Sorcery, Syncretism, and the Spirit
Acts (To Be Continued...) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Missions is extremely important here at First Missionary Church.
We are called to be on mission wherever God has placed us—Jesus said to go and make disciples—followers of Jesus—and also we will be His witnesses in…the assembly line, at school, in our neighborhoods, families and friend...
and...
We are called to send people on a mission—locally, and globally—like Byron...all this to the glory of God.
that is why we exist…so all nations can know, enjoy, and spread God
here in Acts 13—we see our spiritual ancestors—the church in Antioch—way north of Jerusalem—send out their first global missionaries...
and it’s not easy what they—Saul or Paul and Barnabas encounter—
we can learn a lot for OUR mission from THEIR mission experience.
Let me read a little from Acts 13:4-12
Acts 13:4–12 (NIV)
4 The two (Saul and Barnabas) of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. (that’s John Mark—who wrote the 2nd Gospel)
6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos.
(show map of 1st missionary journey—)
you can see where they are at…this very exciting—b/c the early church is feeling led together to reach the surrounding area with the good news of Jesus Christ....
and you can trace their journey here...
and this is not easy traveling—boat, walking, these guys are tough…physically fit to have to do this...
Paul will often feel led to go to the Jews first to preach Christ wherever he goes—he often quotes in the book of Romans—first to the Jew and then to the Gentile…he felt a historical or theological priority to the Jews...
but then I think it was practical—they were already gathering, they were used to hearing the Word, he might even reach some Gentiles sympathetic to Jews...
now look what happens next...
There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,
10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?
11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
some lessons—Missions Lessons...
what can we learn about our mission today for Jesus from their Mission…we still have the same mission… (they are not in another category…)
Expect results and resistance (to the Gospel)… (vs. 6-12)
on the one hand…the proconsul—kind of the governor of the island under the Roman Senate—is excited. look at vs. 7
7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
look at vs. 12--
12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
whenever we share Jesus and what He’s done for us on the cross with others—expect people to respond—positively. even expect the unexpected to respond…even those you would least expect it—whether those far from God or those in high positions.
you may even be here and feeling the same pull that Sergius Paulus felt—wanting to hear more—we are glad you are here…that’s not me—that’s the Holy Spirit working on you—He is the most powerful being in the room...
but also as you are on a mission expect resistance...
6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
there will be resistance to the Gospel…there will be people who actively oppose it and try to convince others about it...
expect it…and know that this is normal...
b/c I think…sometimes we can be pretty pessimistic or too naieve about Gospel advancement…we can be pessimistic—kind of like Eor from Winnie the Pooh— “nobody is going to come to Christ...” “Nobody will respond.”
no, there is power in the Gospel. God still saves in 2024.
yet don’t be naive—there will be people who don’t like the Gospel…why?
it talks about sin—how we are at the core selfish—separated from God—we have to admit that
if talks about how we can’t work to free ourselves from sin—we need a Savior—Jesus Christ...
another reason is the work of Satan…and that’s my 2nd point...
Be discerning yet not obsessed with the Enemy.
let’s talk more about Bar-Jesus and Elymas (same guy)
it mentions he is a sorcerer and a false prophet…some texts translate sorcerer as a magician---scholars say this simply means that he had extensive knowledge about spirit forces and how to control them through incantations, spells and other means.
we saw a guy like this earlier in Chapter 8.
9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,
so here in chapter 13 is the 2nd incidence of sorcery that has come up in the book of Acts...
it’s a man with influential and real power—just like chapter 8—with Simon.
and so as we think about resistance to the Gospel—here in Acts we have seen several forms...
persecution from government, persecution from Jewish leaders
hypocrisy and disunity from within
and now here again—we see that the form of resistance is the Devil.
Paul says this
Acts 13:10 (NIV)
10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?
here we see the kingdom of darkness—here we see Satan’s or the devil’s work…in an obvious way.
the Bible says quite a bit about the work of the devil.
his main tactic is deception or lies. —we see that here…always trying to deceive and distort—the Gospel...
Jesus said similarly when he was confronting some people: (this scene here remind us of Jesus encountering demonic forces)
John 8:44
44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Bar Jesus or Elymas is intent on deceiving Sergius Paulus—he is working with his father—the devil.
and so Scripture tells us—we see the example here—that we are to be discerning—be on the lookout for the real Enemy behind a lot of resistance.
Paul would write this...
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
the real enemy is not people—it’s not even Bar Jesus here—it’s the kingdom of darkness—and we are to expect that Satan will be at work as we are on a mission.
as you think about your life—is it even on your radar that the devil exists, there are demonic beings that exist—a kingdom of darkness behind at least some of the evil in the world and in your life...
influencing lies, tempting, accusing, denying the truth, behind some of the relational conflict, unforgiveness, bitterness, the lack of humility and presence of pride, the resistance we see in certain areas...
do you think discern or even think about this category...
but we need not fear...
