What are the responsibilities of BIBLICAL leadership? Join us as pastors Scott and Dallas walk through Acts 6 to see what the scriptures lay out!

Have you ever wondered how to spot when you are doing spiritual things like giving or praying just for the applause of others? In this episode of the Midweek Move, Pastor Scott Etheridge helps us examine the tragic Acts 5 story of Ananias and Sapphira to uncover how to drop our fake spiritual masks and build a culture of genuine honesty with God.

Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction and recap of Acts 4 01:03 – The context of generosity in the early church 01:59 – Reading Acts 5:1-11: The story of Ananias and Sapphira 03:08 – Understanding the "Perfect Christian Mask" 04:18 – Why God prioritizes the heart over actions 05:43 – How to spot when we are seeking human applause 06:45 – Building a culture of honesty and vulnerability 08:56 – Rejoicing in suffering: The Apostles' counterintuitive response 09:40 – Shifting perspective during hardship and opposition 11:51 – Favor and blessing vs. going through hard things 13:51 – The prize of Jesus vs. the fruit of our actions 15:50 – The importance of mentors and community 17:38 – Closing and invitation to The Healing Place

When life gets difficult, our natural instinct is usually to ask God for an easier path or a quick exit, but the early church in Acts 4 did the exact opposite. If you have ever wondered what true, everyday boldness looks like without just being a jerk, this conversation answers exactly how to shift your mindset and live it out.

00:00 – Intro: Praying for boldness instead of safety 00:22 – Welcome to the Midweek Move 01:00 – From Acts 3 to Acts 4: The continuing narrative of the early church 02:10 – The first major roadblock: Peter and John’s arrest 03:32 – Why the community prayed for boldness over protection 04:26 – Shifting your mindset when things get difficult 05:25 – The source of boldness: Eyewitnesses of the Resurrection 07:22 – What boldness actually looks like (and why it isn't "being a jerk") 09:00 – Boldness as action: Healing, witnessing, and obedience 11:35 – Operating under the authority of Jesus vs. yourself 13:11 – Radical unity: Understanding the community in Acts 4 14:22 – Cultivating generosity without forced obligation 15:58 – The ongoing need to be filled with the Holy Spirit 18:21 – Discernment in giving: Love, trust, and boundaries 19:41 – Looking ahead: The tragedy of Acts chapter 5 21:27 – Closing thoughts and invitation to join us in Shreveport