Hallelujah, amen! So today, I'm so excited to have my, I call him, as my friend, and he's Pastor Joe Thomas, faculty at CGLD, powerfully used by the Lord all across nationally. I know I hear has become international in, no, speaker as well, and I know God is using powerfully all across in discipling, mentoring many people and sending people to, you know, into the ministry. Another testimony, whenever used to come ask, man, married Ben the children he said praying, praying, 9 years they prayed and when God blessed he, God, God gave them twins, and God did not stop with that, God bless him one more. Okay, so happy he's now His Hands Up full, and, you know, I'm excited to have him, beloved Pastor Joas, give him a round of huge Applause as it comes to share God's supp with us. Thank you so much. It's such a joy for me to be here today. One of the joys, uh, the fact that I am excited to be here is uh, your pastor. I have known him for the last, I was counting years, 17 years. 2007 is when I met him for the first time. I went to SABC to study in 2007 as a very shy, timid boy from Kerala who had no exposure of any other place. I came to SABC and the place was very overwhelming right from the language and all what was happening there. And I could see somebody like your pastor student at that time but an anointed man. He was different from others and he was the valedictorian also then. So I'm happy that God has sustained all of us these many years. 17 years, thank God for the grace that we did not leave Christ, we did not leave Ministry. Your pastor is here and I deeply value the friendship that I have with him and I'm also happy to see the church growing. I was here, I think, four years back and to see the church thriving in this place, all glory be to God. I want to bring to you a word which is very close to my heart. It came to me in the beginning of this year so I felt when I was praying for you this word as we go into as uncle has mentioned we are already at the end of Jan one month is already gone but something for you to cling on for this whole year may this word shape your prayers that's my prayer. If you would turn with me to the book of Acts chap 5 and verses 1- 4, I'd really appreciate if you can all turn with me there and we can read those verses together chapter 5 of book of Acts vers 1- 4. Are you all ready? I know maybe some words might differ here and there because of the translations, NIV, NRSV, KJV, that is fine but as long as we can go through these four verses will be great. Okay let's go now. A man named Ananias, I cannot hear anybody let's read it together chapter 5: 1 2 3 and four. Now a man named Ananias together with his wife Sapphira also sold a piece of property 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. Then 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 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 light to just human beings but to God the testimony of the early church often times we have that dream of Lord take us back to that first century experience of church one of the greatest testimonies that came out of the church in the first century was not we have lot of healing that is what we sometimes think about the early church the Charismatic the gifts the healings let me ask you were there healings in the Old Testament was dead people raised in the Old Testament so the early church the biggest testimony of them was not dead people were raised it was there in the Old Testament it was healings including lepers being cleansed was there in the Old Testament what was that one thing repeatedly the church came together they thank the Lord that this was happening you know what was it the first time you see that in Chapter 2 and verse 44 I remember now what brother R Stanley some of you might have heard that name brother R Stanley whom God has used mightily in our generation his writings and his sermons are there in YouTube and Google this is what he said I remember listening to him in my childhood a true Pentecostal believer is not somebody who would stop with chapter 2 verse 4 true Pentecostal believer is somebody who would come down to verse 44 this is what he said what is that testimony in verse 44 look into chapter 2: 44 this is what you will read there all the Believers were what's the next word together and had everything in common imagine that this is something after the spirit of God was poured out on the day of Pentecost this is the testimony they lost that tight grip on possessions they were together had everything in common and 45 they sold property if you and I if you go to a first century Church you will hear testimonials of people getting up and say last week God has given me the grace to sell my property in that Yanka new town area and the other person will get up and say yeah I had one in D God has given me the grace to sell that too holy spirit's coming had a direct connection with possessions money it's not just 244 Again Luke is emphasizing that in chapter 4:32 that 244 is not out of the blue something he said and he's leaving at that no in chapter 4:32 all the Believers were one in heart and mind meaning one in purpose they didn't have their own personal agendas everything gone on the day of Pentecost when Spirit was poured out the immediate result is one purpose and no one claimed that any of their possessions was their own but they shared everything and in verse 34 there were no needy persons among them the testimony of the early church was holy spirit is given to us the way we look at possessions property money job change we have a new perspective on this worldly things one of the early Christian philosophers ver and apologist by the name Justin martyr this is what he said listen to this statement very carefully closely this is what he said we who once coveted most greedily the wealth and Fortune of others now place in common the goods we possess dividing them with all the needy this is the testimony we were once coveting we want more we want more now after the spirit is poured out on us we give that tight grip on things is gone our hands are loose now acts 5 our text it is in this backdrop that we have to read this passage chapter 5 the story of Ananias and Sapphira how do you approach this couple for me it is very tough when I read that early church spiri is poured out good testimony of sharing losing that tight grip and here comes what is the meaning of that name Ananias anybody here has done any homework earlier Anan

