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We're continuing our series through the book of Acts, looking at the formation of the early church. After Jesus died, rose again, and ascended into heaven, the disciples were left to build the church — and God is still building His church today, growing us individually so we can have an impact together.
We've been looking at extraordinary ordinary people and an extraordinary God. Today's passage shows us very ordinary people — people quite like us — but a God who is about to do something significant.
The title of this message is Authentically Holy, A Powerful Church. We're going to explore what it means to be authentically holy, and how that produces a powerful church.
Our passage is Acts 5:1–11.
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... 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... And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
This is a jarring passage. It doesn't seem to match the God of grace, love, and forgiveness we know through Jesus. So why does it happen?
In Acts 4, believers were gathering together and, moved by the Holy Spirit, many began selling their land and possessions, bringing the proceeds to the apostles so that no one among them was in need. People gave up everything so others could benefit.
Ananias and Sapphira wanted to look like they were part of that same generous, sacrificial community — but they held part of it back, all while presenting themselves as if they'd given everything.
From this passage, I believe God wants to speak to us about three cultures that shape an impactful Christian and a powerful church:
These aren't popular words in today's world, but I believe God wants to shift something in our hearts through them.
Authenticity is the quality of being true, of being what something claims to be. Ananias and Sapphira were fakes — they wanted everyone to perceive them as holy, devout, sacrificial givers, but when questioned, they lied.
It's very easy to become what I'd call a Sunday Christian. Growing up, that was me — hands up on Sunday, all in, full of apparent faith. But the rest of the week I lived like everyone around me: same conversations, same actions, barely acknowledging God from one Sunday to the next.
You have not lied to man but to God. (Acts 5:4)
God sees everything. The thing we try to hide, the thing we think nobody knows about — He knows. And He still loves us. God doesn't want performance; He wants our hearts.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. (Psalm 51:6)
That means we don't have to fake it till we make it. We can come to God broken, struggling, in any state at all — and say, *
