Dangers in the Church

Scott Worthington

Acts

Sermon Only Sermon Audio

May 24, 2026

Acts 5:1-11

In this message, Pastor Scott preached from Acts 5:1-11.

We wrestled with one of the hardest passages in the book of Acts as we looked at the story of Ananias and Sapphira. From this passage, we learned that the greatest hindrance to the advancement of the gospel is not sin outside the church, but sin inside the church.

As followers of Jesus, do we understand the seriousness of our sin? Do we have a holy fear of God, knowing that He is not only loving, but also holy? Whatever sin God may be revealing in our lives, let us repent and, by His grace, take our sin seriously by fighting against it.

Check out this sermon to learn more.

Sermon Notes

Acts | Dangers in the Church
Acts 5:1-11

“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?’” Acts 5:1-3

“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet.” Acts 5:1-2

“But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?’” Acts 5:3

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12

“‘While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?” Acts 5:4

‘”…You have not lied to man but to God.’” Acts 5:4b

“When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.” Acts 5:5

“But Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together 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.’ Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.” Acts 5:9-10

“And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.” Acts 5:11

The greatest hindrance to the advancement of the gospel is not sin outside the church; it’s sin inside the church

Adam and Eve (Genesis 3)
Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10)
Achan (Joshua 7)

Sin inside the church will be the barrier to what He desires to do through the church.

Three Dangers in the Church:
Danger #1: Valuing my spiritual appearance over spiritual authenticity

"Half of the misery in the world comes from trying to look, instead of trying to be, what one is not." George MacDonald

Am I more concerned with how I appear spiritually than with who I actually am?

Three Dangers in the Church:
Danger #2: Devaluing a holy fear of God in my life

“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.” Hebrews 12:28–29 (NLT)

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

Being free from God's wrath does not mean we get to be casual about God's holiness.

Three Dangers in the Church:
Danger #3: Underestimating the seriousness of my sin

Sermon Notes

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