94 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:45,190 Speaker 1: Ananias grunted with a judgmental nod of his head. 95 00:05:46,250 --> 00:05:47,089 Speaker 2: But have some food. 96 00:05:47,850 --> 00:05:48,850 Speaker 6: I'm sure you're hungry. 97 00:05:49,390 --> 00:05:50,229 Speaker 2: Try to relax. 98 00:05:50,750 --> 00:05:51,970 Speaker 6: Things will turn for the better. 99 00:05:52,490 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 1: Sapphira carefully laid a plate of homemade rosemary bread, olives, 100 00:05:57,060 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: and grapes before her husband. He thanked her as he 101 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 1: looked up into her eyes. He could see that she 102 00:06:04,540 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 1: was just as worn out as he was, yet her 103 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:10,940 Speaker 1: eyes still glowed with the vibrancy of a youthful soul. 104 00:06:11,890 --> 00:06:15,950 Speaker 1: When she stepped away, Ananias pushed around the food on 105 00:06:15,990 --> 00:06:19,530 Speaker 1: his plate. But satiating his hunger was going to have 106 00:06:19,570 --> 00:06:23,100 Speaker 1: to wait, for a deeper desire burned within him. 107 00:06:23,580 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 2: You know, my love, I've been thinking, thinking about what 108 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,659 Speaker 2: you were saying, about things turning out for the better. 109 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:31,990 Speaker 2: I believe I have a way to help us. 110 00:06:32,690 --> 00:06:36,550 Speaker 1: Zephi returned with an inquisitive look. Ever since they had 111 00:06:36,589 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 1: devoted themselves to the teachings of Jesus, she struggled to 112 00:06:40,830 --> 00:06:41,710 Speaker 1: think about herself. 113 00:06:42,100 --> 00:06:47,180 Speaker 2: Well, us and the believers, of course. A mutually beneficial plan, 114 00:06:47,260 --> 00:06:50,480 Speaker 2: if you will. You know our field, the one that's 115 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:53,340 Speaker 2: dried up as of late? Perhaps it would be better 116 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:56,720 Speaker 2: if we rid ourselves of the burden. We can give 117 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 2: some of the proceeds to the apostles, and keep some 118 00:06:59,940 --> 00:07:03,250 Speaker 2: for ourselves, of course. The apostles need not know that 119 00:07:03,290 --> 00:07:04,050 Speaker 2: last part, though. 120 00:07:04,690 --> 00:07:09,349 Speaker 1: Sapphira questioned Ananias' words silently in her mind. She could 121 00:07:09,390 --> 00:07:13,340 Speaker 1: feel a subtle prodding within her that caused her to 122 00:07:13,420 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 1: struggle with the idea. Though Ananias didn't say it explicitly, 123 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:23,580 Speaker 1: he fully intended to deceive the apostles. She knew what 124 00:07:23,620 --> 00:07:27,190 Speaker 1: he was saying was wrong. But her love for Ananias 125 00:07:27,270 --> 00:07:31,310 Speaker 1: caused her to mistakenly take her duties as an encouraging 126 00:07:31,390 --> 00:07:36,430 Speaker 1: wife to mean disrespecting the spirit. His prompts to oppose 127 00:07:36,470 --> 00:07:40,900 Speaker 1: the plan would possibly upset her husband further. And this 128 00:07:40,980 --> 00:07:44,900 Speaker 1: was the gateway to her flesh playing the part of 129 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 1: opposing counsel. She began to convince herself that the plan 130 00:07:50,180 --> 00:07:54,550 Speaker 1: wasn't entirely wrong. What harm could come from seeking a 131 00:07:54,590 --> 00:07:59,270 Speaker 1: little recognition if the church still received support? As she 132 00:07:59,350 --> 00:08:03,750 Speaker 1: thought through Ananias' plan, She allowed herself to admit the 133 00:08:03,810 --> 00:08:06,930 Speaker 1: weight of life she had started to feel. It was 134 00:08:06,950 --> 00:08:11,390 Speaker 1: the first time in a long time. Her shoulders slumped forward. 