The Demonstration of Power!

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

My brothers and sisters having been in revival this week and I am grateful for our Presiding Bishop, Robert W. Lyons Jr! On Wednesday Night Bishop, reminded us to “Let’s Start With Our Mouths” This message was designed to teach us that Power is activated by our Faith! On Night 2, Bishop declared we don’t want “No More FAKE Power”, because Power is validated by results! On Night 3 Bishop preached, that “I’m Glad He Found Me: & I’m not Ashamed! The Power of God is punctuated by our testimony! After all this preaching and all of this teaching, some may say, I want to see His Power in action then!

I don’t know about you but sometimes brothers and sister I learn by example and not just by instruction! Meaning sometimes I need someone to show me instead of just telling me! (GIVE EXAMPLE OF DEMONSTRATION). I remember growing up in

Demonstration: The action or process of showing the existence or truth of something by giving proof or evidence.

We see in our text that the leaders and Apostle of the Church in Jerusalem are being persecuted by Saul. Deacon Phillip makes his way to the city of Samaria and begins to preach Jesus unto them! Everybody around began not only LISTENING to the Gospel, but also WATCHING the signs and miracles being done by Phillip! Folks possessed with demons, folks are paralyzed and crippled are getting healed! So everybody in town was happy! It’s interesting that folks can rejoice at the fruit of power but not recognize the source of power!

When we experience power, we tend to forget what we’ve experience based upon the influence of our environment! We are prone to be distracted by who is familiar and not who is anointed! We diminishing the Power paying attention to imitators!

BUT THERE IS ALSO ONE!!!!!

Acts 8:9–10 “Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” You can claim to be and have something you are not and people will affirm you as long as you don’t correct them!” Acts 8:11 “And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts.”

They were so amazed by his magic, that they didn’t even take time to pay attention to that what he was presenting as power was just an illusion! But the more you keep watching a trick, the more you believe that its’ real! The scripture tells us that the only reason Simon had their attention was because he had been amazing and wowing them for A LONG TIMEEEEE!!!! We have committed ourselves to fake power for so long, that when the Holy Ghost shows up, it is of no effect! The Samaritans were not only enjoying show and the spells, but were under a spell!

Verse 12 teaches us Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.” The truth of the gospel of Jesus and the power of His Spirit overcome the Samaritans’ enchantment with Simon and his sorcery. If you want to see Power, keep listening to Truth, for Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God! Simon even believes and disciple of Phillip.

Don’t stop making noise, people are listening to your testimony!!!

Verse 14 - The Apostles in Jerusalem HEARD that Samaria and received the word of God! Samaria was around 42 miles from Jerusalem! So this was roughly a 2-3 day journey by foot!. So you mean to tell me that for 2-3 days a bunch of folks were talking about the Good News of the Saints It may not seem like anythings changing! It may not seem like anyone is listening! But keep making noise!!!