Radical Generosity and Unorthodox Obedience in Faith

Summary

In our journey through the book of Acts, particularly chapter 5, we encounter the unorthodox nature of the early church. This church was marked by extraordinary acts of prayer, miracles, and generosity, setting a standard that challenges us today. The story of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a stark reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in our walk with God. Their tragic choice to lie about their offering highlights the danger of holding back from God and the consequences of disobedience. This narrative is not merely about financial giving but about the broader principle of making God-honoring choices and living with authenticity before Him.

The early church was characterized by radical generosity, driven by joy and thanksgiving, not by compulsion. Ananias and Sapphira's error was not in withholding part of their money but in their deceit, attempting to appear more generous than they were. This story prompts us to examine our own lives for areas where we might be holding back from God, whether in our finances, service, or personal consecration. The call is to give God our all, not just a part, and to live in unorthodox obedience, even when it defies societal norms or personal comfort.

The apostles, when faced with the choice to obey God or man, chose God, declaring, "We must obey God rather than any human authority." This decision underscores the central theme of obedience in our spiritual journey. Obedience is not always easy, but it is essential for a life that pleases God. It requires settling the issue of lordship in our lives, ensuring that Jesus is truly the Lord of every aspect of our existence. When we do this, making right choices becomes more straightforward, even when they are unpopular or challenging.

As we reflect on these lessons, we are called to examine our own lives and the choices we make daily. Are we advancing our walk with God, or are we allowing disobedience to pull us away? The challenge is to live with a commitment that says, "Because you say so, Lord, I will." This unorthodox obedience is what God desires from us, and it is the path to a fulfilling and impactful Christian life.

Key Takeaways:

- The story of Ananias and Sapphira teaches us the importance of honesty and integrity in our relationship with God. Holding back from God, whether in finances or other areas, can have serious spiritual consequences. We must strive to give God our all, not just a part. [09:38]

- Radical generosity in the early church was driven by joy and thanksgiving, not compulsion. This spirit of giving challenges us to examine our motives and ensure that our actions are genuine and God-honoring. [05:32]

- Obedience to God is a central theme in our spiritual journey. It requires us to settle the issue of lordship in our lives, ensuring that Jesus is truly the Lord of every aspect of our existence. This makes making right choices more straightforward, even when they are unpopular or challenging. [18:47]

- The apostles' choice to obey God rather than human authority highlights the importance of prioritizing God's will over societal norms or personal comfort. This unorthodox obedience is what God desires from us. [14:23]

- Our daily choices should advance our walk with God, not pull us away. We are called to live with a commitment that says, "Because you say so, Lord, I will," embracing the path of obedience and experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. [21:33]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:08] - The Unorthodox Church
[03:26] - Ananias and Sapphira's Deception
[05:32] - Radical Generosity
[09:38] - Holding Back from God
[11:35] - The Call to Obedience
[13:05] - Apostles' Choice: God or Man
[14:23] - Obedience Over Human Authority
[15:56] - Challenges of Modern Obedience
[17:31] - Everyday Choices and Obedience
[18:47] - Settling the Issue of Lordship
[19:44] - The Ease of Obedience
[21:33] - Commitment to God's Word
[23:20] - Understanding Obedience
[24:59] - Responding to God's Call
[26:34] - Obedience Over Sacrifice
[27:45] - Personal Reflection and Altar Call
[29:07] - Making the Choice to Obey
[30:21] - Specific Areas of Obedience
[31:04] - Honesty and Integrity
[32:52] - Commitment to God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 5:1-11
- Luke 5:4-5
- 1 Peter 1:14

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the specific sin committed by Ananias and Sapphira, and how did it differ from simply withholding money? [03:26]

2. How did the early church's practice of radical generosity differ from the actions of Ananias and Sapphira? [05:32]

3. What was Peter's response when confronted by the high council about preaching in Jesus' name, and what does this reveal about his priorities? [13:05]

4. How does the story of Peter in Luke 5:4-5 illustrate the concept of obedience to God's word, even when it seems illogical?

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why is honesty and integrity emphasized as crucial in our relationship with God, as seen in the story of Ananias and Sapphira? [09:38]

2. How does the early church's example of generosity challenge modern believers in their approach to giving and service? [05:32]

3. In what ways does the choice between obeying God or human authority manifest in contemporary Christian life? [14:23]

4. How does settling the issue of lordship in one's life make obedience to God more straightforward, according to the sermon? [18:47]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you held back from God in any area of your life. What steps can you take to fully commit that area to Him now? [09:38]

2. Consider your current approach to generosity. Are your actions driven by joy and thanksgiving, or do you feel compelled by other motives? How can you align your giving with the spirit of the early church? [05:32]

3. Identify a situation where you are faced with choosing between obeying God or societal norms. How can you prioritize God's will in this situation? [14:23]

4. What specific area of your life is God calling you to obey Him more fully? How can you take a tangible step towards obedience this week? [28:21]

5. How can you ensure that Jesus is truly the Lord of every aspect of your life, and not just in words? What practical changes can you make to reflect this lordship? [18:47]

6. Think of a decision you are currently facing. How can you apply the principle of "Because you say so, Lord, I will" to this decision? [21:33]

7. In what ways can you cultivate a lifestyle of unorthodox obedience, even when it defies personal comfort or societal expectations? [11:35]

Devotional

Day 1: The Cost of Deception
The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in our relationship with God. Their tragic decision to lie about their offering underscores the spiritual danger of holding back from God and the consequences of disobedience. This narrative is not just about financial giving but about the broader principle of making God-honoring choices and living authentically before Him. It challenges us to examine our own lives for areas where we might be holding back from God, whether in our finances, service, or personal consecration. The call is to give God our all, not just a part, and to live in unorthodox obedience, even when it defies societal norms or personal comfort. [09:38]

