WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:06.480 We're reading from Acts chapter 4 and verse 32. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:15.560 Last week, David spoke about a great threat, but that we've got an even greater God. 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:25.960 Peter and John were being threatened not to speak in the name of Jesus, but they said, 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:30.359 how can we not? How can we not speak in that name? 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:35.760 And they returned to their friends, and they prayed for boldness, 00:00:36.740 --> 00:00:42.900 and they're all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continue to speak the word of God. 00:00:43.260 --> 00:00:52.219 So now we're going to carry on from verse 32 and through to chapter 5, verse 11. 00:00:55.960 --> 00:00:59.620 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, 00:01:00.539 --> 00:01:04.079 and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, 00:01:04.700 --> 00:01:06.480 but they had everything in common. 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:11.960 And with great power, the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:15.180 and great grace was upon them all. 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:18.859 There was not a needy person among them, 00:01:18.859 --> 00:01:22.359 for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:24.840 and brought the proceeds of what was sold, 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:26.840 and laid it at the apostles' feet, 00:01:27.180 --> 00:01:31.239 and it was distributed to each as any had need. 00:01:32.319 --> 00:01:36.980 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas, 00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:38.840 which means son of encouragement, 00:01:39.519 --> 00:01:41.680 a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 00:01:42.260 --> 00:01:44.039 sold a field that belonged to him, 00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:47.120 and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. 00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:52.120 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, 00:01:52.660 --> 00:01:54.060 sold a piece of property, 00:01:54.859 --> 00:01:56.520 and with his wife's knowledge, 00:01:56.680 --> 00:01:59.219 he kept back for himself some of the proceeds, 00:01:59.580 --> 00:02:01.300 and brought only a part of it, 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:03.300 and laid it at the apostles' feet. 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:05.300 But Peter said, 00:02:06.100 --> 00:02:09.659 Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:11.140 to lie to the Holy Spirit 00:02:11.140 --> 00:02:14.620 and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:17.360 While it remained unsold, 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:19.520 did it not remain your own? 00:02:20.319 --> 00:02:21.520 And after it was sold, 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:23.379 was it not at your disposal? 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:28.340 Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:31.020 You have not lied to man, but to God. 00:02:32.219 --> 00:02:33.920 When Ananias heard these words, 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:36.280 he fell down and breathed his last, 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:39.159 and great fear came upon all who heard of it. 00:02:39.159 --> 00:02:42.579 The young men rose and wrapped him up 00:02:42.579 --> 00:02:44.340 and carried him out and buried him. 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:47.359 After an interval of about three hours, 00:02:47.419 --> 00:02:48.300 his wife came in, 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:49.719 not knowing what had happened. 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:51.579 And Peter said to her, 00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:55.579 Tell me whether you sold the land for so much. 00:02:56.439 --> 00:02:57.120 And she said, 00:02:57.419 --> 00:02:58.859 Yes, for so much. 00:03:00.199 --> 00:03:01.240 But Peter said to her, 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:03.620 How is it that you have agreed together 00:03:03.620 --> 00:03:05.259 to test the Spirit of the Lord? 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:09.379 Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:10.099 are at the door, 00:03:10.340 --> 00:03:11.739 and they will carry you out. 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:15.139 Immediately she fell down at his feet 00:03:15.139 --> 00:03:16.500 and breathed her last. 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:18.560 When the young men came in, 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:19.759 they found her dead, 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:21.579 and they carried her out 00:03:21.579 --> 00:03:23.319 and buried her beside her husband. 00:03:24.519 --> 00:03:26.819 And great fear came upon the whole church 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:29.560 and upon all who heard of these things. 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:33.319 Wouldn't it be great to be back 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:36.140 in the early days of the New Testament church? 00:03:37.259 --> 00:03:39.800 If I had $10 for every time I've heard that 00:03:39.800 --> 00:03:40.979 over my ministry years, 00:03:41.140 --> 00:03:42.580 I would be well away. 00:03:44.819 --> 00:03:47.060 It's a reasonably common expression for Christians. 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:50.000 And almost always, 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:51.800 it's a response by Christians 00:03:51.800 --> 00:03:54.480 to the many exciting things 00:03:54.480 --> 00:03:56.039 happening in the early church. 00:03:56.219 --> 00:03:57.840 Oftentimes, Christians are actually reading 00:03:57.840 --> 00:03:58.800 the Acts of the Apostles. 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:00.760 when they have these sort of thoughts, 00:04:00.880 --> 00:04:02.920 as Matt suggested in his introduction. 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:05.600 And why wouldn't they have? 00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:09.520 There's the spectacular arrival of the Holy Spirit, 00:04:10.100 --> 00:04:12.160 the secret weapon that Jesus promised 00:04:12.160 --> 00:04:14.020 to enable them to be good witnesses. 00:04:15.600 --> 00:04:18.600 There's the Spirit's enabling of Peter and John, 00:04:19.080 --> 00:04:20.680 men who only weeks earlier 00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:22.300 had been cowering in the darkness. 00:04:23.060 --> 00:04:25.199 Now we're taking on a hostile crowd, 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:28.519 speaking the gospel of Jesus 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:29.539 with new understanding, 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:30.360 new clarity, 00:04:30.979 --> 00:04:32.479 and new confidence. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:36.420 And then there's the radical renewal of, 00:04:36.899 --> 00:04:37.659 we're told here, 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:40.120 more than 5,000 people have been converted 00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:41.699 in what we presume 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:43.259 is just a short number of weeks. 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:47.219 Converted through hearing the name of Jesus. 00:04:47.220 --> 00:04:48.680 And not only converted, 00:04:48.760 --> 00:04:50.520 but a radical new community has emerged. 00:04:52.400 --> 00:04:53.580 The community itself 00:04:53.580 --> 00:04:54.200 is a witness 00:04:54.200 --> 00:04:56.040 to the unstoppable Jesus, 00:04:57.540 --> 00:04:59.240 both as it clearly shaped, 00:04:59.400 --> 00:05:00.380 as it was clearly shaped 00:05:00.380 --> 00:05:02.140 and defined by Jesus' word, 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:03.340 an example, 00:05:04.080 --> 00:05:05.380 and also a witness 00:05:05.380 --> 00:05:07.020 as individuals within it 00:05:07.020 --> 00:05:08.800 spoke the gospel of Jesus 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:09.760 to those around them. 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:15.459 So much excitement, 00:05:15.659 --> 00:05:16.860 so much positivity, 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:18.199 that not even opposition 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:19.680 and threat of violence 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:22.000 could stop the excitement. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:23.980 As we saw last week, 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:26.000 with fresh enabling, 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:28.539 fresh confidence from the Holy Spirit, 00:05:28.719 --> 00:05:29.879 chapter 4, verse 31, 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:32.639 they continued. 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:34.560 In the face of threat, 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:38.219 in the face of personal threat of violence, 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:40.780 they continued to speak the name of Jesus. 00:05:45.340 --> 00:05:47.260 Now all of that is exciting, 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:48.300 excitement plus, 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:49.520 all of it combines 00:05:49.520 --> 00:05:51.360 as indisputable evidence 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:53.360 of the unstoppable Jesus 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:56.120 building his spiritual empire 00:05:56.120 --> 00:05:58.400 as he gathers his died-for people 00:05:58.400 --> 00:05:59.740 from the four corners of the earth. 00:06:00.260 --> 00:06:02.300 All of that clarifies 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:03.420 what we can expect 00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:04.880 when we speak the name of Jesus, 00:06:06.440 --> 00:06:07.660 speak the gospel of Jesus. 00:06:07.660 --> 00:06:09.280 We can expect people 00:06:09.280 --> 00:06:10.820 to be radically renewed 00:06:10.820 --> 00:06:11.740 from the inside out. 00:06:13.260 --> 00:06:14.700 We can expect to see 00:06:14.700 --> 00:06:16.800 Christ's radical new community, 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:17.480 the church, 00:06:18.200 --> 00:06:19.660 grow and be an important confirmation 00:06:20.320 --> 00:06:22.160 of the changing power of the gospel. 00:06:24.400 --> 00:06:27.140 And we can expect opposition and attack. 00:06:30.980 --> 00:06:31.900 This morning, 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:33.420 I want to just take us into 00:06:33.420 --> 00:06:35.120 what Luke presents us here 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:37.580 as a different perspective on attack. 00:06:37.660 --> 00:06:41.540 So let's jump into the story 00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:43.900 as Luke describes 00:06:43.900 --> 00:06:45.420 the demonstrated reality 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:48.200 of the early Christian community. 00:06:48.420 --> 00:06:49.500 And if you're a visitor, 00:06:49.820 --> 00:06:51.820 that outline of what I'm speaking to 00:06:51.820 --> 00:06:53.080 is on the back of the bulletin thing 00:06:53.080 --> 00:06:55.180 you got when you came in the door this morning. 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:58.280 The demonstrated reality 00:06:58.280 --> 00:07:00.260 of the early Christian community. 00:07:00.259 --> 00:07:02.279 authenticity 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:05.039 and what the church could 00:07:05.039 --> 00:07:06.659 and ought to be. 00:07:09.459 --> 00:07:10.800 Now, the description we have 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:12.019 in verse 32 onwards 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:13.759 reinforces the description 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:15.219 we have already been through 00:07:15.219 --> 00:07:16.019 in chapter 2, 00:07:16.099 --> 00:07:18.139 verses 42 through to 47. 00:07:19.259 --> 00:07:20.579 And what we saw there 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:21.180 and see here 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:22.800 is that the gospel changes 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:24.199 whole communities 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:25.879 radically. