Preschool
The Lord is my rock (Psalm 18:2).
God Sees Everything
Memory Verses
Primary
Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it (Luke 11:28).
Junior
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it (Luke 11:28).
Background Scripture: Acts 4; 5:1-11
Lesson Scripture: Acts 5:1-11
Introduction
This lesson is a sad example of the corrupt nature of man revealed through seeking honor, covetousness, and conspiracy. God has made it clear that He will not be mocked. He knows exactly what we are thinking and doing and understands our motives perfectly. Let us seek to renew an appropriate fear of God. It is the beginning of wisdom and is also a foundational quality of true saving faith. In terms of the Christian religious world, believing and accepting salvation in Jesus is popular, but knowing the only true God, believing in his righteousness, and following in obedience is too often overlooked.
Key Verse
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (Heb. 4:12-13).
Lesson Scripture
Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whilst it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Studying the Lesson
On Pentecost while the disciples were gathered together, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. This moved the apostles to preach with great power. Hundreds of listeners gladly received the Word and were baptized. As a result of this radical transformation, “all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:44-45). This was completely voluntary. We do not believe that they sold all their possessions and organized large group homes in which they lived together with a central fund. Rather, it appears they sold extra possessions so those who were in need could be assisted. There were certainly those who needed help. Perhaps some had lost their occupations or suffered financial loss because of becoming believers and consequently needed assistance.
In Acts 4:36-38, it says Joses, a man from Cypress, sold some land and brought the money from the sale to the apostles. There is no indication that he was seeking any acclaim by his actions, although there was some recognition given. This may have influenced Ananias and Sapphira to also seek recognition from their fellow believers. Apparently they wanted to both be Christians and also possess what the world has to offer.
False religion, or a pretense of spirituality, is contagious and very displeasing to God. He chose to bring the charade of Ananias and Sapphira to light so all could see how evil it was. God requires sincerity, honesty, and purity in his people.
Practical Truths for Today
Paul wrote about the last judgment as “the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ” (Rom. 2:16). In Ecclesiastes 12:14 we read, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Jesus said that when we pray in secret God will reward us openly (Matt. 6:6). However, if there is impurity in our secret life, God knows that too, and it will also affect our lives openly. There will be a lack of Christian fruit-bearing and unity with other members of the church. “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23); even if we could manage to keep our sin unknown to others, on the last day it will be revealed and judged.
Starting in the Garden of Eden, it has been the tendency of sinners to hide their evil deeds, preserve their self-image, and protect their interests and possessions. Children have a great advantage if they are taught early on that God sees everything. If we are genuine in our devotion to God, it will be an influence on our family and others. On the contrary, mere compliance or living by form will also be contagious to those about us.
There are varying degrees of dishonesty; this can range from simply being quiet when one should speak up to speaking a half-truth and on to deliberate, premeditated lying, which is a sin that may cause spiritual death. Similarly, there are various degrees of hypocrisy. It can be a deliberate and calculated effort to deceive, as it was with Ananias and Sapphira, but it can also be difficult to recognize our own hypocrisy. It is possible to fall into a habit of protecting a good image, hiding carnality, and keeping people from knowing what is going on in our heart and private life. This form of hypocrisy can become a way of life that will ultimately spell failure.
We may be tempted not so much to seek acclaim but to retain what reputation we have, especially to justify ourselves. Our human nature likes to be right and well thought of. We are inclined to be defensive and make ourselves appear in the best light possible. Jesus said to the Pharisees, who were covetous, “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:14-15). What is more highly esteemed than wealth?
When faced with the loss of possessions, a righteous facade, or dignity, some have stubbornly held to their position, and even resorted to suicide rather than humbly face the truth. “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John 5:44). When Jesus walked the earth, those who came to Him as poor sinners found deliverance. So it is today; when we face our condition honestly, let our reputation go, and seek only the approval of an all-knowing God, we can be set free. With a broken and contrite heart the fear of man is no longer dominating, and one can honestly say, “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head” (Ps. 141:5).
Ananias and Sapphira were apparently affected by covetousness or the love of money, which they also tried to cover up. In the present age, the love of earthly possessions can be hidden under the reality that we have to make a living. Jesus said, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon [money]” (Matt. 6:24). In the world, money is power. This power comes from what money can buy, the security it gives, and the honor of doing good. While philanthropy can be a good thing, it can also be a means of exercising honor, power, or influence.
Questions
- Discuss the effects of good and bad peer pressure in the younger and older ones.
- We know that God sees everything and we are accountable to Him. Why would this knowledge be less effective than a filter or an accountability app on our electronic devices?
- Has what is considered lying changed from the Old Testament to the New? (Consider 1 Sam. 21:1-9; 22:9-22).
- “Great fear came upon . . . as many as heard these things” (Acts 5:11). Discuss: Today there seems to be more focus on the love of Jesus in songs and preaching; in the past there was more emphasis on the judgments of God.
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).