[0:00] Thank you for tuning into this message by David Entry. Every true revival is a product of the strong preaching of God's Word. May you receive a word from this message that will spark a revival in you.
[0:14] Let's turn our Bible to Acts chapter 4. I want to read from the verse 31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together.
[0:25] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they speak the Word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.
[0:38] Neither said any of them that the ought of the things which he possessed was his own. But they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[0:53] And great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands and houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold.
[1:10] And laid it down at the apostles' feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joseph, who by the apostles was sent in Barnabas, which is being interpreted the son of Consolation, a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
[1:36] But a certain man named Ananias with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession and kept back part of the price.
[1:48] And brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said to Ananias, Why has Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land?
[2:05] While it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?
[2:17] Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and gave up the ghost. And great fear came on all them that had these things.
[2:31] And the young man arose and wound him up and carried him out and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
[2:46] And Peter said unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And he said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?
[3:03] Behold, the feet of them which have buried thine husband are at the door and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straight away at his feet and yielded up the ghost.
[3:20] And the young man came in and found her dead and carried her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church and upon as many as had these things.
[3:37] Here ends the reading of God's word. Shall we please pray? Father, we thank you for bringing us to this point where your word can enter us, where you can explain and give us the privilege to know more of you through your word, to catch more grace through your word.
[3:54] We pray that as your word is taught, give us illumination. Give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you, that the eyes of our understanding will be a light in that.
[4:05] We will know the things that man cannot just communicate to us, but you can give. We pray that as I speak, let your voice come through my speaking.
[4:16] Let your people and let us hear your voice. Let it come as sound from heaven, a sound that will accomplish supernatural things on earth to your glory. We pray that heal the sick, deliver the captive, save the lost, convict the sinning and encourage the discondent.
[4:33] Let faith come alive. Let faith come alive. Let signs and wonders accompany the teaching of your word. We thank you for grace that comes through the teaching of your word.
[4:45] In Jesus' name. Amen. Hallelujah. In our previous teaching, we spoke about what happens in the church. And we found out that, number one, from verse 23, they went back and told their company all that had happened and all that the chief priests and the elders have said.
[5:07] So they shared their experience with the people. So you can tell there is a sharing of experience, openness, and telling their team what's been happening outside.
[5:20] And number two, Bible says that, and they lifted, verse 24, they raised their voice or lifted up their voice and they prayed. And so prayer happens in the church, sharing happens in the church, not only on your phone, but sharing happens in the church.
[5:37] Prayer happens in the church. And when they had prayed, they prayed and asked for boldness. And guess what they got? Boldness. And verse 29, the Bible says that, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
[5:51] But their prayer topic was that God, verse 29, grant that your servant that with boldness, you will speak thy word. And verse 31 says that, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
[6:03] But they said, so for us to be able to speak your word with boldness, and verse 29 again, grant thy boldness, verse 30 said, by stretching forth your hands.
[6:14] So they told God what to do so they can have boldness, which is a good idea. Stretch forth your hands and do some miracles so we'll have boldness. But when they prayed, Bible said they were rather filled with the Holy Ghost than they had the boldness.
[6:27] The Holy Spirit on a believer's life is what determines the extent to which God can use you. Not the opinion of society and opinion of others. It's the Spirit of God upon you.
[6:38] So they were filled with the Holy Spirit and they had what they thought miracles should give them. Even though God still did miracles. What they had after they prayed was their boldness to speak by the fact that the Holy Spirit came upon them.
[6:54] So they had divine visitation. There was divine visitation in the church. That's one of the things that I believe must happen in every sound Christian gathering. God must also be part of our meetings. And when God is part of our meetings, we see it.
[7:07] It begins to show in people's lives. When God is part of what happens in church, God comes to church. God is in church. Bible says in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, it says that when the unlearned comes amongst you and you are prophesying, it says that then the secrets of their hearts will be revealed and so falling down on his face.
[7:34] He will worship God and report that in fact, God is truly there. God is truly there. It's not our music that makes people feel God is here. It's the manifestation of God that convicts people, that exposes the secrets of their hearts.
[7:50] So wow! Wow! Something happens to people when they come into our fellowship. What happens in church is people must have encounters with God. Bible says that when they pray, the place where they are assembled was shaking.
