Ananias and Sapphira - Part 5 (The Fear of God in His Church)
Rev. O. K. Nkrahene | February 26 2025 | Acts 5:1-11
KEY VERSE: And great fear came upon the whole Church and upon all who heard of these things. Acts 5:11 (ESV)
MESSAGE: The ESV footnotes regarding the term 'fear' (Greek phobos) in our key verse indicate that "Fear in response to a manifestation of God's presence encompasses both reverent awe and a healthy fear of God's displeasure and discipline." This dual aspect of fear is essential for maintaining the integrity and reverence within the Church.
Romans 11:22 reminds us of both the kindness and severity of God. Acts 5:1-11 is a clear demonstration of this severity as God deals decisively with deception, hypocrisy, and satanic infiltration in His Church. Ananias' sudden death initially shook the believers (v.5), but by verse 11, the fear of the Lord extended beyond the Church to all who heard what had happened. This moment of divine judgment served as both a warning and a witness, as seen in Acts 13:1-12, where God’s intervention against an agent of Satan led people to faith.
The modern Church often faces the accusation—rightly or wrongly—of being filled with hypocrisy. But what does this passage teach us? It reveals that God is deeply concerned about the purity of His Church. Sin within must not be ignored or tolerated. Instead, the church must deal with internal pollution swiftly and decisively by following biblical principles of discipline, accountability, and restoration, ensuring it remains a holy witness to the world. A church that loses the fear of God loses its witness to the world.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Too often, the Church overlooks internal compromise while focusing on external opposition. Yet, Satan’s subtle infiltrations can be just as dangerous. Are we paying attention to spiritual pollution within?
PRAYER:
Lord, open our eyes to see and confront every hidden work of the enemy in our midst. Give us wisdom to uphold truth, purity, and accountability in Your Church. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 57: Exodus 37-38 — Making the Tabernacle
DAILY word study: FEAR The Greek word phobos (φόβος), from which we get "fear," conveys both reverence and terror. Acts 5:11 describes the deep awe that fell upon the Church and the surrounding community after witnessing God’s swift judgment. This fear is not just dread but includes a holy reverence—a recognition that God is both loving and just.
Throughout Scripture, godly fear leads to wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and obedience (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The event in Acts 5 is a stark reminder that the Church must uphold truth, integrity, and reverence for God. Without this, we risk becoming complacent and losing our spiritual impact.
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