135 00:08:12,370 --> 00:08:15,740 Speaker 1: Perhaps this was how God would allow them a chance 136 00:08:16,180 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 1: at a fresh start. 137 00:08:17,780 --> 00:08:21,620 Speaker 6: You are crafty, my love, with a sharp mind. Do 138 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 6: as you see fit and I will follow up with 139 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 6: you accordingly. I trust you. 140 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:29,260 Speaker 1: Sapphira stared into the flame of the rusted lamp in 141 00:08:29,300 --> 00:08:33,050 Speaker 1: the kitchen. She held her hand up to it, feeling 142 00:08:33,110 --> 00:08:38,150 Speaker 1: its small, radiating warmth. She pressed her fingers closer, allowing 143 00:08:38,190 --> 00:08:42,170 Speaker 1: the dancing flame to tap her fingertips. She winced in 144 00:08:42,230 --> 00:08:46,570 Speaker 1: pain as she drew her hand back swiftly. She pondered 145 00:08:46,630 --> 00:08:50,490 Speaker 1: the duality of its nature to both comfort and harm. 146 00:08:51,290 --> 00:08:54,030 Speaker 1: In its right place, it gave light to the whole house, 147 00:08:54,690 --> 00:08:59,829 Speaker 1: but uncontained, it would burn the entire house without a consideration. 148 00:09:00,340 --> 00:09:04,239 Speaker 1: for what laid in its path. Near the end of 149 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:08,370 Speaker 1: the week, some believers gathered to listen to the apostles' teaching, pray, 150 00:09:08,790 --> 00:09:12,450 Speaker 1: and worship together. The sound of hundreds of voices lifting 151 00:09:12,510 --> 00:09:15,850 Speaker 1: the name of the Lord high in praises rang through 152 00:09:15,870 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: the streets and up to the heavens. People working their 153 00:09:19,820 --> 00:09:23,660 Speaker 1: way up and down the street would regularly stop and 154 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:27,580 Speaker 1: listen in. On many occasions, they would find themselves staying 155 00:09:27,660 --> 00:09:31,250 Speaker 1: longer than they intended, Something in the depths of their 156 00:09:31,370 --> 00:09:36,550 Speaker 1: soul would cry out in satisfaction at the words of Jesus' gospel. 157 00:09:37,370 --> 00:09:40,790 Speaker 1: And hearing the simplicity of receiving the grace of Jesus 158 00:09:41,230 --> 00:09:45,090 Speaker 1: through his scandalous rescue plan, they would give their hearts 159 00:09:45,190 --> 00:09:48,349 Speaker 1: to the Lord and join the people of the way. 160 00:09:49,170 --> 00:09:52,990 Speaker 1: And Ananias wriggled through the people. His eyes set on 161 00:09:53,030 --> 00:09:56,500 Speaker 1: the apostles at the center of the congregation. He had 162 00:09:56,530 --> 00:10:00,990 Speaker 1: arrived from the marketplace and carried two coin verses, one 163 00:10:01,290 --> 00:10:04,470 Speaker 1: in each hand. He passed the two bags between his 164 00:10:04,550 --> 00:10:08,250 Speaker 1: left and right hands before slipping the larger of the 165 00:10:08,290 --> 00:10:12,420 Speaker 1: bags into his satchel. He found Sapphira near the front rows, 166 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:14,960 Speaker 1: just as John began addressing the crowds. 167 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:19,680 Speaker 2: Brothers and sisters, people of the way!' Blessed be the 168 00:10:19,740 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 2: Lord our God, King of the universe, who provides for 169 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:28,090 Speaker 2: our needs. He is exceedingly grateful for your cheerful giving, 170 00:10:28,890 --> 00:10:31,850 Speaker 2: and we are humbled to distribute his provision to the needy. 171 00:10:32,370 --> 00:10:35,790 Speaker 1: This was the perfect opportunity, Ananias thought to himself. 