Unity, Purity, and the Dangers of Deceit
Summary
In Acts chapter 5, we witness the early church's remarkable unity and generosity, as believers sold their possessions to support one another, ensuring that no one was in need. This spirit of selflessness is exemplified by Barnabas, who sold a field and gave the proceeds to the apostles. However, the story of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a stark contrast. They sold a piece of property but deceitfully kept part of the proceeds for themselves while claiming to have given it all. This act of lying to the Holy Spirit resulted in their sudden deaths, instilling great fear in the church.
The narrative highlights the dangers of hypocrisy and the temptation to seek human approval over divine obedience. Ananias and Sapphira's sin was not in withholding part of the money but in their deceit, thinking they could lie to God. This story reminds us that God is not small; He is omniscient and demands our full devotion. The early church's purity was crucial as it laid the foundation for the new covenant community. Just as Achan's sin in the Old Testament brought consequences upon Israel, Ananias and Sapphira's deceit threatened the integrity of the early church.
God's greatness is evident throughout the book of Acts, from the day of Pentecost to the apostles' miraculous works. He is bigger than any human authority or physical limitation. The call to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind is paramount, as idolatry diminishes His rightful place in our lives. We are warned against elevating anything above God, whether it be money, power, or the approval of others. Such idolatry leads to spiritual death.
The purification of the church is essential for the kingdom of heaven to break through into this world. As believers, we are called to live lives marked by repentance and faith, continually turning away from sin and trusting in Jesus. This ongoing process of sanctification is painful but necessary for us to reflect Christ's image. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—should be evident in our lives, revealing the kingdom's presence.
Ultimately, God will be exalted among the nations, and every knee will bow to His authority. We must not be deceived into thinking we can hide our sin from God. Instead, we are to embrace His judgment on our sin, allowing Him to purify us and prepare us as the spotless bride of Christ. In doing so, we participate in the kingdom's breaking through into this world, living as examples of God's transformative power.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Ananias and Sapphira warns us about the dangers of hypocrisy and the temptation to seek human approval over divine obedience. Their sin was not in withholding money but in deceitfully lying to God, reminding us that God is omniscient and demands our full devotion. [17:46]
- Idolatry diminishes God's rightful place in our lives. When we elevate anything above God, whether it be money, power, or the approval of others, we engage in idolatry that leads to spiritual death. We must recognize God's greatness and prioritize our love and obedience to Him. [22:23]
- The purification of the church is essential for the kingdom of heaven to break through into this world. As believers, we are called to live lives marked by repentance and faith, continually turning away from sin and trusting in Jesus. This ongoing process of sanctification is painful but necessary for us to reflect Christ's image. [36:44]
- God's judgment on our sin is an opportunity for purification and transformation. We must embrace His judgment, allowing Him to cut out sin like a cancer, so we can be conformed to Christ's image. This process, though painful, is for our good and reveals the kingdom's presence in our lives. [39:45]
- The fruit of the Spirit should be evident in our lives, revealing the kingdom's presence. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are signs of the Spirit's work in us, contrasting with the works of the flesh. As we live by the Spirit, we participate in the kingdom's breaking through into this world. [45:26]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [16:15] - Generosity in the Early Church
- [17:46] - Ananias and Sapphira's Deception
- [18:44] - Consequences of Lying to God
- [19:40] - The Temptation of Human Approval
- [20:22] - The Crux of the Matter
- [21:42] - God's Omniscience and Greatness
- [22:23] - The Dangers of Idolatry
- [23:44] - God's Demand for Devotion
- [25:40] - Parallels with Achan's Sin
- [27:45] - Purification of God's People
- [28:47] - No Place for Hypocrisy
- [30:01] - The Futility of Idolatry
- [31:44] - God's Exaltation Among Nations
- [33:21] - The Consequences of Sin
- [34:54] - The Call to Repentance and Faith
- [36:44] - The Purification Process
- [39:45] - Embracing God's Judgment
- [41:47] - Idolatry and Its Consequences
- [45:26] - The Fruit of the Spirit
- [48:56] - The Kingdom Breaking Through
- [50:20] - Prayer for Repentance and Faith
- [53:12] - Benediction and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 5:1-11
- Matthew 22:37-38
- Galatians 5:19-23
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Barnabas take that demonstrated his generosity and commitment to the early church? [16:15]
2. How did Ananias and Sapphira's actions differ from those of Barnabas, and what was the consequence of their deceit? [18:44]
3. What does Peter identify as the core issue with Ananias and Sapphira's actions? [20:53]
4. How does the story of Ananias and Sapphira parallel the story of Achan in the Old Testament? [27:45]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the purity of the church so important in the context of the early church and today? [28:47]
2. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of idolatry, and what are some modern examples of idolatry that believers might face? [22:23]
3. What does it mean to embrace God's judgment on our sin, and how can this lead to transformation? [39:45]
4. How does the fruit of the Spirit contrast with the works of the flesh, and what does this reveal about the kingdom of God breaking through in our lives? [45:26]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you sought human approval over divine obedience. What steps can you take to prioritize God's approval in your life? [19:40]
2. Identify an area in your life where you might be elevating something above God. How can you begin to address this idolatry and refocus on God? [22:23]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance and faith. What is one specific sin you need to turn away from, and how can you actively trust in Jesus for forgiveness? [34:54]
4. Consider the process of sanctification in your life. What is one painful but necessary change you need to embrace to reflect Christ's image more fully? [39:45]
5. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [45:26]
6. How can you be an example of God's transformative power in your community, and what practical steps can you take to demonstrate the kingdom breaking through in your life? [48:56]
7. Reflect on the story of Ananias and Sapphira. How can you ensure that your actions and intentions align with God's will, avoiding hypocrisy in your faith journey? [18:44]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: The Peril of Deceitful Hypocrisy
The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and the temptation to seek human approval over divine obedience. Their sin was not in withholding part of the money from the sale of their property but in deceitfully lying to God, thinking they could hide their actions from Him. This narrative reminds us that God is omniscient and demands our full devotion. The early church's purity was crucial as it laid the foundation for the new covenant community, and deceit threatened its integrity. Just as Achan's sin in the Old Testament brought consequences upon Israel, Ananias and Sapphira's actions had severe repercussions, instilling great fear in the church. [17:46]
Acts 5:3-4 (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.'"