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:29.079 and the point here 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:29.819 is that I think 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:32.439 that this new gospel community 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:34.139 is the most attractive 00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:37.159 in the very points 00:07:37.159 --> 00:07:38.699 where our culture 00:07:38.699 --> 00:07:39.779 is most ugly. 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:44.659 Verse 32. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:46.800 A community 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:47.860 that's now in excess 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:48.939 of 5,000, 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:50.379 in spite of that, 00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:51.019 they were noted 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:52.779 for their single-minded 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:55.579 all-in commitment. 00:07:57.779 --> 00:07:59.439 United in heart and soul. 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:04.419 It sounds so attractive to us 00:08:04.419 --> 00:08:05.799 in our fractured, 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:07.000 disconnected world, 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:07.479 doesn't it? 00:08:11.579 --> 00:08:13.180 All-in commitment to Jesus. 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:15.359 All-in commitment to one another. 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:19.240 All-in commitment to expressing 00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:20.319 the mind of Christ 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:21.240 in everyday living. 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:23.620 All-in commitment 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:25.680 to speaking the gospel of Jesus 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:26.699 to those around them 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:27.300 in their community 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:28.259 as they had opportunity. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:35.500 And there's demonstrated reality 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:38.399 as they're demonstrably moved 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:39.419 from the attitude 00:08:39.419 --> 00:08:40.639 of self-protection 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:41.560 and possessiveness, 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:43.899 which sort of marks out 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:44.919 our culture, doesn't it? 00:08:45.299 --> 00:08:46.480 When they're moved from that 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:47.919 to the kingdom attitude 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:50.579 of self-sacrificing generosity. 00:08:52.959 --> 00:08:54.579 And it's most clearly seen 00:08:54.579 --> 00:08:55.599 and exampleed here 00:08:55.599 --> 00:08:56.819 in terms of 00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:57.819 how they think 00:08:57.819 --> 00:08:59.019 about their material possessions. 00:09:01.719 --> 00:09:02.719 They're converting 00:09:02.719 --> 00:09:04.399 their assets into cash 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:06.000 and bringing them 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:07.159 for the work of the gospel. 00:09:09.459 --> 00:09:09.860 Why? 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:14.240 Well, I think it's very simple. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:17.120 Since their immediate happiness, 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.539 since their future security 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:21.100 is no longer tied 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:22.060 to their own efforts 00:09:22.060 --> 00:09:23.620 to accumulate things, 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:25.360 wealth and possession, 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:27.480 since it's no longer that, 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:29.740 but God's grace, 00:09:30.899 --> 00:09:32.919 then suddenly they've experienced 00:09:32.919 --> 00:09:33.659 a new freedom 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:35.019 in respect to those things 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:35.879 they had accumulated. 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:38.840 a new desire 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:40.340 to cash in their assets 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:41.960 and use the money 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:43.240 to be as Christ 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.480 to others. 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:47.419 Now we need to just 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:48.379 pause on note here. 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:49.840 There's absolutely 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:51.039 no suggestion 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:51.840 in these verses 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:53.720 of some sort of mandate, 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:55.580 some sort of requirement. 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:56.620 If you're going to be a Christian, 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:57.460 then you have to sell 00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:58.279 private property. 00:09:58.899 --> 00:09:59.940 Nothing like that at all. 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:01.720 What's on display here, 00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:02.379 I think, 00:10:02.899 --> 00:10:04.799 is the changing power 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:05.620 of the gospel. 00:10:12.579 --> 00:10:13.719 As Christians 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:15.839 increasingly express 00:10:15.839 --> 00:10:17.339 the mind of Christ, 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:21.279 then they're no longer 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.679 expressing that basic 00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:23.559 human attitude 00:10:23.559 --> 00:10:25.979 of possessiveness, 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.339 self-interest, 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:29.759 my, me, mine. 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:37.099 And verse 33, 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:38.459 look at the consequence, 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:39.240 look at the immediate 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:39.859 result of that. 00:10:39.959 --> 00:10:41.139 And with great power, 00:10:41.459 --> 00:10:42.579 the apostles were giving 00:10:42.579 --> 00:10:43.279 their testimony 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:44.479 to the resurrection 00:10:44.479 --> 00:10:45.339 of the Lord Jesus 00:10:45.339 --> 00:10:46.319 and great grace 00:10:46.319 --> 00:10:47.079 was upon them all. 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:48.120 Now there's various ways 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.459 you can interpret that verse. 00:10:49.939 --> 00:10:50.979 I think it's a very 00:10:50.979 --> 00:10:52.059 practical thing just. 00:10:53.699 --> 00:10:54.719 I think it's this, 00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:57.159 that as the watching world, 00:10:57.799 --> 00:10:58.679 their local community 00:10:58.679 --> 00:10:59.779 looked into this new 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:01.219 emerging radical community, 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:03.659 they saw such a matchup 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:04.639 between their words 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:05.360 and their actions 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:08.939 that this community 00:11:08.939 --> 00:11:09.919 became an even more 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:10.939 compelling witness 00:11:10.939 --> 00:11:14.000 to the new freedom, 00:11:15.339 --> 00:11:16.639 the new security 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.699 that we find in Christ. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:20.759 It was powerful 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:21.360 and compelling. 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:23.919 As a unit, 00:11:24.439 --> 00:11:26.039 as a church group, 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:28.720 they demonstrated 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:31.680 the power of Jesus, 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:34.160 the power of God's grace 00:11:34.160 --> 00:11:35.519 to renew 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.940 and free 00:11:36.940 --> 00:11:38.080 and equip 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:40.320 in life. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:44.500 I think it's hard 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.080 to imagine 00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:48.420 a more radical community, 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:48.840 isn't it? 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:52.460 It's hard to imagine 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:53.920 a more compelling witness 00:11:53.920 --> 00:11:56.019 to the changing power 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.480 of the gospel, 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:56.980 isn't it? 00:11:56.980 --> 00:12:00.720 So, 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:02.300 here we need to prop 00:12:02.300 --> 00:12:02.820 and go back 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:04.100 to my opening sentence. 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:08.820 And our 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:11.159 time-to-time 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:11.960 expression 00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:12.860 of longing 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:14.300 to be part 00:12:14.300 --> 00:12:16.120 of the early church 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:17.480 in its unity 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:19.480 and its excitement 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:21.039 and its compelling 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:21.759 testimony 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:23.420 to the watching world. 00:12:23.419 --> 00:12:27.439 So, 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.279 here's what 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.059 I'm going to suggest 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:29.399 to you, 00:12:29.459 --> 00:12:30.139 that sometimes 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:30.699 I think 00:12:30.699 --> 00:12:31.719 that idea 00:12:31.719 --> 00:12:33.799 is more romantic 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:35.539 than real force. 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:45.379 are you really 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:45.959 longing 00:12:45.959 --> 00:12:46.939 to be part 00:12:46.939 --> 00:12:47.599 of a community 00:12:47.599 --> 00:12:49.240 where there's 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:50.679 such single-minded, 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:52.279 all-in-commitment, 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:55.179 demonstrated reality 00:12:55.179 --> 00:12:56.699 of the changing 00:12:56.699 --> 00:12:58.059 power of the gospel? 00:12:58.059 --> 00:13:04.500 If that's something 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:04.759 you say 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:05.219 you really 00:13:05.219 --> 00:13:05.859 are longing 00:13:05.859 --> 00:13:06.339 for, 00:13:07.179 --> 00:13:08.339 then the question 00:13:08.339 --> 00:13:09.419 becomes for us 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:09.979 here today, 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.879 why are we so far 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:13.000 removed from that 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:13.399 picture? 