252 – Acts 5: How To Become A More Authentic Person
All the
believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was
not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because
those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to
those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the
one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He
was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money
to the apostles. ACTS 4:32-37 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. ACTS
5:1-10 NLT
God
takes sin seriously
The seriousness of sin is determined
not just by the act itself but to whom the act is committed against
How could you do a thing like this?
You weren’t lying to us but to God!” ACTS
5:4 NLT
…(GOD) will pour out his anger and
wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and
instead live lives of wickedness. ROMANS
2:8 NLT
Authenticity matters to God
How
To Grow In Authenticity
Learn to become real with yourself
Behold, you delight in truth in the
inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. PSALMS 51:6 NLT
We judge others by their worst actions but judge
ourselves by our best intentions
Develop relationships with other
Christians that are real
So
stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of
the same body. EPHESIANS 4:25 NLT
Living an authentic life means I must
learn to share what’s happening in me and not just around me
Develop a real relationship with
God
Since you have been raised to new
life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits
in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died
to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. COLOSSIANS 3:1-3 NLT
Community Group Discussion Guide