Acts 5
Tonight's lesson is going to be “Does sin have a hold on my life?
The scriptures we are going cover are as follows
Joshua 7
Acts 5:1-11
Revelation 2:1-5
Revelation 3:14-22
Romans 8:17
1 Corinthians 3:12
This is a good question to ask ourselves. Does sin have a hold of your life? And if so how do you break it hold. You have heard the word Repent. What does it mean? Does that have anything to do with breaking the hold sin has on my life?
Can my sin effect other Believers Spiritual life? And our there consequences for a continued sinful lifestyle?
As we go through the scriptures tonight I want you to focus on 4 of the 5 questions I just mentioned. keep asking yourselves these questions
1. Does sin have a hold of my life.
2. If so, how can I break that hold?
3. What does repenting mean and does that have anything to do with breaking the hold of sin?
4. Can my sin effect others around me? Especially other Believers in Christ?
Well before we can take in God's word lets go to him in prayer and that will allow everyone to Confess their sins before the Lord if necessary. (1 John 1:9)
A. For the Sinning Believer
1. Loss of fellowship. Sin brings an interruption of fellowship in the area of the sin (1 John 1:3, 6–7).
2. Loss of joy. Sin causes a loss of joy (John 15:11; Gal. 5:22).
3. Darkened walk. Sin causes the believer to walk in darkness (1 John 1:6; 2:10).
4. Weak prayer. Sin brings a lack of confidence in prayer (1 John 3:19–22).
C. For the Persistently Sinning Believer
If a believer persists in some sin, then other consequences may follow.
1. Punishment. Discipline of some form may come (Heb. 12:5–11). Sickness may be one form of punishment (1 Cor. 11:30).
2. Excommunication. Excommunication from the local church may be necessary (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5).
3. Physical death. In some cases physical death may be a punishment for persistent sin (1 Cor. 11:30; 1 John 5:16).
Our merciful heavenly Father is often very patient with our sinning, not bringing severe penalties on us. But we must never forget that sin does take its toll in many ways, internal and external, even if no obvious punishment comes. And at the Judgment Seat of Christ, all our deeds will be examined by our Lord (2 Cor. 5:10).
Ryrie, C. C. (1999). Basic theology : A popular systemic guide to understanding biblical truth (266). Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press.
So we will study two cases of Believers who engaged in sinful activity
In both these cases the main characters were Lusting over the details of life. And both as a result died physically.
Now there are some unknowns with these two stories. We are given a picture of their last sins, however only God knows what their walk with the Lord was like.
There comes a point with the unsaved where the heart becomes hardened to the word. Due to them “Suppressing the Truth in unrighteousness.” Well equally true the Believer can also harden his heart due to rejection of the word of God, lack of Confession of his sins. At that point, with the believer, God will issue in the Sin unto death.
With regards to the believer, the hardening of his heart could occur and he live over a long period of time or be taken out at that instance. We aren't God so we don't know. We just know that there is a Sin unto the death verdict that God will hand down to the Believer who is negative to The word of God and not carrying out his Spiritual life.
Remember Phil 2:12 “Work out your own Deliverance.” (Salvation from the power of sin in your life Sanctification phase 2)
Lets introduce Joshua 7. by reading Joshua 1.
1 Now it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, that Jehovah spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, 2?Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3?Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses. 4?From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. 5?There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6?Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7?Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:
American Standard Version. 1995 (Jos 1:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
So in Joshua 7 God had already taken his people out of the wilderness. (after being there for 40 years with Moses) And they were ready to inherit the land (Gen. 13:17; Exod. 23:30–31; Deut. 11:24). ) Gen 15:18 describes the Land promised to Israel as part of the Abrahamic covenant.
In Joshua 6 Israel just brought down the walls of Jericho and Joshua wanted to continue conquering the Canaanites.
Joshua 7
7:1. The chapter opens with the ominous word But. The gladness of victory was soon replaced by the gloom of defeat. And all this was because of the disobedience of one man. Jericho was placed under God’s ??rem (”ban for destruction“; 6:18-19), meaning that everything living was to be put to death and valuable objects were to be dedicated to the Lord’s treasury. No Israelite soldier was to help himself to the booty—but that temptation was too strong for one man.