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are tempted to present a false image to others? How can you seek God's help to live authentically and truthfully today?
Day 2: The Dangers of Idolatry
Idolatry diminishes God's rightful place in our lives. When we elevate anything above God, whether it be money, power, or the approval of others, we engage in idolatry that leads to spiritual death. The early church's experience with Ananias and Sapphira highlights the importance of recognizing God's greatness and prioritizing our love and obedience to Him. God's omniscience and greatness are evident throughout the book of Acts, from the day of Pentecost to the apostles' miraculous works. We are warned against elevating anything above God, as such idolatry leads to spiritual death. [22:23]
Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV): "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."
Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you might be placing above God? How can you begin to reorient your priorities to reflect God's rightful place in your life?
Day 3: The Necessity of Church Purification
The purification of the church is essential for the kingdom of heaven to break through into this world. As believers, we are called to live lives marked by repentance and faith, continually turning away from sin and trusting in Jesus. This ongoing process of sanctification is painful but necessary for us to reflect Christ's image. The early church's experience with Ananias and Sapphira underscores the importance of maintaining purity within the community of believers. Just as God dealt with sin in the early church, He continues to purify His people today, preparing us as the spotless bride of Christ. [36:44]
Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV): "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in the purification process of your own life and your church community? What steps can you take today to pursue holiness?
Day 4: Embracing God's Judgment for Transformation
God's judgment on our sin is an opportunity for purification and transformation. We must embrace His judgment, allowing Him to cut out sin like a cancer, so we can be conformed to Christ's image. This process, though painful, is for our good and reveals the kingdom's presence in our lives. The story of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a reminder that we cannot hide our sin from God. Instead, we are to embrace His judgment, allowing Him to purify us and prepare us as the spotless bride of Christ. [39:45]
Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV): "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Reflection: How do you typically respond to God's discipline in your life? What is one area where you can invite God's transformative judgment to bring about growth and change?
Day 5: Manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit should be evident in our lives, revealing the kingdom's presence. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are signs of the Spirit's work in us, contrasting with the works of the flesh. As we live by the Spirit, we participate in the kingdom's breaking through into this world. The early church's experience with Ananias and Sapphira highlights the importance of living lives marked by the fruit of the Spirit, as opposed to deceit and hypocrisy. [45:26]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to cultivate in your life? How can you intentionally practice this fruit today, relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength?
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Quotes
Here are the selected quotes with timestamps:
"And last week, we saw how the good news of the gospel creates in a people love, how love creates unity, how unity creates compassion, and how compassion then creates generosity. And so in this early church, we saw that there were people who were selling their property to provide for the needs of others in the church." [00:15:52] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man, but to God. And so that lie right there is the crux of the matter. That's the thing that brings everything to a head. They sought to lie to the apostles, and they thought that they could lie to God as well." [00:21:18] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"They thought that the praise and the affirmation of the people around them was worth more than obedience to God. They thought that the money that they kept back could do something for them that God couldn't, or that God wouldn't." [00:21:13] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And so all through the story of Acts, we've been seeing how God is big. On the day of Pentecost, with all of the apostles speaking in different languages, God is so big. God is bigger than language barriers." [00:22:40] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The story of the book of Acts is that God is big. And the Lord has always demanded that we recognize his greatness." [00:23:39] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"There is no place in the church for those who believe that they can lie to God. There is no place in the church for those who are so consumed with the love and the worship of money and the approval of others that they are willing to deny God what was his in pursuit of those things." [00:29:15] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And God demonstrates his bigness by removing his hand from them. He said, okay, you've rejected me. You don't want my rule in your life. Okay. Here's what your life looks like without me." [00:29:34] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God will be exalted in all the earth, and God is not mocked." [00:33:21] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And so if you or I believe that we can get away with pulling the wool over God's eyes, if we think that we can get away with our sin, if we think that nobody's ever going to notice and nobody's ever going to know, we're not just wrong, but we are dead wrong." [00:34:05] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Our only hope is to turn away from it in repentance and to trust that Jesus has paid the price for that sin on the cross. And that through the Holy Spirit, we have been empowered to fight, to resist, and ultimately, friends, to be victorious over those sinful desires and our sinful tendencies." [00:46:50] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When we are living and walking and working and loving in the way that Jesus did, then the kingdom is breaking through this world in our lives together. And so we must, we must walk in repentance and faith." [00:46:14] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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