Reflecting on March 14’s Sermon

Here are questions and thoughts to ponder about Acts 5:1-11--
What sort of reaction wells up within you when you hear Peter’s words to Sapphira, “How is it that you have agreed 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.” (5:9)  Harsh and unjust?  What reaction does the passage call you to?  See 5:5,11.

Could it be that God’s swift taking of Ananias and Sapphira’s lives was a mercy to them, assuming they were truly believers in Jesus?  Which is more merciful and gracious?  To go on in masquerading hypocrisy and lying to the Holy Spirit, or to be taken from this life into Christ’s presence?

Guard your heart-- “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart?” And be filled with the Holy Spirit-- “When they had prayed...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”

What’s at the root of hypocrisy?  Pride and self-adulation.  Therefore, fear the Lord (5:11) and battle hypocrisy... “God opposes the proud  but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).  Look who wrote that— Peter!  And what does Luke write about the grace of Acts 4:33?  “Great grace!”  Lord, pour out great grace on the people of Rocky today, please!