Brothers and sisters, let me tell you about something that happened in the early church that will shake you to your core.
A man walked into a church service. He had just sold a piece of property. Everyone knew about it. He came forward with money in his hands, a generous gift, or so it seemed.
But within minutes of presenting his offering, he collapsed and died right there in the presence of God’s power. His wife didn’t know what had happened. She came in three hours later, told the same lie, and she too fell dead.
Acts 5: 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
What could cause such a dramatic display of God’s holiness? What were they hiding? And more importantly, what are you holding back from God today?
Let me tell you what happened and why this story matters more than you think.
Brethren, I want you to understand something powerful. The Bible calls the gospel message the words of this life, not just any life, but the life.
John 10:10, I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
This is the most wonderful life possible, the life of the faith of the Son of God. This is a life where God is all the time. He is round about you, and He is within you.
It is a life of many revelations, of many manifestations of God’s Holy Spirit. It’s a life in which the Lord is continually seen, known, felt, and heard. Listen to me carefully. This is a life without death.
John 11:25-26, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.
We have passed from death unto life. The very life of God has come within us. Where that life is within in its fullness, disease cannot exist.
It would take me a month to tell you what there is in this wonderful life. Everyone can go in and possess and be possessed by this life.
But here’s what I must tell you, and this is where it gets sobering. It is possible for you to be within the vicinity of this life and yet miss it.
You can be in a place where God is pouring out His Spirit and yet miss the blessing that God is so willing to bestow.
Now, let me take you back to that scene I started with. The early church was experiencing a mighty move of God. The power of the Holy Ghost was falling, people were being healed, Demons were being cast out, lives were being transformed, and the believers were so on fire that they were selling their possessions and laying the money at the apostles’ feet.
Into this atmosphere of revival came a man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira. They had a piece of property. They sold it. But here’s where the enemy crept in. They wanted the glory of giving everything. While secretly keeping some back for themselves.
They thought, what if this revival fails? What if this Pentecostal movement doesn’t last? We need a backup plan. We need something to fall back on. Can you see what was happening?
They were doubting God. They were questioning whether this work that He had begun would go through. They wanted to get some glory for selling their property, but because of their lack of faith, they kept back part of the price in reserve in case the work of God should fail.
Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, looked at Ananias and said in Acts 5:3-4
Acts 5:3-4, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.
Brothers and sisters, do you see what happened? The moment those words were spoken, Ananias fell down and breathed his last. Great fear came upon all who heard these things. Young men came and carried him out and buried him.
But wait, you won’t believe what happened next. Three hours later, his wife Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, tell me whether you sold the land for so much. She said, yes, for so much. Then Peter said to her in Acts 5:9
Acts 5:9 How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out. Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.
Now, some of you might be thinking, that seems harsh. That seems severe. But let me show you what was really happening.
When the power of God came so mightily upon the early church, it became impossible for a lie to exist.
The moment a lying spirit came into the church, there was instant death. You see, God was establishing something. He was showing that in His presence, there can be no pretense, no holding back, no reservations.
The Bible says in Hebrews 10:38-39, Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Ananias and Sapphira were in this wonderful thing, and yet they missed it. They made vows to God in a time of great spiritual awakening, but they failed to keep their vows.
And beloved, there are many people like them today who make vows to God in times of crisis in their lives, but they fail to keep their vows, and in the end they become spiritually bankrupt.
But here’s the good news. Blessed is the man who will swear to his own hurt and change not.
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 15:4 about the one who swears to his own hurt and does not change.
The man who keeps the vow he has made to God, who is willing to lay his all at God’s feet, that man never becomes a lean soul.
God has promised to make fat his bones. There is no dry place for such a man. He is always fat and flourishing, and he becomes stronger, and stronger.
It pays to trust God with all and to make no reservation. God never fails. Never.
I want you to see how great a God we have. Listen, many people today are doubting whether this Pentecostal revival will go through. Let me tell you something. This Pentecostal work will never stop.
For years, I have been in constant revival, and I am sure that it will never stop.
It’s like George Stephenson when he made his first engine, he took his sister Mary to see it, she looked at it and said George it’ll never go. He said to her get in Mary. She said again it’ll never go. He said we’ll see you get in. Mary at last got in, the whistle blew there was a puff and a rattle and the engine started off then Mary cried out George it’ll never stop it’ll never stop.