172 00:10:36,510 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 2: Today we have wonderful news. Last week, a believer among 173 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:44,540 Speaker 2: you sold a large piece of property, and they have 174 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:48,329 Speaker 2: chosen from the goodness of their hearts to give all 175 00:10:48,429 --> 00:10:50,410 Speaker 2: the money they have earned from it to the Lord 176 00:10:50,809 --> 00:10:53,770 Speaker 2: and his people. But they have asked that the left 177 00:10:53,820 --> 00:10:56,440 Speaker 2: hand not know the works of the right, and they 178 00:10:56,480 --> 00:11:00,340 Speaker 2: will therefore remain anonymous. But the Lord knows when you 179 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:03,980 Speaker 2: give in secret, and he will reward you openly as 180 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:05,540 Speaker 2: he sees fit. 181 00:11:06,220 --> 00:11:11,219 Speaker 1: Ananias' eyes turned to slits as his nostrils flared. A 182 00:11:11,300 --> 00:11:16,070 Speaker 1: white fury raged within him as he realized Barnabas' humility. 183 00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 1: had slung an army of arrows into his plan. He 184 00:11:20,340 --> 00:11:24,620 Speaker 1: had mistakenly assumed John's note of God being glorified in 185 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: the light was a hint at publicly acknowledging Barnabas by name. 186 00:11:29,650 --> 00:11:33,930 Speaker 1: Never had he considered Barnabas' delicate choice for anonymity to 187 00:11:33,950 --> 00:11:38,050 Speaker 1: be set in stone along with his gift. He calculated 188 00:11:38,130 --> 00:11:42,270 Speaker 1: his options. Perhaps there was still hope for recognition for 189 00:11:42,309 --> 00:11:45,650 Speaker 1: his good deeds, even if he had to work the 190 00:11:45,690 --> 00:11:49,890 Speaker 1: system He waited until the gathering ended, before sharing it 191 00:11:49,929 --> 00:11:50,550 Speaker 1: with Sapphira. 192 00:11:51,070 --> 00:11:53,810 Speaker 2: I shall follow them home, just as Barnabas must have. 193 00:11:54,530 --> 00:11:58,100 Speaker 2: There I will present them with our offering. Then they 194 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:01,439 Speaker 2: will acknowledge us before the gathering, just like with Barnabas today. 195 00:12:01,900 --> 00:12:06,140 Speaker 1: Sapphira gave a sullen nod, a mark of her inward wrestling. 196 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:07,300 Speaker 6: Lead the way, then. 197 00:12:07,780 --> 00:12:12,090 Speaker 1: As the people began to scatter, Ananias slithered behind the 198 00:12:12,150 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 1: apostles as they made their way home. He mimed everything 199 00:12:16,100 --> 00:12:18,580 Speaker 1: he had seen and heard the night he had stumbled 200 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:20,460 Speaker 1: upon Barnabas and the apostles. 201 00:12:20,990 --> 00:12:23,510 Speaker 2: Excuse me, apostles, wait! 202 00:12:23,990 --> 00:12:27,430 Speaker 1: Ananias sped into a light jog. He could hear the 203 00:12:27,510 --> 00:12:31,209 Speaker 1: coins jingling in the bag at his side. He firmly 204 00:12:31,350 --> 00:12:34,650 Speaker 1: placed one hand over the bag to silence them as 205 00:12:34,690 --> 00:12:37,390 Speaker 1: he lifted the other coin purse high into the air, 206 00:12:38,090 --> 00:12:41,770 Speaker 1: a triumphant display of his deceitful generosity. 207 00:12:41,790 --> 00:12:48,900 Speaker 4: Ananias! How splendid to see you. How are you in Sephara? 208 00:12:49,520 --> 00:12:52,870 Speaker 2: We are quite well, Brother Peter. In fact, we are splendid, 209 00:12:53,470 --> 00:12:56,530 Speaker 2: for the Lord has been gracious with us, and we'd 210 00:12:56,570 --> 00:12:58,150 Speaker 2: like to share our good fortune. 211 00:12:58,650 --> 00:13:02,130 Speaker 1: Ananias dropped the coins on the ground and took a knee. 212 00:13:02,929 --> 00:13:06,550 Speaker 1: He pressed his face low as his eyes flitted about 213 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:07,890 Speaker 1: in anticipation. 214 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 4: Oh, a gift. How marvelous. Please, Tell us how the 215 00:13:14,679 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 4: Lord has placed such generosity on your heart. 216 00:13:18,220 --> 00:13:20,210 Speaker 2: Well, you see, my wife and I have a field. 