Spirit Empowered Jealousy
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Jealousy
Jealousy
In the days of the Crusades, Richard of England and Philip of France went to battle as comrades. When both men came under fire in the Holy Land, it was evident that Richard was the braver of the two. The Crusaders nicknamed him Richard “The Lion-hearted.”
When it became obvious that the Crusaders regarded Richard as their chief, Philip grew envious. Moved by jealousy, he objected to Richard’s strategies. He finally became defiant, withdrew from Palestine in a huff, and hastened back to France. Later, Philip treacherously invaded Richard’s territory.
Jealousy is frowned upon in the bible. It is a sinful heart attitude that expresses a dissatisfaction in what God and your neighbor.
The bible says in
We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Jealousy comes from a heart ruled by the desires of the flesh
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
And as you can see from King Philip, jealousy has the ability to destroy relationships, even divide kingdoms.
There is, however, a positive sense in which jealousy is used. Paul says in
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, because I have promised you in marriage to one husband—to present a pure virgin to Christ.
In this sense, Paul uses jealousy as a way of describing his commitment to seeking the honor and welfare of the Corinthians church. His jealousy is earnestly protective and watchful over the Corinthians because he loves them.
The bible teaches us that God is jealous in the same way. He earnestly seeks to protect the honor and glory of His name.
You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
In Exodus you see, He protects his honor of being worshiped as the one true God. He will not tolerate his rightful honor going to a false god. He protects that honor by commanding his people to tear down altars to pagan idols in Canaan
You are never to bow down to another god because Yahweh, being jealous by nature, is a jealous God.
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
You must not bow down to them or worship them, because I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
And you might be wondering if God being jealous for himself is somehow hypocrisy or a contraindication. It is not wrong for God to be jealous for his own honor and glory because He’s God. He is infinitely and singularly glorious. There is no one like Him.
Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like Me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.
He’s self-sufficient, needing nothing from no other being.
Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
We are his creation made to worship Him
I will say to the north: Give them up! and to the south: Do not hold them back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth — everyone called by My name and created for My glory. I have formed him; indeed, I have made him.”
He is the only being capable to meeting our need to worship
You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.
God is not egotistical in His jealousy. He’s not like us. He’s holy and good and the very essence of what is right. There is no goodness or rightness apart from Him
For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.
God has every right to be a jealous God. What is he jealous for? He is jealous for His honor and glory of His name.
I will act for My own sake, indeed, My own, for how can I be defiled? I will not give My glory to another.
The problem we run into has fallen image bearers is we naturally are jealous for our own name. This is self-inspired jealousy. And our self-inspired jealousy does not like to compete with any other being for our own glory and honor. When we have to compete for it, we become envious of others, jealous of what others have that makes them greater than ourselves. This doesn't work in the kingdom of God. Like Richard and Philip it divides kingdoms, not advancing the.
Spirit Empowered jealousy joyfully advances in the kingdom of God by making much of Jesus in preaching his word and responding rightly in faith.
The Self-Inspired Jealousy
The Self-Inspired Jealousy
Why am I hanging on the “jealousy” theme so much this morning? It is because that is what was wrong with Simon’s heart when the gospel came calling.
A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and astounded the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God!” They were attentive to him because he had astounded them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip, as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Simon loved making a name for himself, as you see in verse 9. He drew attention to his name by working magic and divination in all Samaria. Sorcery, magic and divination was the practice of arousing evil and demonic beings to obtain knowledge and control. A modern example today would be seeking horoscopes or palm readers and mediums for your future. Why do people pay attention to horoscopes? They promise insight into the future. If you know the future you can have some sense of control. Why do people seek mediums or psychics? Its for comfort and control. However, God deems it detestable (Deuteronomy 18:12). The secret things belong to God (Deut 29:29). We are told to trust His sovereignty for our future, an His goodness for our comfort. Why? Because God is the only being who is truly sovereign and truly good.
