Check Your Heart At The Door

Acts 4:34-37 (ESV) 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5:1-11 (ESV) 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Introduction:

• I will open today by making a statement and asking a question:
• On first read this consequence seemed harsh for the offense.
• Secondly, if we were to put that offense into your Bible understanding today what would the result be in our heart?

1. Two stories that begin the same, sound very similar, yet with eternally- significant different results.

1.1. Starting with the story of Joseph’s gift getting in right standing with God. 1.1.1. Both stories are told back to back as to communicate a clear point. So what is the point being made clear?
1.1.2. Joseph, who became Barnabas, son of exhortation, from his gift went on to become one of histories great Apostle – Prophet – Teacher and Missionary..
1.1.3. Barnabas would later even have to find himself working, with Paul, to support their efforts in the ministry.

1 Corinthians 9:6 (ESV) Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?

1.1.4. So it appears that he did not hold back Assests that would allow passive income to support himself.

1.1.5. Again, showing the heart behind the man producing the actions. 1.2.Ananias and Sapphira gift.

1.2.1. “Sold piece of property and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it”

1.2.2. Being motivated by satan, the contrived in their heart to make a type of power move in the Church.

1.2.2.1. Power move because the gift was not motivated by love or generosity but by satan, yet still was likely significant trying to gain influence and recognition.

1.2.2.2. The Church erroneously still makes the mistake of giving certain influential people more attention than others.

1.2.2.3. We forget what James says:

James 2:1-5 (ESV) 1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

1.2.3. Both were held accountable for thier actions of the husband because the Word tells us twice , With his wife’s knowledge. 1.2.4. A pretty clear illustration of the equal partnership of man and women and why both the man and the women should be engaged in the dealings made in this life.

1.2.5. Sapphira could no more say but this was all Ananias’ doing any more than Adam could say “this was all Eve’s doing”

1.2.5.1. Three hours passed before she came in.
1.2.5.2. No one went and told her what happened.
1.2.5.3. No one went and warned her.
1.2.5.4. Because her heart had to be revealed.
1.2.5.5. If they had warned her and told her the fate of her husband would she have come in and said what she said.

1.2.5.6. Instead they simply waited and after three hours after the time frame when Ananias should have been back she went in unknowingly.
1.2.6. Satan filled their heart – they lied to God – and they died.

1.2.6.1. A similar fate of Judas.
1.2.6.2. But let’s remember that Peter prevailed over the influence of satan.
1.2.6.3. Job prevailed over the attacks of satan.

James 4:7-8 (ESV) 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

2. There was another time we can see two similar back to back stories with vastly different outcomes.

Leviticus 9:22 – 10:8 (ESV) 22 Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. 24 And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Leviticus 10: 1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.

2.1. Nadab and Abide also were consumed while making an offering. 2.2. A strange offering – unauthorized offering –
2.3. Our God is an all consuming fire.
2.4. In both stories there was an offering involved.

2.4.1. When the offering was authorized the offering was consumed.

2.4.2. When the offering was unauthorized the person was consumed. 2.5. In both cases the consuming fire of God did what he does, consume. 2.6. Aaron’s sons saw how the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people and wanted a piece of the action. They also wanted in, like Ananias and Sapphira.

3. Gifts were laid at the Apostles feet

Acts 4:37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5:1-11 (ESV) 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

3.1.The Apostles feet became the first representation of the new way of worship.

3.1.1. No longer in the tent of meeting or the Temple.
3.1.2. Now at the place that is designated as the place of worship, which is more about the people than the place.
3.2. What was the difference between gifts of Joseph and that of A & S?

Acts 4:3 why has Satan filled your heart

3.2.1. That what filled the heart was the difference.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

3.3. Intentions are not always what they seem.
3.4. Our heart needs to be full and flowing for the things of God.

John 7:38 (ESV) Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

3.5. Warning sign on the door: CHECK THE INTENTIONS OF YOUR HEART AT THE DOOR.