217 00:13:20,780 --> 00:13:23,830 Speaker 2: That is to say, we had a field. We sold 218 00:13:23,890 --> 00:13:26,449 Speaker 2: it so we might give the full earnings to the. 219 00:13:26,429 --> 00:13:27,390 Speaker 4: People of the way. 220 00:13:27,890 --> 00:13:32,809 Speaker 1: Peter noted the familiarity of Ananias' newfound wealth, quickly connecting 221 00:13:32,850 --> 00:13:37,030 Speaker 1: the dots to John's interactions with Barnabas. The spirit whirred 222 00:13:37,070 --> 00:13:41,490 Speaker 1: around Peter's mind like a watchman's trumpet sounding at the 223 00:13:41,550 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 1: sight of the enemy. Peter was washed over with supernatural clarity, 224 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 1: as Ananias' dark deeds were being revealed to him through 225 00:13:51,090 --> 00:13:56,370 Speaker 1: the Spirit's divine revelations. Righteous anger swept over the apostle, 226 00:13:56,990 --> 00:14:00,050 Speaker 1: like the Red Seas closing over the Egyptians. 227 00:14:00,570 --> 00:14:04,550 Speaker 4: Ananias, how have you allowed Satan to fill your heart? 228 00:14:05,090 --> 00:14:08,170 Speaker 4: You have lied to the Holy Spirit, for you have 229 00:14:08,370 --> 00:14:10,869 Speaker 4: indeed kept some of the money you received for the 230 00:14:10,929 --> 00:14:11,870 Speaker 4: land for yourself. 231 00:14:12,500 --> 00:14:16,900 Speaker 1: Ananias quaked as fear sunk its claws into his heart. 232 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:20,280 Speaker 1: He had been caught, and he could feel the color 233 00:14:20,420 --> 00:14:24,110 Speaker 1: draining from his face and any hope of being praised. 234 00:14:24,850 --> 00:14:27,470 Speaker 1: He dug through his thoughts to find an excuse that 235 00:14:27,610 --> 00:14:31,110 Speaker 1: might dampen the blow to his pride, but nothing came. 236 00:14:32,130 --> 00:14:34,670 Speaker 1: Peter began to reason with the lost disciple. 237 00:14:35,090 --> 00:14:37,510 Speaker 4: Didn't the land belong to you before it was sold? 238 00:14:38,250 --> 00:14:41,660 Speaker 4: And after it was sold, wasn't the money yours to 239 00:14:41,780 --> 00:14:44,900 Speaker 4: use as you pleased? What made you think of doing 240 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,950 Speaker 4: such a thing? I, well, I thought maybe I. 241 00:14:48,500 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 2: it was. 242 00:14:49,980 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 1: Ananias stammered incoherently. Peter's voice struck his soul like falling 243 00:14:55,300 --> 00:15:00,420 Speaker 1: oak trees splintering against the forest floor. Ananias felt himself 244 00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:04,900 Speaker 1: sweating as a harsh, heated wind spiraled around him. 245 00:15:05,180 --> 00:15:08,580 Speaker 4: You have not just lied to mankind... but to God. 246 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 1: At these final words, Ananias grasped at his chest in agony. 247 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:19,260 Speaker 1: The man cried out in anguish before lifelessly dropping to 248 00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:23,300 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 --> 00:15:31,420 Speaker 1: was undeniably the Spirit protecting the people of God from 251 00:15:31,460 --> 00:15:35,500 Speaker 1: the cunning serpent of old. He had lured Ananias and 252 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:40,250 Speaker 1: into perverting the good things of life for personal gain, 253 00:15:40,870 --> 00:15:44,990 Speaker 1: but had been thwarted yet again. Peter whispered to Andrew, 254 00:15:45,350 --> 00:15:48,690 Speaker 1: who ran down the street. A few minutes later, Andrew 255 00:15:48,750 --> 00:15:53,290 Speaker 1: returned with several other men. The men carefully wrapped Ananias 256 00:15:53,550 --> 00:15:57,620 Speaker 1: in a sackcloth and hoisted his body up. Though he 257 00:15:57,660 --> 00:16:01,720 Speaker 1: had left the world in shame, they would respectfully bury him, 258 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:06,690 Speaker 1: guarding their own hearts against the same bitterness that had 259 00:16:06,770 --> 00:16:14,370 Speaker 1: consumed Ananias in life. Hours passed along sluggishly, as Sapphira 260 00:16:14,430 --> 00:16:18,210 Speaker 1: worried in an empty home. She watched the late afternoon 261 00:16:18,250 --> 00:16:22,830 Speaker 1: shadows stretch slowly into the evening. Ananias had been gone 262 00:16:22,970 --> 00:16:26,930 Speaker 1: far longer than she would have expected. If the apostles 263 00:16:26,990 --> 00:16:30,770 Speaker 1: had invited him in, as they had with Barnabas, wouldn't 264 00:16:30,810 --> 00:16:34,690 Speaker 1: he have called for her to join? Or worse, had 265 00:16:34,730 --> 00:16:38,840 Speaker 1: something gone wrong? She shuffled to her seat. No harm 266 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: could come from checking on her husband, she thought to herself. 