22. Not for Sale

Random Question

What is something that you are really looking forward to?

Vs. 9-11

Acts 8:9 NKJV

9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,

We’re introduced here to a very interesting guy named Simon, what does our friend Simon do for a living? (Sorcerer)

Sorcery = The use of spells and magic to produce unusual effects & tricks..

When I just say the word “Sorcerer” or “witch”, what comes to mind? (Wizard of Oz, fly on a broom, boiling pot with potions)

In this case here though, where do you think Simon gets his power from? (Satan)

This sorcery has a whole lot more to do with demonic forces, calling them up to do these supernatural things...

Do you think he was good at what he did? How come? (The people were “bewithced”, astonished, mind BLOWN)

Samaritan town = mixed worship… No wonder they are amazed!

Magic tricks in front of monkeys...

Do you think Simon did this ministry out of the good of his heart? What is his motive for all this magic? (Self-advancement!)

I’m the best! “Bow down to me everybody. I can do all these tricks.”

And you know what, he was good at drawing that attention and getting that power he wanted. Because in vs. 10, it says,

Acts 8:10 NKJV

10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.”

When the people say, “This man is the great power of God.” Do you find some of that wording striking? (This man IS the great power of God)

Not only does this guy represent god, he IS the power of God. These Samaritan’s worshipped this guy! Check out how long he had them too...

Acts 8:11 NKJV

11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

Secular history adds to the might of this guy..

- Justin Martyr (2nd century): Claimed people revered him as a high god.

- Teachings reached Rome apparently

- Statue made in Rome, “To Simon the holy god,” (Not as historically reliable)

Vs. 12

Acts 8:12 NKJV

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

These Samaritans were fully captivated by Simon, and had been set in those ways for years… But now, in vs. 12, it says they believed Philip!

What brought these people to faith? (Preaching the Word)

Remembering the fact these Samaritans were pagans into witchcraft, why is it incredible they believed because of preaching? (If it were because of miracles, how do we know that’s genuine faith?)

They were saved from the Word, the preaching! Which shows that they were genuine.

If Samaritans like these, deep in paganism can get saved, what does that tell us about people today? (Anyone can get saved)

We subconsciously think certain people are more apt to be saved… (EXPAND ON THIS)

Vs. 13

Acts 8:13 NKJV

13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

But then again comes Simon in vs. 14, what happens to him here? (Believed and baptized)

Sees everything going on around him

Picture the scene with them...

Do you think Simon became a believer here?

The end of the verse says he was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs Philip did, why should that make us supicious about Simon’s conversion? (Wants to learn new tricks)

“Philip has bigger, better tricks than I do, and the people are turning to him. I want to learn these!”

Vs. 14-16

Focus shifts from Simon to the Samaritans for a few verses, and what happens is interestign to say the least...

Acts 8:14 NKJV

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,

Word gets to the apostles, “Hey! Philip’s doing a great job, God is saving a bunch of Samaritans. Can you believe it?!!!”

So, the church sends out Peter and John to check things out.

Acts 8:15 NKJV

15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

Woah, woah, woah pause… Can someone tell me what the apostles just did? (Prayed that they would receive the Holy Spirit)

Up to this point, we’re given every indication that these Samaritans were already believers… But to add onto this, take a look at vs. 16...

Acts 8:16 NKJV

16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

They believed in Christ and were baptized, but vs. 16 clearly says they don’t have the Holy Spirit...

We know our Bibles, when does the Holy Spirit come to indwell us? (When we are saved)

So, were the Samaritans not saved up to this point? (I don’t think so)

Look back at vs. 12… These people received the message of the Gospel and were even baptized after.

So, are they saved when just Philip is there? Or when Peter and John pray over them?

They definitely were saved when they were with Philip...

Vs. 17

Acts 8:17 NKJV

17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Charismatic anointing

- Second work of grace

- Sinless perfection

Is that what’s going on here? Verse 17 would certainly give us that impression...

If they were already saved, then why do you think they received the Holy Spirit only when the apostles came?

If you guys remember that far back, we learned Philip was a Hellenist (Grecian Jew), were the Grecians popular around town? (No, they were second class Jews, not to be trusted)

If you’re a Hebrew Christian, hearing that the Gospel went out to Samaritans through a Grecian, are you going to be a little suspicious?

Church sends out apostles to confirm whether or not this is legitemate… So, God choses to bring the two most respected people in the church, Peter and john to confirm this movement.

And how do we know it was legitemate? (The Holy Spirit indwelt them!)

Here’s where Simon comes back into picture...

Imagine being Simon, you’ve been watching this whole scene take place, the apostles simply put their hands on people, and they received the Holy Spirit, what ideas are running through your mind? (I need those powers! I could get rich off that)

Vs. 18-19

Acts 8:18 NKJV

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostle’s hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them” what? (Money)

Word came from this: Simony = Attempting to buy a position in church leadership with money… So this is what he says (vs. 19)

Acts 8:19 NKJV

19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Why do you think Simon wanted the power to give the Holy Spirit?

Holy Spirit for sale stand...

Does anyone have a problem with this? How come?

Simon thought he could manipulate the Holy Spirit to do what he wanted. Not only that, but what did he want? He wanted to use the Holy Spirit to do magic tricks so that people would turn to him! This is a total selfish manipulation of the Holy Spirit here...

Someone read 1 Corinthians 12:11 for us…

1 Corinthians 12:11 NKJV

11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Context: Giving gifts to the church.

Do we have any influence on what gifts the Holy Spirit gives us?

Slip some money to the Holy Spirit, “Make me a preacher please...”

God cannot and will not be manipulated, He is in control, so He makes the decisions.

But Simon believed the Holy Spirit could be controlled. What heart motive does that show us? (Pride!)

Pride says, “It’s okay God, I’ll call the shots today. This is what you are going to do.”

Vs. 20-21

Acts 8:20–21 NKJV

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

What does Peter have to say about this? (Your money perish with you!)

Anyone still think Simon is a believer? (I don’t think so)

Why would heh say that? Because Simon thinks he can earn God’s favor with money. “Who cares about grace? I can buy God’s favor!”

We do the exact same thing though...

- If I just pray enough...

- If I just tell enough friends about Jesus...

- If I just obey my parents for a month...

Then God will bless me.

Whenever we believe (Consciously or subconsciously) that we can manipulate God in our favor, we’ve just become like Simon. God will not be manipulated in our favor.

If God is all powerful, and the Holy Spirit bought us at a price, who is in charge of our lives? (God)

But according to Stephen, who was calling the shots? (Himself)

God is the Lord of our lives, He will not be manipulated for our self-advancement like Simon wanted.

Vs. 22-23

Acts 8:22 NKJV

22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Where’s the hope in all this? (Room for repentance!)

Even though in vs. 23 Peter says,

Acts 8:23 NKJV

23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

There is still room for repentance, God will forgive even this.

Vs. 24

Acts 8:24 NKJV

24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

Do you think Simon really repented? How come?

Didn’t bring his request to God, went to apostles.

More scared of the consequences than displeasing God.

It all ends in this sad way, Simon doesn’t repent, and he is scared of what people think.

Application

Let’s not allow ourselves to fall into the same trap...

God won’t be bent into blessing us by our good works

God is in control, we bend to His will