Discipleship: The Fraud

In this series on Discipleship, we have already spoken of the dangerous doctrine of “cheap grace.” Grace covers everything, so just act as you wish, as if there has been no change in your life as a result of following Jesus. Rather, we encourage every believer to understand the concept of “costly grace,” the grace that came at great price for Jesus and compels us to really follow Him and obey Him. This morning, I submit to you that there is an even more dangerous attitude toward the gospel of grace, an attitude held by too many in our time: This morning, we expose The Fraud! Acts 8:14-23 “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity…”

Disciples don’t exploit for selfish gain.

It is pretty much straightforward. Disciples do not exploit the Gospel of grace for selfish gain. Sadly, this can occur in a number of ways. For Simon, it was the brash attempt to fraudulently exploit the powerful things of God for his own gain. This is an interesting story, full of drama and intrigue. Earlier in chapters 7 & 8, we find the account of Step

Others take a more subtle approach. They simply want to use God to satisfy their selfish desires.

Disciples have hearts that are right.

Peter’s rebuke of Simon was direct and on target. “Your heart’s not right!” John 2:23-25 “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.”

Spiritual fraud does not end well…unless.

I do not want to be a fraud!