Church, people are looking on at this Pentecostal revival, and they are very critical, and they are saying, it’ll never go.
But when they come into the work, they all say it’ll never stop. This revival of God is sweeping on and on, and there is no stopping the current of life, of love, of inspiration, and of power. God has brought unlimited resources for everyone.
Romans 8:32 declares, He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Do not doubt. God is in the midst. See that it is God who has set forth that which you see and hear today. Now let me tell you what happened when this fear of God came upon the church.
The Bible says that no man dared join them, but God added to the church such as should be saved.
I would rather have God add to our church than have all the town join it. God added daily to his own church.
But here’s where it gets powerful. The next thing that happened was that people became so assured that God was working, that they knew anything would be possible.
Acts 5:15-16 tell us, They brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow them. Also, a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Glory to God. Multitudes of sick people and those oppressed with evil spirits were brought to the apostles, and God healed them everyone.
I do not believe that it was the shadow of Peter that healed, but the power of God was mightily present, and the faith of the people was so aroused that they joined with one heart to believe God.
Let me tell you what I witnessed with my own eyes. I was in Bergen, Norway, and there came to the meeting a young woman who was employed at the hospital as a nurse. A big cancer had developed on her nose. The nose was enlarged and had become black and greatly inflamed.
She came out for prayer, and I said to her, what is your condition? She said, “I dare not touch my nose. It gives me so much pain”.
I said to all the people, I want you to look at this nurse and notice her terrible condition. I believe that our God is merciful and that He is faithful, and that He will bring to nothing this condition that the devil has brought about. I’m going to curse this disease in the all-powerful name of Jesus. The pain will go.
Oh, the awfulness of sin! Oh, the awfulness of the power of sin! When I see a cancer, I always know it is an evil spirit.
Can this be the work of God? God help me to show you that this is the work of the devil. I laid my hands on the nose of that suffering nurse and cursed the evil power that was causing her so much distress.
The next night, the place was packed. I saw the nurse in the audience, and I asked her to come forward. She came and showed everyone what God had done. He had perfectly healed her.
Brothers and sisters, He is just the same Jesus. He is just the same today. Jesus Christ declares in Hebrews 13:8,
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
All things are possible if you dare to trust God.
At one place where I was, a lame man was brought to me who had been in bed for two years with no hope of recovery. He was brought thirty miles to the meeting, and he came up on crutches to be prayed for. His boy was also afflicted in the knees, and they had four crutches between the two of them. The man’s face was filled with torture.
There is healing virtue in the Lord, and He never fails to heal when we believe. In the name of Jesus, that name so full of virtue, I put my hand down on that leg that was so diseased, The man threw down his crutches, and all were astonished as they saw him walking up and down without aid.
The little boy called out to his father, Papa, me! Papa, me, me, me! The little boy, who was withered in both knees, wanted a like touch.
And the same Jesus was there to bring a real deliverance for the little captive. He was completely healed.
Now listen, these were legs that were touched. If God will stretch out his mighty power to loose afflicted legs, what mercy will he extend to that soul of yours that must exist forever?
Jesus says in Luke 4:18, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.
He invites you in Matthew 11 28 come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
God is willing in His great mercy to touch your limbs with His mighty vital power and if He is willing to do this how much more anxious is he to deliver you from the power of Satan and to make you a child of the king. How much more necessary it is for you to be healed of your soul sickness than of your bodily ailments. And God is willing to give the double cure.
Let me tell you one more story. I was passing through London and met a young man whose father and mother lived in Salisbury. He had been a leader in Sunday school work, but he had been betrayed and had fallen.
Sin is awful, and the wages of sin is death. But there is another side.
Romans 6:23 says, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This young man was in great distress. He had contracted a horrible disease and feared telling anyone. There was nothing but death ahead for him.
When we got to the house, someone suggested we get down to prayer. I said, God does not say so. We are not going to pray yet. I want to quote a scripture. I read from Psalm 107:17-18: Fools, because of their transgression and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhors all manner of food, and they draw near to the gates of death.
The young man cried out, I am that fool! He broke down and told us the story of his fall. Oh, if men would only repent and confess their sins, how God would stretch out his hand to heal and to save!
The moment that young man repented, a great abscess burst, and God sent virtue into his life giving him a mighty deliverance.
