Text: Acts 5:1-11

= Christian’s Freedom by the Truth: John 8:32 - Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

= Conceptual Question about Freedom

John 8:33 - They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

Topic: Overcoming the Spirit of Lie

= Christian Influenced by Satan

Vs. 3 - Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

= Understanding of Satan’s workColossians 2:13-15 - You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it

away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Galatians 5:1 - It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

How Can We Enjoy Our Life of Freedom

in the Truth?

1. 1. Man to Enemy - Satan

1Peter 5:8 - Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

= How does Every Man Interact with the Things of the world?

1Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

= What does it Mean that “Satan Fills Human Hearts”?

Vs. 3 - Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

= What is that which “Made Ananias Think of Doing Such a Thing”?

Vs 4 - Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Romans 8:1-2 - Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 6:22 - But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

2. 2. Man to God - the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18, 4:30 - Be filled with the Spirit. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

= Why Do You Think Christians Cannot Compromise between God and Satan?

Vs. 3 - Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept yourself some of the money you received for the land.

= Why Do You Think Christians Cannot Choose Satan and God at the Same time?

Vs. 4 - Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

2Corinthians 6:14-15 - Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same? Is Christ a friend of Satan? Can people who follow the Lord have anything in common with those who don't?

= Why did God not Allow Ananias to Blame Satan for Filling his heart with Wrong Ideas?

Vs. 3 - Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

(1) Who is responsible for having wrong Ideas?

Ephesians 5:18 - Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

(2) Who is accountable to God for having wrong Life?

Romans 14:12 - So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

A Case Study on Accountability

Genesis 3:13 - Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:17 - To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.

= What Kind of Lessons does Ananias’ Life Present to Christians for Today?

When filled with Satan, You Will

(1) NOT please God(2) NOT be peaceful with God (3) NOT prosper in life

= What might have Happened to the Couple if they did not Die?

Vs. 10 - At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

A Case Study on Un-confessed Sin

Psalm 32:1-5 - Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Isaiah 59:1-2 - Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

3. 3. Man to Partner - Man 

Ephesians 4:25 - So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

= How can Christians’ Relationship Get Tainted within the Church?

Vs. 7-8 - About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

= What is the Danger of Sin when Allowed in the Life of Christians?

(1) Sin can Grow James 1:15 - Then, after

desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

(2) Sin can MultiplyPsalm 2:1-2 - Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.

= What Do You Think is the Value of Having Good Partners in Your Spiritual Walk?

Vs. 9 - Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

(1) Blessing of Good Spouse. Vs. 2 - With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

1Corinthians 7:14 - For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage.

(2) Blessing of Good FriendsProv. 27:6 - You can trust a friend who corrects you, but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies. Prov. 27:9 - Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.

(3) Blessing of Good CriticsProv. 27:5 - An open rebuke is better than hidden love!Prov. 28:23 - In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.

Psalm 142:5 - Let a righteous man strike me — it is a kindness; let him rebuke me — it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.

How Can We Enjoy Our Life of Freedom in the

Truth?

(1) Man to Enemy (2) Man to God (3) Man to Partner