Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
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Emotion Tone
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Analytical
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Tone of specific sentences
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Introduction
Illustration: On our honeymoon ... some external pressures ... forgotten key, lost bag, etc.
These things seemed to draw us closer.
Real problems began when sin began to show itself from within.
Up to this point in Acts, it has almost been a honeymoon phase.
Even experiencing opposition they are drawn closer together (4:32-47)
Up to this point in Acts, it has almost been a honeymoon phase.
Even experiencing opposition they are drawn closer together (4:32-47)
Then we see the real danger.
Opposition from within the church.
[Review story]
God’s response to Ananius and Sapphira is really extreme.
Why would God do this?
Main Idea: Even the smallest resistance to the cross is detrimental to the church.
1. God is Holy-Righteous
First of all, we need to remember that God is a holy and righteous God.
What does this mean?
The Bible goes to great lengths to teach us the character and nature of God.
We are taught:
God is the all powerful creator and sustainer of the universe.
God is sovereign over everything that happens in the universe.
God is Holy— “other”; “perfectly righteous”
Examples:
Mt.
Sinai — fire, smoke, threat of death
Tabernacle—Temple
Nadab and Abihu (Lev.
10:1-7)
Uzzah touching the Ark of the Covenant ()
The point is: God is so holy, perfect, righteous that He cannot abide sin even in its smallest forms.
(This is what we see here in Acts 5)_
God Loves the Church
Jesus loves the church enough to die for her
Even though the church is not perfect — “so he might present her … without spot or wrinkle”
Jesus definitely married an ugly bride, but he loves her nonetheless (Illustration: ?? ) Ugly dog?
Simple Resistance is Serious
We’ve basically answered the question of why God might have struck Ananias and Sapphira dead.
But what was it about their particular sin that would have caused this?
This is not about the money
This is not just about lying
God does strike down everyone who sins … even in the church (Illustration: lightening bolt)
What is going on here is an example of resistance to the gospel—and how serious this can be, especially in a fragile new church.
The real problem for Ananias and Sapphira wasn’t that they messed up and lied.
It was when they were confronted about it—and continued to lie about what they had done.
In other words, they refused to repent and own up to their sin even after they were confronted .
Put simply: they refused to go to the cross and maintained their self-righteousness.
Instead of owning their guilt and need of the cross and receiving the forgiveness and righteousness that was paid for by Jesus’ blood, they held to their own false righteousness born in deceit.
— “get behind me Satan!”
“Resistance to the cross is to be in league with the enemy” — Tim Keller
What does this mean?
Ananias and Sapphira were ultimately resistant to the cross.
Why? 1) They treasured their reputations more that Jesus.
2.) They treasured their possessions greater than Jesus.
We saw this last week: — Gospel transformation is evidenced in placing Jesus as the Savior and Lord of our lives.
It also means stepping into the “way” of the cross:
—Paul counts everything he has accomplished “loss” that he may 1) Gain Christ 2) Be “found in Him” (forgiven, righteous, resurrected) 3) share in his sufferings
Conclusion
Personal: Are you resistant to the gospel?
What is Jesus worth to you?
Are you found in him?
Are you “taking up your cross”?
As a church:
We need to recognize people that are resisting the gospel (In their rebellion or religion)
In their rebelion.
In their “religion”
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