00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:16.259 Why are we so far 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:16.899 away from the 00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:17.339 attitudes 00:13:17.339 --> 00:13:18.539 that shaped 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.479 the early church? 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:26.480 And then again, 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:27.300 the question 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:27.680 becomes, 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:28.139 well, 00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:29.600 if we're really 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:30.539 craving that, 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:32.879 why aren't we 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:34.680 free to do it 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:35.000 today? 00:13:36.940 --> 00:13:37.980 What's stopping 00:13:37.980 --> 00:13:39.080 us from striving 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:41.560 through all-in 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:42.000 commitment 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:44.500 for an identical 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.480 community here 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.560 in GECN? 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:53.440 Friends, 00:13:53.560 --> 00:13:54.980 I think we 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:55.560 get found out 00:13:55.560 --> 00:13:55.759 here, 00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:56.159 at least I 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:56.680 get found out 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:57.100 here anyway. 00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:57.980 You might be 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:58.580 different from me. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.700 I think the 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.420 truth for most 00:14:00.420 --> 00:14:01.000 of us is 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:03.200 that we crave 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:03.960 a community 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:04.879 shaped by 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:06.320 self-sacrificing 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:06.899 generosity. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.360 We crave a 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:09.519 community shaped 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:10.620 by care of 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.100 one another, 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:12.080 deep care. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.519 We crave 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.659 that so much 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:21.519 but personally, 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:23.899 we want to 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:25.199 continue and 00:14:25.199 --> 00:14:26.279 do insist on 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.620 continuing to 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.839 be self-protective, 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:30.639 possessive. 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:36.799 We crave this 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:39.299 but we find 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:40.279 ourselves unable 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:43.039 to find sufficient 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:44.519 security and 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.860 delight and 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:47.220 happiness and 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:47.800 hope in 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:49.399 Jesus that 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.139 actually allows 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.720 us to be set 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:51.480 free from our 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:51.940 possessions. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:56.139 That sort of 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:57.560 overflows in 00:14:57.560 --> 00:14:59.779 an attitude of 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:01.800 generosity and 00:15:01.800 --> 00:15:02.600 all-in commitment 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:05.019 that quite 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:05.659 literally would 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:06.460 transform us 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:08.039 individually and 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:08.779 as a church 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:09.240 community. 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:09.340 Okay. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:09.379 Okay. 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:17.539 See, 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.340 corporate change 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:18.720 as we look 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.279 around this 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:19.740 church and 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.860 wish it was 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:21.320 different and 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:21.759 we all do 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:22.019 that. 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:22.620 I hear it all 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.399 the time and 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:23.980 I express the 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:24.440 same thoughts 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:24.860 myself. 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:25.580 We wish it 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:25.980 was different 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.399 at so many 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:26.879 points. 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:28.740 We need to 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.180 be saying to 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:29.680 ourselves that 00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:30.860 corporate change 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:32.980 starts 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:33.980 individually. 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.500 As I have 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.180 those attitudes, 00:15:38.300 --> 00:15:38.860 as you have 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:39.480 those attitudes, 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:40.680 then we will 00:15:40.680 --> 00:15:41.159 have those 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:41.580 attitudes. 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:46.620 Well, let's 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.060 move ahead in 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:47.440 the story. 00:15:47.780 --> 00:15:48.300 We confront 00:15:48.300 --> 00:15:49.180 Satan's clever 00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:51.980 ambush and he 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:53.520 effectively destroys 00:15:53.520 --> 00:15:54.639 their unity and 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.139 credibility. 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:57.860 And this part of 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.520 the story shows 00:15:58.520 --> 00:16:00.700 that duplicity now 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.800 undermines 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:03.180 authenticity and 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:04.420 eventually trumps 00:16:04.420 --> 00:16:08.060 authenticity in 00:16:08.060 --> 00:16:08.860 this radical new 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.259 community. 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:11.180 Now, they've 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:12.159 already experienced 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:13.419 external attack 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.019 through the 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.539 threats of the 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:15.120 Jewish religious 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:15.500 leaders. 00:16:16.339 --> 00:16:17.419 That of itself 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.179 only made them 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:19.479 more bold to 00:16:19.479 --> 00:16:19.919 speak about 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:20.239 Jesus. 00:16:21.959 --> 00:16:22.919 Now the story 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:23.919 changes and for 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:25.019 the first time in 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.519 the Acts of the 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.939 Apostles, Satan 00:16:26.939 --> 00:16:27.919 is identified by 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:28.259 name. 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:30.359 I think that 00:16:30.359 --> 00:16:31.239 tells us that 00:16:31.239 --> 00:16:32.259 for Luke, this 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:33.059 is a very 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:34.299 significant moment 00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:35.759 in the story of 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.539 the early church 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.299 in the way he 00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:37.979 brings this out. 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:41.899 Satan's strategy, 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.440 and we can look 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.000 back through the 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.800 Gospels and see 00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:44.759 Jesus teaching this, 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.700 Satan's strategy 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:47.700 very simply is to 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:49.120 hurt the cause of 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.480 Jesus. 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.539 It can't actually 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:57.639 hurt Jesus, so his 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.940 fallback position is 00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:00.700 then to hurt the 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:02.159 cause of Jesus by 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:06.079 silencing any 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.359 credible witness to 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.619 his name by his 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.000 followers. 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:13.740 Silencing any 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.799 credible witness from 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.659 the church in the 00:17:15.659 --> 00:17:16.319 local community. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.220 And so I think 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.960 what Luke is 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.960 telling us here in 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:22.720 this story is at 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.319 two levels. 