Gideon

Chapter 24

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PURGING THE VINE

08-26-12

NOT FRUIT, FRUIT, MORE FRUIT

(John 15:1,2)  I [Jesus Christ] am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman [Gk: land-owner, farmer]. Every branch [person] in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away [“and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” John 15:6]: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it [Gk: to cleanse; to prune], that it may bring forth more fruit [and ultimately, more love].

THE VINE

(Acts 4:31-37)  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God [which is a “tongue” 1 Cor 12:10] with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought [Gk: anything] of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common [Gk: shared]. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas [Heb: son of Nebas (i.e. prophecy)], (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation [syn: encouragement],) a Levite [Heb: attached], and of the country of Cyprus [an island in the Mediterranean Sea], Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

PURGING THE VINE OF A COUPLE OF ERRANT BRANCHES BEARING “NOT FRUIT”

(Acts 5:1-4)  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy [Gk: conscious, know, aware of] to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles' feet. 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? Whiles it [the land] remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold [converted into money], was it not in thine own power [to do whatsoever you will with it; to keep all or any part of the money, and not lie to the Holy Ghost]? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God [for we are “all filled with the Holy Ghost” Acts 4:31].

1.      (Psa 69:5)  O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

2.      (1 Tim 6:10)  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through [Gk: to penetrate entirely] with many sorrows.

3.      Commentary: “why hast thou conceived this thing in your heart?” = because the love of money which is “the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10) had deeper stronger roots in his heart than the love of/for God. The problem was that Ananias and Sapphria, loving money, and seeking the praise of men, wanted others to believe that they had sacrificed everything like Barnabas when in fact they had only given a portion to the Lord.

(Acts 5:5-11)  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much [for the same as her husband had said]? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt [Gk: test] the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 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. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

1.      King James bible Commentary: When Ananias learned that he had lied unto God, he fell down, “and gave up the ghost.” Ananias was struck dead for his sin against God, and the young men bound him in grave linen, and carried him out, and buried him.

2.      (Luke 16:20-22)  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

3.      (Prov 1:7) The fear [Heb: fear; moral reverence] of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

THE PURGED CLEANSED VINE

(Acts 5:12-16)  And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least [of] the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed [Gk: mobbed, harassed] with unclean spirits [demons, fallen angels, devils]: and they were healed every one.

1.      (Acts 5:13 Amplified Bible)  And none of those who were not of their number dared to join and associate with them, but the people held them in high regard and praised and made much of them.

Amen