Pay attention to what Simon says and how the people respond in verses 9-10. Simon claims to be somebody great. What Simon is he portraying himself to be divine. He made the people think he was a god. He used evil and demonic sorcery to fool the Samaritan people into think he was a divine being in their midst. I don’t think he presumed to be the supreme God because he does hear Philip’s message later, but he does lead the people to believe he had god-like powers. And the people loved it. They were fascinated wit him. They followed him around and paid great attention to him. And he loved it because they made much of His name.
Then Philip comes along in verse 12 and the people begin to give their attention to him. Philip is preaching the Gospel and doing signs and wonders. The wonders capture's Simon’s attention, so he goes along with it and is amazed, but he’s not won over to God’s kingdom.
Look a little further down the text. Peter and the apostles come down to see what is happening in Samaria. The Holy Spirit is given to the Samaritan’s to show that God’s kingdom is advancing even to the Gentiles. As a matter of fact, they were the first gentiles to receive the Holy Spirit. It was like their own Pentecost. They were Baptized with the Spirit just like Jerusalem was in Acts 2.
That is a very special event and time in the church. The apostles affirmed the gospel was preached and received in Samaria. This told Jerusalem that God’s kingdom was going to the ends of the earth, and the Holy Spirit verified it when he come upon them. This is not something we need to seek in the church as a second experience or another baptizing of the Spirit, it was unique to their time, place and space. And the experience was overwhelming, just kike the Pentecost in Jerusalem. Simon was so overwhelmed that he wanted to have the same power as Peter. He thought he could manipulate the Holy Spirit t make him look great again.
Peter is not having any of this and calls it how he sees it. He reveals something very particular about Simon’s heart in
For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
What does Peter mean when he says “poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity?” The phrase is εἰς χολὴν πικρίας εἰμί: (an idiom, literally ‘to be in the gall of bitterness’) to be particularly envious or resentful of someone - ‘to be very jealous, to be terribly envious, to be bitterly envious.’ Peter exposed envy in the the heart of Simon. Peter says in verse two that the “intent of his heart needs forgiveness.” What is the intent of his heart? His heart was bitterly jealous. What was he jealous about?
You might say he was jealous over Peter and Philip for their ability to wild the Holy Spirit. You would be right, but it goes deeper than that. I think he was first jealous for himself, in the same way God is jealous for Himself. And that jealous didn’t like the competition of Philip and Peter and became envious of them.
Look back at Simon’s life in this text. He wanted people to think he was a god. He manipulated evil and demonic forces to bring great fame to his name. He told people he was great, fooled them into thinking he was great, all for the glory and honor of his name. He was jealous for himself. Simon earnestly sought to protect and advance his own honor. And when Philip showed up proclaiming the word of God with sign and wonders, and Peter showed up pouring out the Spirit, Simon believed he could manipulate God for the advancement of his own glory and honor. That is why Peter says, “partner, you are full of envy.” Where did his envy come from? it came from hi passion to make much of his name to all Samaria.
Think about how jealousy works itself out in your life. The more jealous you are for yourself, the more envious you are of others who compete with you. Our culture lives and dies on making your name great. I mean, we literally have a generation of twenty somethings who were taught that everything they did was right and great because self-esteem is the key to you success. All you need is more confidence in yourself and to be reminded everyday that you are great, even when you are below average. Now our culture suffers from narcissism. It the “Look at me" culture.
Jealousy drives you to earnestly seek to make your name great among the peoples like your neighbors. And then, when anyone of them competes with your honor, your heart will envy them. Look at me, I have a six figure job. Oh ya, look at me, I have a 7 figure job. Heart becomes jealous. Look at me I have a house and a boat and a new car. Oh ya, look at me, I have a mansion, a yacht, and a new car in each stall of my three care garage. Heart becomes envious. Jealousy keeps the heart keeping up with the Jones. Jealousy for the honor of your name makes you jealous of anyone who competes with it.
