1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:07,120 Speaker 1: Let us pray. But Peter said Annaeus, why hath Satan 2 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:10,399 Speaker 1: filled thine heart to lie to the Holy ghost and 3 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:12,680 Speaker 1: to keep back part of the price of the land. 4 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: Acts five three. Heavenly Father, as you begin to increase 5 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:24,320 Speaker 1: my life and multiply the blessings around me, I pray 6 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: that you would keep my integrity steadfast and my motives pure. 7 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: Whatever you require of me to show my diligence and 8 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:39,360 Speaker 1: obedience to you, I will not cut corners so that 9 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: I may gain more through deceitful actions than I would 10 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 1: by living a righteous and holy life. I denounce all 11 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 1: greedy and selfish motives that would try to cloud my 12 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: mind and my decisions. Because I am a person of 13 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: character and integrity. My yes will be yes, and why 14 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:07,080 Speaker 1: no will be no. I will not be lukewarm and 15 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 1: vacillate to and fro like the waves of the sea. Instead, 16 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: I will remain consistent and strong, like the Rock of 17 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 1: Jesus Christ. You can trust me with much because I 18 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:31,640 Speaker 1: am faithful and little. Bring on the increase in Jesus' name. Amen, 19 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. Continue listening for 20 00:01:37,840 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 1: an incredible Bible story brought to you by Bible in 21 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 1: a Year dot. 22 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 2: Com, Anonius, and Sapphira. In our last story, Peter and 23 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 2: John boldly healed a man who had been lame since birth. 24 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 2: People were astonished, but Peter assured them that they did 25 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 2: not heal from their own strength, but from the spirit 26 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 2: of Jesus. Now we see the church growing and sharing 27 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 2: in all things, but some greed lingers in the new Church, 28 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 2: greed that will not be tolerated. Inspired by the Book 29 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 2: of Acts. 30 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 3: Jack Graham here with today's episode of the Bible in 31 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:29,519 Speaker 3: a Year podcast. In yesterday's episode, we heard of Peter 32 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 3: and John's boldness to preach the gospel even when facing 33 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:36,799 Speaker 3: opposition and intimidation from the religious leaders of the day. 34 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 3: God was working through them to grow his church, and 35 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 3: because of their willingness to step out and obey God 36 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:47,960 Speaker 3: rather than human authority, thousands and thousands more came to Christ. 37 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 3: Today we'll see how sin is a presence even in 38 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 3: the life of early Christians. We'll see how swiftly God 39 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 3: dealt with one couple's deceit as an example to others 40 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:03,360 Speaker 3: that God is serious about sin. So let's listen now 41 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 3: to the word of God. 42 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 2: The hearts and souls of those who believed were becoming one. 43 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 2: A genuine community of people that loved selflessly was being formed. 44 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 2: Every person who was added to the church looked out 45 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 2: for their neighbor. As they learned more about the character 46 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 2: of Jesus, their actions began to look more like his. 47 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:28,080 Speaker 2: Everything they owed they offered up to be shared among 48 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,560 Speaker 2: each other. No need was left unmet by the family 49 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 2: of God. The apostles preached the words of Jesus and 50 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 2: proclaimed his life, death, and resurrection. Widows were given protections, 51 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:45,200 Speaker 2: orphans were given homes, and the lonely were given a community. 52 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 2: Every day, the Lord met more needs through the generosity 53 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 2: of the followers of Jesus. However, not all were willing 54 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 2: to lay down their selfish ambitions for the sake of others. 55 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 2: There were a few who desired to be seen as good, 56 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:04,040 Speaker 2: but maintained the deep sin within their hearts. A man 57 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 2: named Anonius was plagued with this very illness. He and 58 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 2: his wife Sapforah, sold a piece of their property and 59 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:14,440 Speaker 2: gave the money to the apostles. They gave half of 60 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:18,279 Speaker 2: what they earned, but claimed to give it all. Peter 61 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:22,760 Speaker 2: noticed this. He noticed that Anonaeus and his wife desired 62 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:25,760 Speaker 2: the praise of good deeds with none of the sacrifice. 63 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:30,039 Speaker 2: This was something God would not tolerate, especially while the 64 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 2: church was in its infant stage. Peter held the bag 65 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 2: of coins in his hand from Anonius. He sighed and 66 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:41,799 Speaker 2: shook his head. Anonius, Peter said, why have you allowed 67 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:44,279 Speaker 2: Satan a place in your heart to lie like this? 68 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,599 Speaker 2: You did not have to sell your land, You did 69 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 2: not have to give anything away. But here you are 70 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:53,960 Speaker 2: lying about what you did sell. You have lied to me, 71 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:59,240 Speaker 2: the Church and God. As Peter spoke these things, Anonius 72 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 2: fell down at his feet, out and breathed his last. 73 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:06,280 Speaker 2: His body was taken away and buried, and a healthy 74 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 2: fear came on all of the people. Only three hours 75 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,839 Speaker 2: had passed, and Safforah, the wife of Anonius, had not 76 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 2: heard what happened. She came to Peter with a humble 77 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 2: image and holy attitude, but Peter saw right through it. 78 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:23,479 Speaker 2: He held the coins in his hand from her husband 79 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 2: and said, did you sell your land for this much? 80 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 2: Saffora looked at it, knowing it wasn't the full amount, 81 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 2: and nodded her head. Peter rubbed his head. It grieved 82 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 2: him to see Safforah lie so boldly. Why is it 83 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,919 Speaker 2: that you do this? Why lie? What have you to gain? 84 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:44,360 Speaker 2: The feet of those who buried your husband will carry 85 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:48,600 Speaker 2: you out as well. And as Peter spoke these words, 86 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 2: Saffora dropped dead in front of him. 87 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 3: We begin today's reading with a beautiful picture of Christian community, 88 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 3: the Church. The believers in Jerusalem gathered frequently to support 89 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 3: and strengthen one another, and to share with all who 90 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 3: had need, and most of all, to proclaim the Gospel. 