A case for CSI

Sunday Sermon
November 28th 2010
Rhema Community Church

Sermonic Skeleton

Sermonic Pericope: ACTS 5:1-11 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9 But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.


Sermonic Theme: The Power of the Holy Spirit (The Doctrine of Stewardship)

Sermonic Subject: Spiritual Discernment (The Doctrine of Christian Ethics)

Sermonic Tension: You cannot stop people from lying to you however, you can be filled with the Holy Spirit, and He will illuminate your mind and give you the ability to discern. (Satan Attacks the mind...etc.)

Sermonic Sentence: Christianity is a matter of life and death. (Live with integrity)

Sermonic Question: Is your all on the altar? (Ananias and Sapphira were under no obligation to give.)

Sermonic Warning: You cannot afford to give Satan your heart. (Ananias and Sapphira gave Satan their whole heart.)

Sermonic Title: "A CASE FOR CSI" (Contributors Spiritual Investigation)

Sermonic Sub-Title: “Don’t hold back”. (There is a serious spiritual crime perpetrated by Satan against Ananias and Sapphira however; Ananias and Sapphira let Satan do it.)

Sermonic Cross Reference: NLT Hebrews 6:18 So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.

John 8:44 (ESV) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

ESV Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.

ESV John 13:2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,

ESV John 13:27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly."

KJV Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

ESV James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Sermonic Structure: (There are five moves within this pericope.)

I. THINK ABOUT THE MARRIAGE (verse 1 Ananias, with his wife Sapphira,)

II. THINK ABOUT THE MONEY (verse 1, 2 sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge)

III. THINK ABOUT GOD’S MAN (verse 3 But Peter said,)

IV. THINK ABOUT THE MOTIVE (verse 4 you have not lied to men but to God)

V. THINK ABOUT THE EFFECT THIS HAD ON THE MINISTRY (verse 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.)

A. To be an effective Church we need families
B. To be an effective Church we need finances
C. To be an effective Church we need fear