Love God More Than Everything
Two Ways the Holy Spirit Empowers His People to Worship
Aaron Lee | April 26, 2026 | FCBCW Children’s Worship | Acts 5
Big Question
How are we to love God?
Two ways the Holy Spirit empowers his people to worship:
1. Power to love God more than money
The first way the Holy Spirit empowers his people is by giving them the power to love God more than money.
The first story is of a man and wife, Ananias and Sapphira. The early church had all agreed to share. This was to show the unity amongst Christians and to help the church grow. Ananias and Saphhira loved money more than God. They sold a piece of property but did not give the money to God – they kept some of it for themselves and lied about it.
3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.” 5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. 6 The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. (Acts 5:3-6)
Sapphira would come in three hours later, lie, and die. Satan fills our hearts to lie. Lying is against the Holy Spirit. Sin is sometimes premeditated. God does not deal lightly with sin.
Application
Will you be honest about what you love?
The passage talks about money, so what matters to you more than loving God and loving others?
2. Power to love God more than man
The second way the Holy Spirit empowers his people is by giving them the power to love God more than man.
The story moves from ministry inside the church to ministry outside the church. The apostles are doing more miracles and experiencing more of God’s power and more people are being saved.
There was a lot of excitement, but there were also enemies. The high priest and the Sadducees – the religious leaders – were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in prison. But then an angel opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and told them to keep telling people about God – even in the Temple! The apostles were arrested again, and they were put on trial.
29 Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:25-32)
A Pharisee named Gamaliel would warn the Sanhedrin about the trouble that would happen if they were really fighting against God. They still flogged the apostles and told them not to speak. But the apostles left rejoicing because they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of Jesus. God takes care of his people.
Application
Will you love Jesus so much that you are willing and ready to suffer for him?
Will you look for ways to express that you love God more than everything?
The Gospel
42 Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 5:42)
Big Answer
The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to love God more than everything.
Conclusion
Pray that God continues to grow your heart more and more to love God more than everything
Look for ways to express that you love God more than everything
Notes
Adapted from More Than a Story by Sally Michael