1. Bad Girls of the Bible Sapphira: The Lying Contributor Acts 5:1-11

2. Sapphira – What She Did Right – She was a Christian The church was in its infancy – still new (Acts 2) The church was in its infancy – still new (Acts 2) Sapphira was a believer Sapphira was a believer – She worked as a team with her husband They were both a part of the church They were both a part of the church She was aware of what he did with their gift (Acts 5:2) She was aware of what he did with their gift (Acts 5:2) She followed him into his punishment (Acts 5:10) She followed him into his punishment (Acts 5:10) – She purposed in her heart to give She & Ananias wanted to be a part of the gift (Acts 5:1-2) She & Ananias wanted to be a part of the gift (Acts 5:1-2) They sold a piece of land to help the church (Acts 5:3) They sold a piece of land to help the church (Acts 5:3)

3. Sapphira – What She Did Wrong – She lied to her brethren, and to God She & Ananias conspired to lie (Acts 5:2, 9) She & Ananias conspired to lie (Acts 5:2, 9) God HATES lying (Proverbs 6:16-19) God HATES lying (Proverbs 6:16-19) – She did right things with wrong motivations God wants our actions AND our hearts God wants our actions AND our hearts Matthew 15:8, John 4:24 Matthew 15:8, John 4:24 – She wanted to be recognized for her goodness God wants us to give for the sake of giving, not for reward God wants us to give for the sake of giving, not for reward Matthew 6:2, Matthew 23:5 Matthew 6:2, Matthew 23:5

4. Sapphira – Consequences She Faced – She lost her husband Ananias paid for his sin with his life (Acts 5:5) Ananias paid for his sin with his life (Acts 5:5) Sapphira may not have known it, but she had become a widow Sapphira may not have known it, but she had become a widow – She wasted an opportunity to repent Peter gave her the chance to turn from her sin Peter gave her the chance to turn from her sin God wants us ALL to repent (Acts 17:30) God wants us ALL to repent (Acts 17:30) He gives us so much time to change our ways (2 Pet 3:8-9) He gives us so much time to change our ways (2 Pet 3:8-9) – She died in her sin She was struck dead when she maintained her lie (Acts 5:10) She was struck dead when she maintained her lie (Acts 5:10) We, too, will die, if we do not turn from wickedness (John 8:24) We, too, will die, if we do not turn from wickedness (John 8:24)

5. Sapphira – Lessons Learned – The early church learned from the sin of Sapphira The young men who carried her out (Acts 5:10) The young men who carried her out (Acts 5:10) Great fear came upon all who heard (Acts 5:11) Great fear came upon all who heard (Acts 5:11) – If we were a chapter in the NT, what lesson would future classes learn from us? What things are we doing right? What things are we doing right? What actions are we doing that are wrong? What actions are we doing that are wrong? What kinds of consequences are we facing? What kinds of consequences are we facing? What lessons are we teaching future generations? What lessons are we teaching future generations?