91 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 3: This community of faith was drawn together because of their 92 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:17,160 Speaker 3: deep love for Christ and for one another. The community 93 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 3: of Christ's followers stood out in a greater community as 94 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 3: an example of generosity and selflessness, drawing more and more 95 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 3: people to Jesus every single day. The Church is multiplying, 96 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:32,240 Speaker 3: It is becoming a multitude. It is a beautiful picture 97 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 3: of what is possible when God's people live with the 98 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 3: heart of Christ, loving God and loving each other, just 99 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 3: as Jesus commanded us. And yet, in the midst of 100 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:45,040 Speaker 3: this great grace and the growth of the Church, sin 101 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:48,920 Speaker 3: still showed up, as it does today. When we come 102 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:51,719 Speaker 3: to faith in Christ, we are freed from the power 103 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:54,039 Speaker 3: and penalty of sin. But as long as we live 104 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:56,600 Speaker 3: on this earth, sin will be a presence that we 105 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 3: deal with. We will deal with temptation, and in today's 106 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 3: reaisading we discover the sin that tried to make its 107 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 3: way into the church through a husband and wife named 108 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:11,360 Speaker 3: Anonius and Sophia. With all the generosity going around, these 109 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 3: two wanted to experience some of the glory of being 110 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 3: the generous ones. They wanted recognition for their good deeds 111 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 3: and their generosity, so they sold a piece of property 112 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 3: that they owned and gave some of the money to 113 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 3: the apostles for the work of Christ and the Church. 114 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 3: The problem is, while they said they were giving it all, 115 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 3: they kept some of the money for themselves, and they 116 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 3: lied to God and the Church. It was Antonius, the husband, 117 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 3: who sold the land and kept some of the money 118 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 3: and then deceived the apostles, he thought, but Sephirah had 119 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 3: full knowledge, so they both were guilty. When Anonius gave 120 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 3: the money to the apostles, Peter said to him and 121 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:54,360 Speaker 3: Acts five, verses three through four, Antonius, why has Satan 122 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 3: filled your heart to light of the Holy Spirit? And 123 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 3: to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds for 124 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 3: the land. While it remained unsold? Did it not remain 125 00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 3: your own? And after it was sold? Was it not 126 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 3: at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived 127 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 3: this deed in your heart? You have lied not to 128 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:17,400 Speaker 3: man but to God. When he heard these words, Anonius 129 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 3: died on the spot. His wife, Sephirah came later, and 130 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 3: Peter asked her how much they sold the land, for 131 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:27,880 Speaker 3: she did not know that Anonius was dead, but it 132 00:08:27,960 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 3: was an opportunity for her to tell the truth. Unfortunately, 133 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:35,560 Speaker 3: she also lied, and when her lie was revealed, she 134 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 3: also died and was carried away to be buried with 135 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:44,839 Speaker 3: her husband. Serious stuff. What is the message here? Anonius 136 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 3: and Sephirah were an example to the early church, and 137 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:51,120 Speaker 3: we learned that because of what happened to them, great 138 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:54,720 Speaker 3: fear came upon the church, and all who heard it 139 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 3: is reminded that while there is grace and forgiveness in Christ, 140 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:01,959 Speaker 3: God is still serious about sin and will not allow 141 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 3: sin to corrupt his people. Antonias and Saphia may have 142 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:09,679 Speaker 3: thought their little deception really wasn't hurting anyone. After all, 143 00:09:09,720 --> 00:09:12,959 Speaker 3: they did give a sum of money to help other believers, 144 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 3: but they neglected to think about how their actions offended 145 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 3: God that our sin always grieves God and defiles our 146 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 3: relationship with him. Lying to God and testing the Holy 147 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 3: Spirit is nothing to play with. God wanted to be 148 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 3: clear about this with the early Church. He wanted his 149 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 3: church to be pure and therefore powerful. Likewise, we also 150 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:40,680 Speaker 3: need to be serious about sin, not only our own sin, 151 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 3: but sin in the church. There must be discipline in 152 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 3: the face of deceit, and in the church we must 153 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:51,839 Speaker 3: never do anything that would somehow hinder the spread of 154 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:56,679 Speaker 3: the Gospel. Dear God, we know that sin grieves your 155 00:09:56,720 --> 00:10:00,200 Speaker 3: heart and is a destructive force in the life of 156 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 3: believers in the church. So help us to be on 157 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 3: guard against every attempt by the enemy to hinder the 158 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 3: work of Christ and his Church around the world. May 159 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 3: our hearts be pure as we give and serve and 160 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:17,920 Speaker 3: live for you in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you for 161 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:21,320 Speaker 3: listening to Today's Bible in a year. I'm pastor Jack 162 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 3: Graham from Dallas, Texas. You can download the Prey dot 163 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 3: com app and make Bible study in prayer the priority 164 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 3: of your life. And if you appreciate this podcast, please 165 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 3: share it with someone else. I also want to encourage 166 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 3: you to go to Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack 167 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 3: Graham dot org. For we have resources that are free 168 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 3: and available for you so that you may know Christ 169 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 3: and grow in him. God bless you.