267 00:16:42,940 --> 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 00:16:50,450 --> 00:16:53,170 Speaker 1: She had worked hard to provide a stable life for them, 270 00:16:53,750 --> 00:16:57,370 Speaker 1: and she desperately wanted him to find some reprieve from 271 00:16:57,430 --> 00:17:01,790 Speaker 1: his weariness in the recognition of the apostles. She found 272 00:17:01,830 --> 00:17:05,750 Speaker 1: the house where the apostles stayed and gently knocked on 273 00:17:05,790 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: the door. She peered through the window as a slight 274 00:17:09,920 --> 00:17:14,629 Speaker 1: breeze brushed the curtain back slightly. She noticed a dozen 275 00:17:14,690 --> 00:17:19,130 Speaker 1: men huddled around a table. They were in concentrated discussions 276 00:17:19,530 --> 00:17:23,590 Speaker 1: with one another. Her head whipped back forward as the 277 00:17:23,609 --> 00:17:29,060 Speaker 1: door opened slowly. Matthias poked his face out. Matthias sheepishly 278 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:31,980 Speaker 1: called for Peter while pushing the door wider. 279 00:17:32,660 --> 00:17:34,040 Speaker 4: Peter, she's here. 280 00:17:34,740 --> 00:17:38,250 Speaker 1: Peter rose to his feet slowly. The creaking of his 281 00:17:38,330 --> 00:17:41,410 Speaker 1: chair emphasized the silence of the rest of the room. 282 00:17:43,650 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 4: Thank you, Matthias. Good evening, Sapphira. We were expecting you. 283 00:17:50,119 --> 00:17:50,740 Speaker 4: Please come in. 284 00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:55,220 Speaker 1: Sapphira was surprised to hear that she was expected, as 285 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:58,639 Speaker 1: no word had been sent along to her. She stepped 286 00:17:58,760 --> 00:18:00,100 Speaker 1: cautiously through the door. 287 00:18:00,740 --> 00:18:01,120 Speaker 4: You. 288 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:02,220 Speaker 6: you were? 289 00:18:02,780 --> 00:18:03,040 Speaker 3: Yes. 290 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:07,149 Speaker 4: Ananias was here not too long ago to... share a 291 00:18:07,210 --> 00:18:11,980 Speaker 4: gift with the believers. I assume you knew of this. 292 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 1: Sapphira remained poised at the question. 293 00:18:17,060 --> 00:18:17,460 Speaker 3: I see. 294 00:18:18,660 --> 00:18:22,820 Speaker 4: Well then, perhaps you can confirm that this is the 295 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 4: price Ananias received for the land? 296 00:18:25,980 --> 00:18:30,699 Speaker 6: Yes, we discussed it beforehand. We prayed and sought the Lord. 297 00:18:31,260 --> 00:18:34,379 Speaker 6: I fully supported Ananias in what he thought was best. 298 00:18:34,980 --> 00:18:39,639 Speaker 1: Peter upended Ananias' coin purse into his hand. The truth was, 299 00:18:40,140 --> 00:18:43,540 Speaker 1: Sapphira hadn't known the amount Ananias received for the land. 300 00:18:44,340 --> 00:18:47,850 Speaker 1: But she remembered Ananias' plan to tell the apostle that 301 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:50,290 Speaker 1: his gift was the entirety of his profits. 302 00:18:50,980 --> 00:18:52,310 Speaker 2: Yes, that is the amount. 303 00:18:52,830 --> 00:18:56,470 Speaker 1: In an instant, the same rushing wind that had encircled 304 00:18:56,550 --> 00:19:02,380 Speaker 1: Ananias swept around Sapphira. It rattled the house as floorboards 305 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:07,440 Speaker 1: creaked and dust fell through the ceiling above. Sapphira's sight 306 00:19:07,619 --> 00:19:11,480 Speaker 1: left her as panic crept over her body. The hot 307 00:19:11,540 --> 00:19:15,740 Speaker 1: whirlwind seemed to draw the air straight out of Sapphira's lungs. 