Now, church, here’s what I want you to understand. Most Christians will never experience the fullness of this life because they are like Ananias and Sapphira. They want the blessing, but they hold something back. They want God’s power, but they keep a reservation. They want the revival, but they doubt whether it will last.
But I’m here to tell you today, God never fails. God never can fail. You can get things from God only over the line of a living faith.
The question is not whether God is faithful. The question is, will you trust him completely?
Here’s your challenge. What are you holding back from God? What reservation have you made? What backup plan do you have in case God fails? Listen to me. Tear up that backup plan. Burn those ships. Give God everything.
Most believers struggle to surrender completely.
They struggle to trust God with their finances. What if I tithe and don’t have enough?
They struggle to trust God with their future. What if I step out in faith and it doesn’t work?
They struggle to trust God with their reputation. What if I go all in for Jesus and people think I’m crazy?
But blessed is the man who will swear to his own hurt and change not. Blessed is the one who keeps their vow to God. Blessed is the person who is willing to lay their all at God’s feet. God is gracious and not willing that any should perish.
2 Peter 3:9 says, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
How many are willing to make a clean breast of their sins? I tell you that the moment you do this, God will open heaven. It is an easy thing for him to save your soul and heal your disease, if you will, but come and shelter today in the secret place of the Most High.
Psalm 91:1-16 promises, He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. In his presence there is fullness of joy at his right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
There is full redemption for all through the precious blood of the Son of God. Right now, the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is efficacious to cleanse your heart and bring this life, this wonderful life of God, within you. The blood will make you every whit whole if you dare believe.
1 John 1:7 declares, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Don’t be like Ananias and Sapphira. Don’t miss what God is doing because you’re holding something back. Don’t let doubt rob you of the blessing.
God’s tide is rising all over the earth. The breath of the Almighty is coming. And as it comes flowing in like a river, everybody will need a fresh anointing and a fresh cleansing of the blood.
What would happen if we should believe God? What would happen if we stopped holding back? What would happen if we surrendered completely?
I tell you, the same power that fell on the early church will fall on us. The same miracles they saw, we will see. The same Jesus who healed, then, will heal now.
Beloved, this is no time for reservation. This is no time for backup plans. This is no time for holding back. The words of this life are calling you today. Jesus is standing with outstretched arms, saying, Come unto me. The Holy Spirit is wooing you, drawing you into the fullness of God’s power and presence.
Will you be like Ananias and Sapphira in the blessing but missing it? Or will you be like those early believers who held nothing back and saw God move in mighty power?
The choice is yours. But I’m telling you today, it pays to trust God with all and to make no reservation.
The same Jesus who raised the dead, who healed the sick, who cast out demons, who saved souls, is here right now. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
And he is calling you to a life without reservation, a life of complete trust, a life where God is all the time. Will you answer that call?
Heavenly Father, we come before you right now, in the mighty name of Jesus. We thank you for the words of this life, for the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.
Lord, we confess that too often, we have been like Ananias and Sapphira, holding something back, keeping a reservation, doubting your faithfulness.
Forgive us, Father. Right now, we surrender everything to you. We lay down our backup plans. We trust you completely. We declare that you never fail.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Give us the boldness to trust you with everything: our finances, our futures, our families, our very lives.
Let the power that fell on the early church fall on us today. Heal our bodies, save our souls, and make us wholly yours. We refuse to miss what you are doing. We refuse to hold anything back. We give you everything, Lord Jesus. Use us for your glory. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen.
I believe with all my heart that as you have learned about complete surrender and total trust in God today, you have been activated into a new level of faith.
The understanding you have gained about holding nothing back from God is already working in your spirit, creating a holy desperation to experience the fullness of everything God has for you.
Start each day this week by declaring out loud, God, I trust you completely. I hold nothing back. You are faithful, and you never fail.
Then identify one area where you have been keeping a reservation and surrender it fully to Him. Watch what God will do when you stop holding back.
You have heard about the power of complete surrender, but what comes after you hold nothing back?
What is the difference between being saved and living in the fullness of the Spirit?
How do you move from religious rules to the supernatural life God intended?
What does it look like when the Holy Spirit transforms everything? Your words, your walk, your very countenance?
Discover the life that makes everything else look dim. The glory that surpasses all earthly glory, and how you can move from the limitations of the natural realm into the unlimited power of life in the Spirit, where every day becomes heaven on earth.
By Smith Wigglesworth