Acts 5 Sermon

"Holy Fear and Holy Fire: Purity, Power, and Perseverance"

Description: Acts 5 is where the holiness of God meets the boldness of the early Church—and the results are both awe-inspiring and terrifying. When Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit, judgment falls swiftly, reminding the Church that God’s presence is not to be played with. This isn’t just a cautionary tale—it’s a wake-up call: the Spirit that empowers also purifies.

Yet, even as fear grips the people, miracles multiply. The apostles heal the sick, cast out demons, and preach with power. And when religious leaders strike back—imprisoning the apostles and threatening them to stay silent—God sends an angel to open prison doors. The Church responds not with retreat, but with resolve: “We must obey God rather than men.”

This message unpacks a chapter of holy tension: between reverence and power, persecution and perseverance, opposition and unstoppable growth. Acts 5 reminds us that the Church is not a safe institution—it’s a Spirit-filled movement that shakes the world. And the question still echoes today: Will we live with holy fear? Will we walk in holy fire?