Sunday Recap - Anointed: Acts Chapter 5, Sunday April 12th 2026

April 13th, 2026
by Ps Jonny Kettle

Anointed: Acts Chapter 5

Message Overview:

Up to this point, the unfolding story of Acts has been one of God moving in power. The church has grown from 120 to 1000’s, as the preaching of The Gospel has been followed by signs, wonders and miracles. The disciples are boldly preaching The Gospel and advancing The Kingdom of God as ANOINTED followers of Jesus. At the end of Acts Chapter 4 and into Acts Chapter 5 we read this incredible account of the disciples displaying abundant generosity and charity to one another, some selflessly choosing to sell property so they can meet the needs of people within the early church community. This truely was an incredible move of Gods spirit within the early church! However, amidst all the incredible events taking place, Acts Chapter 5 tells us the story of how God took the lives of a married couple called Annanias and Sapphira (Read Acts 5:1-14 to recap the story). Whilst it is mentioned a lot, money is not the central theme of this story, instead it is centred around Annanias and Sapphira’s lack of integrity and Gods holiness. Annanias and Sapphira were more concerned about their public reputation as opposed to having a pure heart before God. On the surface what seems to be something which is excusable, God uses this as an act of purification to in still in to the church that He truely cares deeply about our holiness displayed through living lives of integrity. This account in scripture can be somewhat jolting, however it is a great reminder of the God we serve: 1) God is never changing, He is the same God across the Old and New Testament (Malachi 3:6) 2) God cares deeply about our integrity and holiness - we are called to be Holy as He is Holy (1 Peter 1:15-16 3) God wants His Church to support one another to grow in holiness through accountability and prayer together (James 5:16). This was a heavy but much needed message for The Church in 2026 - to not compromise but continue to confront sin and live lives of integrity and holiness.

Take some time to discuss this topic with your group, what has encouraged you and what challenges you.

Key Scriptures:

Acts 4:36-37
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5:1-14
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 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. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heartthat you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 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 just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 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. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

Proverbs 28:6
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working

Hebrews 12:6
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

Joshua 6:18
But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it.

Joshua 7:1
But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things ;Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Peter 5:8
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Acts 5:11
Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding

Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,29 for our “God is a consuming fire.

YouTube Link for Service:

Sunday Service

Group Reflection Questions:

What do you feel God saying to you?
What can you do about it?
What is an actionable plan you can put in place to help yourself respond to God?
Who can keep you accountable?