The Great Deception; the Power of God to reveal sin

INTRO: In some resort towns in Arizona, it is the practice of various hotels or motels to spray-paint the grass green in the winter to lure tourists to what looks like a lush vacation spot. The problem is that the first spring rains wash the paint into the gutters, revealing how false the image was of the picture-perfect lawns.
That’s the essence of hypocrisy – pretending to be what we are not.
It is a deliberate deception.

This is what Jesus was saying of the Sadducees and Pharisees when He called them Hypocrites. They were deliberately deceiving the people of God for their own good. That is what we will see in our passage today deliberate deception.

If we did not examine closely God’s word here in chapter 5 we would miss that It actually belongs with the scripture beginning in 4.32. The chapter and verse divisions that were placed on the Bible will keep us from seeing the contrast between the generous, and the greedy. We here see what was preached only a few weeks ago. Satan has figured out that persecution strengthens the church. However, infiltration, subtle resistance will rot the church from the inside out.

Using Barnabas as an example Dr Luke gives us a picture of the generosity of the early church.

According to Dr Johnny hunt “wherever you find great generosity in the church look what follows.”

Acts 4.33 “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.”

The church through the filling of the Spirit had already experienced great favor, and great power, in chapter 5 great fear was about to come upon them. It is here in God’s word we find another mark of truthfulness. If we were liberal reporters or partisan politicians we would not report this dark story. A story that shows the church of God is not perfect. It is unfortunately filled with imperfect sinners saved by grace. It is in this honesty we see the contrast between the selfless act of Barnabas and the completely selfish act of Ananias and Sapphira.

The Holy Spirit in this passage is showing us the difference between a disciple and a deceiver.


I. Act of Dedication contrasted with An Act of Deception

A) Dedication of Barnabas
1) The source
According to Acts 11.24 Barnabas was “a good man, and full of the Holy spirit and faith.”
2) The Substance -- Selfless sharing
Barnabas was the picture of selfless sharing.

a) Barnabas accepted and introduced Paul to the disciples
(who were afraid of him after his conversion) (Acts 9.27)
b) Barnabas took John Mark under his wing when Paul refused to take him on the second missionary journey (Acts 15.36-39)
c) Barnabas took up for the Antioch Christians and the Jerusalem Christians concern over their orthodox witness to the Greeks. (Acts 11.20-23)

Barnabas was what we should all want to be as Christians. A spirit filled encourager of God’s people. Barnabas had nothing to cover up or hide.
3) Sells his land
a) Imagine the recognition
1) (already had a nick name) Son of encouragement
2) Way of showing respect
b) His action was a result of complete dedication and commitment.

We see a great contrast between the spirit of giving in Barnabas and the spirit of greed in Ananias and Sapphira.

B) Deception of Ananias and Sapphira
1) The Source
Acts 5.3 “Ananias,