[8:05] Manifestations of God happens in the church. And Bible says that, and then they spoke the word of God with great grace. Manifestation of greater grace.
[8:18] You might see grace happening, but until you enter the church, the psalmist said, I envied, I envied the ungodly. I felt they were prospered.
[8:29] I felt things were happening good for them. And I, Psalm 73, Psalm 73 said, I envied the wicked, the prosperity of the, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked, I was envious at the foolish.
[8:42] When I saw the prosperity of the wicked, when I saw how things seemed to be working for them, my foot almost slipped because of what I was focusing on.
[8:53] I focused on the way people are ungodly, but things are working for them. I like the way he said, my feet was almost gone. Am I talking about somebody? My feet was almost gone.
[9:05] Listen, being in church doesn't mean you are safe. The fact that you are saved does not mean you are safe. Because you can be saved and still not safe based on what you expose yourself to.
[9:19] It says that my feet was almost gone. My steps had well nigh slaved. I was at the edge. I almost well nigh slaved.
[9:31] He said, until I entered the sanctuary of God and saw the end of the wicked. Until I stepped in church. Not being in church can work against you.
[9:45] Until I went into the sanctuary of God and understood their end. Withdrawing yourself from active for koinonia, active Christian fellowship, will definitely have a damaging impact on your Christian work, on your spiritual life.
[10:01] It will have a very pernicious influence and significant pernicious impact on your spiritual journey. When you see someone who doesn't do church, you are looking at someone who can never experience God in a certain dimension.
[10:20] He said, until I went into your sanctuary and saw their end. That's why it's good to come to church and to see what God is also doing with other believers. That's why it's good to hear the other believers' testimonies.
[10:33] Because sometimes it looks like you are the only one who God has forgotten about. You've been married, let's say you've been married for 10 years and never had a child. Until you hear someone was married for 20 years.
[10:46] And now God has done it so colorful for them. So it makes you know that, oh, yours is, there's still hope. There's still hope. There's still hope. Tell somebody there's hope for your future. Now make sure you are in church.
[10:58] Make sure you are in church. Praise God. And so he said that there was great manifestation and the display of greater grace amongst them.
[11:12] And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them.
[11:23] And we also, what was happening in the church? Verse 34 talks about how neither was there any amongst them that lacked. What killed the lacked was for as many as were possessors of lands, landlords, lands and houses, sold them and brought the price of the prices of the things that were sold.
[11:47] Verse 35. Verse 35. And they laid it down at the apostles' feet. Let's all say apostles' feet. Apostles' feet. And apostles' feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
[12:02] So people saw, people, you know, because there was so much persecution and cancel culture was going on, people were losing their jobs. People's businesses were not doing well because it's the same.
[12:13] It hasn't changed. Your stance might bring negative attention on you. And so they were told, don't preach the name of Jesus, then we will preach.
[12:24] So they boycotted their business. And people were having the impact. It was affecting them. So people had needs. And some had also traveled and left their permanent place of residence and have relocated to Jerusalem because they found this church life which was better than any other thing they found.
[12:44] So they were willing to walk away from all their privileges. So there was need. And so when people saw needs, there was this, that's true koinonia.
[12:56] Love was being shared amongst them. They cared for one another. They covered one another up. They were interested in helping other people's, others' needs.
[13:06] So what was happening was that I have something. I saw you are in need. I'm very quick to see how I can help mitigate the situation or help with your needs. And if they realized they couldn't help, those who had more will sell their land, sell other things so they can meet needs of others.
[13:24] It became the norm of the day. Can that happen again? Yes, when the Holy Ghost is really moving. Some people think, no, this cannot happen. There's more than the church. But you never know. Because you can't put a limit on what God can do when the true church becomes a true church.
[13:40] And this is the church in its precinct state. The church in its early stage. It's in its infancy. That's what was happening in the church. Great things were happening. And Bible, look at verse 36. The verse 36 says that.
[13:52] So verse 35, before I get to verse 36, back to verse 35. And the lady at the apostles' feet and distribution was made to every man according as he had need.
[14:07] That's very important. And Joseph, who by the apostles was sent in Barnabas, which is being interpreted as the son of consolation.
