In Acts 5 sermon, we encounter a powerful narrative that carries valuable lessons for our spiritual journey today. It unfolds with the story of Ananias and Sapphira, a cautionary tale about the dangers of hypocrisy and deceit within the Christian community. But it doesn’t stop there.
Acts 5 also reveals the incredible courage of the apostles, their relentless commitment to spreading the Gospel, and the miraculous interventions of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Acts 5 Sermon: Hypocrisy In The Family
Acts 5:3 “But Peter said, Ananias, why had Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the of the land”
Hypocrisy is a trait that can weaken, insnare and destroy the life of an individual, family, community, state, nation, and the world. Satan is the father of deception and takes delight when he sees chaos.
God likened the church to a family whose characteristics are togetherness, harmony, love, and care for one another, but when hypocrisy penetrates, the bond is broken.
Summary Of Acts 5:1-12
This is a continuation of what happened during and after Pentecost, which births the church; members flung in, the church started to increase, and the fruit of the spirit in terms of hospitality and giving was expressed as people started bringing in their resources willingly to share with others.
Outstandingly, there was one named Joseph, a Levite who sold his property, brought the money, and led it to the Apostle’s feet to be shared with the members such that none lacked. They even nicknamed him “son of encouragement.”- Barnabas.
Miracles and love were expressed among them. They were like a great family despite persecution from selfish Jewish religious leaders and the Roman government; it must have been a high time of joy within the church.
Suddenly, something grievous happened in this joyful and harmonious new church. A certain man called Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold their property, kept back part of the money based on their agreement, and brought part of the money to the church and laid at the Apostle’s feet.
Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, cautioned Ananias that he had allowed his heart to be controlled by Satan to lie to the church, reminding him that when the property was with him, no one forced him to sell it, and even after selling it the money was his to keep but for Ananias to lie to the church means he lied to God.
Ananias listening to Peters’ words, fell and died. What a great fear that covered the church.
Three hours later, his wife Sapphira, not knowing what had happened to her husband, walked into the church, Peter enquired from her if the money her husband placed before the Apostle’s feet was the total amount they sold their property and she said yes.
Peter said to her, “How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the lord? Behold the feet of them which have buried your husband is at the door, and shall carry you out” She fell and died Just as Peter has said, the young men in the church that went to burry Ananias came in, took her and buried her beside her husband. Great fear came upon the church and those who heard the story.
Signs and wonder happened in their midst, and they were together with one mind on Solomon’s porch.
Illustration of Acts 5:1-12
The story in Acts of the Apostles 5:1-12 reveals that in the church, there are two sets of people; the Holy Spirit controls one set, and Satan controls the other one, and it is difficult to distinguish these two sets by looking at their physical appearance.
On the outside, Ananias and Sapphira looked like every other member of the church, singing songs, raising their hands, praying, and telling others God bless you, but deep inside them was the spirit of lies, greed, and jealousy; notice me, pretence, desire for people’s praise.
They witness Barnabas bringing his money from selling his property and led at the Apostles’ feet; he was applauded, commended by the Apostles, praised by people, and perhaps elevated in position.
They desired such accolades, but they chose to follow the wrong path, the path of hypocrisy, which landed them in death.
This story also reveals to us that the Holy Spirit does not condone sin irrespective of how little or insignificant it may appear. No wonder the bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 5:6 that a little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Nothing was wrong if Ananias and Sapphira had kept their property, there was nothing wrong if after selling their property they kept the money, there was nothing wrong for them to bring part of the money to the church but for them to lie that, that was the whole amount they sold their possession was the problem that needed to be addressed in that early church where the Holy Spirit and God’s holiness was esteemed highly.
This means that Ananias and his wife Sapphira intentionally agreed to the terms of Satan to pollute the church.
In the Old Testament, the temple of God was consecrated for God’s habitation and presence Isaiah 6:3-4. Likewise, the Holy Spirit has consecrated our body to be his dwelling place which we need to guard and protect jealously against destruction (Ephesians 2:20-22).
You Being a Christian does not exempt you from being tempted by Satan; that is why we need to pray and submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit to avoid Satan’s scheme, which of course, he started in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:1-4, tower of babel, Israelite at mount Sinai with the golden calf to hold our bond Because the Holy Spirit is not striking down people now in the church when they sin does not mean that the Holy Spirit in our present church cherishes sin, no he does not.
We keep testing him in our actions, just like Ananias and Sapphira did. In Deuteronomy 6:16 and Exodus 17:2, the Bible tells us not to tempt the Holy Spirit.
Christ has paid it all for our sins, and he admonished us to be holy as he is holy, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
Lesson from Acts 5:1-12
Some of the lessons learned from Acts 5:1-12 are as :
1. No Hiding Place In God
Ananias and Sapphira sold their property and chose to keep part of the money and bring a part to the church. Peter was not with them when they sold their possession and when they decided to lie, but the Holy Spirit who was with them revealed their intention to Peter as well as the church (Acts 5:3-4).
