Marriage and the BibleBased on the Living in Love Series by Richard L. Strauss, Biblical Studies Foundation - 1998

Gathering Firewood• A man gathers some firewood one chilly

morning.

• Hours later, he is executed for his action.

• Harsh?– Numbers 15:32-36– Exodus 31:14-15– Exodus 35:1-3

Holding Back

Chapter 11: Ananias and Sapphira

No Man is an Island• It is impossible for an individual or couple to

embrace Christianity and remain an island unto themselves.

• We are:– The Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23)– Family of Believers (Galatians 6:10)– The Household of God (Ephesians 2:19)

The (Very) Early Church• At its birth, the early Church was at the height of

its purity and power.

• Fellowship of Believers– Acts 2:42-47

• Moved to Selfless Compassion– Acts 4:32-37

• They were “of one heart and mind.”

Church Unity• These believers were under the leadership of

apostles empowered to show miraculous signs, who were first-hand witnesses to Christ.

• The early Church shared a common experience.

• They realized all they had was from God. They gave freely, and without coercion.

• Their faith may have cost many their jobs.

Stirred Hearts• Although they were free to retain their

possessions, their regard for one another compelled them to action.

• “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”– Jesus – John 13:35

Enter Ananias and Sapphira• Ananias means “Jehovah is gracious.”

• Sapphira means “beautiful” or “pleasant.”

• We know little about them, but:– They had each other.– They had possessions of financial worth.– They had forgiveness of sins.– They had the fellowship of powerful believers.

Where did they go wrong?• I personally do not believe Ananias and

Sapphira forfeited their lives because of their desire to hold back some of the money.– Read Acts 4:34 carefully

• Re-read Acts 4:36-37

• Although not the intent of righteous believers, recognition, praise, and accolades accompanied inspiring acts of selflessness and sacrifice.

The Deeper Sins• Ananias and Sapphira were unfortunately guilty

of deeper sins:– They desired the praise of their peers more than a

genuine and honest relationship with Christ and His Church.

– They underestimated God by thinking they could lie to Him and His appointed leaders and get away with it.

– They made public an example of not trusting God by giving him 100%.

United for the Wrong Cause• Read the short and tragic account of Ananias

and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11.

• You have to piece together the whole story by reading it through.– Ananias and Sapphira agreed to tell the same lie to

Peter that they had sold the land for the amount they were laying at the apostles’ feet.

Discussion Break• Based on what we’ve learned in this story, how

would you surmise the marriage of Ananias and Sapphira would have been?

• Back to the opening discussion – isn’t the punishment they received a little harsh? Why did God act so severely toward them?

Punishment Fits the Crime• “…from everyone who has been given much,

much will be demanded…”– Luke 12:48 (partial)

• These were formative days for the Church. This type of cancer could have been crippling.

• Ananias and Sapphira had the unfortunate honor of being the first example, as was the case with our wood gatherer.

They Were Dead Already• Alive on the outside, dead on

the inside.

• The sin of Ananias and Sapphirahad an incredible potential for being contagious.

• This was hypocrisy. The same style that leads to the crucifixion of The Son of God.

• Note the reaction of those who witnessed this.

Application• What lessons or truths do you feel God wants us

to take from this story?

• What failings in Ananias and Sapphira might we have individually or in our marriages?

• What is God prompting you to change as a result of this story?