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1:343). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
God saw Achan’s sin in taking some of the devoted things, and because of it God’s wrath burned against the entire nation. He considered them collectively responsible and withheld His blessing until the matter was made right.
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1:343). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
7:2. Unaware of Achan’s disobedience and eager to take advantage of the first victory, Joshua made preparations for the next battle by sending spies 10 miles northwest of Jericho to Ai, which was east of Bethel. This
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1:343). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Israel resorted to the casting of lots when no eyewitness could testify against a criminal (cf. 1 Sam. 14:41–42; Jonah 1:7; Prov. 18:18)
Tom Constable. (2003; 2003). Tom Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible (Jos 7:10). Galaxie Software.
So in Joshua we see how destructive one mans sin can be. These Christians were a lot like some we see today. Church to most Christians isn't where we come to learn and grow in the word, it is a social club. It is a small group, it is a obligation to a spouse.
And a lot of Church members today are motivated for the wrong reasons. They give to impress other Christians. The rich Men and Women get to socialize with the Pastor no matter the size of the church. The hypocrisy is rapid. God the Holy Spirit knew these two were motivated to give money for the wrong reasons.
Turn to Acts 5
However what do these two stories have in common? Lust. One lusted over money. Achan. The others Aanias, and Sapphira. (in Acts 5) were engaged in Approbation lust. Approbation Lust is the lust for approval. They are the ones that love to impress. They love to here “Great job” They have to constantly be recognized. You would recognize them in a church.
They may causally mention how much the give, (in Time or in Money)
Lust is defined as follows.
1. An intense Sexual appetite
2. An overwhelming desire of need for something.
I like the second definition better. Can one can certainly lust for sex. However there is also Power lust, Approbation lust. Some lust for friends, Good health, Status in the community, Money, Success, Pleasure, Material things,
we are looking in the past don't think for a second that this behavior isn't happening everyday in a lot of churches. As we have noted in the past Under the false slogan of “Church Growth” there have been dishonest men who have made very comfortable livings running and marketing the Church like a business.
Telling half-truths, or creating a partially truthful scenerio in order to advance a cause is sinful and destructive. As noted previously due to the infancy stage of the church and due to the fact that at this time the people were all “Of one accord.” (according to Acts Chapter 4) God did not want this unity to be disrupted. So the “Sin unto death.” 1 John 5:1 was issued out on the spot.
Pharaoh's heart became hard (Ex 7:13, 23)
Pharaoh hardened his heart (Ex 8:15, 32)
God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Ex 9:7, 10:20)
And at that time he couldn't afford for the church to be exposed to that type of behavior. Because the Church was still in its “Infancy stage” . Remember the end of Chapter 4 of Acts. 32And the ?1?congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them ?2?claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but ?a?all things were common property to them.
1 Or multit
Remember also we noted that this was not a biblical account of communism.
The unity of the believers extended beyond spiritual matters to physical, material matters (cf. Matt. 22:37–39). They owned personal possessions, but they did not consider them private possessions. Rather they viewed their belongings as common (Gr. koina, cf. koinonia, “fellowship”) property. Customarily they shared what they had with one another (cf. 2:44, 46; Deut. 15:4). Their unity manifested itself in a sense of responsibility for one another. Love, not law, compelled them to share.
“Their generosity sprang not from coercive legislation (as modern Socialists and Marxists demand) but from a true union of hearts made possible by regeneration.”248
The economic situation in Jerusalem was deteriorating due to famine and political unrest.249 Employment opportunities were declining, and unsaved Jews were beginning to put economic and social pressure on the Christians.
248 248. Kent, p. 50.
249 249. Joachim Jeremias, Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, pp. 121–22.
Tom Constable. (2003; 2003). Tom Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible (Ac 4:32). Galaxie Software.