[14:19] A Levite, was it necessary? Yes. From the country of Cyprus. So he wasn't even, his permanent place of residence was not Jerusalem.
[14:31] He was from the country of Cyprus. And he has relocated because of the move of God. He hasn't left, but he was permanently based in Jerusalem. So I believe Levites were not land owners.
[14:44] So if you study scriptures very carefully, the land was divided into 12 and they distributed it to the tribes apart from Levites. So the Levites, they were supposed to serve in the temple and with Aaron.
[14:57] So Namath chapter 8 verse 19. So the Levites were supposed to just serve in a temple. And this guy, watch this, in those days, I had a preacher say this, which was kind of interesting.
[15:12] In those days, the congregation of Israel were supposed to bring their gifts, their tithes and everything to the Levites. So in the Old Testament, everybody was subject to the Levitical authority.
[15:29] But in the New Testament, you find out from this text that there was a change. Now, Levites now were now bringing it to the apostles' feet. The apostles were in charge.
[15:40] And Barnabas is such a great guy. He didn't say, no, I'm a Levite, I'm a Levite. And so, no, he understood how the new system operates. And he came and submitted himself.
[15:51] And he brought it to the apostles' feet. A Levite with a land is a very serious thing. It's like just a migrant who has bought a house. Economic migrant has bought a house.
[16:04] It's a difference. Even he doesn't get close to that. Because someone who has, let's say, migrated into another country and is economic migrant has shipped.
[16:15] Hardship for the first few months. Things were hard. And he gets a job, struggling and buys a house the next year. Within a year. I mean, that's one of the biggest achievements.
[16:28] Achievement, depending on where you're coming from. And the Bible says, a Levite, Levites usually would not own land. But this guy was so hardworking. I believe he had a land in Cyprus or somewhere.
[16:40] He saw that people were selling. He also sold his land. Having land. A Levite having land. Sold it. A Levite having land.
[16:52] Sold it. And brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. Who is that? Who are we talking about? Barnabas. Do you know his real name?
[17:04] Joseph. King James uses Joseph. I believe maybe NIV or somewhere. We'll use. That's his name. Joseph. Okay. That's NIV. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus.
[17:14] Cyprus is very interesting. You remember I was studying and I saw something. When there was contention between Barnabas and Paul. In Acts chapter 15, verse 37. Contention between them.
[17:26] And Barnabas was determined to take John Mark. Mark. And Paul was also. He said, no, John Mark can't come with us. The contention became so sharp. That. Look at what happened. Then.
[17:37] Then. The. The contention became so sharp. That they departed from another. And Barnabas took Mark and sailed to his hometown. He went back home.
[17:50] And that's the same thing Mark also did. In chapter 13, verse 13. He returned to Jerusalem. And Barnabas also took John Mark. And then he returned to Cyprus.
[18:03] He went to. Barnabas is from Cyprus. From what we just read. Chapter 5, verse 36. He's from the country of Cyprus. Barnabas. But he's a good.
[18:14] He's a good man. Say a good man. Good man. As you say it. May God expose you to some good people in your life. One of the best things that can happen to you.
[18:25] Is to have. Relationship. Or meet a good person. A good man. Good people make a big difference in your life. A good man. There were only two people in the New Testament. Who were called good man.
[18:38] The Bible said there is a good man. Two people. One of them is this man called Barnabas. And do you know strangely. They both were called Joseph. They both were called Joseph.
[18:49] And the Bible said. Good man. Barnabas. In Acts chapter 11. Verse 24. Bible talks about. It says that. For he was a good. Look at 22. So you know we are talking about Barnabas.
[19:01] 20. Verse 22 said. Then the news of these things came to the ear of the church of Jerusalem. And they sent out Barnabas. To go as far as Antioch. Verse 23. When he had come and seen the grace of God.
[19:12] He was glad and encouraged them all. That with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Look at the next verse. For he was a good man. Full of the Holy Ghost and faith.
[19:25] Barnabas was a good man. Joseph. You know his name is Joseph. Acts chapter 4 verse 36. His name is Joseph.
[19:36] Good man. And then there is another good man in Luke chapter 23 verse 15. Look at it. He is also called Joseph. Joseph. And now behold. There was a man named Joseph. What?
[19:47] A council member. A good and a just man. These were the only people in the New Testament who were called good men. There was another one called Joseph.
