6/17/2026

Mid-Week Prayer Service

Acts 5:1-16

Acts 5 is one of those passages that doesn't let us stay comfortable. It forces us to ask some hard questions about what's really going on in our hearts. The story of Ananias and Sapphira isn't primarily about money. It isn't about percentages or property. It's about surrender. They wanted people to think they were fully committed to God when in reality they were holding something back. They wanted the reputation of godliness without the reality of godliness. And if we're honest, that's a temptation every one of us faces. We can become really good at looking like we're following Jesus while keeping certain areas of our lives off limits to Him.

This passage also reminds us that God's holiness is not something to be taken lightly. We love talking about God's grace, mercy, and love, and we should. But we cannot properly understand those things unless we also understand His holiness. Ananias and Sapphira thought they could manage the image while hiding the reality, but God sees beyond appearances. He sees every motive, every thought, and every hidden corner of the heart. The early church was reminded that God is not someone to manipulate, negotiate with, or play games with. He is the holy God of heaven and earth, and a right understanding of His holiness always leads us to a greater appreciation of His grace.

But the story doesn't end with judgment. Luke immediately shows us a church experiencing the power of God. People were being saved. Lives were being changed. The Gospel was advancing. The contrast is intentional. Ananias and Sapphira were focused on protecting an image, while the apostles were focused on surrendering themselves to God's purposes. Throughout Acts we see the same truth over and over again: God is not looking for impressive people nearly as much as He is looking for surrendered people. The greatest obstacle to seeing God work is often not a lack of talent, resources, or opportunity. It's our unwillingness to let go of control.

So the question this passage leaves us with is not, "How could Ananias and Sapphira do that?" The question is, "What am I holding back from God?" What area of my life am I still trying to control? What barrier have I built between myself and complete surrender to Christ? The good news is that God doesn't expose those things because He wants to condemn us. He exposes them because He loves us. The same God who confronts sin is the same God who sent His Son to die for sinners. The call of Acts 5 is simple: stop managing appearances, stop protecting the image, and fully surrender your life to the Lord. Because God is not looking for polished performances. He's looking for hearts that belong completely to Him.

Why do you think Ananias and Sapphira felt the need to pretend?

What were they actually gaining by lying? What were they hoping people would think about them?

Why do you think reputation can become more important than reality, even among Christians?

Is it easier to fake spiritual maturity in church than it is anywhere else? Why or why not?

Which is harder for most people: giving God their money, their time, their future, their relationships, or their pride? Why?

Which do you think is more dangerous to a church: pressure from outside the church or hypocrisy inside the church?

If the Holy Spirit pulled up a chair beside you tonight and asked, "What are you still holding back from Me?" what would your honest answer be?

For me, I think the answer would be control.

I trust God with my salvation. I trust Him with His church. I trust Him with His Word. But if I am being honest, there are times I still struggle to trust Him with the outcomes. I still carry burdens He never asked me to carry. I still find myself trying to fix things only God can fix.

Especially in a season like this.

Over the last few weeks, we have walked through funerals, hospital rooms, grief, loss, and heartbreak together. As a pastor, you want to help. You want to make things better. You want to have the right words. You want to take away the pain. But the reality is there are moments when all you can do is pray, trust God, and stand beside people as they walk through the valley.

And if I am being completely transparent, that is hard for me.

Because I like solutions. I like plans. I like seeing progress. I like fixing problems. But God continues to remind me that He never called me to be the Savior. He already sent One.

The Lord has been teaching me again that faithfulness and control are not the same thing. My job is not to control every outcome. My job is to trust Him, obey Him, preach His Word, love people well, and leave the results in His hands.

Maybe that is why Proverbs 3:5-6 has meant so much to me over the years.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” (ESV)

So if the Holy Spirit asked me tonight what I am still holding back from Him, my answer would be this:

Lord, I am still holding back some control.

Prayer Service

Acts 5:1-16 — Breaking the Barriers

Tonight we're going to spend some time praying through Acts chapter 5. This is a sobering passage. It's a passage that reminds us that God is not interested in appearances. He's interested in our hearts. Ananias and Sapphira wanted to look surrendered without actually being surrendered. They wanted the reputation without the reality.

As we pray tonight, I want us to ask God to search our hearts and show us if there are any barriers between us and complete surrender to Christ.

