Spiritual Dishonesty

Dale Gooding - Acts 5:1-11

INTRO: Have you ever stolen from God? Are you sure?

I) They were DECEPTIVE - Acts 5:2
     A) They Didn't have to SELL it
     B) They Didn't have to make the OFFERING
     C) They Didn't have to give it ALL

II) They were DISHONEST - Acts 5:3
     A) They were dishonest with GOD
     B) They were dishonest with the APOSTLES 
     C) They were dishonest with the CHURCH 

III) They were DESIROUS (Covetous) - Acts 5:4
     A) We are all TEMPTED
     B) They wanted the MONEY
     C) They wanted the HONOR

IV) They were DISCIPLINED - of God - Acts 5:5,10
     A) A precedent was set at the outset of 
          the Church age
     B) Harsh & unfair? 
     C) Peter was acting on the given authority

SEVERAL LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS TEXT:
    1) Satan is active in the Church
         and can tempt us  
    2) God cannot be lied to
    3) God is jealous of His church
         and intends for it to be pure
    4) Leaders have a painful responsibility;
    5) God's discipline has an objective
    6) Satan will try to attack the Church
         from without & within

Do we think we can despise The Church?  Too many do;
    •  By their feigned (fake) commitment to it
    •  Financially
    •  Attendance
    •  Service (using our gift(ing))
    •  Evangelically
    •  Development: Edification