This sermon explores the dangers of hypocrisy, the revealing power of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of honesty in our Christian walk.
Good morning, beloved. I am so delighted to see each one of you here today, bright-eyed and eager to listen to the Word of God. It is indeed a joy to be gathered together, united in faith, and joined in our shared love for Christ.
Today, we will be focusing on Acts 5:1-11. A passage that brings us to the heart of the early Christian community, and reveals the profound power of God’s Holy Spirit. As we turn to the Scriptures, let us remember the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." So, let's read the passage together:
"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."
In the story of Ananias and Sapphira, we see a clear example of hypocrisy at work. They sold a piece of property and chose to keep part of the proceeds for themselves, while pretending to give all of it to the apostles. This act of deception was not just a lie to the apostles, but a lie to God Himself.
Ananias and Sapphira's actions were not just dishonest, they were also hypocritical. They wanted to appear generous and faithful in the eyes of their community, but in reality, they were holding back. This is the essence of hypocrisy - pretending to be something we are not, acting in a way that contradicts our true intentions or beliefs.
The first aspect of this hypocrisy that we need to understand is the motivation behind it. Ananias and Sapphira were not forced to sell their property, nor were they required to give all the proceeds to the apostles. They chose to do so, presumably because they saw others in their community doing the same and receiving praise for their generosity. Their motivation was not love for God or their fellow believers, but a desire for human praise and recognition. This desire led them to lie and pretend, to put on a show of generosity that was not genuine.
Next is the deception involved. Ananias and Sapphira did not just keep part of the money for themselves, they lied about it. They brought a portion of the money to the apostles and claimed it was the entire amount. This was not a simple act of greed or selfishness, it was a calculated deception. They wanted to appear more generous than they actually were, and they were willing to lie to do so.
The third aspect of their hypocrisy is the disregard for God's omniscience. Ananias and Sapphira seemed to forget that God sees all and knows all. They may have been able to fool their fellow believers with their act of pretended generosity, but they could not fool God. He saw their hearts and their true intentions. Their lie was not just a lie to the apostles, it was a lie to God Himself. This disregard for God's omniscience reveals a lack of fear and respect for God.
The fourth aspect of their hypocrisy is the consequences it brought. When confronted by Peter, both Ananias and Sapphira fell down and died. Their hypocrisy led to their physical death, but it also had spiritual consequences. Their lie was a sin against God, a violation of His commandments. It was a serious offense that brought serious consequences.
As we continue to reflect on the passage, we are drawn to the role of the Holy Spirit ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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