Divine Wake-Up Calls: Integrity and God's Approval
Summary
Life is full of unexpected wake-up calls—moments that jolt us out of our routines and force us to reevaluate our choices. Sometimes these come as financial scares, health issues, or difficult conversations, but often, they are spiritual in nature, designed by God to draw us back to Him. The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 is a sobering example of such a wake-up call. In a season when the early church was marked by unity and radical generosity, this couple chose to deceive, pretending to give all while secretly keeping a portion for themselves. Their actions were not just about money, but about heart motives—seeking the applause of people over the approval of God.
This narrative reminds us that God cares deeply about the “why” behind our actions, not just the “what.” Ananias and Sapphira’s desire to appear generous led them to compromise their integrity, showing how dangerous it is to live for the approval of others. Their story is a warning that willful, deliberate sin—even when cloaked in religious activity—grieves God and brings serious consequences. God’s discipline in this case was not just for them, but a message to the whole church about the seriousness of sin and the importance of holiness.
Opportunities to make things right are gifts from God, but they are not unlimited. Sapphira was given a chance to come clean, but she chose to persist in the lie, missing her moment to repent. This teaches us the urgency of responding to God’s conviction without delay. Life is unpredictable, and the chance to make amends or change course may not always be there tomorrow.
A healthy fear of God is essential. When reverence for God fades, we become casual with sin, numb to conviction, and careless with the blessings and responsibilities entrusted to us. God’s wake-up calls are not meant to harm, but to protect and restore us, calling us back to a life of integrity, gratitude, and wholehearted devotion. The challenge is to listen, respond, and realign our hearts before it’s too late, cherishing every opportunity to walk faithfully with God.
Key Takeaways
- Living for the applause of people rather than the approval of God is a subtle but dangerous shift. When our actions are motivated by the desire to impress others, even good deeds can become empty performances. True faithfulness is measured not by public recognition, but by sincerity and integrity before God, who sees the heart. [08:33]
- Willful, deliberate sin—especially when hidden or justified—invites serious consequences, even if it seems unnoticed for a time. God’s patience is not permission; it is mercy, giving us space to repent before the damage becomes irreversible. The longer sin is entertained, the more it hardens the heart and multiplies unseen consequences. [21:16]
- God graciously gives us opportunities to make things right, but these moments are not guaranteed to last. Delaying repentance or reconciliation is a risky gamble, as time and chances are not infinite. Every conviction, every nudge from the Spirit, is a precious invitation to return to God and restore what is broken. [27:23]
- A healthy fear of God is foundational to a life of holiness and wisdom. When reverence fades, we become casual with sin, treat worship as routine, and neglect the weight of our responsibilities and relationships. The fear of the Lord is not about terror, but about deep respect that shapes our choices and keeps us anchored in what truly matters. [36:46]
- God’s wake-up calls are acts of mercy, not condemnation. They are meant to protect, correct, and restore us to the fullness of life He desires for us. Ignoring these warnings leads to regret and loss, but responding with humility and action opens the way to renewed freedom, blessing, and intimacy with God. [44:53]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:58] - A Personal Wake-Up Call: The Credit Card Scare
[03:24] - The Early Church: Unity and Generosity
[04:56] - Ananias and Sapphira: The Deception Unfolds
[06:43] - Motives Matter: Why Did They Lie?
[08:33] - Living for Applause vs. Faithfulness
[10:16] - The Dangers of People-Pleasing
[13:00] - Heart Check: Serving with Sincerity
[17:22] - Accountability Before God
[18:29] - The Consequences of Willful Sin
[21:16] - God’s Patience and the Illusion of Getting Away
[25:06] - Sapphira’s Missed Opportunity
[27:23] - The Urgency of Responding to Conviction
[31:34] - Pushing Limits: The Gas Tank Analogy
[36:46] - The Fear of God and Its Impact
[40:28] - Casualness with God and Blessings
[42:59] - Honoring What God Entrusts
[44:53] - Wake-Up Calls: God’s Mercy in Action
[45:58] - Responding to God’s Wake-Up Call
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: God’s Wake-Up Calls (Acts 5:1-11)
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### Bible Reading
Acts 5:1-11 (ESV)
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
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### Observation Questions
1. What was the main difference between the generosity of Ananias and Sapphira and the other believers in the early church? ([04:56])
2. According to Peter, who influenced Ananias to lie, and what does this reveal about the nature of their sin? ([13:00])
3. What opportunity was Sapphira given when she was questioned by Peter, and how did she respond? ([25:06])
4. What was the reaction of the whole church and those who heard about what happened to Ananias and Sapphira? ([35:20])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Ananias and Sapphira felt the need to pretend to be more generous than they actually were? What does this say about the dangers of living for people’s approval? ([08:33])
2. The sermon mentions that God’s patience is not permission to continue in sin. How does this challenge the way people sometimes view God’s silence or delay in judgment? ([21:16])
3. Sapphira was given a chance to tell the truth but chose not to. What does this teach about the urgency and importance of responding to conviction or opportunities to make things right? ([27:23])
4. The passage says “great fear came upon all the church.” What is the difference between a healthy fear of God and being terrified of Him? How can this kind of fear actually help us? ([36:46])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about living for the applause of people versus the approval of God. In what areas of your life do you feel tempted to impress others, even if it means compromising your integrity? What is one step you can take this week to shift your focus back to pleasing God? ([08:33])
2. Are there any “hidden” or “justified” sins in your life that you have been ignoring or excusing, thinking they are not a big deal? What would it look like to bring these into the light and deal with them honestly before God? ([21:16])
3. Think about a time when you delayed making something right with God or with someone else. What was the result? Is there a relationship or situation right now where you sense God is giving you a wake-up call to act before it’s too late? ([27:23])
4. The story of Sapphira shows that opportunities to repent or make things right are not unlimited. What is one area where you need to respond to God’s conviction today, rather than waiting for a “better time”? ([27:23])
5. The sermon described how a healthy fear of God keeps us from becoming casual with sin and careless with our responsibilities. What does a healthy fear of God look like in your daily life? How can you cultivate more reverence and respect for God this week? ([36:46])
6. Are there blessings, relationships, or responsibilities in your life that you have started to take for granted? What is one practical way you can honor and cherish what God has entrusted to you? ([42:59])
7. The pastor shared a personal story about a wake-up call with his credit card. Have you experienced a “wake-up call” moment recently? How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? ([44:53])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you recognize His wake-up calls, respond with humility, and walk in integrity and wholehearted devotion. Pray for courage to make things right where needed and for a renewed reverence for God in every area of life.
