August 6, 2023
“Half of all Americans (48%) are done with God. … they say that God plays no role whatsoever in their life.”
source: The Barna Group
1 "But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. " 7 "Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. "
Acts 5:1–16 (NASB1995)
The Idea:
You are a community called to live with real credibility and authenticity stirred by a desire for holiness and an awesome fear of God
Motivations for a Credible Faith
I. Get Rid Of Pretending
“But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?”
Acts 5:3 (NASB1995)
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.”
James 5:16 (NASB1995)
“… and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
1 Peter 5:5 (NASB1995)
13 “But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.
14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,”
Acts 5:13–14 (NASB1995)
II. Stir A Good Fear
5 “And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. “
10 “And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”
Acts 5:5,10-11 (NASB1995)
III. See A Supernatural Effect
“At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; … And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number”
Acts 5:12, 14 (NASB1995)
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