Transcript ACTS 5 - My Power House

Drop Dead!
Viewing Acts Chapter 5
Prepared by: Soon Siak. February 2010
Topics covered ...
Thinking about lies.
 A tale of two persons.
 Thinking about what they have done.

The Outcome and the Power of HS.
 Work of God disrupted for a while?
 Wisdom of Gamaliel.
 Some applications for us.
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What are some common
things that people lie about?
Why is lying so common?
(5 min)
Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-2)

During the formation of the church, two people
found out just how dangerous lying can be.
The early church was made up of people who
were sharing, giving and becoming as close to
each other as possible (v32-37). There was no
place for deceit, yet what did Ananias and
Sapphira do (v1-2)?
They sold some of their property, kept a little
for themselves and gave the rest to the
apostles. But they made it seem that they were
giving the whole amount.
Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-2)

As lies go, how severe do you think this one
was (on a scale of 1 -10)? Can you think of any
lies you’ve told that seem just as bad, or
worse?
What went wrong? (5:1-10)
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Barnabas was sincere and honest in his giving
(single-minded giver).

But the sin of Ananias and Sapphira was:
Selling the field and brought part of the money to the
apostles, professing to be bringing the whole sum into
the common fund.
They were guilty of vanity; covetousness & contempt
for God.
SPM Part B stuff - 97, 01, 08
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Too harsh a punishment? (5:1-10)

1.
2.
3.
Why do you think they received such a harsh punishment?
Wouldn’t a strong warning have been enough?
To show that their sins was detected
To prevent internal corruption of the infant Church, a
corruption infinitely more dangerous than any external
persecution, had not such a crime been at once severely
visited.
Since the church was just beginning to take shape, people
were starting to watch the believers closely. The love, joy,
and peace they displayed were attractive elements, yet
people were not to forget that the Holy Spirit was
responsible for such things. God was in control and would
not be mocked. If Ananias & Sapphira went unpunished,
people might logically think that God didn’t know, or “close
one eye” when sins were committed.
The effect (5:11)
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1.
2.
•
What effect did the deaths of Ananias and
Sapphira have on the church and others?
Great fear came upon the whole church
Great fear came upon those who have heard ie
those outside the church – don’t play-play!
What warnings/lessons? (SPM01/A18#2)
Whatever actions we do that are wrong are
ultimately against God Himself. People might
be deceived by our actions but God sees into
our hearts and He knows when we are sinning
against Him, and He will judge us for our sins.
Miracles done by the Apostles (5:12-16)

How could the people tell God was at work?
They were healed of all kinds of diseases. The
apostles displayed God’s power in much the
same way Jesus had.
Healing of sick who were carried on beds &
pallets, even could be healed by the shadow of
Peter falling on them.
Hitting back (5:17-18)
Those poor religious leaders…they thought if
they got rid of Jesus their problems would go
away. Now there were lots of people displaying
the power Jesus had used. So what did the
religious leaders do (v17-18)?
Arrested them and throw
them into the public prison.
What next? God turned it around.
A Twist (5:19-26)
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But God has a wonderful way of making
the bad intentions of some people turn out
for our good. So what happened (v1926)?
An angel freed them and they
immediately went out to the temple to
teach. The jail was still locked. The
guards were still there. But God’s people
were out doing their job.
Metro Tabernacle Testimony

Protection on Pastor confirmed
The night before the church was burned their Pastor was at the church past 11pm because he wanted to check his emails. He is a very hardworking person and
has a habit of wanting to complete his work as much as possible. But he is also very sensitive to the Holy Spirit. When he got to the church premise and was
about to swipe the card to open the door, he had a terrible stomachache that he had never had before. He knew that the Lord was telling him to go back home
and he obeyed and left the church premise. It was past midnight that the church was torched. If he had not obeyed he would have been burned alive and would
not be able to live to tell this wonderful testimony. God still has work for him to do on earth. His time was not up yet.
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Finance Provided
The MTC had trouble moving to the new premises in Batu Caves. They had been waiting for approval from the Local Authorities and is still pending. Then they were facing
financial difficulties as they needed to buy new furniture for the new premise. They had been raising funds on their own to relocate to Batu Caves but had been “stuck” due to
approval permits and raising more $ to buy new furniture and equipment. So when the church was burned it was all the old stuff that they had been wanting to get rid off! And
our Govt compensated them RM500K and CIMB and many other donations started to pour in. From an adversity it turned into a blessing! Our God truly provides!
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Making Us Known & United
Celia said the church leaders and members shook hands with Najib and they released forgiveness for whatever that has happened in the past. She said Najib felt very welcomed
at the church. Hishamuddin commented that during his visit he has never seen so many smiling faces when their church had just been burned down. To God be the glory!
The Metro Tabernacle worship service appeared in the International Herald Tribune (they were on international news) and the photo of the worshippers with their hands raised
was taken in the Wisma MCA hall. My MD asked what was happening and Celia told him we were praising and worshipping God. MD didn’t know that this was how we
praised and worshipped God.
It was good to see many church leaders of other denominations coming together at the MTC worship service over the last few days, united and praying together.
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Approval Granted!
They also requested for the Batu Caves new church premise to be turned into a place of worship and not a commercial zone. The Selangor Govt is looking into it and the MB,
Khalid gave his assurance that he will look into it personally. 24jan10 MP Teresa Kok went to attend the Metro Tabernacle church service in its new building. She is
pleased that the Selayang Municipal Council gave speedy approval for the new building.
Malaysian church fire-bombed ahead of Muslim protests
By M. Jegathesan (AFP) – Jan 7, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR — A church in Malaysia has been fire-bombed in an attack that gutted its ground floor, church officials said Friday, escalating a dispute over the use of the word "Allah"
by non-Muslims.
A fire department official said all stations were on alert for more blazes at religious buildings, ahead of planned nationwide protests Friday by Muslim groups angry over the use of the word
as a translation for "God" by Christians.
The three-storey Metro Tabernacle church in suburban Kuala Lumpur, part of the Assemblies of God movement, was set ablaze in the attack which took place around midnight, said church
leader Peter Yeow, 62….
Gamaliel’s Speech (5:33-39)
When they finally confronted the
Jewish leaders, the apostles were as
bold as ever. And the Jewish council
wanted to have them killed (v27-33).
But at the advice of Gamaliel, one of
their respected leaders, they didn’t.
What was Gamaliel’s advice (v3439)? How does it apply to cults
today?
Gamaliel’s Speech (5:33-39)
Gamaliel’s argument
 Be cautious, do not proceed to extremities
because:
1.
Theudas’ insurrection came to nothing, he himself was
slain.
2.
Judas of Galilee’s insurrection was a failure.
Time tries all things, and time will show if this
movement is of God or man i.e.

1.
2.
If of man, it will fall to pieces
If of God, it will stand and your efforts will fail.
After two thousand years, Christianity is still going strong!
Pressed down but not forsaken
(5:40-42)
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What was the result of this encounter between
the apostles and the Sanhedrim?
The apostles were flogged and sternly warned
not to speak in the name of Jesus again. Then
they went right out and kept doing what God
had told them to do. Wow!