This tells us that nothing is hidden from God, every one of our thoughts, and actions, is naked before him. Matthew 10:26-27 says nothing is covered that shall not be revealed. Ananias and Sapphira may have not believed this passage or they might have forgotten about it being so consumed with greed, jealousy and man’s praises.
As a church do we seek reputation over character and purity? Despite all the miraculous work God had done before them, beginning from Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, Pentecost, signs and wonders pointing to Jesus their heart was sold to Satan.
Ananias and Sapphira thought no one would notice their hypocrisy but there is no hiding place in God, Isaiah 6:7, Ecclesiastes 12:14. Man looks at the outward appearance but God look at the Seeking Self Glory.
Ananias and Sapphira did what they did to be seen by others and regarded as a generous man and woman in the church they might have done this due to their tack of trust in God’s provision but Jesus warned while teaching on the mount in Mathew 6:1-4 “Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your father which is in heaven—-“ Hypocrisy is a cankerworm.
Anytime we desire to be another person instead of who God created us to be it leads to error, Remember it was intending to be something he wasn’t that changed Lucifer to Satan. Isaiah 14:14 says “I will ascend above the height of clouds; I will be like the most High”. This single act of pride turns into the adversary of everything that is pure or righteous. Ananias lie for self-glory instead of living for the glory of God.
2. Giving
This is one of the essential principles in Christian doctrine. Christ while on earth taught the disciples the acts of sacrificial giving as cited in Mark 12:42-44 a poor widow who offered her all. Christ gave his life a ransom for our sins, which he did wholeheartedly without holding back anything. The early church understood this and taught the same.
For Ananias and his wife to do the contrary was a cruel sin. James 1:14-15 “Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed, then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death”.
Sacrificial or selfless giving is an important tool in propagating the gospel of Christ and building the household of God. God knows not only what is in our hands when we give, but also what is in our heart while giving it. Christians who understand this principle find delight in giving 2 Corinthians 9:7.Giving is rewarding.
3. The Internal War
The early church was attacked by selfish Jewish religious leaders, the Sanhedrin but the church was still growing stronger and kept multiplying speedily.
Since the outside attack could not subdue them why not use the tool within them? Satan scheme! He saw an empty space in Ananias and Sapphira’s hearts, they did not put on the whole armor of God as seen in Ephesians 6:11 so as to be able to stand against the devices of the devil.
Satan decided to use them to attack the church from within to ruin the harmony and unity they had enjoyed. Judas Iscariot was one of the disciples of Jesus Christ but being weak in the spirit Satan was able to use him to betray his master.
As believers, there’s a clarion call to pray for our brothers and sisters against hypocrisy, gossip, malice, lies, and every sinful act so that the devil who is going about as a roaring lion looking for whom to devour ( 1 Peter5:8-9), will not infiltrate our family ( the church) to destroy it.
4. God’s Judgement
Peter disciplined Ananias and Sapphira not only for their actions but also for the intent or motive behind the actions.
They expected accolades from the Apostles and the church but were shocked to hear Peter boldly say “ Ananias, why had Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land, how is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the spirit of the lord? Acts 5:3-4, Acts 5:9.
God carried out the verdict as demanded by Peter and each died instantly. No wonder the bible tells us that life and death are the power of the tongue.
God acted quickly here to stop this kind of sin from spreading in the new church.
God, through Peter, drove away the devil called hypocrisy in their midst, they were buried immediately one next to the other and “great fear seized the church and all who heard about these events”.
Now, I can hear someone say, I have been lying ever since I came to church but why has God not struck me dead? God loves you and wants you to repent, don’t wait for him to strike you dead, be ye holy for he is holy.
Ananias and Sapphira had the opportunity to repent but they chose not to thus the death penalty. They gave place for the devil to use them (Ephesians 4:27). But it is not God’s will for anyone to perish (John 3:16-17).
As a family of God, we need to always put on the whole armor of God to be able to resist and stand against the devices of Satan. Hypocrisy is something we must avoid in order not to drive people away from embracing Christ.
Let us be honest to ourselves and to one another. God created each of us unique and with all the necessary talents and gifts to live a productive and meaningful life here on earth and for his glory. YOU cannot serve God and Satan at the same time.
If you want to help fulfil our Lord’s great commission, you have to be real. Hypocrisy hurt us, it hurt our relationship with others, it hurt God. Let us throw away that hypocritical life that is crippling our Christian walk and seek God’s guidance.
Conclusion
We consciously or subconsciously put forward a better image of ourselves than really exists. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth and God’s temple on earth, but Satan wants it to be a place of lies and of his presence.
Let us allow our heart to be the seat of God where he can control the affairs of our lives daily. Ephesians 4:25-30 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither gives place to the devil.
Let him who stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption”.
