Hypocrisy and insincerity

Ananias and his wife Sapphira accepted Yahusha (Jesus) the Messiah and decided to sell their property and follow the disciples – Acts 5:1.

Both Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead within a few days of each other – Acts 5:5 & 10.

Why did they die and what should we learn from this incident?

They both told the disciples they were going to sell their possessions and give all the money they made from the possessions to Yahuah.

Instead of giving all the money for Yahuah as they said they would, Ananias with his wife’s approval gave a portion to the disciples and kept a portion for themselves – Acts 5:2.

Peter asked Ananias (Acts 5:3) and Sapphira (Acts 5:9) why did they lie and tested the Set Apart Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Yahuah.

Peter said to Ananias (Acts 5:4) the possessions and the money they made from selling their possessions were theirs to keep in the first place and nobody not even Yahuah asked them to give it up.

 

So why did they confess they would give all to Yahuah but only gave a portion when it came time to give! Peter said to him that he did not lie to them but actually he lied to Heavenly Father. His heart was not pure towards Yahuah.

It is true that Ananias “had” attempted to deceive the disciples and it is true, also, that this was a crime; but still, the principal magnitude of the offence was that he had attempted to deceive “Yahuah.”

He committed a small crime against “men” but the great crime was attempting to deceive Heavenly Father that was brought fully into view. This crime was against Yahuah as they devoted it to Him.

They then attempted to deceive Him.

 

We may ask why were they punished so severe, and the answer may be as follows:

1) It was committed knowingly, and without excuse.

2) Yahuah has often, in a most solemn manner, shown his abhorrence of hypocrisy and insincerity. The lesson for us is:

a) Yahuah searches our heart and He knows what is going on in our hearts.

b) Yahuah judges the motives of people’s hearts.

c) Yahuah will show out hidden sin.

d) Fraud and hypocrisy will be detected in this life for all to see.

e) Sinners should fear and tremble before Yahuah.

He holds their breath in his hands. He can cut them down in an instant. The bold blasphemer, the unjust man, the liar, the scoffer, he can destroy in a moment, and sink them in all the woes of hell.

Yahuah punished them after Yahusha the Messiah was resurrected, so why do we think He will not do it still today.

Take note and fear His wrath because He does not change!

 

If you make a commitment to Yahuah, then make sure your heart is right as He will search your heart and He will know if there is hypocrisy or insincerity in your heart.

Threaten

Are you threaten by whoever when you speak the truth! When you speak the word of truth, the truth of Messiah, are you rejected, ignored or even threatened!

Well this is what happened to Peter and John when they obeyed Yahuah (Heavenly Father) and spoke the truth. They were thrown in prison, and then they stood in court the next day and were threaten not to preach the word or to say the Messiah’s Name.

This was because they were preaching the good news gospel and healing the sick in the Messiah’s Name. In court the high priest asked them “By what power or in what Name did you do this?” – Acts 4:7.

 

They answered “in the Name of Yahusha (Jesus) of Nazareth this one was healed” (the lame person) – Acts 4:8-10.

Peter said to them, “there is no other Name under the heaven given among men by which we need to be saved” – verse 12.

Then in verse 13-17, the court consulted with one another and said we cannot deny that a miracle was done but we need to stop this spreading further and we need to strongly threaten them not to speak no more of this Name.”

They called them in and forbid them ever to speak or teach in the Name of Yahusha – Acts 4:18.

Peter and John answered this to them “We have to obey Elohim rather than men, for it is impossible for us not to speak the truth” – verse 19-20.

The court released them but not after they were threatened by them again – verse 21.

 

Peter and John had no fear of these threats! What will you do if you are threaten not to speak the Name of Messiah?

This is something to think about!

This is a test we all may go through one day!

Peter said in Acts 4:11 “This is ‘the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’

Yahusha said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner-stone. This was from Yahuah, and it is marvellous in our eyes’? – Matthew 21:42.

Where in the scripture is mentioned about the cornerstone and who is the cornerstone?

Peter says to the court the stone was rejected by you builders which is now the chief cornerstone. David tells us in Psalm 118:22-23 the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner-stone.

This was from Yahuah, it is marvellous in our eyes. David was speaking about the Messiah; in fact, the whole of Psalm 118 is speaking of the Messiah.

Psalm 118 is prophesying about Messiah to come, the Saviour (Deliverer) of Yah. This revelation about Messiah precedes the great “Law Psalm,” Psalm 119, for unless we are first declared righteous through belief in Him, we would have difficulty in saying, “Oh how I love Your teaching!” (Psalm 119:97).

