Danger From Within

INTRODUCTION: I believe that it’s fair to say that we live in a world where criminal action, both violent and non-violent is on the rise, all one has to do is watch the evening news to see the truth of the statement. Comic Steve Martin once made this proposition as a way to handle the matter, “give the death penalty for parking violations,” that is if we get tough enough on crime people will behave as they should. Though this action seems comically unfair it’s actually no different than many people’s reaction to God exacting divine justice some of our bible stories.
Cases in point would be; Fire falling on and consuming Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2) The execution of Achan and his family for taking plunder from Jericho (Joshua 7:25-26) and who could forget poor Uzzah who was instantly struck dead for touching the Ark of the Covenant (2nd Samuel 6:7)

These stories, often read in an un-reflective manner (considering the context) have led some to view God as being not only violent but vindictive. These stories have wrongly caused people to be afraid of God (which is different than fearing God) and worse to doubt His goodness and love. (Struck by lightning)

It has been proposed that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament aren’t the same, or that the Nature of God changed with the inception of the New Covenant, transforming from vindictive to gracious. This idea isn’t one that’s modern either, its one that’s been around from nearly the beginning of the church. So the question becomes, have God’s actions towards man changed, the simple answer is NO. For God never changes (James 1:17)

PROPOSITION: This morning we deal with what is often viewed as a quandary by Christians and non-Christians alike, a supposed conflict in the nature of God. We know that God is a loving, and gracious God who is slow to anger, so if that is indeed the case what do we do with the story of Ananias and Sapphira?

BACKGROUND: Ananias and Sapphira are part of the now exponentially expanding Pentecost community known as the “church.” Things are going so good for this body that it’s almost unbelievable (Acts 4:32-35) This couple that was apparently well off financially (they were landowners) sold a piece of land and gave some of the proceeds to the church, and in return for their generous gift they are struck dead by God. Something does indeed seem to be wrong with this picture, but as with all narrative accounts in scripture if we want to truly understand what at the onset appears terribly out of line, we have to look at the whole picture, paying careful attention to the context.

TRANSITION: The church had just survived its first major attack, with the arrest and trial of Peter and John, this external attack had been overcome, but Satan hasn’t given up, the next attack won’t come from outside forces but from within the very core of the community so we consider the threat…

I. THE THREAT

a. To set the context for our story we must go back to chapter 4.

• At the end of this chapter we’re introduced to one of the most admired men in the bible, Barnabas – a Levite from Cyprus (Acts 4:36-37)

• Imagine what happened when Barnabas sold his land and gave the proceeds to the Apostles to be used for the