[19:59] The Bible didn't say he was a good man. The Bible just said he was a just man. Mary's husband. In Matthew chapter 1 verse 19. And Joseph her husband. Being a just man. It looks like there is something about this name Joseph.
[20:12] In the New Testament. May you encounter good people in your life. In the name of. So Barnabas. Joseph.
[20:23] Being a good man. He sold his land. And brought it to the apostles feet. And so. This had become just a normal practice in the early church.
[20:33] And. This leads us into the next verse. Look at the next verse. Chapter 5 verse 1. But. Can you imagine? The whole chapter starts with but. That tells you.
[20:45] That tells you it was a continuation. There was no. It's not a break. A continuation. People were doing. Okay. Listen to this. Barnabas was not the only one who sold land and house.
[20:59] Others were doing before he did it. Is there? Bible says. No. Was there anyone that lacked? For. All who were possessors. Did you see? All who were possessors of lands and houses.
[21:12] Saw that. It was being done. Before Barnabas also did it. So he wasn't the only one who did it. But why was he mentioned? Because. Before you talk about anything negative.
[21:23] Find something good to talk about. Oh. He didn't get what I'm saying. Before you speak about something negative about somebody. About a church.
[21:33] About something. Find something good to talk about first. As I told you. Sometimes. When you are a pastor. And you are a pastor in a church. And. God is using you.
[21:44] For some reason. Satan fills people's hearts. To speak against you easily. Sometimes. When you are a teacher. People can attack you. When you go online. There are people who attack. Great men of God.
[21:54] And good men of God. From everywhere. Attacking them. But. Sometimes. God. Allows this. And then God will also. Every now and then. When attacks are coming.
[22:06] Send good people to speak to you. Yeah. Before they spoke about. Ananias and Sapphira. Inside. They were also inside the church. Ananias and Sapphira were in the church.
[22:17] But before we spoke about. Let's talk about something good. That's why they spoke about. Good man. Barnabas. Whose name. Was. His actual name was Joseph. But the apostles nicknamed him.
[22:30] Barnabas. Which was a son of consolation. It's an Aramaic word. Which actually means. A son of prophecy. So they. They use that name to. Mean that he's your.
[22:41] When we hear from you. We are encouraged. When we see you. There are some people. When you see. It encourages you. In what God has put. Asked you to do. Because when God gives you something to do.
[22:51] It can be very challenging. So it's always nice. To have people who. Encourage you like. Barnabas. Barnabas. The work of God. Can be so discouraging at times.
[23:02] You need Barnabas. To encourage you. So good things were happening. But. Barnabas. Be mindful of the bats in the Bible. It's very important.
[23:14] Joshua. God told Joshua. That when you conquer Jericho. Don't take anything from there. Tell the people. When you have conquered. Don't take. Because the land is a curse.
[23:26] Joshua chapter 6 verse 18. The land is a curse. Because you've taken over. The land is a curse. And you. By all means. Abstain from the a curse. Lest.
[23:37] You become a curse. When you take. Of the a curse. And make. The camp of Israel. Curse. And trouble it. It's you alone. But you are bringing a curse on us.
[23:48] So. Achan. Went and took some goodies. And took it into his camp. Without anybody knowing. They've entered Jericho.
[23:59] They've entered a new face. In their move with God. God is about to bless them. And Achan hit something. And so. When Joshua sent to Ai. 2 chapter 7 from verse 1.
[24:10] That they should go and spy the land. He sent only a few men. Not to. Because Ai is small. And rather. They were heavily defeated. Before Ai. And about 37 men were killed. Were slaughtered.
[24:21] And Joshua didn't understand. How could this happen? And Joshua went to pray to God. And God says that. Because there is an arresting among Israel. And that's trouble. You have turned my face. Verse 12. There's an arresting.
[24:33] And said. Therefore the children of Israel. Should not stand before the enemies. But turn. And could not stand before. But turn their back before their enemies. Because they have become doomed. To destruction.
[24:44] Neither will I be with you anymore. Unless you destroy the arresting from amongst you. So. Sometimes they can't be safe. Until something's infiltrated. And so.
[24:56] Joshua said. Let's do a search. And they searched everywhere. And they found out. Achan has hidden something. He took it without telling anybody. Verse 25 of chapter 7.
