30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
01 Acts 05 01-11 THE FEAR OF GOD IN HIS CHURCH 08 Acts 05 03-04 Used in His ministry
📖 Acts 05:01-11
08 – 24Mar2023 – *Used in His ministry* - _Acts 05:01-11_ - THE FEAR OF GOD IN HIS CHURCH - Bible reading: _I Thessalonians 02:03-06_
"Lord Jesus, teach us to walk in the humility of our hearts before You. In Your name, we pray. Amen."
_Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? (4) While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? *Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.*"_
This matter of seeking the praise of man and not walking before God is the cause of a huge hindrance in the work of the gospel. *_II Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (2) But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God._*
We constantly check our hearts, for out of our hearts are the issues of life. *_Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life._*
We see how Apostle Paul and his team guarded their hearts against every form of pretension or seeking glory from men, while they did the ministry of the gospel.
*_I Thessalonians 2:3-6 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. (4) But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. (5) For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. (6) Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ._*
They were aware that their ministry was before God but had an influence on people. *_I Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;_*
This was the reason why their ministry bore excellent results. *_I Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe._*
Paul explains this principle again to Timothy. _I Timothy 1:15-16 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. (16) However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that *in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life*._
It is when we are humble before God, for His correction in all matters of our hearts, that the ministry that we do will truly bear results that bring glory and praise to God.
The Jews prided themselves on circumcision. Whereas, God’s concern is not the circumcision of the flesh but of the heart.
_Romans 2:26-29 Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? (27) And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? (28) For *he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; (29) but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God*._ God wants us to fulfil the righteous requirement of the law not just fulfil the law in its letter.
Our praise must come from God and not from man. Ananias and Sapphira fell at this point. They were trying to give an impression of their dedication or commitment to the church, whereas their spirit was not right before God. Ananias and Sapphira lied to God.
We always walk before the Lord and that is our concern, whether our lives are pleasing before God. _Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And *to walk humbly with your God*?_
There needs to be humility and brokenness in us, knowing the manipulations of our hearts. Hezekiah humbled himself before God, when he knew that there was pride in his heart. _II Chronicles 32:26 Then *Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart*, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah._ The wrath of God falls when there is duplicity in our hearts.
The Lord resides with those who are of a humble and contrite spirit before Him. _Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "*I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit*, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones._
```Let us allow His Holy Spirit to guard and enable our hearts to be pleasing to God.```