20170226 the power of sacrifice
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The story of the death of Ananias and Sapphira is very challenging. Why did they get such harsh punishment for what may appear as a rather small mistake?
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20170226 the power of sacrifice
- 2. A C T S 5 : 1 - 7 : 6 2 THE POWER OF SACRIFICE
- 3. But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? "While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. ACTS 5:1-5 NASB
- 4. • Salvation is Free • Standing requires Sacrifice THE POWER OF SACRIFICE
- 5. Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. PHIL 2:1-12 NASB
- 6. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; PHIL 2:1-12 NASB
- 7. And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. ACTS 5:11 NASB
- 8. • People are afraid what they do not Know. • People are afraid of sacrifice. • People are afraid of real power . FEAR OF DISCIPLESHIP
- 9. Unconditional Love of the Father Unwavering Surrender of Jesus Unending Power and Guidance of the Spirit KINGDOM ON A MISSION VALUES
- 10. We can know our loving Father We can be like Jesus We can walk in power OVERCOMING FEAR
Editor's Notes
- Teazer Quotes “My place in God’s Kingdom was freely given to me therefore I freely give myself and all I have.” Undervalue what you give and overvalue what you receive
- BUT, the ominous dark clouds are building around the early church. They are still experiencing the powerful working of God among them and the Lord is still adding to their number but there are threats both internally and externally that are arising. First we see an internal threat in the story of Ananias and Sapphire. I am sure that many people today read the story and cannot help but think the punishment is a bit severe. We ask if the crime really deserved such a decisive punishment, wouldn’t a stern talking to been sufficient? What is the big deal?
- Salvation is Free: The actions of Annanias and Saphirra are typical of the flesh that always wants to earn its place. Our flesh cannot help itself but in pride always tends towards achievement and wanting to feel good about its contribution. They were thinking that their offering would get them favour, perhaps with God but definitely with men. This totally goes against the message of the gospel. They came out of the Old Covenant were works attempted to secure right standing with God but now the Gospel was saying that Jesus paid the price, right standing with God is free. Therefore we must discern their actions as being an attack against the fundamental idea of their mission. They were sabotaging the mission and were double agents in the camp. No gift given to the Lord can ever be to buy standing. It is the highest insult if we try to pay for God’s free gift. It requires humility to freely receive what you can not earn. To freely receive God’s gift is to recognize that we can never give enough to pay for it. Standing requires Sacrifice: The insidiousness of their actions is seen in the lie they try to sell. They wanted standing with the community, they wanted to be noticed and seen by the leaders so they gave a bit but advertised it as a lot. The gift of salvation when freely received humbles us to the point that with free will and in a response of thankfulness we give up everything we have. His Sacrifice calls forth sacrifice from us. Because we are so thankful to what He has done we hold nothing back from Him. Especially in the light that we are now the ones on the mission that gives up so that others can receive. We operate in the same Spirit of sacrifice that he did. The kingdom is built on sacrifice and therefore Standing in the Kingdom requires Sacrifice. Phil 2:1-11
- Jesus is our example because His sacrificed everything His position is above all. Because he kept nothing back God withheld nothing from Him. We must guard against the bargain hunting spirit of the flesh that wants to see how much it can get for as little a payment as possible. We often overinflate our contribution so that we can gain standing. Watch out for people that always tell you about how much they have done and given, that wants to make sure that their contribution is noticed. Principle of the Left and Right: The Flesh tends toward John and James’ request We must not be like James and John that were concerned with the right and left hand because they wanted those positions from Jesus. Jesus said to them they could not drink the cup he was to drink or be baptized with Him. Mark 10:44 “and whoever wants to be first must be slave of” all. The Spirit understands that Jesus said the right hand must not know what the left hand is doing, in other words whenever I give something I must quickly forget about it, I must not keep a record of my sacrifices, that’s His job. I give because nothing I give will ever deserve a place in the kingdom but I have been given a place. Learn to Undervalue what you give and overvalue what you receive!. One interpretation, outlined by Hendriksen, is that Jesus is here stating that just as we should avoid seeking the praise of others for our good deeds, we should also avoid self-congratulation for our piety. One should not feel smug about our own goodness, but should rather try to forget our own good deeds. (The Gospel of Matthew) If we have this same spirit then God can use us in ways that will astound us.
- Why did the people fear? Both those in the church feared but also those around feared the church. People have fear what they don’t know . People are afraid of real power. People are afraid of sacrifice. To be a disciple we have to overcome all three fears.