[25:08] And Achan. Joshua said. Why have you done this? Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day. And so they said. Take him out. And stone him.
[25:19] And they stone him. Left a heap of stones on him. Now you might think. Your modern day philosophy. That's very harsh. Because God. Would not entertain. This kind of trouble.
[25:31] Among his people. When he started a new work. And similar thing happened. In the day of Acts of the Apostle. Ananias and Sapphira. Now let's look at Ananias and Sapphira. What wrong did they do?
[25:42] Bible says that. But a certain man. Named Ananias. With his wife Sapphira. His wife. Sold a possession. And they kept. They kept.
[25:54] Back. Part of the proceeds. His wife. Also being aware of it. And brought. He kept back. And brought. A certain part. A lady. At the apostle's feet. Was there anything wrong with that?
[26:06] Nothing. He was doing good. He sold a whole possession. Kept. Part. He said. Okay. I'm selling it. And I can give this percentage to church. There's nothing wrong.
[26:17] To do that. And then. Peter said. Ananias. Why has Satan filled your heart. To lie to the Holy Spirit. And kept. Back. Part. Keeping back is not a lie. But.
[26:28] The problem. Was. It was. Everybody wants to do good. Isn't it? Everybody wants to do good. One of the things I found out. About people who leave churches. Even if they do something wrong.
[26:40] And they leave their church. They go. And then begin to. Tell others. What they haven't done wrong. And how the church is like. How the church is that. How the church. Must be. It's hard for people who leave a church.
[26:51] To have anything good to say about the church. Even where. Even though they know a lot of good things. Most of them will not tell you the true reason. Why they have left. The true reason.
[27:03] They didn't want to take. Go through the discipline. The true reason. They wanted to marry somebody. And it didn't work out. And they were offended.
[27:15] And so they left. But they will say. The church sings too much. Especially some people who say.
[27:25] The Lord told me to move on. So. Ananias and Sapphira. Everyone likes to look good. Don't forget this.
[27:36] Everyone likes to look good. One of the things about church leadership. Is. If somebody. Did something very bad. And the person now has left the church.
[27:48] A church leader. Cannot stand before the congregation. And tell. Expose the person. It's really. It's not Christian. And it's usually. You can. But they. Rather go around.
[27:59] And be telling people. A different version. So they have a way. Of spreading false. News. And allegations. Where sometimes. Church leadership. Will not.
[28:10] Is not necessary. To go into the real. Details of the situation. Why do they. Normally. Do that. People leave churches. But they want to retain. The. Friendship.
[28:21] The relationships. They build within the church. They want to retain. The relationships. They found. In the church. And. They want to still continue.
[28:33] To pollute. Or. Send a negative impression. About the church. To the people. Who are still within the church. Because they want. To win their heart. So then.
[28:45] The people. Within the church. Will be hearing. Negative things. And sometimes. They are sitting in the church. And all kinds of things. In their mind. Going on. Going on in their mind. So. People.
[28:55] Always want to. Look good. When you are asked to pray. You finish praying. You go and ask somebody. That was my prayer. Can you imagine?
[29:12] Amen. So. The problem. With Ananias and Sapphira. Was not the possession. They sold. Was not the part. Of the money. They gave. Because verse 4. Peter said that.
[29:22] While it remained. Was it not. Your own. And after it was sold. Was it not. In your own. Control. No. It was in force. God only loves. A cheerful giver.
[29:35] He doesn't want you. To give under compulsion. God loves. A cheerful giver. He loves. And I was. I was listening to. R.C. Sproul. The other day.
[29:45] He made a statement. About tithing. That I have never. Even considered. He said. I have been tithing. All my years. And I don't know. Anyone. Who attempts. Tithing. And regrets it. One of the.
[29:58] Finest theologians. In the Orthodox Church. He said. Tithing. I have never seen. Anyone. Who tithes. And regrets. He said.
[30:10] He said. He's not a law. He said. All those people. Who are making noise online. About tithing. Tithing. Tithing. Tithing. Tithing. I have never tithed. Keep your money. God doesn't need your money.
[30:20] Doesn't need your help. Church doesn't actually need your help. Or your money. That's the truth. Before. You joined the church. The church was doing okay. He said.
