When God moves, ordinary moments become miraculous. In Acts 8, Philip obeys a divine prompting that leads to a desert road, a searching soul, and a powerful display of grace. This episode shows what happens when a man of God yields, the Spirit of God moves, the Word of God is proclaimed—and the grace of God saves. Discover how baptism tells that same story of surrender and celebration in our lives today.

Many people believe in Jesus—but don’t actually follow Him. In the story of the rich young ruler, Jesus exposes how easily our pride, possessions, and self-reliance keep us from surrender. This episode unpacks three questions every follower must face: Who do you believe Jesus is? What do you believe about yourself? And are you willing to submit everything to Him?

What if the very thing meant to stop your faith became the spark that spreads it? Acts 8 shows how persecution pushed the early believers into God’s purpose, as Philip carried the Gospel into Samaria with power and boldness. In this episode, discover how God still uses hardship, truth, and courageous witness to advance His unstoppable Kingdom.

What happens when following Jesus leads from service to suffering? Stephen’s life answers that question. Full of the Holy Spirit, he served faithfully, preached boldly, and died gracefully. In this episode, discover how the Spirit who empowered Stephen as a servant, evangelist, and martyr also empowers us to live with unshakable courage and grace in a world that often resists the truth.

When obedience gets costly, will we still choose to follow Jesus? Acts 5 shows the apostles facing persecution, prison, and pain—yet they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. In this episode, discover how to obey God with your words, your worship, and your life, even when it means standing alone.

Secrets and Scandals

Acts 5:1–11 ESV

1. This Sin was ENERGIZED by Satan (Acts 5:3; John 8:44b)

“Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…?”

Satan didn’t make Ananias and Sapphira sin, but he tempted them into it. Satan is a liar and a murderer, always working to corrupt what God provides. Where God gave grace for generosity, Satan perverted it into greed.

Practical takeaways:

Remember: our real battle isn’t against flesh and blood.

Satan always counterfeits God’s provision—twisting generosity into greed, humility into pride.

Stay alert: temptation often comes disguised as opportunity.

2. This Sin was FUELED by Pride (Acts 5:1–2, 7–8)

“…with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds…”

Ananias and Sapphira wanted Barnabas’ attention without Barnabas’ heart. Their sin wasn’t about withholding money but stealing glory that belonged to God.

Practical takeaways:

Pride was the first sin—Satan’s rebellion and Adam’s fall. It remains the root of so much destruction.

Beware of spiritual showmanship: seeking recognition rather than surrender.

Sin often begins not with greed for possessions but with hunger for praise.

3. This Sin was AIMED toward God’s Church (Acts 5:2, 11)

“…and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Their deceit threatened to undermine the integrity of God’s people. This wasn’t a private mistake—it was a public reproach on the Church. God judged them severely to protect His bride.

Practical takeaways:

God fiercely protects His Church. Sin within the body is just as dangerous as opposition from the outside.

Healthy churches need great power, great grace, and great fear.

What Satan intends for evil, God can turn for good—even judgment led to reverence and purity in the Church.

4. This Sin DESTROYED the Family (Acts 5:5, 10)

“Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.”

Ananias and Sapphira paid with their lives. Their names meant “God is gracious” and “beautiful,” yet their legacy was ruined by sin. Like Achan’s household, their family bore the fallout. Sin rarely stays contained—it spills over and destroys those closest to us.

Practical takeaways:

What we think is a secret on earth is a scandal in heaven—God knows.

Sin’s collateral damage most often hits those closest to us.

Be killing sin—or it will be killing you and your family.

Closing Challenge

Family, it’s time to take sin seriously. God calls us to drag what is hidden in the dark into the light—because it’s in the light where Jesus heals. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

When persecution came, the early church didn’t pray for safety—they prayed for boldness. Acts 4 shows us what happens when God’s people ask for courage instead of comfort: the place was shaken, the people were filled with the Spirit, and the church overflowed with unity, testimony, grace, and generosity. This message will help you see what God can do when His people pray bold prayers.

What happens when someone truly meets Jesus? In Acts 3–4, we see five undeniable results: lives are changed, people are drawn, the lost are offended, believers are emboldened, and the Gospel spreads publicly. Join us as we trace this story from a man leaping at the temple gate to thousands being saved—and ask: has your encounter with Jesus been genuine?

Why does real connection feel so hard to find? Acts 2 shows us that God created the Church to be the ultimate place of belonging. Through teaching, fellowship, generosity, and worship, the early Christians experienced authentic community that changed lives. In this episode, discover how God’s design for biblical community can transform your relationships—and your walk with Him.

Have you ever wondered what it really means to experience God’s power? In Acts 2, we see the birth of the Church: a miracle of the Spirit, a message centered on Jesus, and a response that changed thousands of lives. This episode will help you see that the same God who moved in Jerusalem on Pentecost is still at work today—and He’s inviting you to respond.