David said in Psalm 118:14, 21 and 25 my deliverance and save me, meaning we need a Saviour.

Moses and Israel sang a song, Exodus 15: 2 “Yah is my strength and song, and He has become my deliverance (Saviour).

 

Also read Isaiah 12:2, in both these scriptures one might see it as a Messianic prophecy of the Messiah to come: The Saviour of Yah – giving us an indication of Messiah’s Name and what His Name means!

 

This identifies the True Messiah, as does Deuteronomy 18:18-20 ‘I shall raise up for them a Prophet like you out of the midst of their brothers. And I shall put My Words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. ‘And it shall be, the man who does not listen to My Words which He speaks in My Name, I require it of him. ‘But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My Name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other mighty ones, even that prophet shall die.’

The Messiah, as confirmed in Acts 3:22-26, and Acts 7:37. This identifies the True Messiah for us.

 

“For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘Yahuah your Elohim shall raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brothers. Him you shall hear according to all matters, whatever He says to you. ‘And it shall be that every being who does not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ “And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those following, have also announced these days. “You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which Elohim made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.’ “To you first, Elohim, having raised up His Servant Yahusha, sent Him to bless you, in turning away each one of you from your wicked ways” (Acts 3:22-26). “This is the Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘Yahuah your Elohim shall raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brothers. Him you shall hear’ (Acts 7:37).

Yahusha confirmed this fact in seven places in John, namely in John 3:34, 7:16, 8:28, 8:40, 12:49, 14:24, and 17:8 – His teachings (words, commands) are identical to those of His Father.

When we as a believer in Yahusha are threaten or prosecuted because of our belief or because we are talking the truth then we should pray as the disciples prayed when they were threatened.

They prayed the following: Acts 4:24-30 and having heard that, they lifted up their voice to Elohim with one mind and said, “Yahuah, You are Elohim, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said, ‘Why did the gentiles rage, and the people plot in vain? ‘The sovereigns of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against Yahuah and against His Messiah.’ “For truly, in this city there were gathered together against Your set-apart Servant Yahusha, whom You anointed, both Herodes and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and the people of Israel to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose decided before to be done. “And now, Yahuah, look on their threats, and give to Your servants all boldness to speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand for healing, and signs, and wonders to take place through the Name of Your set-apart Servant Yahusha.” End of pray!

In this pray they mentioned King David!

Why? In Psalms 2:1-3 David prophesies what will happen to those who believe in Messiah: Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate emptiness? The sovereigns of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahuah and against His Messiah, and say, “Let us tear apart Their bonds, and throw away Their ropes from us.”

This prophesy describes the rebellion against Yahuah and His Messiah the Anointed One.

NOTE: In Psalm 2, three are speaking, namely David, Yahuah and the Messiah.

Read it for yourself! 

Men (woman) of Israel, why do you wonder

 

Peter and John asked this question to the Israelites when they healed a lame man in the Name of Yahusha (Jesus) – Acts 3:2-12. Men of Israel, why do you wonder of this healing we did in the Messiah’s Name?

Do we also sometimes doubt the belief in Yahusha?

Peter says to them in Acts 3:13 that the Heavenly Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has glorified the Messiah whom you delivered up (betrayed) and denied (reject) to be the Messiah.

Peter says further; “But you killed the Leader of life, whom Elohim (Almighty) raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. “And by the belief in His Name, this one whom you see and know (lame person that was healed), His Name made strong, and the belief which comes through Him has given him this perfect healing before all of you – Acts 3:15-16.

In His Name, the Prince gives life! Peter and the other apostles understood why Yahusha had to die and be raised again but those people that were involved with His death did not know and Peter says in verse 17-18 that they did it in ignorance but Yahuah had planned it which He told His prophets beforehand so people could understand.

But because many people follow a religious system today like they did at that time, they do not understand His word. Many do it in ignorance! If you are doubting His healing, doubting the belief in Him, maybe denying Him in your ignorance then Peter says in verse 19 “Repent therefore and turn back, for the blotting out of your sins, in order that times of refreshing might come from the presence of the Master.

Yahusha Messiah was sent pre-appointed for us – verse 20.

WHY?

So, He can restore all matters as what it was at the beginning. All this was given to the prophets since of old – Acts 3:21.