[30:31] This. It was such a blessing. He said. In the New Testament. There's no indication. That. The Old Testament laws. Should be continued. Especially in the area. Of even tithing.
[30:42] But he said. There's also no indication. That tithe. Is not New Testament. In the New Testament. There's no way. The Bible speaks against. People should. Give tithe. But he says that.
[30:54] I've. He said. I have never seen. Anybody who tithes. And regrets. Some of you may not. Have experiential knowledge. Of it. Because you don't tithe. Because you don't tithe.
[31:05] And the church is looking for your money. Excuse me. Really. It's your loss. God. Loveth.
[31:16] A cheerful giver. God. Loveth. A cheerful giver. God. Loves. A cheerful giver. God. Loves. A cheerful giver. Not someone.
[31:26] Who is giving. Under compulsion. Or giving. Fake. Just to appear. Like a giver. They want people to feel like. I'm also a giver. I'm a giver. That is what brought. The anger of God.
[31:37] On Ananias and Sapphira. The real reason. Why God eliminated them. As I told you. God. Multiplies the church. And he subtracts from the church. This is one of the miracles.
[31:48] That happened in the early. What's happening in the church. God subtracts people. God said. You know what. You'll be better. Join the church in heaven. Than be on the church. In the church on earth. Yeah. So God removed them.
[31:59] And brought them to him. He said. Come home quickly. Went to bed. You have sown a seed. A powerful seed. Come back. They were recalled. It was a recall.
[32:10] Hallelujah. God subtracted. But never devised the church. God never devised the church. Why did God have to subtract it? Number one. People might say.
[32:21] But that was quite harsh. For God to kill them like that. It was too harsh. It's a small lie. You know. People. It was. You see. It was. Not just a matter of small life.
[32:32] First of all. It was tempering with the purity of what God has started. The church was too pristine. It was too. New. For God to allow the infiltration of sin.
[32:49] Sin slows down the impact of the church. Number two. There's nowhere in scripture. In fact. Let me put it right out this way. Jesus was strongest.
[33:01] Against. When you study scriptures. You realize Jesus was against some things. The strongest thing Jesus was ever against. Was hypocrisy. Hypocrisy.
[33:13] That's what Jesus attacked most in his teachings. Hypocrisy. In Matthew chapter 23. In fact. Verse 15. Verse 16. He called them. War to you.
[33:25] War to you. Scribes and frites. Hypocrates. Verse 16. War to you. Blank guys. And that is replaced everywhere.
[33:37] War to you. War to you. Hypocrite. He was strongest. Against hypocrisy. What is hypocrisy? Let's look at the etymological derivation of the word hypocrite.
[33:48] In the Greek times. Those days. The Greeks. Like enjoyment. So. In the Greek theaters.
[33:58] You go and sit down. And get entertained. The actors. Those days. Didn't. Would not use. Necessarily makeup. Now. Like nowadays. They do makeup. And they don't do makeup.
[34:10] But they wear masks. So you see somebody. In the Greek times. In the theater. You see somebody. Who is. Acting.
[34:23] Like somebody. But it's different. It's not a person. So they wear a mask. You might think. Oh this is. This is Pastor David. But it's not Pastor David. And he's behaving like Pastor David.
[34:34] But it's not Pastor David. That's where the word hypocrite. Stems from. So hypocrite. Those times. They were just actors. Who take on the character of another.
[34:45] And behave like another. Who is not them. Over time. The word. Now evolved to mean. Somebody. Somebody. Who puts up. A virtue. Or moral.
[34:57] Moral soundness. Or principles. Demonstrate principles. They don't possess. As though. That's them. So that's a hypocrite. So he's behaving like. Hey. He's a very lonely person.
[35:08] By his life. He's a very. Hateful person. So. Hypocrite. Especially. When it comes to religious matters. They put up a front. You would think. That this who they are.
[35:18] But they are very different. From the truth. And God. Doesn't want his church. To be filled. With hypocrite. Or. Put it this way. Actors. Actors.
[35:30] Actors in the church. What's in the church. What happens in the church. Actors are also there. Acting like they are very prayerful. Acting like they are very spiritual.
[35:42] Acting like they are very generous. Acting like. I love this church. But they are gossiping against the church. Acting. God. Does not take lightly. When hypocrite.
