Andy Bruins preaching from Acts on Sunday 27th June 2021.

In this section of Acts we have a second wave of attack against the church in Jerusalem. We have seen Satan at work through the Sanhedrin who sought to silence the preaching of the gospel through threats and intimidation, yet God’s people respond by listening to God rather than man, praying together and asking for even more boldness!
This second wave of attack comes from within. Satan seeks to break up the unity, love and holiness of the church by filling the hearts of Ananias with envy, greed and hypocrisy.

Q Read v32-37. What characterises the Jerusalem church in these verses? What was it that made them like this? How does the way they lived challenge us today?

Q Read chapter 5:1-11. Why do you think Ananias and Sapphira do what they do?

Q What is wrong with what they have done? (look particularly at how Peter describes their actions in v4 and v9).

Q Compare this situation with the warning given in 1 Corinthians 11:27-32. What is the essence of their sin?

Q Why do you think people say that “the church is full of hypocrites!”? In what ways does hypocrisy creep into the church, and how can we guard against it?