00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:24.059 There's the 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:24.960 immediate cause, the 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.559 human cause. 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.519 We've got Ananias and 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.579 Sapphira and the way 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.460 this plays out in 00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:28.779 front of the 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.039 apostles. 00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:30.139 But there's a cause 00:17:30.139 --> 00:17:31.059 behind the cause. 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:33.339 And that is Satan 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:35.899 working to discredit 00:17:35.899 --> 00:17:37.879 and undermine the 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:39.740 witness of this 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:42.700 radical community in 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.639 a way that external 00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:45.579 threats have not been 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.500 able to achieve thus 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:46.819 far. 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:52.419 He works, Satan 00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:53.599 works from inside the 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.000 church. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.039 church. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:56.519 And here we have 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:56.720 it. 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:59.779 Satan uses a nice, 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:02.099 well-to-do husband 00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:03.880 and wife team in 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:04.940 this local community 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:07.619 to do what external 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:08.940 threats fail to do. 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:11.839 Ultimately, to destroy 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:13.940 their unity and to 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.460 threaten their 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:16.000 credibility in the 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:16.640 local community. 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.859 Now, again, these are 00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:20.700 difficult verses to 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.460 understand and some 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.220 people have gone into 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.180 really black places 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:23.440 with this. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:25.279 But I need to just 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.180 pull us back and say 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:28.460 this story is not 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:30.940 about people who are 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.220 not truly converted 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:32.980 being part of the 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.240 church. 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:35.460 There's a reality to 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:35.579 that. 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:36.259 But that's not what 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.160 this story is about, 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:37.700 I believe. 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.079 Nor is it about 00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:43.319 Christians losing 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:44.779 their salvation because 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:46.660 they have failed in 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.539 their practical 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.299 discipleship. 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:50.220 and because they've 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.980 committed a particular 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.259 sin. 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.619 I don't think it's 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.419 about either of these 00:18:53.419 --> 00:18:53.799 things. 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:56.819 And one of the 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.440 reasons why I think 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.539 that is because Peter 00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.440 actually addresses 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:01.099 Ananias and Sapphira 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.879 as Christians, as 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:04.180 people who have the 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:04.559 spirit. 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.879 So I think the point 00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:08.799 of the story is this. 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.799 The point of the story 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:12.299 is to show the 00:19:12.879 --> 00:19:15.579 struggle it is to 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.299 maintain demonstrated 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:19.359 reality in the 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.799 church against 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.299 Satan's strategy to 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:24.059 compromise and 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:24.779 discredit their 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.180 testimony. 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:27.500 So let's see how 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.639 the story falls out 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.899 in that context. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.440 Peter, I think, is 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:33.220 really saying to 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.399 Ananias when he 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:35.119 confronts him here, 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.720 Ananias, why have 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.339 you given a 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.759 foothold to Satan 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.599 in your life? 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.819 That is, why have 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:44.079 you allowed yourself 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.240 to be manipulated 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:47.460 into given expression 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.380 to the mind of 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:48.759 Satan? 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.839 That is, the mind 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:52.519 of lies, deceit, and 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:55.099 greed, rather than 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:56.140 expressing the mind 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.900 of the spirit, the 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.779 mind of Christ. 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.599 The mind of Christ 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.240 through the Holy 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.519 Spirit, which is 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:03.440 truth, authenticity, 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.660 and generosity. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.920 There's the divide. 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:14.360 At face value, the 00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:15.240 seriousness of their 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.160 action was in going 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:18.400 for appearance without 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:18.960 reality. 00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:20.440 And so the story 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.039 falls out. 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.200 Barnabas is 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:22.840 mentioned in the end 00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:24.500 of chapter 4 as 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:26.660 just an example, a 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.500 worked example of 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.800 this incredible 00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:29.380 generosity. 00:20:29.580 --> 00:20:30.279 He sells a property, 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.000 brings all the money, 00:20:31.080 --> 00:20:31.740 and lays it down at the 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.240 feet of the apostles. 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:33.180 So use it however you 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.360 want. 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:35.559 Ananias and 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.559 Sapphira looking on 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.139 from the side 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:39.099 thinking, hey, we 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:39.759 could do that. 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:42.359 We like the way 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.500 Barnabas has been 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.399 considered in the 00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:44.719 church. 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:48.079 And so, like others 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.839 in the church, they 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.779 decided to sell a 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.419 piece of property. 00:20:51.419 --> 00:20:52.740 And they go public 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.319 saying, well, look, 00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:54.159 okay, we're selling a 00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:54.919 piece of property, we 00:20:54.919 --> 00:20:55.619 want everybody to know 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:55.879 that. 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:57.659 And leading the 00:20:57.659 --> 00:20:58.679 brethren to believe 00:20:58.679 --> 00:21:00.299 that they too would 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.459 bring all the proceeds 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.660 of that property and 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.900 make it available for 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:04.559 gospel work. 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.740 But unlike others, 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.420 Ananias and 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:13.400 Sapphira made an 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.279 agreement between 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:14.840 themselves that they 00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:16.460 would go public 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.640 inferring one thing 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.740 but secretly keep 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.279 some of the money 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:19.860 for themselves. 