Unhindered: Unhindered From Being a Pretender (Acts 4:36-5:6)

Series: Unhindered

Sermon: Unhindered From Being a Pretender

Scripture: Acts 4:36-5:6

Date: March 3, 2019

 

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance!  (Acts 28:31, series verse)

LAST WEEK'S WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Pray Acts 4:30 for Hopewell this week.  Ask God to do what only God can do so people will see the reality of Jesus.

And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphire his wife, sold a possession.  And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet.  But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?  While it remained, was it not your own?  And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?  Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?  You have not lied to men but to God."  Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last.  So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.  And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.  (Acts 4:36-5:6)

 

The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Baker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.  (Genesis 46:21)

Could it be that we care more about what people think about us than what God knows about us?

How many of you know that living like a pretender or hypocrite is harmful to your relationship with the Lord and your witness for the Lord.

Here are three helps to unhinder us from pretending:

1. Faithfulness to God
   • And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.  (Acts 4:36-37)
   • What would the people around you nickname you?
   • And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.  (Acts 4:36-37)
   • Are we doing what we are doing for God or to be noticed?
2. Fear of God
   • having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphire his wife, sold a possession.  And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet.  But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?  While it remained, was it not your own?  And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?  Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?  You have not lied to men but to God."  Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last.  So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.  And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.  (Acts 4:37-5:6)
   • The failure here is not that they did not give all of it, but that they misrepresented what they gave.
   • Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.  And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?"  She said, "Yes, for so much."  Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?  Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."  Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.  And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.  (Acts 5:7-10)
   • So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.  (Acts 5:11)
   • For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.  (1 Corinthians 11:30)
   • We need to be real with God.
3. Faith in God
   • Do you really believe God for yourself?