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
as we think about Bar Jesus—we sometimes wonder—do we see sorcery today?
certainly I think we do—from things like astrology can be dipped in sorcery, tarot cards, Ouija boards…I still sometimes encounter people within our community and county—who dabble in these kinds of things—who are fascinated by spiritual powers—and overly into demons and angels. maybe it’s certain things they watch or things they read—overly obsessed with the occult or spiritual powers…if that’s you—i would challenge you, encourage you to flee, to renounce these things—to turn to Christ---the real power. Bar Jesus was not match for the real Jesus in Paul.
because really sorcery or magic—here is the desire to use or manipulate power to be in control—to get glory. (really the opposite of Jesus—who gave up control, who let himself be powerless on the cross…)
so as we go out into the world on a mission—are we on the lookout for the devil’s work? we dare not over-complicate it—we are not called to see the devil behind every bad act in the world. sometimes
bad things happen because we live in a fallen world or people are just sinful...
but we are called to be on the lookout—to at least consider it. to pray against the devil and his kingdom. to be firm and strong in the Lord and His Gospel. sometimes as I meet with people and counsel people—they wonder as lots of bad things are happening to them, and just feeling overwhelmed—could it be the enemy? and I say, “It’s very possible…let’s at least pray for freedom Satan’s attacks, and remind ourselves of who we are in Christ—to stand strong and firm in our identity in Jesus.”
point #1 was a spectrum of not being naive or pessimistic about the Gospel—but expecting results and resistance
point #2 is a spectrum—not being unaware or obsessed with the Enemy.
CS Lewis famously said - “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.“ (Screwtape letters)
3. Watch out for syncretism…from others and yourself (vs. 6)
look at verse 6--
6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
did you catch that Bar Jesus is both a false prophet, sorcerer, yet Jewish?
how can he be both?
apparently, he had taken and mixed his Jewish beliefs with sorcery...
this is what theologians call syncretism—the blending of 2 or more religions...
those who are missionaries in other countries—see this quite a bit. Just reading a recent article on this—on missionaries south of the Saharan desert in African—one pastor in the country of Zambia said this: One day a woman texted me during a pastoral radio program. She said she had been working, and after retiring she had gotten her pension money, and now when going back home she was robbed. She continued, “I will take off my church uniform as a Christian and go kuli shi in’anga (‘to the witchdoctor’) and bewitch them.” Then her question was, “Is it right for a Christian to visit the witchdoctor?” The phone response from other listeners was interesting and shocking. Some suggested that she should go because God takes too much time to respond, and others said it was fine because witchdoctors give fast solutions, adding that they (witchdoctors) are also used by the same God. (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/rejecting-syncretism-paul-and-the-python/)
he goes on to say that he sees many Christians in his context consult both God and witch doctors—both.
this African pastor says: While the African Christian visits the ng’anga, a European Christian convert dabbles in astrology, and an American teenager consults a Ouija board. The pull of spiritual knowledge and power is strong in Africa, but do not think that the rest of the world is immune! Thus, syncretism arises in every culture where Christianity enters, and “church history is filled with the struggle against syncretism from political, social, religious, and economic sources.”10
as we share Christ—we have to be aware of how people are merging other religious or spiritual ideas with the Christian gospel. and this has been going around for all church history-including the OT.
and we have to be aware of ourselves doing it...
what are some modern syncretisms today for the American church:
prosperity gospel—meaning that the Bible expects me or wants me to be physically and financially prosperous—I should expect it—name it and claim it with enough belief. and I dont have it—i am in sin. this combines Christianity with a form of self-help Americanism—and maybe capitalism.
identifying too closely with a political party—it’s ok to have strong political beliefs and views; it’s ok to see your politics through a Biblical worldview—but when your Christianity starts to merge with your political beliefs so much so that other people are the enemy, people made in the image of God, I think that’s a problem. when politics seems to be the driving solution to everything rather than loving your neighbor—we have grown syncretistic...
one term—that one sociologist used of syncretism...
moralistic
therapeutic
deism...
meaning—as Christians we want God’s Word to always make us feel better—that’s the therapy part… (there’s some good in that) and the main goal of life is to be happy all the time
moralistic—meaning God wants us to be good and nice to each other (as defined by the Bible) rather than transformed. good people go to heaven; bad people don’t or go to hell.
deism - is the idea that there is a god but not active in the world. he is there for 911 emergencies but not our Lord.
this syncretism is common in the people we reach and also ourselves—so be on the lookout for syncretism—what do people really believe..what do you really believe...
some Christian beliefs may believe in God and Jesus and the Bible—but have this shallow view of what Christianity is all about.
4. be filled with the Spirit (vs. 9)
9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,
so before Paul confronts him—filled with the Spirit—the Holy Spirit, the 3rd member of the Trinity.
it’s a fresh infusion of God’s power that would enable him to perform this miracle. we see this all through acts—the church being filled with the power of the Spirit do something—like witness, confront, be bold, do the Lord’s Power
note-it’s not that Paul didn’t have the Spirit yet.
every Christian who believes in Jesus Christ—at that moment is united to Christ, is baptized in the Spirit—the Spirit comes on and in you. He doesn’t leave.
and yet Scripture commands us to be filled with the Spirit.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
that verse means—we don’t let wine or any foreign substance control us—nor do we seek to control anything like sorcery for our own purposes.
instead we let the Spirit control us.
how?
it’s not complicated.
Jesus said that the Spirit’s role is this—John 16:13-14
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
if you want to learn more—read John 14, 15, and 16.
The Spirit doesn’t want the attention—as you focus on Jesus, as you surrender to Him—as you seek to have know Him more through prayer and knowing God’s Word—He fills you with His Spirit.
the more you focus on Jesus Christ—you are equipped to be on a mission—to expect results and resistance…to be discerning yet not over-complicated....to spot syncretism in yourself and others…
Jesus was perfect at this—he faced resistance—BIG TIME—so much so he got crucified for our sins on the cross. yet had massive results—his movement has spread so that almost 2 billion people now claim to follow Jesus.
Jesus was incredibly discerning—he could always discern hearts by the Spirit—he was always victorious casting out demons, even a legion of demons…and he could spot false beliefs—correcting them all the time.
as we look to Jesus—He will help us....