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.180 And I think it was a 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:25.860 scheme that was 00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.819 designed to make them 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.400 appear generous, to 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.700 make them appear 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:31.220 concerned for the 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:32.140 care of others 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:32.700 and the needs of 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.519 others without 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:35.019 actually being so 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.640 in reality. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.680 Appearing one thing 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.579 while still being 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.519 self-protective, 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:42.120 self-possessive. 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:46.740 They wanted a 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:48.059 reputation for being 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:51.140 ministry-minded while 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:53.180 being, in fact, 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.319 self-interested. 00:21:57.600 --> 00:21:59.920 In verse 3, Peter is 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.900 really, really strong 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.440 words for them. 00:22:01.800 --> 00:22:03.279 When it talks there 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.180 about keeping back, 00:22:04.820 --> 00:22:05.700 the word really is 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.519 embezzle. 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.560 Why have you 00:22:07.560 --> 00:22:08.680 embezzled God's 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:08.920 money? 00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:11.220 Why have you 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:12.039 misappropriated? 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.720 Why have you 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.100 stolen? 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.820 Strong language. 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:15.840 How does that work? 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.100 Well, I think it 00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:17.840 works like this. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.580 Secretly keeping 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:22.180 money, they had 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:24.000 publicly pledged or 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.960 led people to believe 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.620 they were giving to 00:22:25.620 --> 00:22:26.100 the Lord. 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.759 It was already given 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.299 to the Lord. 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.960 Secretly keeping it 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.759 then was tantamount 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.579 to stealing it from 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:31.859 God. 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.319 Embezzlement. 00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:38.299 Now, I think the 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.259 problem here is not 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.579 simply selfishness or 00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:40.839 greed. 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.859 In fact, it's not that 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:43.339 really at all. 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.220 Peter is very clear 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.440 to them. 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.980 They were entitled 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:48.059 to keep whatever 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:49.859 portion of the 00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:50.519 proceeds of the 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.119 sale they wished. 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.039 They could have 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.619 sold their property 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:52.960 and said, well, 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.559 look, actually, 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:54.839 we're actually 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.500 committing to give 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.960 50% of it to the 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.619 work of the 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:57.920 gospel. 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:58.319 And we're 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:59.119 keeping 50%. 00:22:59.119 --> 00:22:59.519 Peter would have 00:22:59.519 --> 00:22:59.819 said, well, that 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.559 would be fine. 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:01.940 Of course you can 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.359 do that. 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:07.380 The sin was much 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:08.019 more subtle. 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.480 And it was in the 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.759 issue of trying to 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.660 create an impression 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:15.140 about themselves that 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.079 had little or no 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:17.240 substance in reality. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.240 In other words, 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:20.839 the problem here was 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:21.720 not about money. 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:24.640 the problem was 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.039 about their 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.319 relationship with 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:28.019 God and their 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:29.579 view of and 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:31.299 treatment of God's 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.160 church of which 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:32.720 they were part. 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.640 And in turn, 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.819 this initial scheme 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:41.960 becomes a slippery 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:43.500 slope of compounding 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:43.799 sin. 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:44.860 Verse 8. 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.559 We just see it. 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:48.160 It just falls out. 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.480 It gets a momentum. 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:51.980 In an attempt to 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.940 cover their tracks, 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.920 Sapphira resorts to 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.980 brazen public 00:23:57.980 --> 00:24:01.740 lies that were 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.920 just spoken without 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.920 regard for the 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:06.360 impact of that on 00:24:06.360 --> 00:24:07.120 the testimony of 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:07.579 the church. 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.980 Now, the first 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.720 part I opened up 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.460 was just how 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:12.980 exciting. 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:14.940 This story, 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.740 how sad. 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.420 How sad. 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:23.140 How sad that here 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.240 in Christ's church, 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.180 image and 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:28.720 reputation is put 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:30.240 above truth and 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.740 integrity. 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:38.240 How sad is it that 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:40.299 a Christian couple 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.500 could come to 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.980 justify and 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.019 deception and 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:47.519 lies for the 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.460 sake of reputation. 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.500 an image. 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.599 It's a very 00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:55.360 powerful, 00:24:55.620 --> 00:24:56.259 poignant moment 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.500 in the life 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:57.839 of the early 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.259 church. 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.259 Now, do you 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:01.960 see Satan's 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.559 strategy and 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:02.900 where it was 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.120 aimed? 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.180 He couldn't 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:07.759 care less about 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.299 Ananias and 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:08.680 Sapphira. 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:11.000 What he could 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:12.240 care about was 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:14.680 destroying the 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:15.799 credibility of 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.940 this outstanding 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:18.019 Christian community 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.779 before the 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.240 community. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:22.960 Destroying their 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:23.639 oneness of 00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:24.220 mind and 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.599 heart. 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:29.399 You can 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:30.019 imagine how 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.299 that would 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.619 have made 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:31.119 others feel. 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:31.920 Well, hey, 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.799 we really 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.740 were generous. 