December 1, 2013
Scripture:
Turn to Luke 10. Earlier we read Lamentations where it said, “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by.” Let’s now look at the other side. Read vv. 31 - 33. He wouldn’t pass the sinner by. What compassion! What love we see at Calvary!
Hymn 358 - Tell me the story of Jesus
Prayer
Last time, we saw how Hezekiah was a king that sought to honour God. He re-opened the temple and brought worship back to Judah. Another thing that Hezekiah sought to do was to bring the passover back. Israel had been given this feast to do each year and the last time they had it, was when Joshua was judge.
2 Chronicles 30
The passover was normally kept in the 1st month of the year, but God had made a provision: if they weren’t prepared for it, they could wait. In Hezekiah’s case, the priest needed to cleanse themselves. Also, Hezekiah wanted to invite all Israel to come to Jerusalem for the passover. The post (the mail system) brought the invitations to each city. Some were so worldly that they laughed at the idea of the Passover. And there will be those today who will laugh at us for doing what is right.
Some people did come to the passover, and each that was there desired to keep the passover. The first time that Israel has the passover was in Egypt. They were to kill a lamb and paint its blood on the side post of their door and the angel of death would pass over their house. The lamb was a picture of the Lord.
At the passover they offered the sacrifices. Everyone kept the passover with great gladness. If we do the Lord’s will, we should do it with joy. The passover usually was seven days long, but after seven day they were so happy that they continued for another week. There was joy in Israel, like there was in the time of Solomon.
Hezekiah wanted to have the passover because God wanted them to have it. I hope we can be encouraged to do what is right even when other laugh us.
Acts 4:31-37, 5:1-11
We saw last week that when the rulers let Peter and John go, they went to their own company. They didn’t go to the temple or the synagogue, but rather to their own, new company. It’s precious to have a place to meet with the Lord.
We don’t have prayer meetings today like they had here in Acts. The Holy Spirit displayed His power dramatically at the beginning of the church period. The house where these believers were praying was shaken as a sign that their prayer was answered. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke the word boldly, and were led to give up their possessions.
The Holy Spirit was actively working during this period, giving a spiritual focus, and the unity in the Body of Christ was beautiful (that unity is unfortunately not present today). Sharing all possessions was not a pattern that God was giving for all Christians at all times, it was something that could happen only while all believers were in one location. We don’t find it happening after the Christians spread abroad. Nobody lacked, though; possessions were sold, the money was given to the apostles, and distribution was made to meet needs. This was a type of communism; but was not required, as Peter tells Ananias.
Here at the end of Acts 4 we get the first mention of Barnabas, the brother who travels with Paul later in Acts. He was a Levite, and sold his land and laid the money at the apostles feet.
The working of the Holy Spirit brought great power and great grace, but chapter five opens up with a big “but”, for we now come to the story of Ananias and Sapphira. We may wonder at the severe consequences for their sin, but God was showing He took this new system of grace seriously. Ananias and Sapphira—like ourselves—hadn’t lost their Old Nature, it was still in them; and whenever there is a great work of God, the enemy is present to mar it.
Acts 5:1-2. Ananias acted a lie, and Sapphira told one. Peter makes it quite clear here that the Holy Ghost is God (a good passage to use with Jehovah’s Witnesses). Ananias had lied to God, not man. Satan had filled him, but he had also conceived this lie in his own heart. Severe consequences followed: both Ananias and Sapphira died for their lie. Like Achan when he stole from Jericho, it was an example to all. There was great knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures during this time, and with that came great responsibility. There was great power and great grace, but now there was also great fear.
Vv.12-13. In spite of all, though, we find great boldness, for the Lord prospered what was happening. It was a time of great blessing, but Ananias and Sapphire showed that right moral behaviour had to accompany that blessing.
Acts 4:31 showed us that the disciples were occupied with two resources that we still have today: prayer and the word of God. We have it better though: we have the New Testament. May we use these resources!
Hymn 231 – Jesus that name is love
Prayer