Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 17, 2016

“Sudden Death: A Cause for Fear” Acts 4:36-5:1-11 Bible Study 04/17/16

Our text this morning focuses on the sinful deception of Ananias and Sapphira. The swift judgment following their sin reveals the fervor that the Lord of the Church has for the purity and holiness of His people. As it did with believers in the early church, this fervor should fill us with reverential fear.

I. Consider the context

-thriving in the midst of external opposition
-dependence and boldness
-harmony of fellowship
-shift from external to internal opposition

II. Note the distinct contrast between Barnabas and Ananias (1-6)

-But… in 5:1
-Ananias: “God is gracious” and Sapphira: “Beautiful”
-…sold property…kept back…
-Peter’s interrogation
-…lie…contrived…lied
-sudden death
-great fear

III. Observe the consequences for Sapphira (7-11)

-interval of 3 hours
-her knowledge and ignorance
-Peter’s interrogation
-…to test the Spirit of the Lord
-sudden death
-great fear

IV. So what?

-Because God has a holy fervor for the holiness of His people, serve Him with reverential fear.
-There is too little “trembling” today. (Phil. 2:12)
-Acknowledge your accountability
-“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear…” (John Newton)
-The better question:
-Contempt for severity of judgment often reveals a sub-biblical concept of sin.
-“Every sin strikes at the honor of God, the being of God, the glory of God, the heart of Christ, the joy of the Spirit and the peace of a man’s conscience.” (Thomas Boston)
-“The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is that God rests too inconsequentially upon the Church. His truth is too distant, His grace is too ordinary, His judgment is too benign, His gospel is too easy and His Christ is too common.” (David Wells)