So think back to Joshua 7. What did one mans sin do? the private sin on one can effect the lives of others. Thirty Six soldiers died due to one man's sin. Also it is more than likely that Achan's family participated in covering up this sin.
So you see why at this time The judgment was so swift. In the case of Achan after the defeat at Jericho Achan took money from the Canaanites sworn enemies of Israel. God grouped the sins of Achan with the whole nation of Israel. And the nation could not win in battle until Israel dealt with the offender, or offenders.
Although God does not hold our nation accountable for one mans sin. Our nation cant be right with God until the Believers in that nation come back to their first love. The word of God.
Remember the passages we mentioned last time in Revelation 2
.
2:1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars (Seven Pastors of these churches) in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: (Seven Churches mentioned in Revelation 1) 2?I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false; 3?and thou hast patience and didst bear for my name’s sake, and hast not grown weary. 4?But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love. 5?Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent
American Standard Version. 1995 (Re 2:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
(Seven churches are as follows. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea. )
American Standard Version. 1995 (Re 1:11). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
What does Jesus say in Revelation 3
14?And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: 15?I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would rather you be cold or hot. 16?So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17?Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; dont you knowt that you are the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked: 18?I counsel you to buy of me gold refined by fire, that you mayt become rich; and white garments, that thou may clothe thyself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see. 19?As many as I love, I discipline and chasten: be deligent therefore, and repent. 20?Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will have fellowship with him, and he with me. 21?He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. 22?He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.(What the Spirit says to the Churches refers to the Teaching Ministry of the Holy Spirti.)
earch Systems, Inc.
Remember 1 Cor 3:12 “Gold, silver, and precious stones”)
Turn to Romans 8:17 ?and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him. 18?For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward.
American Standard Version. 1995 (Ro 8:17). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
So we wait with expectation as we progress growing in Grace. We can look forward to an inheritance that is greater than the hardships we go through in this life. And Jesus promises for those who will Grow in Grace the opportunity to rule with him on Davids throne.
To those who overcome. Overcome what? Overcome all the trials in this life by taking in, believing and applying the word of God during the trials in our lives. James says for us to rejoince in affliction because it is the trials that will strengthen your faith.
However tonight is about the thngs that will weaken your faith. And one thing is not an individual sin. It's a pattern of sin in the form of lust over the details of life. Remember as we noted earlier the consequences for the Believer in a lifestyle of sin.
A. For the Sinning Believer
1. Loss of fellowship. Sin brings an interruption of fellowship in the area of the sin (1 John 1:3, 6–7).
2. Loss of joy. Sin causes a loss of joy (John 15:11; Gal. 5:22).
3. Darkened walk. Sin causes the believer to walk in darkness (1 John 1:6; 2:10).
4. Weak prayer. Sin brings a lack of confidence in prayer (1 John 3:19–22).
C. For the Persistently Sinning Believer
If a believer persists in some sin, then other consequences may follow.
1. Punishment. Discipline of some form may come (Heb. 12:5–11). Sickness may be one form of punishment (1 Cor. 11:30).
2. Excommunication. Excommunication from the local church may be necessary (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5).
3. Physical death. In some cases physical death may be a punishment for persistent sin (1 Cor. 11:30; 1 John 5:16).
So lets think back to our 4 original question.
5. Does sin have a hold of my life.
(If so why? Remember what we read in Revelation 3 20?Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
6. If so, how can I break that hold? 1 John 1:9
7. What does repenting mean and does that have anything to do with breaking the hold of sin?
8. Can my sin effect others around me? Especially other Believers in Christ?
As we saw tonight your sin left un checked can effect others. One sin can lead to many. Our sinful thoughts, can come out of our mouths as sins of the tongue, which then can turn to more visible sins.
Think about Achan in Joshua, or Annanias, and Saphira in Acts 5.
Achan was responsible for his nations defeat in battle. Annanias and Saphiria had they not been removed could have stopped the early churche's growth in the Western world before it even began.
Its' funny even at work. A majority of up beat people are not going to change a negative person. However a negative person can poison the whole department.
Lets close in prayer.