[35:53] Come in. Invedis. Wake. The problem. Of the church. Is when we have. People acting. Awakings. Our church. Actors.
[36:04] In the church. Hypocrites. On the inside. Hypocrites. Inside the church. Are more dangerous. Than opposition. Outside the church.
[36:15] They were facing severe opposition outside, but what they couldn't afford is to have the hypocrites invade the system. Too many of us can easily fall in that category.
[36:29] We have a front, repotent to be what we are not. When hypocrites fill the church, the church, the world can't stand the church.
[36:41] Or the church cannot impact the world with hypocrites. When the church is filled with hypocrites, it affects our testimony. It affects our impact.
[36:52] People who live with you know you. People who work with you know you. Who is a hypocrite? Someone who plays a part. That's what I actually meant. Someone who plays a part.
[37:04] Someone who puts on a mask. Someone who plays a part. Someone who puts on a mask. To present a false version of themselves.
[37:17] Place a part to present a false version of themselves. Playing and acting. Putting on a mask to present a false version of yourself. Your reality and your fruits in the church tell me a lot about your spirituality than your looks.
[37:34] Because potentially you might be an actor. Especially people who always want people to see how spiritual they are. Usually actors. They have to force and make sure people.
[37:44] The Lord just told me. The Holy Spirit is speaking to me. The Holy Spirit is speaking to me. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Ghost. Why? Because they were trying to be what they were not.
[37:57] They are trying to look like they also have been given everything they have. By just everything they have given. Why are you trying to pull the wool over her eyes? That you know what? As for me I sacrifice a lot. There is nothing in my life I don't do.
[38:09] Please. Nadia said Sapphira. They were trying to pretend they have given everything. And because of that. Peter said.
[38:20] Why has Satan filled your heart? Say Satan. Satan. Satan can work in the hearts of people. Oh yes. You can be a believer. But it might be working your heart.
[38:32] Oh yes. Judas is a typical example. In John chapter 13 verse 2. Look at that. If it will. Are you able to put it on the screen? The. And supper being ended.
[38:44] The devil having already put into. How did he do it? He has put into the heart of Judas Iscariot.
[38:55] He has done it. He has managed to infiltrate into it. Be careful who you are listening to. Because Satan is after your heart. What you are listening is going into your heart.
[39:07] Your heart is the storage place for what you are listening to. Look at verse 27. Of the same text. John. It says that. Now after the piece of bread.
[39:18] Satan entered him. Ooh. Luke 22 verse 3. This is. This is scary. This is scary. Then Satan. Ooh. Who was.
[39:29] Numbered amongst the 12. Satan entered him. Peter said to Ananias. Why has Satan filled your heart? There are some behavior.
[39:41] When you do it. It's a reflection of what has filled your heart. Meanwhile. Watch these brothers and sisters. What happens in the church. Encounters. In verse 31 of chapter 4. When they had prayed. The place where they stood.
[39:52] Shook. And they were all. They were all. All of them. Including Ananias and Zaphira. But look at verse 3 of chapter 5.
[40:03] Why. It says that. Why has Satan. Holy Ghost filled them. Satan also came and filled him. Why has Satan filled him? Satan has filled your heart.
[40:14] To lie. That's why you die. Satan filled his heart. That's where the problem was. And he became a hypocrite.
[40:26] He became an actor. You are smiling. But you are full of bitterness. You are shouting hallelujah. Yet you are guessing the work. When you get home. You are saying I love Jesus.
[40:38] But you are lying. You are not interested. You are determined that I will lie. I will cheat. I will mess up. I will fornicate. No one can tell me what to do. When he comes to say.
[40:50] I love Jesus. I love Jesus. Sego, sego. Praise the Lord. Actor. Actor. Remove that mask. Remove that mask. Does that mean we are going to be perfect?
[41:00] No. That's not what it means. Doesn't mean we will be sinless. But the problem is pretending to let people feel you are what you are not. On a consistent basis. And you have sat in your heart. Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost.
[41:16] Who has also filled you. Two things have filled him. And they were coexisting. Say, what else is with me? It was yours. And after it was sold. It was yours.
[41:26] It could have done anything. And when he heard these words. Peter didn't kill him. Peter didn't kill him. He heard the words. The anointed words. And God acted. Bible says that when he heard these words.
