An Inside Job

If Satan cannot conquer a church from the outside, he will attempt to corrupt it from the inside.

Greatness Within The Church (4:32-37)

• Great Unity (32)
• Great Power (33)
• Great Grace (33)
• Great Generosity (34-37)

“Two of the effects of believing in Jesus are that the heart is loosened in relationship to things and tightened in its relationship to people.” John Piper

Wealth is both a blessing and a Responsibility.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:17–19, ESV)

God desires that we be Free from the love of things and Firm in our love for God and others.

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, ESV)

Hypocrisy Within The Church (5:1-11)

Hypocrisy is a Deliberate Deception

“Half of the misery in the world comes from trying to look, instead of trying to be, what one is not.” George MacDonald

The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was:

• Influenced by Satan (3)

“Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all.”  Oliver Wendell Holmes

• Motivated by pride

 “They wanted the prestige and privilege without the price.” Lloyd Ogilvie

Pride opens the door to almost every other sin in our lives!

• Directed against God (3-4,9)

“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” (Psalm 51:4, ESV)

Judgment Among The Church (5:5-14)

1. It was a swift and Severe judgment

As you look at scripture, you see times when God moves among His people in swift and severe judgment, often associated with a time of critical new beginnings for God’s people.

“For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” (1 Corinthians 11:29–30, ESV)

There is no condemnation for those genuinely in Christ Jesus, but that does not mean there are no Consequences.

2. It was a Saving judgment

• It saved Ananias and Sapphira from Further Sin

“you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 5:5, ESV)

• It saved the early church from Corruption (11)
• It saved people from Eternal Condemnation (13-14)
• It serves us as an Example

“Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11, ESV)

“That is an important warning. If we go through periods of special blessing, as these early Christians had, personally or in our church, we can expect Satan or one of his demons to attack us. It is because Satan does not want the church of Jesus Christ to thrive.” James M. Boice

What Does This Mean For Me Today?

I must cultivate….

1. A growing understanding of the gospel of grace and my identity in Christ.
2. A healthy fear of the Lord.

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28–29, ESV)

3. A lifestyle of repentance.

“There’s nobody perfect — that’s the believer’s bed of thorns; that’s the hypocrite’s couch of ease.”

4. A gospel-saturated generosity.

Jesus’ radical generosity toward us should be a model and a motivation for our radical generosity with our resources and with others.

Making It Personal:

• Have you personally turned from your sin, trusted in Christ’s provision through the cross, and surrendered your life to His rule and reign?
• Is there any area of hypocrisy that you sense God is calling you to turn from and return to following Christ fully?
• How will you go about cultivating the four areas mentioned above?
• Who needs to hear about Jesus through you?
• Who can you share these truths with?

Ready to take your Next Step?

• Text Next to 803-637-8484
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”