Saturday, June 22, 2024

Speaker: Josh Whitlow, Lead Pastor - Purpose Church

Key Scripture: Acts 5:1-11 NLT 

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.

Title: When Faking Becomes Fatal

How do you fear God? Through:

• Reverence
• Awe
• Trust
• Obedience

Supporting Scripture: Romans 6:23

Song Links:

House of the Lord -  YouTube // Spotify

Firm Foundation - YouTube // Spotify

Gratitude - YouTube // Spotify

Here Again - YouTube // Spotify

Discussion Questions:

Icebreaker: What did you like to pretend to be when you were little?

Why is it tempting for people to fake things even though it is normally fatal?

Read Acts 5:1-11. What do you learn about God from these verses?

What's an area in your life where you are faking it or are prone to fake it?

What is one thing you can do this week to deepen your reverence, awe, trust or obedience for God?