Unfortunately, its not confined to the culture. Its a problem inside the church as well. Its a funny thing to watch Christians size each other up in the church. We jockey for who is more spiritual or prominent in the body. Look at me, I prayed for an hour last night as I mediated on Psalm 1. Oh ya, look at me, I prayed for three hours, memorized the gospel of John, and baptized six homeless people…at the same time. We say we are doing it for Jesus sake, but in fact “the look at me” factor reveals it is more about my name and honor than it is about God’s name and honor. Jealousy for the honor of your name makes you envious of anyone who competes with it. How much strife has engulfed the church because we’ve allowed our heart to become jealous for our own name?
The Devil and The Hermit
The Devil and The Hermit
There is a fable wherein the Devil once was crossing the Libyan desert and met a group of friends tempting a holy hermit. They tried seductions of the flesh, used doubts and fears, etc. But to no avail. The holy man was unmoved. The Devil then stepped forward: “Your methods are too crude. Permit me one moment.” Going to the hermit, he said, “Have you heard the news? Your brother has been made the Bishop of Alexandria.” According to the fable, a scowl of malignant jealousy clouded the serene face of the holy man.
How many Holy men in the church have allowed jealousy for their own name to incite their heart to be envious of those who God blesses for His own name sake? Peter describes Simon’s heart as “bind by iniquity” or imprisoned in sin.” That should never describe the Christian or the church.
Simon’s problem was that he was so jealous for his own name and honor that he became envious of Philip and Peter, and enemy to God. Had He truly encountered Christ, his jealousy would have changed. When you encounter Jesus at the cross by faith, he transforms your heart. He takes your eyes off yourself and puts them square on Him and the Father. He changes the desires and direction of your heart. He embolden’s you to be jealous for God’s honor and glory. He does not give you a new self-esteem. That’s ridiculous. You already a great esteem of yourself. That’s why you don’t look to God. He’s too gracious for that. He gives you a wonderful new God-esteem that enthralls your heart to live recklessly for His love and kingdom. He changes your jealousy. And he wants you to be jealous, not for yourself, but Him.
Be Jealous for the Preaching of His Word
Be Jealous for the Preaching of His Word
Look at
But when they believed Philip, as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Philip was preaching the gospel, the “good news” that Jesus is the Messiah. That is, Jesus is your Savior from the wrath of God that is poured out on those who rebel against Him. All of humanity has sinned against God. All of us have broken his laws and commands and have lived a life that does not believe he is God. We lack faith. What we earn from our defiance of his holy law is his condemnation. The wages of sin is death, physical death and spiritual death.
What makes me most nervous about our culture is that there is no fear of God and no fear of death. It’s like we are all sedated by the American Dream that we subconsciously think that when we die we either don’t exist or we keep living the American Dream in American heaven. heaven is just an extension of what we experience here and now but without all the nonsense. So we Novocate ourselves with T.V and prosperity and heresy to help us not dwell on it. So we live with no fear of God, as if our sinful rebellion does not matter. And it scares me to think how many people perish a day completely misguided and find themselves suffering the wrath of God.
Philip was clearing this up. he was preaching the truth. The wages of your sin is death, but the gift of God is salvation through his Son Jesus Christ. He has given you a way of escape. God demonstrated his love for you that while you are steep in your sin, He sent His Son to die for you. Salvation will come to you if you receive his gift by faith. Trust Him. Put your hope in Christ’s work on the cross. believe in the name of Jesus, that is His power. All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
Be jealous for God’s gospel message to the nations. Be jealous to make much of His salvation to everyone you encounter. If you are too fearful to share the gospel because you may offend someone, you are struggling with being jealous for your own name. Repent of that. Ask God to make you jealous for His name.
Be Jealous For The Right Response
Be Jealous For The Right Response
Then even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he went around constantly with Philip and was astounded as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.
Something is wrong with Simon’s response to the Gospel. It says he believes and was even baptized. However, the Greek conveys that Simon attaches himself to Philip in an unhealthy manner. Furthermore, he was overly fascinated with the signs and wonders Philip was performing. It appears his faith was more attached to Philip than it was Jesus. He was committed to the benefits of the gospel or the wonder of the gospel, but not the object of adoration of the gospel.