 

We are indeed living in exciting times. Yahusha is preparing His Bride, setting her apart and cleansing her by the washing of water by the Word (Rev.19:7-8, Eph. 5:26-27).

He is restoring the True Worship which has been mixed with leaven (sin), evil birds (false preachers), the rotten, the darnel (lawlessness), as Yahusha prophesied and warned us about in Matthew 13:1-52.

Indeed, He is opening our eyes and our understanding to see it all clearly (Mark. 8:25).

This is what Moses said about Messiah; “For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘Yahuah your Elohim shall raise up for you a Prophet (Messiah) like me from your brothers. Him you shall hear according to all matters, whatever He says to you. ‘And it shall be that every being who does not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people’ – Acts 3:22-23. Read also Deuteronomy 18:15-20.

Note the importance of hearing (obeying) Messiah, as we see in John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son possesses everlasting life, but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of Elohim remains on him.”

You cannot just say I belief, you need to hear (obey) and walk a straight path, clean from this entertainment of the world and its sin.

This is the truth and many will not hear this truth!

Those that do not hear will be destroyed!

Not me saying this! You may lose your salvation which was given freely if you do not hear (obey).

All the prophets, from Samuel through to those following after him, have announced these things (verse 24).

Listen to this beautiful word given to us in verse 26 “To you first, Elohim, having raised up His Servant Yahusha, sent Him to bless you, in turning away each one of you from your wicked ways.”

The Messiah, the suffering Servant was raised up to bless us, to cleanse us of sin so we can have everlasting life!

Read Acts 2:38 and Acts 5:31 “Him, a Prince and a Saviour (Messiah), Elohim has exalted to His right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

But we first need to HEAR!

By which Name are you saved?

 

“And it shall be that everyone who calls on the Name of Yahuah shall be delivered - Joel 2:32.

Delivered means saved!

‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the Name of Yahuah shall be saved’ – Acts 2:21.

 

For “everyone who calls on the Name of Yahuah shall be saved” – Romans 10:13.

 

Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each one of you be immersed (baptize) in the Name of Yahusha Messiah for the forgiveness of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Set-apart Spirit – Acts 2:38.

Your sins are forgiven in the Name of Yahusha (Jesus).

This is a promise to all who are called by Yahuah (Heavenly Father) – verse 39.

Peter then says to the people in Acts 2:40 “Be saved from this crooked generation.” 

 

Philippians 2:15 in order that you be blameless and faultless, children of Elohim without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. 

You are also healed in the Name of Yahusha, meaning His Name heals.

The purpose of being Spirit-filled is to proclaim this: Repent, and receive forgiveness of sin through Yahusha, then to be immersed, then receive the gift of the Set-apart Spirit (Holy Spirit).

Take note further, in Acts 2:40 “Be saved from this crooked generation,”

Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore and turn back, for the blotting out of your sins, in order that times of refreshing might come from the presence of the Master, and Acts 3:26 “To you first, Elohim, having raised up His Servant Yahusha, sent Him to bless you, in turning away each one of you from your wicked ways.”

After a sinner is forgiven, He then gives this simple command: “Go and sin no more” – John 5:14.

1 Corinthians 15:34 wake up to soberness, righteously, and do not sin, for some do not have the knowledge of Elohim. 

 

1 Peter 4:1-2 therefore, since Messiah suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so that he no longer lives the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but according to the desire of Elohim.

1 John 5:18 we know that everyone having been born of Elohim does not sin, but the one having been born of Elohim guards himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

Call on the Father and Son’s Name to receive the gift of salvation.

Remember it is a gift; therefore, walk now in His righteousness (His path) to keep the gift that was given.

The prophesy of Joel and of David

Joel prophesied about the Set Apart (Holy) Spirit to be sent many years before Messiah came to walk on the earth.

Joel 2:28-31 “And after this it shall be that I pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men dream dreams, your young men see visions. “And also, on the male servants and on the female servants I shall pour out My Spirit in those days. “And I shall give signs in the heavens and upon the earth: blood and fire and columns of smoke, the sun is turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Yahuah.

In Acts 2:16-20 Peter the apostle confirms the fulfilment of prophesy spoken by Joel regarding the Spirit; ‘And it shall be in the last days, says Elohim, that I shall pour out of My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams, and also on My male servants and on My female servants I shall pour out My Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy. ‘And I shall show wonders in the heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapour of smoke. ‘The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and splendid day of Yahuah.

 

The Spirit is given to all who repent and walk with Yahuah – this prophesy is fulfilled!