ias means god is gracious his parents they have named him now when we had that first twin we waiting for in May two to get some somewhere I heard Joanna Susanna when I went for a preaching came across a couple Joanna Susanna we didn't know that they are going to be girls and boys or girl one girl one boy but Joanna Susanna it was there in my mind and then Luke 8:3 these two verses come together this two names Joanna Susanna they two um contributed to the ministry of Jesus from the financial thing Joanna Susan and my name starts with j my wife's name starts with s Sarah so everything was falling in place and we have two girl twins Joanna Susanna sometimes we name like that but in the first century naming was a big thing they will think about it meaning of it Ananias's parents carefully named their son boy Ananias God is gracious what's the meaning of the name Sapphira beautiful so when this couple have joined the church pastor would be saying wow gracious uncle has come beautiful Auntie has come what a blessing to have a couple like that they were going to Jerusalem Temple all this while they were going there have sacrifices they are I'm sure they they close to Ananias and Caiaphas the high priest because they have lot of money why did they leave Jerusalem Temple were they sick demon possessed I don't think so they were looking around and here is a new movement Jesus movement preaching is not like Ananias and Caiaphas the old boring sermons Peter when he stands and preaches it's like piercing your heart this couple would have gone back and said we are not going to go back to that Jerusalem baren old Temple we want to go to this church that Vibrant Community you listen to their worship you be part of the worship you don't want to go elsewhere that music and and the life there and the they would have gone and told others come with us to our church you must hear our Pastor Peter preach then you would know what we are really saying come that is this couple gracious uncle and beautiful Auntie they came came to which church JPC I call it Jerusalem Pentecostal Church they left Jerusalem Temple with lot of hopes with lot of aspiration they have come to JPC to see God at work to listen to the Lively words that brings life if you look at 51 now am man but in most of our vernacular translations if you have one I have checked my vernacular Malayalam translation it doesn't starts as now no it says enal the literal translation in 51 should be not now a man but a man named Ananias there is a contrast in the original language there is a contrast but in English translations they have missed it but in our vernacular translations they got got it there is a contrast between what is happening with this couple and what happened in the previous chapter the last verse there is a person by the name Barnabas chapter 4: 36 and 37 he sold look at verse 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles feet and the next verse is not now but a man named Ananias together with his wife Sapphira also sold again a connection Barnabas sold they also sold look into those verses carefully when I approach this couple wonderful couple first thing that rings in my mind is is it fair how many of us us want to experience something like this in our family sometimes in the co that two years we have seen several burials funerals like that here is one wife couldn't attend husband's funeral she was unaware of the whole thing after 3 hours it says in chapter 5 and verse 7 about 3 hours later his wife came in and not knowing what had happened do you want a couple to experience something like this they left Jerusalem Temple they have come to Jerusalem Pentecostal church with all good intentions they want to be part of a life group a lifegiving church burial wife unaware that husband is gone or is it like in.

In Leviticus 10:1, we read about the sons of Aaron who passed away after touching holy things without proper connection with God. But I don't want to draw parallels between Ananias and Sapphira and the children of Aaron because they have a good background. Aaron would have trained them in the word. So, for Nadab and Abihu to behave like Ananias and Sapphira, this wonderful couple, doesn't seem fitting. Also, in Joshua chapter 7, Achan passed away, but these instances are not entirely similar because they involved grave disobedience. However, Ananias and Sapphira's story in Acts 5 is troublesome for many Bible students. Why did God take their lives away for one mistake? Where is the gracious God in this?

Let's approach this and learn three principles quickly. First, in Acts 5:3, Peter confronts Ananias, questioning how Satan filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep some of the money received for the land for himself. The first principle that emerges is self-discernment. Ananias and Sapphira didn't discern themselves. Did everyone in the early church sell their possessions? No, there were two categories of people. The first group recognized stewardship over ownership, while the second group, like Barnabas, went an extra mile to sell when they saw a need. Ananias and Sapphira, however, didn't discern themselves; they kept some money for themselves out of love for money, not necessity.

They wanted to maintain their position and status, creating an impression that they were giving everything like Barnabas, but they lied. This hypocrisy was their downfall. The second principle is honesty and integrity. We should never pretend or seek attention through deceitful actions. The third principle is the prophetic word. When Peter calls out Ananias, it's not out of friendship but a spirit-given word. Prophecy brings out what's inside us, exposing sin, and this is a real gift of prophecy.

In our generation, prophets often focus on positive outcomes, but true prophecy exposes the filth and sin within us. Peter's confrontation with Ananias highlights this. So, let's aspire to pursue a clean heart and integrity where our words match our deeds. Let's avoid hypocrisy and seek self-discernment, honesty, and embrace the convicting power of true prophecy.

The incident described in Acts 4:31 involves the disciples praying together, after which the place where they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. However, in Acts 5, there is a contrasting story about a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, who faced consequences for their deceitful actions. Despite being part of a growing, word-based church, they allowed Satan to fill their hearts, as evidenced by their love of money.

The unmistakable sign of a heart being filled with Satan, according to the speaker, is a love of money. This is illustrated by the example of Judas, whose heart was filled with Satan, leading to his betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the heart of the matter, which is the matter of the heart. He highlights the significance of money in the teachings of Jesus, with a considerable focus on its proper use and handling. The speaker suggests that discipleship has a direct connection with money, as evidenced by the numerous verses in the Bible addressing the topic.

Moreover, the speaker warns against hypocrisy, citing the example of Ananias and Sapphira. They pretended to be generous but were actually motivated by a love of honor and money. Their attempt to cover up their love of money with generosity ultimately led to their downfall.

The concept of lying to the Holy Spirit is explored, with the speaker explaining that lying to the Holy Spirit is equivalent to lying to the church. This is because the church is seen as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Ananias and Sapphira's deceit was not just directed towards individuals but towards the entire community of believers.

The consequences of Ananias and Sapphira's actions are examined, with a focus on the fear that gripped the church afterward. Despite this, the church continued to grow, albeit with a greater emphasis on integrity and humility.

In conclusion, the speaker urges the congregation to examine themselves and to strive for integrity and honesty in all aspects of their lives. They emphasize the importance of living in fear and trembling before the Lord, acknowledging that ultimately, they will be held accountable for their actions. The church is depicted as a place where hypocrisy is not tolerated, and where the fear of the Lord reigns supreme.