ACTS

Welcome everyone how are you doing this morning? My name is Clifton Dugosh and today I get to teach on Acts chapter 5. Before we dive into the text let us pray!

Heavenly father thank you for this day and the opportunity to be in fellowship. Would you guide us today through your scriptures and prepare our hearts to receive truth that we may walk in it according to your good and perfect divinely revealed will in Jesus name amen.

If you brought your bible go ahead and turn to Acts chapter 5 while I give a quick recap of the ending of chapter 4

Peter and John preached the Gospel and they where persecuted for it and yet their response was to ask God for more Boldness to preach more despite the persecution. God answered their prayer and filled them with his spirit and gave them the boldness. With that boldness we can also see a deep sense of unity among the church and radical generosity led by obedience to the spirit. People sold all that they had and laid it at the apostles feet for distribution according to peoples needs.

I want to preface today message with this. I am not here today to address the topic of eternal salvation. The hope here today is to highlight the holy spirits works in the first century church. The holy spirit came an filled people but it came with a cost. We individually and corporately need to count the cost.

Acts 5:1–13 NKJV

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

If you want to take out a Foe where do you aim?

You aim for the head or the Heart. That is what we see here in the text “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?

This also points out some more important facts to consider. You are not guaranteed an opportunity to repent. Nor are you entitled to an endless measure of grace or warning!

The reality becomes even more clear when you take into account the Hebrew name meaning for Ananias

The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition Ananias

ANANIAS, Gk. form of Hananiah (‘Yahweh has dealt graciously’)

Can you imagine what the temptations had to be here. Did he really say give Everything. What if things don’t work out. You can hold back some money just in case things don't work out. No one is going to know. Gods grace is sufficient for you. You shall not surely die. The devil is more knowledgeable in scripture than all of us combined. This is why we need to be rooted in the word and led by the spirit.

Acts 5:11–13 NKJV

So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

Word Studies in the New Testament Chapter 5

13. The rest. Unbelievers, deterred by the fate of Ananias from uniting themselves to the church under false pretenses.

The Revival Study Bible Acts

Acts 5:1-11

A couple weeks ago Scott Jureszki asked me a question after service. Why do you think everyone is here. My answer was to see the holy spirit initially. I have been chewing on that question allot lately though and the other part i have come to is that people are looking for something real. If you read the book of Acts then look at what is happening within the church in America today you will notice a crisis of authenticity. Its easy to say you love someone till backing it up with actions costs you something real. I am here because i want to be dependable. I want the people around me to know that im going to do what is right even when it isn’t in my own best interest. I desperatly want to be around people who i know are going to do what is right even when it isnt in their own best interests. The difference between good and evil is often as simple as doing what is right and what is easy.

How do we protect ourselves?

With gods word!

Ephesians 6:14 AMP

Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

Expound on how we went through the armour of god at the end of last year and how those lessons carry over! The armour of God is only active when operating within the bounds of obedience. Which is why we need to holy spirit!

John 16:7–15 NKJV

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

What is Sin?

anything that goes against Gods divinely revealed Will

Conscience! What is it?

Lexham Theological Wordbook Conscience

The conscience is a person’s sense of whether a behavior is right or wrong. This feeling of conviction about personal actions, or an inward reflection on behavior, is a vital part of biblical morality in both the OT and NT.

Romans 2:15 NKJV

who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

What is Conviction?

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Volumes 1–5 Convict, Conviction

CONVICT, kon-viktʹ, CONVICTION, kon-vikʹ-shun (ἐλέγχω, elégchō, and compounds, “to prove guilty”): Usual tr of EV, where AV has “convince,” as in

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Volumes 1–5 Convict, Conviction

Since such conviction is addressed to the heart of the guilty, as well as concerning him externally, the word “reprove” is sometimes substituted. To “convict … in respect of righteousness, and of judgment” (

I don't think its a coincidence that the things that the spirit is ment to help us with so closely relate with the two most important pieces of the armour of God! The belt of Truth in roman armour held all the weight of the breastplate. Without it all the weight rests on the shoulders. Hindering mobility and increasing fatigue and stamina needed just to do basic maneuvers. Its easier to hit a target that lacks proper mobility!

Hebrews 9:11–15 NKJV

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Break this verse down Cleanse you conscience from what? dead works commited? Why does our conscience need to be cleansed of dead works? So we can serve the living God! The Bible talks about peace that surpasses understanding. We are called to walk out a life of continuous repentance. When we follow the holy spirits guiding to repentance it leads to a cleansing of our conscience. Their is no greater peace to be had than having a clean conscience towards God and your fellow man.

An unfortunate truth is that some people wont believe you. YOU can be made right with God and man in gods eyes and be hated. Jesus came an lived a perfect and sinless life, only ever doing the fathers will. Yet the scriptures said that some of the scribes and pharisees hated him. If the devil cant tempt you he will try and distract you. He will try and get you to defend yourself by waste time energy and resources in an attempt to change the minds of people whose only true desire is to misunderstand you. If you have truly surrendered everything to God than your reputation is no long yours to defend! I promise you time/patience and character will always reveal your side of the story and in ways that words never can.

