Ananias and Sapphira Is Warning You Today (Clip)
Steve Hill warns believers through the story of Ananias and Sapphira about the deadly consequences of hypocrisy and divided hearts before God.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of wholehearted devotion to God, using the story of Ananias and Sapphira as a cautionary tale. It highlights the consequences of divided hearts and insincere actions before God, urging believers to surrender fully and honestly to Him.
Full Transcript
In this place believe that God would never stop dealing with you. I wish I could bring Ananias and Sapphira up here. I Wish they could testify tonight They would stand before you Let's say this to you those of you to know this story.
This is a couple that lied to the Holy Ghost and They were killed in church by the Holy Ghost killed in church They would say this to you See they sold a piece of land and gave part of the money to the church when they were supposed to give the whole thing They would stand before you tonight and say it wasn't the land that was divided it was our hearts Far before we divided up the money our hearts were divided One hand in the world one hand in the church. What does God do? No, no, no, no Ananias Sapphira, my spirit will no longer contend with you It's over you're gone You're gone
Sermon Outline
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I. The Story of Ananias and Sapphira
- They sold land and withheld part of the money
- They lied to the Holy Spirit about the amount
- Their hearts were divided between God and the world
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II. The Consequence of Hypocrisy
- God's Spirit no longer contended with them
- They were struck dead in the church
- A warning to the church about sincerity
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III. The Condition of the Heart
- Divided hearts lead to spiritual death
- True giving requires whole-heartedness
- God desires integrity, not just outward actions
Key Quotes
“They were killed in church by the Holy Ghost.” — Steve Hill
“It wasn't the land that was divided, it was our hearts.” — Steve Hill
“My spirit will no longer contend with you. It's over. You're gone.” — Steve Hill
Application Points
- Examine your heart to ensure your motives in giving and service are pure and undivided.
- Avoid hypocrisy by living transparently before God and others.
- Recognize the seriousness of lying to God and the Holy Spirit's role in discerning truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Ananias and Sapphira?
They were a couple in the early church who lied about their offering to God and faced severe consequences.
Why did God judge Ananias and Sapphira so severely?
Because they lied to the Holy Spirit and showed hypocrisy by pretending to give fully while withholding part of the proceeds.
What does this story teach about giving?
It teaches that giving to God should be honest and wholehearted, not done with deceit or divided motives.
How can believers avoid a divided heart?
By fully committing to God and living with integrity, avoiding hypocrisy in actions and motives.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in this story?
The Holy Spirit is portrayed as discerning the truth and executing God's judgment on hypocrisy.