Establishing the Foundation
Acts of the Church • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
I have built many things in my life. I have built bridges, houses, warehouses, and 400 foot long chicken houses. I have built sidewalks, patios, and even poured thousands of feet of curb and guttering for streets and parking lots. No matter what I built or helped in building, a sure foundation always had be established. The foundation set the course for the rest of the project.
This is so true in many things in our lives and certainly it was true for the early Church as we see throughout the Book of Acts. One example of this is found in the encounter that Philip had with a man named Simon.
Listen to part of the record of this encounter found in .
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, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
Sorcery is from the Greek word mageuo which is translated to be a magician, to practice witchcraft or black magic. I am a fan of magic tricks. I am quite fascinated about how tricks happen and the sleight of hand that goes with them. I have had friends over the years that were incredible magicians and showed me how certain tricks work. Their precision implementing the trick their presentation always seemed to draw great attention.
I especially enjoy when things disappear. In fact, if you put a bowl of banana pudding in front of me, I can make it disappear right out of that bowl.
Simon the Sorcerer, however, practiced tricks in a way that caused a following. The timing was perfect. There were many who practiced sorcery at that time . Their popularity was multiplied because of the expectancy of the Messiah. They thought that the Messiah would come performing great signs and wonders. The sorcerers showmanship and smooth talk would fool the people. Simon evidently had this gift. He deceived the people so well that they called him the man that was “the divine power known as the Great Power” ().
Tradition and the record of early church historians like Justin Martyr and Irenaeus describe this Simon as the father of Gnosticism. Gnosticism is that belief that was a second-century religious movement claiming that salvation could be gained through a special form of secret knowledge. It became the basis for many forms of religion including Mary Baker Eddy’s Christian Science movement and the New Thought Movement. These movements, just like what Simon the Sorcerer was doing, distort truth and deny biblical authority. Unfortunately, this is just an example of many today who are trying to find truth in that which is based on a lie.
Simon the Sorcerer, according to our text today, was being followed because he was amazing with his magic. At the same time and in the same area, according to , the Apostle Philip was called of God to go to Samaria and proclaim Christ. In doing so, we can see three areas consistent with the rest of the Book of Acts that are needed in establishing the foundation.
Truth
Truth
First, look at out how truth comes in to play. Verses 9-11 show us how the crowd followed the deception of Simon and his trickery. The people thought he was great and divine. They were amazed and willing to base all of their judgement on that which was false. I love the way Luke, the author of Acts, makes the clarification in verse 12.
But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Aren’t you glad for the word “but” in scripture? The implication we see here is that the people were going in a wrong direction until Philip spoke of the truth of the Good News of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Talking about a change in direction! When truth is proclaimed, the authenticity rises to the top. Have you ever thought about the source of truth? It is not a thought or an idea, it is God Almighty. He is the source, the creator of all things!
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
In the beginning God. That should settle it once and for all! But, if you need something more, look at .
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you founded the world and all that is in it.
Or look at :
The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you founded the world and all that is in it.
Or look at :
I
for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
Or look at
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
The source of all things and the source of truth is none other that God Himself.
Philip used the truth of scripture to show the people that the Good News of the Kingdom and the Name of Jesus was the One to follow. Later in , we see that Philip explained the truth of scripture to the Ethiopian who was reading it. God’s Word is a source of great truth for us. We must stand on His Word and live by its precepts and principles. The source of all truth has given to us truths in His Word.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
Psalm
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2 Timothy
The scripture of truth was not some man made concoction, but it was and is the Word of God!
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.
2 Peter 1:20
Not only do we have the source of truth and the scripture of truth, we have the Savior of Truth!
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Ephesians 4:21
Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.
2 Peter
Tenacity
Tenacity
Philip not only presented truth when he was establishing this foundation as he was building the Kingdom of God, he had tenacity. Do you have tenacity? I love that word. It means to present in a way that holds something together firmly. When you have tenacity, you have a power. Philip was given a power that was from God. He experienced the words of Jesus just before Jesus ascended into heaven:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Obviously that power was more than what Simon seemingly had. When the Name of Jesus is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit’s power causes people to turn from foolishness to God’s redemptive plan. Philip experienced that power and was afraid.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1
I am reminded of the truth of scripture found in :
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Our foundation, built with tenacity and power, also helps us set our purpose. Everyone of us are designed by God for a purpose. When we find that purpose, we can be like Philip and boldly go and do what God has called us to do. We see a boldness that is not described about Philip before.
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.
The word proclaim is one that is shows assurance of purpose. You don’t proclaim something unless you are sure. You don’t proclaim something if you don’t have a purpose in doing so!
The Apostle Paul had to be influenced by the likes of a Philip. He gives his version of a purpose statement to the Colossians in Colossians 2:2:
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
Philip’s tenacity that was fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit and the understanding of his purpose helped him understand his position.
It wasn’t just a circumstance that Philip happened to be in Samaria. He did not go there to for a weekend get away. God had him right in position, exactly at the right time and right place to preach the Good News of the Kingdom and proclaim the Name of Jesus. God designed a divine appointment to help turn people that were caught up in deception find truth. Divine position placements are mentioned all throughout the Bible. Daniel was placed in the king’s service. Nehemiah was the cup-bearer of the king. The Jews from every nation were gathered for Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came and the Bible says they declared the wonders of God in their own tongues. God positioned them at the right place at the right time. Guess what? God still designs divine appointments for each of us! We are placed in positions of influence in which we can proclaim Christ. We must always be willing to use our positions not by asking why are we here, but how Lord do you want me to proceed.
Testimony
Testimony
We also see in this passage that when a foundation is being established, there must be a good testimony. We have seen here that it was recorded that Philip preached the Good News and proclaimed the Name of Jesus Christ. The evidence of conversion shows that Philip had a good testimony and it was authentic. Our testimony is that statement of our belief and what we have perceived. In the Christian world, a testimony is what we believe about Jesus and how Jesus has changed our lives. There are three evidences of a testimony.
First, a testimony should indicate change.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
I love that phrase, “the old has gone and the new has come.” When Jesus enters our lives, there should be a significant change in habits, attitude, understanding and actions that are consistent with the fruit of the Spirit ().
The message of change that Philip and the other Apostles had is the same for us.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
Paul said it this way:
Colossians 1:22-2
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
Philip talked about a change. That change led to a commitment.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
When we hold on “unswervingly” we are making a statement of commitment. God honors our commitment.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.
The commitment also leads to being consistent. We will remain in a way to that which have changed.
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
A true testimony is one that does not waver but stands true.
Titus
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
We see in this passage from that Simon believed and was baptized. However, we see something that is troubling. Later on in this chapter, Simon decides to try to purchase from the Apostles the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit. Philip rebukes him rather firmly and calls for Simon to repent. The lesson learned here is that there will be instances where we can enhance our testimony or we can blow it. Believe you me, it is much better to enhance your testimony than to blow it. I am not real sure about Simon’s intentions. Seems like perhaps the trickster was still performing. What about you? Are you in it for real or are you in it for show? How have you established your foundation? It’s okay to tear down and rebuild. This time, if you have to, let’s rebuild it right.