1 Timothy 4:1–2 NKJV

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

When the flesh is seared with a hot iron it destroys nerve endings. You can loose the ability to feel in the areas affected. So then to have your conscience seared is to loose sensitivity to right and wrong, good an evil.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Repentance

REPENTANCE A change of attitude and action from sin toward obedience to God. The concept of repentance differs slightly in the Hebrew and Greek minds, but an emphasis upon right behavior is consistent throughout.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Repentance in Greek

The Greek word for “repentance” derives from a verb meaning “to radically change one’s thinking.” “Repentance” refers to an event in which an individual attains a divinely provided new understanding of their behavior and feels compelled to change that behavior and begin a new relationship with God (

We where not designed by God to carry the burden of shame ,guilt and bitterness. True repentance cleanses our conscience of shame and guilt so that we can properly serve God and our fellow man! The holy spirits job is to lead us in this.

I am just a man. My words can reach no further than your ears. Nor can my written word reach further than you eyes. It is none but the holy spirit that deals directly to the hearts of men and women. Satan knows scripture better than i do! But he does not want gods will on earth as it is in heaven. It is Gods desire that you know what his will is and it is the holy spirits job to reveal his divine will.

Joe several times over the last few weeks has made mention of the warning given to the church at ephesus in the book of revelation. And yet this i have against you return to your first love!

The first time i came into contact with God was several months after my grandfather passed away. I was searching for answers on where my grandfater went and i heard god clearly ask me “you are worried about where everyone else is going but where are you going?” It was a humbling experience and i started getting into the bible and i remember the day that i accepted christ as my saviour. Standing in the kitchen in the doorway i knew Gods judgment against me and the sins we wanted me to repent of and i said yes and surrendered it all.

That is my first love. This place where the truth of God was divinely revealed to me and i responded to it appropriately! God doesn't want us to leave this place. it is holy ground wherever we are willing to be sensitive and obedient to his spirit!

You cannot expect God to give you more of what your actions prove you do not appreciate.

Luke 12:47–48 NKJV

And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

The level of holy spirit indwelling and power you walk in will be commensurate to you willingness to say yes when you are divinely prompted

You have heard it said “ you are as close to god as you want to be” but i say “you are as close to God as you are willing to be responsible for”

each step you take towards the cross is going to cost you something. No one else can take the step for you. Jesus had 12 disciples but only John stood by him while he hung on the cross!

Here is the good news.

Luke 16:10 NKJV

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

John didn’t just wake up one day with the strength to stand by Jesus on the cross. It was the result of years of following and spending time and the building up of that relationship.

What you practice becomes permanent.

We can ask God to give us opportunities throughout our day to practice listening and obeying the holy spirit.

For those of you who are farmiliar with the term muscle memory i think the same concept works spiritually. When i was playing football we would practice drills and the coaches would tell us the goal was to ingrain the correct way to move and respond correctly without thought.

I have met some amazing evangelists. They hear the holy spirit tell them to go talk to someone and they do so without a second thought. Gifted in leading people to Jesus.

I have met some amazing pastors. Wherever they go people tell them of their troubles and their response is to pray for them right on the spot.

I have met some amazing prophets. They correctly discern Gods will through difficult times and usually say true things that are difficult to hear.

i have met some amazing Missionaries. Gifted in crossing over social barriers in order to bring the gospel to the places its needed most.

I have met some amazing Teachers. they keep you on the edge of your seat when they speak. They have an ability to explain things in ways the are easy to understand.

The coolest part about getting to know some of these people was to find out that they didnt just jump right into things. They had seasons where they had to learn to step past fear and into courage while trying things the holy spirit was asking of them.

What would it look like if we where the church that is known for taking care of the little things?

What would it look like if we made our wives or husbands or first ministry. Raising Godly children.

What would it look like if we where known as being radically generous? Not just with things of monetary value but with words of encouragement!

John 4:7–27 NKJV

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”

The Holy spirit is often represented as both fire and water in the bible.

if that is the case then how does water operate?

If i take this bottle of water and pour it on the ground what is going to happen?

It will follow the path of least resistance to the lowest spot on the floor and it will cleanse and lift up the things that are able to be lifted up.

In the culture that Jesus was alive during being a Samaritan made you less than. being a woman on top of that and one who had a bad reputation. The woman at the well was the lowest of the low in society. Yet this is the first time you hear of Jesus talking about living water.

We can see that the holy spirit is always looking for the path of least resistance to the lowest points of society with the intent to cleanse uplift and give living waters to those who actually need it most.

There are people around you and some that you haven't met yet that are counting on you to be who God created you to be. Who’s life depends on you doing your best to follow after his will through sensitivity and obedience to his spirit.

“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed”

you have no way of knowing how far and wide the effects of the most simple act can be. Your testimony is powerful and important and unique to you!

We don’t need a bigger building or fancy programs with million dollar budgets to accompany celebrity preachers. This world has enough of those already. We need 12 normal ordinary people who are willing to count the cost and pay the price necessary to be the path of least resistance for the Holy spirit. On earth as it is in heaven.

How do you want to meet your maker?

Do you want to stand before a holy God with things on your account that the holy spirit through conscience and conviction repeatedly brought to your attention knowing full well that you are not guaranteed another opportunity to do what he is asking.

The Holy spirit was moving mightily through the first century church. with signs and wonders accompanying the preaching of the gospel. It was all or nothing! It was the safest place on earth for you to come and genuinely seek repentance and renewal at the foot of the cross and at the same time it was the most dangerous place for you to show up to under false pretenses.

So great fear came upon all those who heard these things!

So great fear came upon all those who heard these things!

So great fear came upon all those who heard these things!

Why are you here?