Audio Sermons

Building up the Church of Christ:

Selfless or Selfish Service?

Life B-P Church Worship Service, 26^th February 2023

Text: Acts 4:32 - 5:11

1. God Wants Purity in Our Service

a. Why did the couple die?

• It wasn’t because they did not give enough.
• It was because they conspired to deceive despite the strong manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the early church.
  (e.g. 4:31,33)
• It was to foil Satan’s attempt to destroy the church from within. (Cf. vv.13,14)

b. Sin often brings deadly consequences:

• Achan’s sin caused Israel’s defeat at Ai. (Joshua 7:1)
• The sin of some Corinthians at the Lord’s Supper caused them to fall sick and even to die. (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
• Their physical death does not mean that they were not saved.
• It is only by God’s grace that we are spared today.

c.   How to serve with purity:

• Remember that God looks at your heart rather than your service. (Ephesians 6:5,6)
• Do not seek for any selfish gain out of your service: Put away all pretence and hypocrisy. (cf. Matthew 6:1,2)
• Grow in love for God and for His people: Serve with love.

2. God Wants Reverence in Our Service

a. What was the impact of the couple’s death?

Verses 5,11 – “…great fear came on all them that heard these things…
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” (cf. Matthew 10:28) 

• They now understood much better how holy God is. (cf. Exodus 3:5,6; Genesis 18:22-32)
• Holiness is the very essence of God’s character. It is holiness that makes Him so glorious, unique and infinitely above all others.

b. Reverence is our response to God’s holiness.

• It is a worshipful attitude of deep respect that makes us stand in awe of God. (cf. Hebrews 12:28; Isaiah 6:1-7)
• It makes us realise that all that we have is ours only by God’s grace.

c.   How to serve with reverence:

• Keep yourself spiritually fit for service by confessing your sins and walking in the Spirit. (1 John 1:8,9; Galatians 5:16)
• Remind yourself that the God you serve is holy. (Psalm 24:3,4)
• Let God alone be glorified through selfless service (Leviticus 10:3).

Application:

Will you serve God according to who He is and what He wants from you?

This is the only kind of service that is worthy of God.

Questions for Reflection:

• How does what happened to Ananias and Sapphira affect your view of lying and hypocrisy?
• How different is the modern church from the early church in purity and reverence?
• Should this message discourage you from serving God and His people, or encourage you to do so? Why?