308 00:19:16,810 --> 00:19:23,970 Speaker 1: She gasped helplessly, clutching the Apostle's robes. Losing consciousness, Sapphira 309 00:19:24,050 --> 00:19:27,550 Speaker 1: released her grip and slammed her hands against the ground, 310 00:19:28,170 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 1: fighting for stability. In her blindness, she heard Peter's thunderous voice. 311 00:19:33,740 --> 00:19:37,820 Speaker 4: How could you conspire together to test the spirit of 312 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:41,790 Speaker 4: the Lord? Listen, the feet of the men who buried 313 00:19:41,810 --> 00:19:44,830 Speaker 4: your husband are at the door, and they will carry 314 00:19:44,890 --> 00:19:45,770 Speaker 4: you out also. 315 00:19:46,530 --> 00:19:51,109 Speaker 1: Just as her husband had, Sapphira's body fell motionless. to 316 00:19:51,150 --> 00:19:54,109 Speaker 1: the dust from which it had come. The same men 317 00:19:54,230 --> 00:19:57,710 Speaker 1: who had buried Ananias now came for the body of 318 00:19:57,790 --> 00:20:02,129 Speaker 1: his conspirator. News of what happened took to the wind 319 00:20:02,550 --> 00:20:06,710 Speaker 1: the next morning. By evening the next day, all the 320 00:20:06,770 --> 00:20:11,920 Speaker 1: believers in Jerusalem were gripped with fear, not in fear 321 00:20:11,960 --> 00:20:16,940 Speaker 1: of punishment, but in admiration for his holiness. They were 322 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:22,300 Speaker 1: in awe at the Lord's righteous judgment, devoted themselves steadfastly 323 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:26,780 Speaker 1: to his teaching, and purposed in their hearts to abide 324 00:20:26,940 --> 00:20:31,500 Speaker 1: by his way of living. The Lord had dealt seriously 325 00:20:31,660 --> 00:20:36,939 Speaker 1: with Ananias and Sapphira, and would not take such selfishness lightly. 326 00:20:37,780 --> 00:20:40,830 Speaker 1: He needed his people to follow the lofty call of 327 00:20:40,900 --> 00:20:45,330 Speaker 1: following him and the dire need to care for one another. 328 00:20:46,450 --> 00:20:50,010 Speaker 1: They were a chosen people who were called to endeavor 329 00:20:50,109 --> 00:20:53,780 Speaker 1: together to keep the unity of the spirit in the 330 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:55,300 Speaker 1: bond of peace. 331 00:21:01,300 --> 00:21:03,780 Speaker 5: Our story today started on a high note, or so 332 00:21:03,820 --> 00:21:08,060 Speaker 5: it seemed. Ananias and Sapphira, inspired by the generosity of Barnabas, 333 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:11,670 Speaker 5: sold a piece of property. Sounds great, right? But there's 334 00:21:11,710 --> 00:21:14,210 Speaker 5: a twist. They kept back part of the money while 335 00:21:14,250 --> 00:21:17,290 Speaker 5: pretending to give it all. Imagine them coming in, smiles 336 00:21:17,350 --> 00:21:20,030 Speaker 5: on their faces, laying the money at the apostles' feet 337 00:21:20,090 --> 00:21:22,619 Speaker 5: as if to say, look how generous we are. It's 338 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:26,139 Speaker 5: a classic case of keeping up with appearances. But the 339 00:21:26,180 --> 00:21:29,380 Speaker 5: Holy Spirit is not one to be deceived. Peter, filled 340 00:21:29,420 --> 00:21:32,420 Speaker 5: with the Holy Spirit, calls them out. Ananias, why has 341 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 5: Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? 342 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:38,679 Speaker 5: Notice Peter's words here. He doesn't say, why have you 343 00:21:38,740 --> 00:21:41,159 Speaker 5: lied to us? Or, why have you lied to the church? 344 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 5: He says, you've lied to the Holy Spirit. That's like 345 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:45,920 Speaker 5: trying to pull a fast one on someone who can 346 00:21:45,980 --> 00:21:49,600 Speaker 5: see right through you. Peter also doesn't reprimand Ananias by saying, 347 00:21:49,720 --> 00:21:52,700 Speaker 5: why didn't you give all the money? Because here's the thing. 