Sapphira

This week we are dealing with a difficult story in the New Testament; it has caused some bewilderment for some Christians, so we are working through it and will conclude today.

There are several things that we can learn from the story of Sapphira and her husband, Ananias.

In our world today, and in our churches, there are two kinds of people. It's virtually impossible to tell them apart, looking at them from the outside, as we humans do. Some people are real, and they inspire us to be better people ourselves -- some are not! Some people are so good at telling lies, and are so skilled at disguising themselves, that they can get away with being fakes. They are very accomplished at being hypocrites, and we just can't distinguish them from the real things. But don't be fooled; the lies and hypocrisy are a very unsteady foundation for a life, and they can come tumbling down quickly!

The other side of that coin is that while it may be difficult for us humans to see the difference between a believer's repentant heart and a fake, it's not hard for our Father. Nothing is hidden from our God. Here's a thought that may stay with us all day, or maybe longer: the Holy Spirit knows our thoughts, just as if they were being displayed on a movie screen! And that is why, in spite of the fact that they may have fooled everyone else, Sapphira and Ananias were discovered. No matter how we may try to avoid detection, there are no locked doors for the Holy Spirit. And there is a day coming, when every secret will be known:

So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. (Matthew 10:26)

We cannot hide from Him. Do we believe this, deep down? What a life-changer! Perhaps Sapphira had known this, but then forgot it. They were so eager to win the praise of others that they forgot there is only One whose praise really matters. You and I can't see inside other people's hearts and see their motives, but God can. If we say or sing that "Jesus is Lord," and then we don't act like it . . . we needn't think that we've tricked God. He knows the truth!

We mentioned before that not everyone gets struck down immediately for their sin. Why Sapphira? Why Ananias? I'm not a scholar, but perhaps their deaths serve as a sign. God took a truth from the kingdom of God and put it on physical display. We see this in a positive way in the healing miracles of Jesus, and later of the apostles, but we can also see it in this judgement, as well.  God doesn't do this to all who lie to the Holy Spirit today, but this is a picture of how God feels about it!

The final verse in our focus passage says that these dramatic deaths caused a great deal of fear, but then we also read that "more and more" people believed in the Lord. Today, we don't think much about fearing God, but fear is an integral part of worship.  This seems kind of harsh to us; we think more often of our infinitely loving God. But His love only makes sense when we realize the magnificence of His glory, and when we think of the might and strength and power that He is. As our fear, or reverence of Him grows, so does our faith in His love. You see, we have been invited to have the closest possible relationship with our God, but our intimacy with Him must never overshadow the holiness and majesty of Who He is.

If we are honest, when we read this passage many of us find God's actions here jarring. Even offensive. Our human nature questions the whole story. But we need to remember the depth of our sin, and the height of God's holiness. I guess we should not ask "why did they die?" but instead, "why are we still alive?"  Of course, God is patient. He is slow to anger.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,    slow to anger, abounding in love. (Psalm 103:8)

But that patience should make us grateful that we had time to repent -- it should not make us unafraid to sin!

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? (Hebrews 2:1-3)

Perhaps the most important lesson here is to "get real, folks!"
And then to "stay real."

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Galatians 6:7)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

(Ananias and) Sapphira

Sometimes we come across stories in the Bible that make us step back a bit. We scratch our heads, and furrow our brows, and try to make sense of things that don't seem to jive with our limited (human) views of things.

This week's lady of the Bible is Sapphira, and hers is one of those stories. We may look at it and think, "Wow, that seems harsh." But when we fully study this passage, we may come closer to understanding what God "was up to" in this situation.

Let's dive in, shall we?

We're going to meet a distinguished cast of characters -- this is during the tumultuous early days of the church, and we'll meet Peter, the leader of the group, and also Barnabas (that was his nickname), and then the husband and wife, Ananias and Sapphira.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heartthat you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. (Acts 4:32-5:11)

Whooo boy! Dramatic, no?
It almost seems out of place.....this is the kind of "give 'em both barrels" story that we think of being in the Old Testament!
Many people have great difficulty dealing with this, and they argue that it's not true; it's not right; it just couldn't have happened because Jesus was so gentle and kind, and this couldn't have happened in the early church.

I believe, though, that this story lets us know that in spite of the explosion of growth in the early church, they had moments of weakness and sin. It also lets us know that there are two kinds of people in the church, and that it's hard for us to tell them apart -- but not so hard for the Spirit of God.

I hope I haven't scared you away by now....if you're still reading, join us next time for our study of Sapphira!