Devotional
Day 1: God Sees Beyond Appearances—Our Motives Matter
It is easy to fall into the trap of doing good things for the wrong reasons, especially when we are surrounded by others who are generous or spiritually active. Ananias and Sapphira’s story in Acts 5 reminds us that God is not impressed by outward displays or public acts if our hearts are not sincere. Their offering was not rejected because of the amount, but because of their dishonesty and desire to appear more generous than they truly were. God cares deeply about the motives behind our actions, and He desires authenticity over performance. Let us examine our hearts and ask ourselves why we do what we do, especially in our service, giving, and worship. May we seek to please God above all, rather than seeking the applause or approval of people. [08:33]
Acts 5:1-4 (ESV)
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to put on a show for others rather than being honest before God? What would it look like to choose authenticity over appearance today?
Day 2: We Cannot Hide Willful Sin from God
Sometimes we convince ourselves that small, hidden sins are harmless or that God will overlook them, especially if we are active in church or doing good things. But the story of Ananias and Sapphira is a sobering reminder that God sees everything, even the secrets of our hearts. Willful, deliberate sin—no matter how well disguised—grieves God and brings consequences, not just for ourselves but for those around us. God’s silence is not His approval; rather, He gives us time to repent before the consequences become irreversible. Let us not wait until we are caught or until the damage is done. Instead, let us confess honestly to God, turn away from sin, and return to a life of integrity, trusting that His mercy is greater than our failures. [21:16]
Acts 5:3-5 (ESV)
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
Reflection: Is there a hidden sin or compromise in your life that you have been excusing or hiding? What step can you take today to bring it into the light and seek God’s forgiveness?
Day 3: Don’t Waste God-Given Opportunities to Make Things Right
God, in His mercy, gives us moments and opportunities to correct our mistakes, to repent, and to restore what is broken. Sapphira was given a chance to tell the truth, but she chose to remain in her lie, missing her opportunity to make things right. Our time and chances are not unlimited; we do not know how many more opportunities we will have to mend relationships, confess sin, or obey God’s prompting. Let us not delay in responding to God’s conviction, for tomorrow is never guaranteed. Every moment of realization or conviction is a gift—an invitation to change before it is too late. [27:23]
Hebrews 3:15 (ESV)
As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive, a truth you need to tell, or a step of obedience you have been postponing? What is one action you can take today to respond to God’s prompting before the opportunity passes?
Day 4: Reverence for God’s Holiness Guards Our Hearts
The tragic outcome of Ananias and Sapphira’s deception brought a holy fear upon the early church—a deep respect and reverence for God’s holiness. When we lose this reverence, we risk becoming casual with sin, careless in our worship, and numb to the Spirit’s conviction. A healthy fear of God is not about terror, but about honoring Him, respecting His authority, and taking His commands seriously. This kind of fear protects us from complacency and keeps us mindful of the weight of our actions. Let us approach God, our relationships, and our responsibilities with intentionality and gratitude, never taking His holiness or His gifts lightly. [38:31]
Acts 5:11 (ESV)
And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Reflection: In what ways have you become casual or complacent in your relationship with God or in your responsibilities? How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God’s holiness in your daily life?
Day 5: Wake-Up Calls Are God’s Mercy, Not His Condemnation
God’s wake-up calls—whether through crisis, conviction, or consequence—are not meant to shame or destroy us, but to protect, restore, and call us back to what truly matters. They are signs of His love and mercy, urging us to reconsider our ways before it is too late. When God gets our attention, it is an invitation to respond with wisdom, humility, and renewed commitment. Let us not ignore the warning signs or delay our response. Instead, let us thank God for caring enough to intervene, and let us choose today to walk faithfully with Him, cherishing the people, blessings, and opportunities He has entrusted to us. [45:58]
Romans 2:4 (ESV)
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Reflection: Can you identify a recent “wake-up call” in your life? How might you respond to God’s loving correction today, so that you can walk in greater freedom and faithfulness?
Quotes
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