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.539 We really did 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:35.960 put our money 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.279 down there, 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.339 but now they're 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:39.579 enjoying that 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.119 new car, 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:41.279 that big 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:41.639 holiday. 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:42.799 And we could 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.359 have had that 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:43.940 had we kept 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.319 some money 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.579 back. 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.399 And so it 00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:46.279 actually erodes 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.119 your initial 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:47.740 generosity. 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.339 Unless you're 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:52.839 very careful 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.179 about it. 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.519 But that's 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.059 human nature, 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:54.439 isn't it? 00:25:58.659 --> 00:25:59.220 And it 00:25:59.220 --> 00:25:59.839 undermined their 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.899 teaching about 00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:01.819 new security, 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.699 new hope in 00:26:02.699 --> 00:26:05.399 Jesus, and new 00:26:05.399 --> 00:26:06.419 freedom from 00:26:06.419 --> 00:26:07.579 worldly possessions. 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:09.119 And it had the 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:09.599 effect of 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.299 potentially, at 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.240 least, making 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.019 the Christians 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.819 just look like 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.379 others in 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:14.460 their community 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:15.079 saying one 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.740 thing, but 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.419 actually deep 00:26:16.419 --> 00:26:17.019 down really 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.019 being committed 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.839 to the power 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.259 of money and 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.559 what money 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.099 can buy you. 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.399 And they 00:26:24.399 --> 00:26:25.259 become, they 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.960 lose their 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.619 outstanding, 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.539 powerful, 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.099 winsome 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:30.359 credibility, and 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:30.980 they just become 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.779 like unbelievers 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.879 in their secret, 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:33.799 grasping, 00:26:34.659 --> 00:26:35.480 self-centeredness. 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:42.539 But there's 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.019 more to come 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.420 because we've 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.000 got to consider 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.660 God's severe 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.220 response. 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.620 There's no way 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:49.200 to sugarcoat 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.559 this. 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.019 Each of 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.740 these two 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.460 drop dead. 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.559 And I 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.120 would suggest 00:26:59.120 --> 00:26:59.799 that the 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.539 seriousness of 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.079 their sin 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:03.759 before the 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.460 Lord is shown 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:04.759 in the 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.339 consequences. 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:08.259 Now again, 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:08.720 we've got to 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.059 get this 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.500 right in 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:10.799 terms of 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.039 what the 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.500 story is 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.059 pushing us 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.640 to, otherwise 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.680 there might 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.019 be some 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.359 here this 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:14.619 morning who 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:15.359 will spiral 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.619 into terrible, 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:16.920 terrible 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:17.519 blackness. 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:21.660 I think 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.200 the story is 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.539 telling us 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.039 this, that 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.519 the Lord 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.339 removed these 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:24.799 two from 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.359 his church 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:27.259 not because 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.839 they were not 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.400 Christians, 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:32.119 but because 00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:32.900 their actions 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.539 seriously 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.579 threatened and 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.259 tarnished his 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:35.699 church. 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.919 Over the 00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:39.539 years, Christians 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:39.980 have found 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.419 these verses 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:41.119 very hard to 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.439 handle. 00:27:41.939 --> 00:27:42.319 Some have 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.000 suggested that 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.679 it was Peter 00:27:43.679 --> 00:27:45.099 who, with 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:45.619 this new 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.939 spirit power at 00:27:46.939 --> 00:27:47.419 his disposal, 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.179 just lost his 00:27:48.179 --> 00:27:50.539 temper and 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:51.659 zapped these 00:27:51.659 --> 00:27:52.960 two unfairly 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.879 and angrily. 00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:54.880 sin. 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:57.400 But I think the 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.420 story at face 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.040 value is very 00:27:59.040 --> 00:28:00.000 clear that Peter 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.720 had nothing to 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.140 do with it, 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:01.580 apart from 00:28:01.580 --> 00:28:02.380 exposing the 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.140 sin, and 00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:03.620 that God's 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:04.200 spirit was 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.600 the one who 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:07.180 acted in 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:07.860 this situation. 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.940 Which means 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.400 then that we're 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:13.360 left saying, 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.040 some people would 00:28:14.040 --> 00:28:14.560 say, well, God 00:28:14.560 --> 00:28:15.560 was very severe, 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.940 too severe. 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:21.799 But again, I 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.539 think the point 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:22.880 of this 00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:24.000 incident is to 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.580 say through 00:28:25.580 --> 00:28:26.200 the incident 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:27.680 that God is 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:29.100 screaming, I 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:30.779 hate sin and 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.880 duplicity in my 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.299 church. 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.519 Don't mess with 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.000 me in my 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.400 church. 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:43.340 And again, 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:44.060 verse 3 and 00:28:44.060 --> 00:28:44.680 verse 9 sort 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.120 of reinforce 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:45.500 that. 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.200 Peter's very 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.920 clear that 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:48.120 lying to the 00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:48.660 apostles and 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.080 lying to the 00:28:49.080 --> 00:28:50.220 brethren, because 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:50.680 of the close 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.660 connection between 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.840 what the church 00:28:52.840 --> 00:28:53.780 is and God, is 00:28:53.780 --> 00:28:54.480 tantamount to 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.300 lying to God. 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:00.800 Scheming before 00:29:00.800 --> 00:29:01.580 God himself. 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.440 It's Christ's 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:03.940 church with 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.580 Christ's 00:29:04.580 --> 00:29:05.160 standards. 