The Judgement of Sin & The Grace of God
Acts 5:1-16
P. 1007
ACTS
• God’s continued presence with his people
through the Holy Spirit.
• Apostles’ witnesses: through word & works.
• Nothing can stop the work of God:
not opposition from outside
not sin and disobedience from inside
Lying
• Not something foreign to us.
• A lie is a lie – regardless of its “size”,
seriousness, or how we phrase it.
• Columnist of Time Magazine:
“On one hand, nearly everyone condemns lying.
On the other, nearly everyone does it everyday.
Ananias & Sapphira
• A new community of faith – much grace was
upon them.
• Joseph (Barnabas)’s generosity
• The deception of Ananias & Sapphira
•
Peter’s confrontation & God’s judgement
Ananias & Sapphira …
• Response of the people:
•
Great fear seized the church and beyond
•
“That put the fear of God into everyone who heard
of it. …..
By this time the whole church, in fact, everyone
who heard of these things had a healthy respect
for God. They knew God was not to be trifled with.”
~ The Message
Temptation & Sin
• Temptation comes from Satan –
the father of lies.
• we are also responsible when we give in
temptation.
• Temptation starts in our hearts.
God does not tolerate sin
• God does not and cannot tolerate sin
because He is Holy.
God does not and cannot tolerate sin
because sin destroys us.
• When truth is revealed – it’s freeing!
Living It
1. Be Honest. Be Truth-full
2. Resist Temptation
3. Confession – to each other
4. Respond to God’s call
Living It
4. Respond to God’s call
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses
against you, that I have set before you
life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children
may live…” Deuteronomy 30:19
CHOOSE LIFE!