Sermon Tone Analysis

Heart Trouble

(Acts 8:9-25)

January 16, 2022

Read Acts 8:9-25 – Simon was the Houdini of his time.

He “practiced magic” (μαγεία) with strong religious overtones.

Some may have been real miracles – Satanically inspired.

II Thess 2:9 describes the end-time rule: “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders.”

Satan can do miracles, and Simon was either a shyster or Satan’s pawn.

It appears that both he and the people thought he was from God.

Since the Samaritans had a theology of a Messianic forerunner, he may have even thought he was the guy.

The signs are that he was genuine in his false belief.

That’s the point of this passage.

Later in the chapter we’ll see the genuine faith of a new convert – the Ethiopian eunuch.

Here, by contrast, is a man of false faith – fooling even himself.

Peter clearly sees him as unbeliever: v. 20: “May your silver perish with you.”

Believers don’t perish, Beloved.

Jn 3:16: “whoever believes in him shall not perish.”

Simon exemplifies those who truly believe they are saved, but are not.

He was a professor, but not a possessor.

Simon is thus a warning.

Paul advises in II Cor 13:5: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.

Test yourselves.”

The point is not to raise doubts in the minds of those who are truly in Christ.

In fact, any such false doubt would be dispelled by the HS.

Rom 8:16: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.”

But it is always healthy to ask, “Am I sure?

Do I have the witness of the Spirit within?

Or is it possible that I have a false faith – that I’m not a true believer at all?” That’s our question as we look at the elements of Simon’s self-deception.

I.

The Profession

False faith looks real.

13) “Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip.”

He believed, was baptized, interested and involved.

Checked all the boxes.

He came, walked the aisle, signed the card, and joined the church.

We’d have said, “Wow, we’re lucky to have him.

A famous magician – a man of great influence with the whole community.”

Simon’s profession looked as real as a profession can look.

And I don’t think he was putting anyone on.

He fooled even himself.

This warns us, you can go through all the motions, pass all the rituals, check off all the boxes, and still be lost.

You can say the right words, pray the right prayer, join the right church and still be lost.

This is the fear of every genuine pastor – that someone hears the message week after week, looking for all the world like the genuine article and yet outside of Christ.

Lloyd Ogilvie, former chaplain to the Senate says, “People have a capacity to let down the moat bridge of their carefully castled minds and hearts to take Christ into their lives as one more trophy, but not as the Lord of the castle.”

Paul wrote for letters from prison in Rome.

In 2 of them, Col and Philemon he sends greetings from his fellow-workers, including Demas.

He’s right up there with Luke.

But 2 years on, Paul writes: II Tim 4:9-10: “Do your best to come to me soon.

10) For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.”

He looked good so long – was right in the thick of it, but now -- gone.

False faith makes a profession, but the life tells the tale.

There was a brilliant young man in my seminary class -- zipped thru a 3-year course in 2-1/2 and went on to work on a doctorate.

He told me once he had read everything ever written on demonology – in German as well as English.

Brilliant.

But a few years later I went to visit my mentor, Dr. Saucy, and I asked about this young man.

Sadly Dr. Saucy told me he had renounced the faith.

His public confession and brilliant work covered a faith that was never real.

John knew some such.

He writes in I Jn 2:19: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.

But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

They were in for a time – even fooled themselves – but in the end their faith was false, their confession negated, their profession meaningless.

II.

The Problem

Simon made a convincing profession and thought he meant it.

So, what was the problem?

Well, Simon had a heart problem.

21) “You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.” Simon’s mind was engaged, but his heart was not in it.

He wanted Jesus for what he could get from him, but He didn’t love Jesus.

Like the rich, young ruler who wanted Jesus with one hand and his money with the other; Simon wanted Jesus with one hand and magic powers with the other.

To him, Jesus was only the means to an end, not the end itself.

And Jesus will never be that.

He won’t be used to further our agenda.

He must be loved for Himself, not for His blessings.

Simon had a heart problem.

You say, “But wait.

He’s confused, but surely he was saved.

After all, he believed, was baptized and kept close to Philip.

He was all in, wasn’t he?” Yes – he was all in – for himself, but not for Christ.

His life shows it’s possible to believe and not be saved?

Did you know that?

It’s true – even tho it may go against all you’ve been taught all your life.

The word “believe” is πιστευω, and it can mean mere intellectual assent.

Do you believe Dr. Kennedy can pull your tooth?

Yes, I do.

Great.

Intellectual assent.

But there is no commitment til you let him do it.

Mere assent doesn’t change my life; it just is.

The demons believe in that sense!

Jas 2:19) “You believe that God is one; you do well.

Even the demons believe (πιστευω) —and shudder!”

They believe that fact, but it doesn’t change their existence; their direction; their evil agenda.

It just intellectual assent.

That’s all Simon had, nothing more.

Jesus was a curiosity to him, but not Lord and Savior.

Thousands have believed in Jesus this way starting in His own time.

John 2:23: “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed (πιστευω) in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.

24) But Jesus on his part did not entrust (πιστευω) himself to them, because he knew all people.”

They believed in Him, but He didn’t believe in them because He saw thru them.

They wanted miracles, not Him – just like Simon.