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THE KING’S BUSINESS
we have the case o f Ananias and Sapphira. When God thus has given an illustrative example, that same sin is not again visited with immediate judgment, but there will none the less be a great loss for every one who pretends full, consecration but who has not made it, and who thus lies to the Holy Ghost. The effect o f this stern judg ment in the present case was most salu tary; those who were thinking o f joining the church from mercenary motives were held back from so doing (v. 13). Would that the Spirit were present in such power in the church today that hypocrites would regard it with terror and not dare to join themselves to it. But while "o f the resfJ no man dared join himself to it, real “believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both o f men and women” (v. 14). There is nothing in' the record here to make it absolutely sure that Ana nias and Sapphira were eternally lost. They were judged because o f their sin, sternly and immediately judged, but that they per ished eternally we are not told (cf. 1 Cor. 11:30-32), and it is not wise for us to attempt to go beyond what is written. What should be the attitude o f heart of both rich and poor ? 1.Chron. 29:14-16. What special charge is there to the rich? 1 Tim. 6:17-19. What Old Testament picture js suggested by this scene? Psa. 133:1-3. (2 ) The Satanic Semblance of Sincerity, ch. 5:1 -8 . Where was the sin o f Ananias conceived? Prov. 23:7. What does God desire in the heart? Psa. SI :6. What dissembling brought judgment upon Israel? Josh'7:11, 12. What liar brought judgment upon him-' self? 2 Kings 5:21-25.
fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things (upon all that heard it).” Ananias’ presumption brought swift and awful judgment, he fell dead the minute his sin was uncovered, an awful warning to those who attempt to deceive God. But not every one who thus sins is so Suddenly overtaken with judgment, but his judgment is none the less sure because it is not so swift. I f every o¡tie who is lying to God today, every one who is making profession of full consecration when a full consecration .has not been made, should drop dead The deception of Ananias was deliberate instantly, our churches would be decimated, and daring. He had talked it over with his-wife (vs. 2, 9). It imperilled the infant church, it threatened to choke the fountain oh Divine Love that had sprung up in this selfish world. The stern judgment was richly merited, and while apparently -very severe, it was most gracious, for it sifted and saved the church. It is. God’s method in dealing with men to give illustrative examples o f His feeling tpward certain sins, e. g., in the old Testament we have the case o f Achan (Joshua ch. 7), and here (1 ) The Sacred-Society, ch. 4:32-37. What was the prayer o f our Lord for unity? John 17:21-22. What was Paul’s prayer? 1 Cor. 1:10. Why should believers be one in spirit? 1 Cor. 12:12, 13. What is one o f the evidences o f the new birth? 1 John 3:14-18; 1 Cor 8:9-13. What is the secret o f divisions' in the church? 1 Cor. 3;3. What song could these believers sing? Psa. 34:9, 10. When they- laid’ down their treasures, what did they lay up? Mark 10:21. What o f the man who treasurers for himself ? Luke 12:20, 21.
LESSON OUTLINE.
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