Dreams, visions and prophesies are ongoing – this prophesy is half fulfilled!

Blood, fire and the sun turn to darkness plus moon to blood has not happened yet – this prophesy still to happen.

Then, once this has all played out, the great and awesome day of Yahuah will come to be!

The prophesy of David: Psalm 16:8-11 I have set Yahuah always before me; because He is at my right hand I am not shaken. Therefore, my heart was glad, and my esteem rejoices; my flesh also dwells in safety. For You do not leave my being in the grave, neither let Your Kind One see corruption. You show me the path of life; In Your presence is joy to satisfaction; At Your right hand are pleasures forever.

David is speaking about the Messiah; If you read these verses carefully you notice David speaking about been saved, walking in His presence and having everlasting life.

In Acts 2:25-28 Peter the apostle confirms the fulfilment of prophesy spoken by David; “For David says concerning Him, ‘I saw Yahuah before me continually, because He is at my right hand, in order that I should not be shaken. ‘For this reason, my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad, and now my flesh shall also rest in expectation, because You shall not leave my being in the grave, nor shall You give Your Kind One to see corruption. ‘You have made known to me the ways of life, You shall fill me with joy in Your presence.’

Again, reading these verses carefully, Peter and the other apostles knew David was speaking about the Messiah when David spoke this prophesy.

Peter tells us that David was also a prophet in verse 30-31 “Being a prophet, then, and knowing that Elohim had sworn with an oath to him: of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, to raise up the Messiah to sit on his throne, foreseeing this he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah, that His being was neither left in the grave, nor did His flesh see corruption.

Heavenly Father made a promise to David regarding the Messiah and we now know that He keeps His promise and the Messiah has come.

HalleluYah, praise the Almighty forever.

Messiah spoke to the prophet Zechariah regarding Himself (Messiah) and the Set-apart (Holy) Spirit in Zechariah 12:10-11, “And I shall pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of favour and prayers. And they shall look on Me whom they pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son. And they shall be in bitterness over Him as a bitterness over the first-born. “In that day the mourning in Jerusalem is going to be great, ……

 

The city of transgression

If you have studied your Bible, you would know that Yahuah is slow to anger and very patient with His children. Father sent prophets to His children to warn them of their wrong doings and through His prophets told the people to turn back and walk His righteous path. Many times, the Israelites would not listen to the prophets and continued with their sinning. After many years of warnings, the people would still ignore the prophets. Then Father would have no choice but to bring His wroth on them.

What had occurred in those times (Old testament) has been written down for us in the scripture so that we take note of what happened to those rebellious people and not make the same mistakes. What happened in the Old times is not just a story but it is still applicable today, warnings from Yahuah for us to turn away from sinning.

If we keep on ignoring these warnings, we will follow the same path as those rebellious Israelites of old did.

The prophet Jeremiah went about Jerusalem and warned the people of what will happen to the city if they do not turn away from their sinful living. We too must take note of Jeremiah’s warning and not be part of the cities sins we live in.

Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 1 about the destruction of the city of Jerusalem because the people allowed sin to overtake the city. Jeremiah tells of the city been unclean, allowing adultery (whoring), people betraying each other, the feasts were not been kept, the priests allowed the temple to be defiled, wickedness was ignored, the rulers of the city became passive and greedy, the wicked were mocking the city people and many enemies were allowed to enter the city without anybody doing something.

 

Because of this Jeremiah was in pain and suffered for the people (verse 11-15). In verse 16, Jeremiah cried because of what happened to the city.

Then I look at our world and the sin in our cities, and see no difference! Once upon a time these cities kept the Word of Yahauh but they are becoming like the Jerusalem of old. Al sorts of sin are occurring in our cities which is against our Savour Yahusha’s (Jesus) Word.

Even so-called believers find this to be acceptable like example; prostitution, adultery, homosexuality, blaspheming, rebellious children, parents drinking/drug use, drugs sold at every corner, slander, greed, no discipline of children/grown-ups and so on.

Don’t you think at one time the cities are going to be given over to our enemies? Is this not already in progress and becoming worse every day! Is Yahusha giving us time to turn back to the will of Yahuah. Should we as believers sit back and say or do nothing or are, we supposed to warn others just like the prophets did.

Take time to study the fall of Jerusalem (read the history), it will shake your inner soul as to what those people had to go through and that all because they ignored the warnings.