[41:38] He fell down and died. At the feet. And when hearing these words. Fell down and breathed his last. Before COVID came.
[41:49] People's breath were being taken away. So great fear fell upon all who heard these things. The problem of coming to church late. Look at the next verse. I want to just.
[41:59] Let me just run that. And they rapped him. It's good to have some young people in the church. They will do some work. All right. And carry them young people.
[42:09] So that's why. Even though in their death. They are still one of us. So they are still one of us. So they died. But they are still one of us. So they took care of them. And carried them gently.
[42:20] Young men. Thank God for young men in church. But look at the next verse. It was about three hours. You came to church. Three hours late. Yes.
[42:35] I'm talking to some people at the back. The time you came to church. Can put you at a risk. Came to church late. Yesterday we had workers reception.
[42:47] And I thought on some things that blessed my heart so much. Because I didn't come to just speak. I also came to receive. It blessed my heart so much. Suddenly I remember people who didn't show up.
[42:59] I was thinking. And I was concerned about them. Because you see. If God doesn't feel your heart properly. Satan will take advantage of the lapses.
[43:10] What you hear can save your life. What you hear can save your life. What if you are not doing well in your Christian work.
[43:21] Check what you have been hearing. Or listening to. And Ananias. Safira came late. Three hours late. He didn't know what had happened. And then Peter asked him.
[43:32] Tell me. Tell me. Whether it was so for such and such. She said of course. That's everything. Of course. That's husband and wife.
[43:45] They were united in life and in death. It's beautiful. It's beautiful. That's what we call marriage. Bible says that wives.
[44:00] Be subject to your husbands. Or submit yourself to their husbands. But remember. Not when they are disobeying God. It's about time.
[44:12] A wife must go. And say. I need to. I need to report my husband. Or a husband must go. Because. All of you are thinking. Somebody must rise up to see.
[44:24] How can I save this boat? Because your husband has been coming to church. Regularly. But at home. The things he's been doing. Yes. Every night he's drunk.
[44:36] And he said. There's nothing wrong. Jesus multiplied bread. And Jesus blessed wine. Ha ha. So. Okay. Let me finish. I'm done. Sorry. Sorry.
[44:47] And Peter. Peter said unto her. Tell me. Whether you did so. Verse 9 says that. Then Peter said unto her. How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the spirit of the Lord?
[44:59] They agreed to tempt. 1 Corinthians chapter 10. 15. Tempt. The spirit of the Lord. Tempt the spirit of the Lord. So why has Satan filled your heart to tempt the spirit of the Lord?
[45:10] Watch this. To tempt the spirit of the Lord. Behold. The feet of those which buried your husband are at the door and shall carry you out. Then fell she down straight away at his feet.
[45:24] And yielded up the ghost. And the young man came in and found her dead. Carried her forth. And buried her by her husband. That's so nice. That's so nice. They died together.
[45:35] They were one into death. Wow. Till death do us part. This one. They said death will not do us part. We will live together. And die together. Because can't live if living is without you.
[45:54] I didn't say boyfriend. I'm talking about husband. There's a difference. And the breadhead next to her husband. And great fear fell upon the church. And upon all.
[46:05] As many as had these things. That's the first time the word church was used in the book of Acts. Church is God's called out people. They are people God has called out for his work.
[46:16] We can't afford for infiltrations. Hypocrites like Pharisees. To come and spoil the work. So that's why Manias and Sapphira died. Not because they sold the land. Or not because they came back.
[46:27] But because of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy in the early church. God said I cannot have sin to enter this. And so what happened in the church. There were also hypocrites who were rising.
[46:39] And what happened in the church. God got rid of hypocrites. What's happening in the church. All these things will happen. Why are you scared? I see God blessing you.
[46:53] I see God empowering you. To move from grace to grace. From glory to glory. In Jesus mighty name. Hallelujah. Thank you for listening to this message by David Entry.
[47:06] We pray you have been revived towards God. You can connect with David Entry. On all relevant social media platforms. Including Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also hear more messages from David Entry.
[47:17] On all relevant streaming platforms. And the Karish Church app. Don't forget to like and share the message. Be blessed. You can also hear more messages from David Entry.