002. Ananias and Sapphira, The Sin of
002. Ananias and Sapphira, The Sin of
2 THE SIN OF ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA
INTRODUCTION These were members of the church at Jerusalem; the church was not many months old; this record is for our warning.
I. FIRST RECORDED DEATH IN THE CHURCH 1. First recorded sin in the church-lying.
2. Not sufficient recognition given to signifi cance of th ese deaths .
3. This occurrence had a fundament al significance.
4. The Lord visited upon them the extreme penalty.
5. Why was this recorded.
II. HISTORY OF THE CASE 1. Food supply of many had been exhausted.
2. Many sold possessions and gave the price to the apostles.
3. Liber ality of the church had attracted the eyes of the world.
4. Ananias and Sapphira sold theirs and brought a PART of the price and represented it as ALL.
III. WHAT WAS THEIR SIN?
1. Not that they kept back a part.
2. Not only that they lied to men.
3. Not only that they lied to God.
4. But that the y lost the sense of God.
5. Failed to recognize God as the Inspector of their lives.
6. Lost the sense of the inward life for the outward glor y.
IV. THE RESULTS 1. Fear came on the church 2. Heart-searching power of God revealed.
3. This sin connected with Lord’s treasury.
4. We should not overrate our liberality.
5. Neither under-rate our ability to give.