 

The days of old coming back

I feel so sad after reading Lamentations chapter 2. This chapter is about the sins of His people, the sadness of Yahuah and Him removing of His protection from the people because of their sins.

Verse 1-2 is the wrath against the sinful people. Even the governments and leaders are been given over to their own will. In verse 2 He has withdrawn His protection from His people. Just imagine what these people had done unto Yahauh for Him to take His protection away! It must have been very bad!

O Father please let us wake-up today and turn away from our sinful living so that You do not take your protection away from us.

In verse 6-8 He has made the people forget the Sabbath rest and allowed the enemy to infiltrate the fellowship assemblies of the people.

My goodness! We have also forgotten the Sabbath rest and false doctrines have entered the assemblies.

Verses 9, the commands of Yahuah have also been forgotten. Many churches are teaching the people today that the commands are no longer required.

Verse 12-13 is talking about hunger and death that followed!

Verse 14 the prophets where not warning the people and not telling the truth.

How many pastors/priests are warning and telling the truth today. How many today is preaching words from themself and not speaking the truth from the Bible!

The priests did the same in those days and because they preached falsely, Yahuah allowed the enemies in!

Are your eyes and hears open? Can you see and hear this happening to us today! Is Yahusha allowing this to happen to our country! Does this not make you sad! I am sad!

Arise; cry out to Yahuah for mercy! Turn back to Him! Tell your friends, your family, your neighbour and whoever to turn away from sin so Yahusha can heal us and our land.

A lesson to be learned

Do we learn from history or do we keep on making mistakes from the passed! The prophet Jeremiah tells us about the destruction of Jerusalem in the book of Lamentations due to the sins of the city.

Does history repeat itself? In most causes it does because people do not learn from the previous generation mistakes.

If you are a believer in Yahusha then you need to take note of the people of Yahuah and their history!

Today as believers we need to read our scripture of the past mistakes the believers made and not repeat them.

Many believers today are taught that Yahusha took all the sins upon Him and now we can carry on sinning once we have repented as He carries the sins we do every time. We are under the impression we can keep on sinning without any consequences of the sins we do.

Yahusha has been there from the beginning of time, He does not change! He is not like a chameleon that changes colour when He is in a different place or times.

  

When I read Lamentations 5:1-18, I wonder if we are going through the same things as what Jerusalem went through: land and houses been given over to strangers (verse 2), children are orphans, having no father and mothers are alone (verse 3), we are paying for water to drink (verse 4), we have pressure from work and we work without rest (verse 5) and we get help (food) from other countries to feed ourselves (verse 6). Strangers are ruling us, food is overpriced, and heat/drought is becoming worse (verse 8-10). Murder is becoming rampant and elders are no longer been respected (verse 12). Has our joy ceased, are we sadder then dancing? Have we become a nation of sickness and is our land becoming a waste (verse 15-18)? Or is our Heavenly Father the Creator of all still our Almighty God! Is He still our First Love!

 

Jeremiah asks Father in verse 20-22, if He has forgotten them and he asks Father to turn them back to Him so they can worship Him like in the old days.

Have You completely rejected us; the prophet asks?

My fellow believer, please take note of history so we do not make the same mistakes.

Repent and turn back to Yahuah through Yahusha (Jesus).  

Thomas wanted proof

 

John 20:24-25 but Thomas, called the twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Yahusha (Jesus) came, so the other taught ones (disciple) said to him, “We have seen the Master.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the imprint of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I shall by no means believe.”

Thomas walked with Yahusha and therefore knew Him. But he wanted proof that Yahusha was alive!

 

John 20:26-28 and after eight days His taught ones were again inside, and Thomas with them. Yahusha came, the doors having been shut, and He stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Bring your finger here, and see My hands. And bring your hand and put it into My side – and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Master and my Elohim!”

Thomas only believed after he felt the scars of His crucifixion.

Messiah told him “Because you have seen Me, you have believed – verse 29.

What about us today: How do we believe without seeing Him? Messiah said to Thomas in John 20:29 about us today that have not seen Him in the flesh: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

 

Many of us like Thomas want proof of the living Messiah! But we do have proof! Remember Thomas saw, heard and touched the Messiah with his eyes, his ears and his hands.

How do we see, hear and touch Him?

The difference is that Thomas did not have the Set Apart (Holy) Spirit but today believers that have repented and accepted the Messiah is given the Spirit from Heavenly Father.

 

Through the Set Apart (Holy) Spirit we see, hear and touch Messiah.