"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.'" (Acts 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 2: Joyful Generosity
The early church was characterized by radical generosity, driven by joy and thanksgiving, not by compulsion. This spirit of giving challenges us to examine our motives and ensure that our actions are genuine and God-honoring. Ananias and Sapphira's error was not in withholding part of their money but in their deceit, attempting to appear more generous than they were. This story prompts us to reflect on our own lives and consider whether our generosity is motivated by a genuine desire to honor God or by a desire to appear righteous before others. True generosity flows from a heart of gratitude and a desire to bless others, not from a sense of obligation or a need for recognition. [05:32]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your recent acts of generosity. Are they motivated by joy and thanksgiving, or by a sense of obligation or desire for recognition? How can you cultivate a heart of genuine generosity today?

Day 3: The Priority of Obedience
Obedience to God is a central theme in our spiritual journey. It requires us to settle the issue of lordship in our lives, ensuring that Jesus is truly the Lord of every aspect of our existence. This makes making right choices more straightforward, even when they are unpopular or challenging. The apostles, when faced with the choice to obey God or man, chose God, declaring, "We must obey God rather than any human authority." This decision underscores the importance of prioritizing God's will over societal norms or personal comfort. This unorthodox obedience is what God desires from us, and it is the path to a fulfilling and impactful Christian life. [18:47]

"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are struggling to obey God over societal norms or personal comfort? How can you take a step towards obedience today?

Day 4: Choosing God Over Man
The apostles' choice to obey God rather than human authority highlights the importance of prioritizing God's will over societal norms or personal comfort. This unorthodox obedience is what God desires from us. It requires courage and faith to stand firm in our convictions, even when it means going against the grain of society. The apostles' example challenges us to examine our own lives and consider whether we are truly living in obedience to God or if we are allowing the opinions of others to dictate our actions. True obedience to God often requires us to make difficult choices, but it is the path to a life that pleases Him and brings glory to His name. [14:23]

"But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" (Acts 5:29, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you had to choose between obeying God and conforming to societal expectations. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience?

Day 5: Commitment to God's Word
Our daily choices should advance our walk with God, not pull us away. We are called to live with a commitment that says, "Because you say so, Lord, I will," embracing the path of obedience and experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. This commitment requires us to be intentional about our choices and to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. It means being willing to make sacrifices and to trust God even when we don't understand His ways. As we reflect on these lessons, we are challenged to examine our own lives and the choices we make daily. Are we advancing our walk with God, or are we allowing disobedience to pull us away? [21:33]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need to say, "Because you say so, Lord, I will"? How can you take a step of faith and obedience in that area today?

Quotes

"Last week I began a three-week series called Unorthodox, and it was based on the activities of the New Testament church in Acts chapter 5, and you know, what happened in those early days of the book of Acts was powerful, it was explosive, it was dynamic, amen? And the church was unorthodox, hallelujah. Unorthodox literally means contrary or different from what is usual, traditional, or expectant. And that is what the church was, amen?" [00:00:18] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Then Peter said, Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit. Liar, liar, pants on fire. That's not actually in the verse, amen? You lied to the Holy Spirit. And you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not to sell as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren't lying to us. Notice his disobedience. He was lying to God." [00:02:36] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"See, the problem was they made a choice to dishonor God by intentionally lying. Peter said not just to the apostles, but they lied to the Holy Spirit. They wanted the church to believe that they had given all of the proceeds when in fact they had not. Now see, I want to believe that they were good people to have given part of the money. But folks, hear me. There was something that was flawed in their lives." [00:08:49] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And folks, there's always a danger in keeping back part of a commitment to God when you know He wants all of you and not just part of you. Amen? As believers who wish to please God, and you're here today, you're filling up this room, I believe that you're in that category. But when we keep back a part of ourselves from God, we don't only affect the body of Christ, we hurt ourselves, and we could even be hurting our families and friends by our disobedience." [00:09:38] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Peter and the apostles knew we've got to make a decision today. I owe everything to Jesus. Do to me whatever you're going to do, but I'm going to obey the Lord. Amen. And Life.Church, in our walk with God and in anything that affects us spiritually, understand every decision really comes down to this. It comes down to a simple question. Am I going to choose to obey God or am I going to obey man?" [00:14:23] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"For Peter and the rest of the apostles, the choice was clear. We will obey God and not man. And at the heart of this issue of making right choices, there really is another issue above that. You know what it is? The issue of lordship in our lives. You've got to settle the issue of lordship in your life. I know you confessed him with your mouth. I know you believed on him in your heart. I know you're full of the spirit. I get all that. But is he really the lord of your life or just your tongue?" [00:18:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"You know what I think we need in the unorthodox church today? A commitment that says, because you say so, Lord, I will. If you say so, Lord, I will. Whatever you're asking me to do, God, I will. I will. Do you obey the prompting of the Spirit? I want to challenge you. Right now, are you willing to obey the prompting of the Spirit in this moment?" [00:21:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"See, the test of obedience. The test of obedience is always, ultimately, a test of lordship in your life. You get to choose. We get to choose. That's what makes God such a perfect gentleman. We get to choose to obey him or to disobey him. We get to choose to walk with him or away from him. We get to choose to serve him or to deny him." [00:22:24] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Things like be holy because I am holy. Lord, you know how hard it is to be holy today? Yeah, but I can help you and you can do it. Lord, because you say so, I will choose the path of holiness. And righteousness. Things like forgive so you can be forgiven. Does it make sense? Not really. But is it what God wants us to do? Yes." [00:24:13] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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