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:07.160 And Jesus 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:08.580 once demonstrated 00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:09.600 reality in our 00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:10.460 church family, not 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.400 just image and 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:11.940 appearance. 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:16.160 And he will 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:16.940 deal severely 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:18.800 with any who 00:29:18.800 --> 00:29:19.320 settle for 00:29:19.320 --> 00:29:20.000 appearance only. 00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:21.000 Now, I don't 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.000 recall in all my 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.620 ministry years 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:24.040 somebody dropping 00:29:24.040 --> 00:29:25.580 dead in front of 00:29:25.580 --> 00:29:25.900 me, and I 00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:26.380 haven't dropped 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:27.519 dead, so you 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.000 might well have 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.820 expected that as 00:29:28.820 --> 00:29:29.080 well. 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.620 So God won't 00:29:30.620 --> 00:29:31.519 necessarily do it 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:33.900 like that, but 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.540 there's a myriad 00:29:34.540 --> 00:29:35.620 ways in which God 00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:36.380 will find us 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.460 out, and God 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.020 will discipline 00:29:38.020 --> 00:29:38.620 his church. 00:29:39.100 --> 00:29:39.780 And I do 00:29:39.780 --> 00:29:40.620 believe as a 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.220 church family 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:42.300 over years, we've 00:29:42.300 --> 00:29:43.980 experienced some 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:46.840 of that hand of 00:29:46.840 --> 00:29:47.620 God disciplining 00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:47.920 us. 00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.780 Jesus once 00:29:53.780 --> 00:29:54.840 demonstrated reality 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:55.400 in our church 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.540 family, but you 00:29:56.540 --> 00:29:57.220 see, few of us 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:57.880 would think that 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:59.820 their sin deserves 00:29:59.820 --> 00:30:00.580 such punishment. 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:02.740 And friends, that's 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.240 our problem. 00:30:04.699 --> 00:30:06.480 We don't see sin 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.319 in the church as 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.059 God sees it. 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:13.199 We don't see 00:30:13.199 --> 00:30:16.000 fractions and 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.000 divisions within 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:18.279 our community, this 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.199 community of died 00:30:19.199 --> 00:30:20.539 for people, as 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.379 Christ who died 00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:22.179 for us sees it. 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:25.480 chapter 3, verse 26 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.400 says, the whole 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:27.340 point of God 00:30:27.340 --> 00:30:28.920 sending Jesus was 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:30.240 to bless us by 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.140 delivering us from 00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:31.740 our wickedness. 00:30:31.820 --> 00:30:32.200 And when God 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:33.519 sees a form of 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.360 wickedness continuing 00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:35.100 within our church 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:37.759 family, it's just 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:40.080 so contrary to what 00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:41.019 Jesus died for. 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:45.720 God gave a very 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:47.339 clear demonstration 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:48.740 of his view of 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.559 sin in a warning 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.519 to the whole church. 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.700 And in verse 5 and 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.359 verse 11, we're 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:53.940 told that that 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:55.160 warning sure worked. 00:30:58.940 --> 00:31:00.099 A sense of fear 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:01.000 fell on the whole 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.240 church. 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.200 In what sense do 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:03.160 we talk about fear 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:03.960 gripping the church? 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:04.779 Well, I think it's 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.639 this fear of 00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.940 offending a holy 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.920 God, fear of 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:09.900 messing with the 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.660 idea of church, 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.180 and somehow 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:11.560 or other it's 00:31:11.560 --> 00:31:12.340 just something for 00:31:12.340 --> 00:31:13.380 us to be part of 00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:14.920 rather than a 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:16.700 primary demonstration 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.940 of this changing 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:18.460 power of the 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.240 gospel before the 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:20.320 watching world. 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.840 Fear of lagging 00:31:26.840 --> 00:31:28.240 authenticity and 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:29.420 truth and unity. 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:32.680 So what do we 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.279 need to learn from 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:34.160 this passage as I 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.560 wrap up? 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.400 Two things I want 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:36.900 to suggest. 00:31:37.540 --> 00:31:38.519 First, as we speak 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.380 the gospel of Jesus, 00:31:39.540 --> 00:31:40.340 we can expect 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:42.559 ferocious spiritual 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.000 warfare. 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:43.439 Now, I'm not 00:31:43.439 --> 00:31:43.759 talking about 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.619 external threat. 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.159 I'm talking about 00:31:45.159 --> 00:31:46.259 internal spiritual 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:46.939 warfare now. 00:31:50.139 --> 00:31:52.059 Being part of the 00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:53.359 unstoppable mission 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:54.500 of the unstoppable 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.599 Jesus to gather 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.919 his died for people 00:31:56.919 --> 00:31:58.439 will always be 00:31:58.439 --> 00:32:00.399 exciting because the 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:01.399 outcome is always 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:03.679 guaranteed, already 00:32:03.679 --> 00:32:04.220 guaranteed. 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:04.279 defeated. 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:06.240 But my friends, it 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:06.720 will never be 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.039 easy. 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:13.220 Though ultimately 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.519 already defeated, 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:17.519 Satan is determined 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.460 to do as much 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:19.819 damage to Christ's 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:21.579 church as possibly 00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:22.200 he can do. 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:23.200 kingdom building. 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:28.559 So, as witnesses 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:30.200 engaged in Christ's 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:32.220 mention of kingdom 00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:34.400 building, we need 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:35.819 to be on our guard 00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:37.200 against satanic 00:32:37.860 --> 00:32:39.039 counterattacks. 00:32:43.580 --> 00:32:44.740 And again, here's 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.059 where we get 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.519 ourselves into 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.799 trouble because we 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:48.480 so often think of 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:49.580 our church community 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.960 more like a social 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.399 outing. 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.279 A place where we 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.619 come, we relax, we 00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:58.240 chill out, we chat 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.319 with friends, we 00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:00.619 expect to be happy, 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:01.419 we expect it to be 00:33:01.419 --> 00:33:03.559 nice, expect to learn 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.359 a few things along the 00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:05.339 way, we expect to 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:06.299 enjoy being there. 00:33:07.679 --> 00:33:08.759 That's what we think 00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.720 of church as rather 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:11.980 than a place of 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:13.000 spiritual warfare 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:14.059 where we might 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.960 expect attack. 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:18.319 And therefore, we 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:19.119 don't strategically 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:21.259 plan to defend 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.439 ourselves by 00:33:22.439 --> 00:33:23.439 ensuring that we 00:33:23.439 --> 00:33:24.439 help one another 00:33:24.439 --> 00:33:26.139 continue, when 00:33:26.139 --> 00:33:27.099 those attacks come, 00:33:27.239 --> 00:33:28.500 continue to express 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.679 the mind of Christ 00:33:29.679 --> 00:33:30.439 to one another. 