Peter goes on to expose his inferior faith by exposing that coupled with his jealousy for himself was a greedy lust for power and money. He though he could by the Holy Spirit for his own profit. All of this coming from someone who professed to know Jesus by obviously didn’t know Jesus.
I had a friend in college who attended the same church I attended. We would talk about sharing our faith often, especially since we had college courses together. One day we were talking about responding to the gospel. What does it look like? How do we know someone is saved? And she said very plainly, “ Just get them to say the sinners prayer. If they say it out loud. They are saved.” I asked, “So are you saying that salvation comes from a confession? What about faith? Don’t you ave to believe what you are saying about Jesus?” And she believed that they were saved because they said it with their mouth they believed it with their heart.
If you believe that you are going to run into some problems with the bible. First of all, Simon confessed Jesus, but obviously didn't believe. Furthermore, Jesus taught the parable of the soils that says some will confess him at first but soon fall away because of hardship. And, we also know that some will say the confessed Jesus when they stand before Him and he will say,”Depart from em for I never knew you.”
What my friend upheld at the time was what some church circles call easy believism. Just say the sinners prayer and you will be fine; even if you live like a pagan for the rest of your life. That belief has sent more people to hell than I can imagine. To say to a person that Jesus only requires you to just say you love him and not actually love him, is mass spiritual murder.
Faith is the right response to the gospel. The distinction between Simon and the rest of the Samaritans is that they believed, accepted the gospel by true faith. Jesus demands that you confess with your mouth what you believe in your heart, that Jesus is Lord. If you believe that Jesus is Lord, the bible says, your life will be marked by the fruits of the Spirit and a jealous love for God’s name and honor will be above your name and honor. Be jealous for a right response to the gospel.
Call people to repentance. That is what Peter told Simon to do (Acts 8:22). Repent, turn from your sinful ways. Stop living like the world and start living in the kingdom of God. Put away your sexual immorality, and your idolatry and your malice, your greed, and your lust for your name. Put on love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. True believers in Christ begin to look like trees that produce good fruit. Not all at once, but begin to develop Christ exalting fruit. Repentance is the first step.
Call people to confess their sin for forgiveness. We need to be forgiven for offending God and each other. There needs to be call for sinners to ask God to forgive them. Forgiveness involves confessing your sin before God. Peter told Simon, the intent of his heart was wicked. His actions revealed the wrong jealousy of his heart, and he needs to confess that before God.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Be Jealous for Joyfully Advancing The Kingdom of God By Making Much of Jesus.
Be Jealous for Joyfully Advancing The Kingdom of God By Making Much of Jesus.
Then, after they had testified and spoken the message of the Lord, they traveled back to Jerusalem, evangelizing many villages of the Samaritans.
Verse 25 ends with the apostles evangelizing Samaritan villages on their way back to Jerusalem. They were jealous for God’s kingdom to be advanced. They were jealous for fulfilling the Great Commission. Hearts that have been changed by Jesus Christ become jealous for God’s name among the nations.
Our community needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. They need us to be jealous for God’s name and honor and glory. The kingdom of God lived out on earth brings peace and unity they are longing for right now.
What are you jealous for?
What are you jealous for?
King Richard and King Philip were on a crusade, but I’m not sure it was about God’s kingdom. Never does the bible use the sword to convert anyone. Th only sword Christians carry is the word of God. It’s by faithfully preaching the gospel and calling people to repent, confess your sin, and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. The nations are converted by Spirit empowered preaching, as Peter and Philip show us.
Also, it appears there was more self-inspired jealousy than Spirit empowered jealousy in their pursuit of God’s kingdom. Spirit empowered jealousy never separates God’s people. It unites them in Christ and ignites a passion for God’s name to be made great among the peoples of the world. A great example is how Philip and Peter and the apostles all work in harmony to reach Samaria.