Guard Against Deception
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
A Story
Jaydon Cintron from Kingston, North Carolina, was working his shift at Chick-fil-A on Good Friday.
On break, he went to the men’s restroom and found two white envelopes on the floor.
In those envelopes were about $10,000 in cash.
He turned the money over to the manager who then attempted to identify the owner by reviewing security video—but without success.
However, the next Monday the owner came to the fast-food restaurant inquiring if they found the envelopes.
The owner approached Jaydon and offered $500 as a reward. But Jaydon declined to accept the money because he didn’t expect a reward for what his faith told him was right.
Source: (https://www.wtvy.com/2026/04/06/chick-fil-a-employee-finds-nearly-10000-restaurant-bathroom-police-say/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTF4DJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpcDFFemhmYVhXZ1FPUW1Sc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpkN3jUWx1ZrnXee4IrCa2SJGt1q_TV-NaTRPXwkba32ZGjwwN04X9Jhc3xA_aem_oDj10O-hUHFL2_P-lBOGMA)
Integrity should be the normative quality of a genuine follower of Jesus Christ.
7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,
8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
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But sadly, there have been professing Christians who have shown integrity and have damaged the cause of Christ.
As we continue our preaching series from the New Testament book of Acts, we are going to see why it is important to…
Guard Against Deception
I’m not just talking about how we can protect ourselves from false teachings; but more so, we are going to look at how we need to be vigilant and protect ourselves from becoming deceivers, dishonest, hypocrites, and pretenders.
In Acts 4, Peter and John were released from the custody of Israel’s religious leaders. The new community of believers in Christ prayed—and God answered their prayer by shaking the place they were at and by filling them once again with the Holy Spirit and power.
Text
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
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Transition
First, the Church was living fully in…
The Grace of God
The Grace of God
The Scripture tells us that “great grace was upon them all.”
What was the evidence of this grace—this unmerited, unearned favor of God?
The believers “were of one heart and soul.”
There was harmony in thought and affection. They were united!
And maybe this unity was the result of praying together and experiencing God’s power together! This was God’s power invading their prayer life. And it brought this church together.
This unity was a direct result of God’s Grace!
The witness to the resurrection of Christ continued!
Because of their unity in prayer, in thought, and affection for one another, the Grace of God was expressed through the witness of the Apostles—the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
When a church is unified and prayerful, the mission of God—reaching the lost with the saving message of forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life—become the priority of the community of faith—the church!
But the evidence of God’s Grace in and through the church does not stop there!
34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
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A church embracing the grace of God is an unselfish church.
Here is one of many places in Scripture where we discover the biblical principles of stewardship, not ownership.
Because the church acted on the Grace of God, the church grew, not only in numbers but also in its capacity of compassion and generosity.
So now, the Scripture gives us a specific example of this generosity.
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
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This is the first time Barnabas is mentioned.
His example of generosity here serves as a precursor to his compassion, encouragement, and advocacy we find later in the Book of Acts.
Transition
Because God’s grace was upon a church that trusted and obeyed Him, it become a biblically healthy church.
A healthy church embraces unity, witnessing, and generosity.
A healthy church embraces unity, witnessing, and generosity.
But if Barnabas is the example Christians should follow, the next part of this story introduces us to two people that should NOT imitate.
We now enter the second part of our story…
The Threat of Deception
The Threat of Deception
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2 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.
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I find it interesting that the name, Ananias, means “God is gracious”—and the name of his wife, Sapphira, means “beautiful.”
But there was nothing “gracious” and “beautiful” in their actions.
Maybe this couple looked upon Barnabas and others who were giving to help the needy. Maybe they wanted the community of faith to look favorably upon them. Whatever the reason they purposefully concocted a plan to deceive and lie.
This couple wanted acclaim without sacrifice and comfort without commitment.
So, Ananias presented his gift.
3 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?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
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The Holy Spirit revealed this deception to Peter.
The Holy Spirit had created unity in the church, and now this act of deception threatens the church’s integrity.
We see immediately that the sin lay not in failing to give all the money, but rather in pretending to do so. Theologian Kenneth Gangel states that…
The basic issue here was lying, not only to the church but to the Spirit.
Above all, the church had to maintain integrity in a hostile world, and this behavior could quickly erode the shields of that credibility.
Integrity describes those standards of moral and intellectual honesty on which we base our conduct and from which we cannot swerve without cheapening ourselves.
The church was in serious danger. Deception and dishonesty can seriously damage its witness.
This is why…
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
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Did Ananias fall dead out of shock because his sin was exposed? Maybe. Or, was it the Holy Spirit who pronounced judgment. What we do know is the Ananias was dead.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 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.”
10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
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This may seem a bit much for just lying. I mean, everyone lies or stretches the truth from time to time. So, it may be tempting to just dismiss this as a fictitious tale.
The fact is, as one Christian writer put it:
“As tempted as we might be to push this story into some dark corner of early church history, that would be a tragic mistake. It deals with money, greed, and deceit—all very popular problems in today’s church. Deceit, disunity, and duplicity always undermine the Holy Spirit’s work and always erode the effectiveness of the Christian community.”
Transition
In the final part of our story today, we see the result of this tragedy.
But the result is…
The Fear that Helps
The Fear that Helps
11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
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Perhaps Peter, who was very much a part of this story, had this experience in mind when he wrote:
17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
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The whole body of believers in Jerusalem and all who heard of the fate of Ananias and Sapphira were in awe and dread.
It was already a dangerous thing to be a follower of Christ unless one was willing to truly follow Christ.
The church is a holy body, the realm of the Spirit. Biblical scholar John Polhill puts it this way:
By the power of this spiritual presence in its midst, the young community worked miracles, witnessed fearlessly, and was blessed with incredible growth.
The Spirit was the power behind its unity, and its unity was the power behind its witness.
But just as with God there is both justice and mercy, so with his Spirit there is also an underside to his blessing.
There is his judgment.
The Holy Spirit is not to be taken lightly.
As a result, the Holy Spirit must always be viewed with fear in the best sense of that word.
Greek word: φόβος
Reverent awe and respect.
The judgment of God resets the believer’s focus.
The judgment of God resets the believer’s focus.
Conclusion
The church can only thrive as the people of God if it lives within the total trust of all its members.
Where there is that unity of trust, that oneness of heart and mind, the church flourishes in the power of the Spirit.
Where there is duplicity and distrust, its witness fails.
Authenticity in our faith and community is vital.
Application
Integrity, honesty, and truth must always be evident in the life and ministry of the church and its members.
Humility and sincere love for God and for people must be the practice of all followers of Jesus Christ.
Be open and honest with God and fellow believers at all times.
Altar Call
But the reality is we are human beings. Even the best of us will at times fall short.
That is why the Scripture reminds us:
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Experiencing the forgiveness of God is the most liberating, burden-lifting blessing!
Place your trust in Jesus! Be in awe of God’s love and grace. Respect God’s authority.
