Marriage and the Bible

1. Marriage and the Bible Based on the Living in Love Series by Richard L. Strauss, Biblical Studies Foundation - 1998

2. Gathering Firewood • A man gathers some firewood one chilly morning. • Hours later, he is executed for his action. • Harsh? • Numbers 15:32-36 • Exodus 31:14-15 • Exodus 35:1-3

3. Holding Back Chapter 11: Ananias and Sapphira

4. No Man is an Island • It is impossible for an individual or couple to embrace Christianity and remain an island unto themselves. • We are: • The Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) • Family of Believers (Galatians 6:10) • The Household of God (Ephesians 2:19)

5. The (Very) Early Church • At its birth, the early Church was at the height of its purity and power. • Fellowship of Believers • Acts 2:42-47 • Moved to Selfless Compassion • Acts 4:32-37 • They were “of one heart and mind.”

6. Church Unity • These believers were under the leadership of apostles empowered to show miraculous signs, who were first-hand witnesses to Christ. • The early Church shared a common experience. • They realized all they had was from God. They gave freely, and without coercion. • Their faith may have cost many their jobs.

7. Stirred Hearts • Although they were free to retain their possessions, their regard for one another compelled them to action. • “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” • Jesus – John 13:35

8. Enter Ananias and Sapphira • Ananias means “Jehovah is gracious.” • Sapphira means “beautiful” or “pleasant.” • We know little about them, but: • They had each other. • They had possessions of financial worth. • They had forgiveness of sins. • They had the fellowship of powerful believers.

9. Where did they go wrong? • I personally do not believe Ananias and Sapphira forfeited their lives because of their desire to hold back some of the money. • Read Acts 4:34 carefully • Re-read Acts 4:36-37 • Although not the intent of righteous believers, recognition, praise, and accolades accompanied inspiring acts of selflessness and sacrifice.

10. The Deeper Sins • Ananias and Sapphira were unfortunately guilty of deeper sins: • They desired the praise of their peers more than a genuine and honest relationship with Christ and His Church. • They underestimated God by thinking they could lie to Him and His appointed leaders and get away with it. • They made public an example of not trusting God by giving him 100%.

11. United for the Wrong Cause • Read the short and tragic account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. • You have to piece together the whole story by reading it through. • Ananias and Sapphira agreed to tell the same lie to Peter that they had sold the land for the amount they were laying at the apostles’ feet.

12. Discussion Break • Based on what we’ve learned in this story, how would you surmise the marriage of Ananias and Sapphira would have been? • Back to the opening discussion – isn’t the punishment they received a little harsh? Why did God act so severely toward them?

13. Punishment Fits the Crime • “…from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded…” • Luke 12:48 (partial) • These were formative days for the Church. This type of cancer could have been crippling. • Ananias and Sapphira had the unfortunate honor of being the first example, as was the case with our wood gatherer.

14. They Were Dead Already • Alive on the outside, dead onthe inside. • The sin of Ananias and Sapphirahad an incredible potential for being contagious. • This was hypocrisy. The same style that leads to the crucifixion of The Son of God. • Note the reaction of those who witnessed this.

15. Application • What lessons or truths do you feel God wants us to take from this story? • What failings in Ananias and Sapphira might we have individually or in our marriages? • What is God prompting you to change as a result of this story?