348 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:55,180 Speaker 5: If they wanted to keep half the money for themselves 349 00:21:55,220 --> 00:21:57,280 Speaker 5: and give half the money to the church, that would 350 00:21:57,320 --> 00:22:00,840 Speaker 5: have been totally fine. It's the fact that they wanted 351 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:04,700 Speaker 5: the appearance of giving everything, but only giving half. Let's 352 00:22:04,740 --> 00:22:07,800 Speaker 5: pause and consider all of this. Was their sin keeping 353 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:10,390 Speaker 5: a part of the money? Not at all. Peter makes 354 00:22:10,430 --> 00:22:12,950 Speaker 5: it clear, while it remained, was it not your own? 355 00:22:12,970 --> 00:22:15,430 Speaker 5: And after it was sold, was it not in your 356 00:22:15,470 --> 00:22:18,510 Speaker 5: own control? They were free to do what they wanted 357 00:22:18,570 --> 00:22:21,659 Speaker 5: with the money. The sin wasn't in holding back, but 358 00:22:21,700 --> 00:22:24,850 Speaker 5: in pretending to give it all. They wanted the reputation 359 00:22:24,970 --> 00:22:28,679 Speaker 5: of being sacrificial without the actual sacrifice. They wanted the 360 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:32,060 Speaker 5: applause with none of the cost. And there's the rub, friends. 361 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:36,540 Speaker 5: Their sin wasn't stinginess, it was hypocrisy. How often do 362 00:22:36,580 --> 00:22:39,020 Speaker 5: we fall into that same trap? We put on our 363 00:22:39,060 --> 00:22:42,550 Speaker 5: Sunday best, not just in clothes, but in our spiritual lives. 364 00:22:42,980 --> 00:22:45,370 Speaker 5: We might drop a Bible verse in conversation or post 365 00:22:45,450 --> 00:22:48,350 Speaker 5: it on social media to sound holy, or talk about 366 00:22:48,410 --> 00:22:51,590 Speaker 5: how we've been praying fervently for someone when, in reality, 367 00:22:51,930 --> 00:22:54,650 Speaker 5: We're hitting the snooze button on our spiritual lives. We're 368 00:22:54,690 --> 00:22:57,440 Speaker 5: so busy crafting a holy image that we forget holiness 369 00:22:57,760 --> 00:22:59,100 Speaker 5: is an inside job. 370 00:22:59,780 --> 00:23:00,820 Speaker 4: And then we get. 371 00:23:00,740 --> 00:23:04,020 Speaker 5: To the jaw-dropping part of the story. You see, this 372 00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:06,260 Speaker 5: part makes me uncomfortable because I would have loved it 373 00:23:06,420 --> 00:23:09,120 Speaker 5: if Ananias and Sapphira were just rebuked and then they 374 00:23:09,180 --> 00:23:12,390 Speaker 5: repent and then everyone makes up. But that's not how 375 00:23:12,410 --> 00:23:16,609 Speaker 5: the story goes. And honestly, this is a really weird 376 00:23:16,790 --> 00:23:20,800 Speaker 5: and off-putting passage. Because this doesn't happen in any other 377 00:23:20,859 --> 00:23:22,640 Speaker 5: parts of the book of Acts. We don't ever see 378 00:23:22,660 --> 00:23:25,960 Speaker 5: someone in the New Testament being offed because of their disobedience. 379 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:29,100 Speaker 5: That seems more like an Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy type 380 00:23:29,140 --> 00:23:31,540 Speaker 5: of thing to happen. You see, as soon as Peter 381 00:23:31,600 --> 00:23:35,100 Speaker 5: confronts Ananias, he drops dead. Talk about a dramatic end 382 00:23:35,140 --> 00:23:37,580 Speaker 5: to a church service. And just when you think it 383 00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:40,419 Speaker 5: couldn't get any crazier, three hours later, Sapphira walks in 384 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:43,340 Speaker 5: completely unaware of what's happened. Peter gives her a chance 385 00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:45,460 Speaker 5: to come clean, but she doubles down on the lie. 386 00:23:45,859 --> 00:23:48,200 Speaker 5: And she also drops dead on the spot. Now, I 387 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:50,369 Speaker 5: can hear some of you thinking, wow, isn't that a 388 00:23:50,369 --> 00:23:53,790 Speaker 5: bit harsh? But here's the thing. God's judgment here is 389 00:23:53,869 --> 00:23:57,510 Speaker 5: not just about punishing a simple mistake. It's about protecting 390 00:23:57,550 --> 00:24:00,169 Speaker 5: the integrity of the early church. This was a critical 391 00:24:00,250 --> 00:24:02,649 Speaker 5: moment for the church and God had to set a 392 00:24:02,750 --> 00:24:06,399 Speaker 5: clear standard. You cannot build God's kingdom on lies. The 393 00:24:06,460 --> 00:24:10,240 Speaker 5: church was growing rapidly and God knew that unchecked hypocrisy 394 00:24:10,540 --> 00:24:13,570 Speaker 5: could rot it from the inside out. And here's the thing. 