Let's begin by looking upward.

Upward: Focusing on Who God Is

Listen again to Acts 5:11:

"And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things."

The early church was reminded that God is holy. He is not someone to manipulate. He is not someone to deceive. He is not someone to bargain with. He is the sovereign God of heaven and earth.

Tonight let's spend a few moments praising God for who He is.

Praise Him because He is holy.

Praise Him because He is righteous.

Praise Him because He sees what no one else can see.

Praise Him because He is perfectly just.

Praise Him because He is worthy of our complete surrender.

Take a few moments and simply praise God for His character.

(Allow time for prayer.)

Father, we worship You tonight. You are holy, holy, holy. You are perfect in all Your ways. You see beyond appearances and into our hearts. You are worthy of our worship, our obedience, and our surrender. We praise You because You are God and there is none like You.

Downward: Surrendering to God

Acts 5 exposes the danger of a divided heart.

Ananias and Sapphira wanted everyone to think they were fully committed, but they were holding something back.

The question for us tonight is simple:

What are we holding back from God?

Is there an area of your life where you're trying to stay in control?

Is there something you've surrendered halfway but not completely?

Is there something you've been protecting instead of trusting God with?

Tonight let's lay those things before the Lord.

Ask Him to reveal any barrier that exists between you and complete surrender.

(Allow time for prayer.)

Father, we confess that there are times when we want Your blessings without Your Lordship. We want You to bless our plans instead of surrendering to Yours. Show us where our hearts are divided. Help us to stop managing appearances and start pursuing genuine obedience. Teach us what it means to fully surrender every area of our lives to You.

Inward: Praying for Our Church Family

Church family, before we pray, let's acknowledge something we all know.

These have been difficult days.

Over the last couple of weeks, we've said goodbye to Ms. Evelyn Norman, Ms. Evelyn Crew, and Brother Elmer Bruton. We've gathered together to celebrate lives well lived, but grief is still grief. Empty chairs still hurt. Familiar faces are missing. Families are learning how to move forward without people they deeply love.

And now we're grieving alongside Ms. Anita, Brother Jerry, and their family as they mourn the loss of Caleb following that tragic accident.

The Bible tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Right now, there are people in our church family who are hurting, and we want to carry those burdens together.

Let's pray for these families.

Pray for comfort.

Pray for peace.

Pray for strength in the days ahead.

Pray that the God of all comfort would draw near to those who are grieving.

Pray that our church would continue to love, serve, and support one another well.

(Allow time for prayer.)

Father, we come before You with heavy hearts tonight. We thank You for the lives of Ms. Evelyn Norman, Ms. Evelyn Crew, and Brother Elmer Bruton. Thank You for their faithfulness and their testimony. Thank You that for those who know Christ, death is not the end of the story. But Lord, we also know that grief is real. We pray for every family that is hurting tonight. Wrap Your arms around them. Give them peace that surpasses understanding. Strengthen them in the days ahead.

Lord, we especially lift up Ms. Anita, Brother Jerry, Jason, Lisa, and the entire Whitehead family as they grieve Caleb's death. We don't always understand why things happen the way they do, but we know You are still good, still sovereign, and still on Your throne. Be near to them in these difficult days. Help us as a church family to love them well and walk beside them.

Thanksgiving: Celebrating God's Faithfulness

As we close tonight, I know it may seem strange to move to thanksgiving after talking about loss and grief. But one of the things believers learn is that gratitude isn't dependent upon circumstances.

We thank God not because everything has gone the way we wanted.

We thank Him because He remains faithful no matter what comes.

We thank Him because every one of these saints who have gone before us are now seeing by sight what we've only known by faith.

We thank Him because Jesus has defeated death.

We thank Him because the grave does not get the final word.

We thank Him because even in sorrow, we do not grieve as those who have no hope.

Let's spend a few moments thanking God for His faithfulness in every season.

(Allow time for prayer.)

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You that You have walked with this church through every mountaintop and every valley. Thank You for the lives of the saints who have gone home to be with You. Thank You for the promise of the resurrection. Thank You that because Jesus lives, those who trust in Him will live also. Thank You for the hope that sustains us when our hearts are heavy. Thank You for Your presence, Your grace, and Your mercy that meets us every day. Even in a season of loss, we can say with confidence that You have been good, You are good, and You will continue to be good.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.