Sermon: The Pentecost Effect - The Spirit Of Truth In Full Manifestation

Sermon: The Spirit of Truth In Full Manifestation

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11” But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not 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 but to God!”

As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.” Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.”

Introduction: It is hard to read the story of Ananias and Sapphira without your eyes becoming wide open with astonishment. In John 16:13, Jesus said to his disciples, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

The Church of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and power was experiencing tremendous growth and unity. Observers could see genuine demonstrations of unity and love among these new believers. This new movement was the talk of the town. Even the religious leaders were impressed by the momentum of this new sect. yet as with any new, fast-growing movement, problems will surface. Acts 4 ends with the touchy story of Barnabas, a devout, dedicated Christian, who sold a parcel of land and lay the money at the apostles’ feet to help provide for the needy members of this new society. It is such a blessing to have that kind of concerned person within the church. Our gifts of finances, service, and participation are a part of our worship to God. We should give because we love God, love His people, and support His righteous cause. God could do His work alone; He needs nothing from us yet welcomes our acts of worship because it is good for us and good for others. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 5 follow the Barnabas story. Immediately after Barnabas’ act of pure worship, we find the contrasting actions of a man named Ananias who also came to worship. Deception had grip his heart and his worship was impure and polluted. Now the Church must face a new threat that sought to pollute the worship of the church and hinder its progress.

In Acts 5:1-11, we read how the couple sells a piece of land and gives a portion of the proceeds to the church while claiming to give the entire proceeds. Both the husband and the wife are killed by God in the church after they presented the gift. Up to this point, we have witness the Holy Spirit transforming the lives of ordinary men who able to preach, heal, deliver, and set people free. Multitudes had been added to the church. Peter was the new spokesman and people loved to hear what he had to say. This lesson reveals the Spirit of Truth in full manifestation. Acts 9:31 describes the church this way, “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” Over and over, until now, the church had been walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, today we learn what it means to walk in the fear of the Lord. To say the least, the story is sobering, and the lessons fill us with shock and awe.

Yet, the Bible says in 2Timothy 3:16-17, “That all Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness.” So, what does the story teach us? First, when we share the whole Gospel, it will teach, rebuke, correct and train people in righteousness. The whole Gospel message should be shared with grace and truth held together. Grace alone may tolerate sin, truth alone may be harsh and abusive. Peter shared the whole gospel message, and the church multiplied. The Spirit of Truth in full manifestation in the church teaches at least three lessons from Ananias and Sapphira story.