395 00:24:14,010 --> 00:24:16,170 Speaker 5: We've seen a lot of this in today's culture, haven't we? 396 00:24:16,490 --> 00:24:19,350 Speaker 5: We've seen a pastor or a church leader's hypocrisy really 397 00:24:19,410 --> 00:24:22,310 Speaker 5: blowing things up for other people's faith. How many of 398 00:24:22,350 --> 00:24:24,740 Speaker 5: you have been in a church where the senior pastor 399 00:24:24,780 --> 00:24:27,920 Speaker 5: has had an affair or there's been some serious money 400 00:24:27,980 --> 00:24:32,260 Speaker 5: problems and dishonesty? These types of things cause rifts. This 401 00:24:32,300 --> 00:24:35,480 Speaker 5: type of hypocrisy can really hurt the faith of people 402 00:24:35,500 --> 00:24:39,290 Speaker 5: who have innocently come in yearning for connection, but end 403 00:24:39,350 --> 00:24:42,369 Speaker 5: up really burned by these types of things. It's not 404 00:24:42,390 --> 00:24:44,780 Speaker 5: that we have to be perfect, but we can't be hypocrites. 405 00:24:45,190 --> 00:24:47,260 Speaker 5: And I think this passage is so intense as a 406 00:24:47,380 --> 00:24:50,000 Speaker 5: warning sign for not only the early church, but for 407 00:24:50,060 --> 00:24:55,359 Speaker 5: us today. You see, deceit and hypocrisy have large consequences. 408 00:24:56,060 --> 00:24:59,209 Speaker 5: And we see a very appropriate response after this. What 409 00:24:59,250 --> 00:25:03,030 Speaker 5: happens next after Ananias and Sapphira are buried? It says, 410 00:25:03,130 --> 00:25:05,489 Speaker 5: so great fear came upon the church and upon all 411 00:25:05,530 --> 00:25:06,410 Speaker 5: who heard these things. 412 00:25:06,910 --> 00:25:07,990 Speaker 3: Yeah, duh. 413 00:25:08,650 --> 00:25:11,300 Speaker 5: Imagine if that happened in today's church. The lesson was 414 00:25:11,359 --> 00:25:15,030 Speaker 5: very clear. God takes the purity of his church seriously. 415 00:25:15,350 --> 00:25:18,609 Speaker 5: But notice what also happens. It says, and through the 416 00:25:18,650 --> 00:25:21,090 Speaker 5: hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders were done 417 00:25:21,130 --> 00:25:25,090 Speaker 5: among the people. Purity leads to power. God's spirit moves 418 00:25:25,330 --> 00:25:29,150 Speaker 5: mightily when his people are walking in integrity. The early 419 00:25:29,190 --> 00:25:32,070 Speaker 5: church responded with awe and the community around them took notice. 420 00:25:32,410 --> 00:25:35,620 Speaker 5: The result, more people believed and were added to their number. 421 00:25:36,130 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 5: Here's the irony. The church grew, not despite the judgment, 422 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:42,490 Speaker 5: but because of it. There's a lesson here, folks. A 423 00:25:42,570 --> 00:25:46,530 Speaker 5: church that pursues holiness, authentic, spirit-filled holiness, is a church 424 00:25:46,550 --> 00:25:49,510 Speaker 5: where God's power is manifest. People are drawn to it. 425 00:25:49,940 --> 00:25:52,479 Speaker 5: So what can we learn from Ananias and Sapphira? Be 426 00:25:52,540 --> 00:25:55,220 Speaker 5: real with God and with each other. Don't settle for 427 00:25:55,260 --> 00:25:57,980 Speaker 5: a facade of holiness when God is inviting you into 428 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:01,119 Speaker 5: the real thing. Let's be a church where authenticity reigns, 429 00:26:01,380 --> 00:26:03,830 Speaker 5: where we're not afraid to be honest about our struggles, 430 00:26:03,910 --> 00:26:06,389 Speaker 5: and where we trust God enough to believe he can 431 00:26:06,430 --> 00:26:08,790 Speaker 5: do mighty things among us. May we have the courage 432 00:26:08,830 --> 00:26:11,409 Speaker 5: to drop the masks, step into the light, And let 433 00:26:11,450 --> 00:26:15,170 Speaker 5: God's spirit move among us with purity and power. Because 434 00:26:15,190 --> 00:26:18,119 Speaker 5: when the church is real, God shows up in real ways.