10/13/09

Acts 5:1-16 (New International Version)

Acts 5
Ananias and Sapphira
1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2With 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.
3Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4Didn'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 to men but to God."

5When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

7About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"
"Yes," she said, "that is the price."

9Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

10At 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. 11Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

The Apostles Heal Many
12The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil[a] spirits, and all of them were healed.


There were problems that faced the first church. Dishonesty and administrative headaches, and persecution topped the list. The leaders were able to keep their focus on spreading the Gospel of Christ as this was most important. Satan was working hard during this time, as he still does today, but in the end, he will meet his demise. Ananias and Sapphira were penalized, not for holding back the money, but for being deceitful. They tried to appear more generous than they really were. Dishonesty, greed, and covetousness will kill a church. When we lie to try to deceive God and His people, we destroy our testimony about Christ. God regards this as a serious sin in His church. Many of the believers feared going to the temple (or at least inside of it) because the same religious leaders were there. They also had just witnessed the liars being struck down. They were still attracted to it though, because of the expressions of God’s power – generosity, sincerity, honesty, and unity of the members along with the character of the leaders. This is what will still attract believers today. I am a living example of this. God’s power was so strong during this event that Peter’s shadow was healing people through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we put our faith in God, and give Him the glory, nothing is impossible.

This is a great example of how real servants act. The miracles prove that we serve God by serving others. In today’s world everyone wants to lead, but no one wants to serve. You should think more about others than yourself. Everyone wants to lead but no one wants to follow. This principle will not work in the Kingdom of God. God often tests us by asking us to serve in ways that we don’t like. Your primary ministry needs to be in the area of your “found purpose” but your secondary ministry is wherever you are needed at that moment. All it requires is having character.

Make yourself available to serve anytime, not just when it is convenient. Give up the right to control your schedule and allow God to interrupt it whenever He needs to. You are God’s servant, not the other way around. View interruptions as divine appointments from God Himself, and be thankful for the opportunity.

Pay attention to the needs of others. If you have an opportunity to do good, especially for another believer, do it. God is giving you the opportunity to grow when He places these people in front of you. These moments won’t last long so you must act right then.

Do your best with what you have. God expects you to do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are.

Do every task with equal dedication. The size of the task is irrelevant. You will never be too big to do the smallest things. Jesus washed feet, helped children, fixed breakfast, and served lepers. Nothing was beneath Him because He came to serve. He didn’t do these things in spite of His greatness, but because of it. Follow His example. Extraordinary opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. Serve upward to those in authority and serve downward to those in need.

Be faithful to your ministry. Finish tasks, fulfill responsibilities, keep promises, and complete commitments. Be trustworthy and dependable. God tests and records your faithfulness. He will reward it in eternity.

Maintain a low profile. Humble accept, but do not seek out notoriety. Jesus hated this “look at me” attitude when the religious leaders of His day used it. Live for an audience of one. Always being in the spotlight will blind you. If you feel unappreciated for the things that you do, remember God put you there for a purpose, and he will let you know if you need to move. It is the hidden parts of the body that we cannot live without. God will openly reward His unseen servants once they get to Heaven.

Heavenly Father, you are so powerful and so amazing. I see your work constantly throughout the day and your purpose fulfilled. Lord I pray for those around the world that are in need today. Give them the stregth and power to deal with whatever they may be facing. I pray that they know you as their personal Lord and Savior. Lay your blanket of protection around all of us if it be your will. Please show me your plans for my purpose in serving you today. Help me to remember that no job is too small as long as it is being done for you. Lord help me to be humble enough to do whatever is required and not get so caught up in myself that I won't take time to help someone because it doesn't fit in my schedule. Thank you for the cross and please forgive me where I fail you. In your precious name I pray.....amen