A Holy Church in a Watching World (Chantilly Sermon)

ACTS 5:1-16 CSB – But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land?4 Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.”5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard.6 The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him.

7 About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.8 “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the land for this price? ” “Yes,” she said, “for that price.”9 Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

10 Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband.11 Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.

12 Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade.13 No one else dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them.14 Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers #— #multitudes of both men and women.15 As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.16 In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

1. The Hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira

“A measure of your love can be seen in your willingness to be inconvenienced for the one you claim to love.” – Elizabeth Elliott

2. The Gravity of God’s Holiness

3. The Power of a Holy Church

A Holy Church in a Watching World

“We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” – Tim Keller