00:33:35.159 --> 00:33:36.899 So common that 00:33:36.899 --> 00:33:39.179 when churches fall 00:33:39.179 --> 00:33:41.919 into a fight, they 00:33:41.919 --> 00:33:43.119 so quickly default 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:44.039 back to just 00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:47.059 non-Christian ways 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:47.679 of doing it. 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:52.579 And the 00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:53.299 credibility just 00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:54.119 evaporates. 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.899 Second point 00:33:58.899 --> 00:33:59.859 then, remaining, we 00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:00.740 need to remain 00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:01.859 authentic, or 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:02.839 remaining authentic 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:04.599 and credible will 00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:05.720 be, therefore, our 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:06.859 greatest challenge 00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:08.519 as individuals and 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.000 as a church 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.400 community. 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:13.519 we must always 00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:14.840 seek to live in a 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.840 way which enhances 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.940 and demonstrates 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:18.519 the reality of the 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.420 changing power of the 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:19.700 gospel. 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:23.639 Now, two things I 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:24.519 want to note very 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:25.039 carefully here. 00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:26.980 I am so thankful 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:28.940 that that is so much 00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:30.820 to the forefront of 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:31.639 what we are about as 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:32.360 our church, as a 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:32.860 church family. 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:36.960 I am really, really 00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:37.980 appreciative of that, 00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:38.900 and I thank the 00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:39.680 Lord for it daily. 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.280 The second thing I 00:34:42.280 --> 00:34:43.000 want to say is here, 00:34:43.079 --> 00:34:43.700 I am not talking 00:34:43.700 --> 00:34:44.440 about perfection. 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.420 I am not talking 00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:47.079 about us having to 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:47.900 get everything right. 00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.880 I am talking about us 00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:50.620 being in the struggle 00:34:50.620 --> 00:34:52.240 on a daily basis to 00:34:52.240 --> 00:34:53.460 make our living 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:55.200 practically as close 00:34:55.200 --> 00:34:56.840 as we can humanly to 00:34:56.840 --> 00:34:57.720 what we are in 00:34:57.720 --> 00:34:58.140 Christ. 00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:01.480 Struggling to match 00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.480 what is happening on 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:03.679 the inside with what 00:35:03.679 --> 00:35:04.320 we are doing on the 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:04.740 outside. 00:35:08.199 --> 00:35:09.800 Friends, we need to 00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:10.820 be aware of how 00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:12.380 Satan will try to 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:13.639 get at us as a 00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:14.340 church family. 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:17.420 It is unlikely, 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:18.900 at least I am 00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:19.619 speaking for myself 00:35:19.619 --> 00:35:20.340 here, it is 00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:21.780 unlikely that I 00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:22.980 will easily give 00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:23.980 way to external 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:24.579 threats. 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:25.780 Maybe I will be 00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:26.619 found out about that 00:35:26.619 --> 00:35:27.699 in due course, I 00:35:27.699 --> 00:35:28.079 don't know. 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.019 But where I am 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.320 sitting in the 00:35:29.320 --> 00:35:29.639 minute, it is 00:35:29.639 --> 00:35:31.360 unlikely he will be 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.099 able to force us 00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:33.120 as a church family 00:35:33.120 --> 00:35:34.280 to bow to 00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:35.960 external threats. 00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:39.920 But while we are 00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:40.860 priding ourselves on 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.940 that, he might 00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:43.380 well neutralize us 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:44.059 in terms of our 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:44.780 testimony to the 00:35:44.780 --> 00:35:45.500 local community 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:47.039 by internal 00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:47.539 attack. 00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:53.079 Perhaps it will 00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:53.900 be an outbreak of 00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:54.340 disunity. 00:35:57.260 --> 00:35:57.920 And it can 00:35:57.920 --> 00:35:58.579 easily happen. 00:35:58.940 --> 00:35:59.460 Suddenly there is 00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:00.360 an upsurge and 00:36:00.360 --> 00:36:01.440 well, my 00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:02.519 preference for my 00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:04.920 songs, my 00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:05.640 desire to have a 00:36:05.640 --> 00:36:06.559 particular role in 00:36:06.559 --> 00:36:07.780 the church, my 00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:08.360 needs are not 00:36:08.360 --> 00:36:09.000 being met by 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.559 others in this 00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:09.940 church. 00:36:11.200 --> 00:36:11.720 Look, I am 00:36:11.720 --> 00:36:12.440 already being as 00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:13.079 generous as is 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:14.280 possible to be and 00:36:14.280 --> 00:36:15.039 the elders are 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.840 asking us to give 00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:16.559 more money for a 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.120 new mission 00:36:17.120 --> 00:36:17.920 venture. 00:36:18.280 --> 00:36:18.640 Really? 00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:19.120 Seriously? 00:36:19.200 --> 00:36:19.599 How could they 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.460 dare to do that? 00:36:25.740 --> 00:36:26.500 Perhaps it will be 00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:27.000 before our 00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:27.840 children or our 00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:29.559 spouse in the 00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:31.199 home through 00:36:31.199 --> 00:36:31.900 actions and 00:36:31.900 --> 00:36:32.940 attitudes practically 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:34.480 that don't line up 00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:36.119 with what we say to 00:36:36.119 --> 00:36:36.920 our children and our 00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:38.239 spouse when we're 00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:39.980 reading the Bible or 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:40.320 whatever. 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:43.279 Perhaps the attack 00:36:43.279 --> 00:36:44.199 will happen on the 00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:45.460 sports field or in 00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:47.039 your workplace or 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.579 when you're chatting 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:49.059 with neighbors in 00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:49.599 your street. 00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:52.420 And any attempt at 00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:53.659 speaking the gospel of 00:36:53.659 --> 00:36:54.659 Jesus is neutralized 00:36:54.659 --> 00:36:55.460 because your actions 00:36:55.460 --> 00:36:56.039 when you're playing 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.799 your sport or at 00:36:56.799 --> 00:36:58.000 work just don't 00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:59.280 light up and 00:36:59.280 --> 00:36:59.800 people will roll 00:36:59.800 --> 00:37:00.300 their eyes and 00:37:00.300 --> 00:37:00.980 think, oh, here he 00:37:00.980 --> 00:37:01.599 goes again or here 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.300 she goes again. 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:05.820 Friends, I'll finish 00:37:05.820 --> 00:37:06.199 on this. 00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:07.559 It's real easy to 00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:08.420 talk about being 00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:08.880 authentic. 00:37:12.239 --> 00:37:13.460 All the things that 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.199 we see in the early 00:37:14.199 --> 00:37:15.260 church are so 00:37:15.260 --> 00:37:15.719 appealing. 00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:18.380 I think we genuinely 00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:19.159 crave them. 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:22.860 But that's not 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.420 really the issue. 00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:24.300 The issue is do 00:37:24.300 --> 00:37:25.519 people around us 00:37:25.519 --> 00:37:27.460 see the sort of 00:37:27.460 --> 00:37:28.579 all-in commitment 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:30.579 to make this talk 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:31.380 of authenticity 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:33.300 demonstrated reality? 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.760 And at a very 00:37:36.760 --> 00:37:37.579 practical level, that 00:37:37.579 --> 00:37:38.300 means using our 00:37:38.300 --> 00:37:39.900 assets, time, money, 00:37:40.159 --> 00:37:41.240 energy, skill sets, 00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:43.539 and having those 00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:44.360 things as an 00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:44.840 overflow. 00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:46.200 The way we use 00:37:46.200 --> 00:37:47.019 those things as an 00:37:47.019 --> 00:37:49.700 overflow of joy as 00:37:49.699 --> 00:37:53.779 Christ loved, died for, 00:37:54.699 --> 00:37:55.379 and secure people.