ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA: INTEGRITY AND TRUTH - A FAITH BASED HUMANITARIAN AND EVANGELICAL ORGANISATION

PETER’S PENTECOST SERMON: OPEN HEARTS

April 12, 2024

BREAKING DOWN THE WALLS

April 14, 2024

SERIALISED PRACTICAL GUIDE

TITLE: WHAT IS NEXT AFTER THE RESURRECTION?

DAY 9 OF 14 SERIES (SATURDAY FRIDAY 5TH APRIL, 2024)

TOPIC: ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA: INTEGRITY AND TRUTH

AUTHOR: MARY LAWRENCE-DOKPESI

SCRIPTURE

“Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself some of the proceeds of the land? 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 considered doing this thing? You have not lied to men but to God.’” (Acts 5:3-4)

ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA: INTEGRITY AND TRUTH

Ananias and Sapphira attempt to deceive the early church, selling their land for a high price but claiming to give the full amount. Peter, discerning their dishonesty through the Holy Spirit, confronts them. This event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity and truthfulness within the Christian community.

A sense of awe and fear descends upon the onlookers as Ananias falls dead after Peter’s words. The Holy Spirit’s presence is undeniable, emphasizing the seriousness of their actions.

Benefit: Living with integrity and truthfulness fosters trust and strengthens the bonds within the Christian community. The Holy Spirit guides us to be honest in all our dealings.

Action Step: Reflect on areas in your life where you might be tempted to compromise your honesty. Pray for the courage to live with integrity in every situation.

Prayer: Lord, search my heart and reveal any areas of dishonesty. Grant me the strength to be truthful in my words and actions, honouring you and those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Further Exploration: Proverbs 12:22, Ephesians 4:25

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi was born in Nigeria to Patrick Abuda Obeakemhe and Juliana Fatimatu Obeakemhe, both from Ogbona Town. With a master’s degree in law, she was called to the bar at the age of twenty-two, and she is currently the principle partner of the law firm Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi & Associates. She is also the founder of two philanthropic organizations: the Living Waters Mission and the Rose Croix Foundation. In addition to law, Lawrence-Dokpesi was drawn to spiritual pursuits at an early age, having begun studying philosophy, theology, chaplaincy, and spirit therapy by the age of eighteen. Inspired by her spiritual calling, she has produced ten intensively researched manuscripts on spiritual matters. Although Understanding the Spiritual was the last to be written, it is the first to be published. Lawrence-Dokpesi is a mother and a wife living in the city of Abuja, Nigeria.