Philip Preached, cast out demons, healed some, and there was joy in the work of God in Samaria! vv.4-8

Amazement of God’s Gifts Doesn’t Mean Adoration of the Giver vv.9-13

When we come to Christ, we adore Him ultimately!  We repent from sin, we run from self, and we cling to the Savior!  Ask anyone who thought they were saved, but there is no adoration for Christ!  Once they’ve gotten saved, they’ll be quick to tell you that there was before an emotional amazement, but no need for adoration for Christ!  Be alarmed if that’s you!  Brokenness, humbleness, undeserving grace will draw you to an adoration of Christ and drain you of a self-centered amazement.

So I started studying the passage thinking great, the magician that practiced demonic arts was saved!  Great!  There are only two types of supernatural power, demonic Satanic power and God’s supernatural power.  Don’t let anyone fool you by what it’s called!  That is a big lie that Satan wants you to follow!  Naturally God’s Power is greater, so Simon wants it- he’s amazed.  Like Bar-Jesus in Acts 13, his livelihood depended on it!  Although he believed and was baptized, it doesn’t mean he was saved.  Research says that First century Christian leaders such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Jerome, etc. did not believe he repented and was saved.  In fact they all told that he was a heretic. 

Here are a few biblical references to how this can happen.

“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.”

“18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

It’s possible to believe and not have faith!  Faith is trusting in Jesus!  If you do not have a thirst for Jesus Christ, a longing for Him, you are not saved! 

Why, that’s bold!  Yea, that’s what Jesus said: “deny yourself, pick up the cross and follow me.”  That’s what is wrong- we want the cake without the cost or calories, we want Heaven without Christ!

The Application of God’s Gifts Shows the Affection for the Giver vv.14-21

Simon wanted to look good!

He didn’t want the gifts for God’s glory, but for his own!

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.  8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to[a] a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,[b] 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

Are you wanting to apply God’s gifts when only He gets the glory, or when it may cause you great suffering?  The application will be the sign of your affection!    

 

The Acceptance of Christ Requires Full Acknowledgement of Our Heart vv.22-25

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Questions we must ask ourselves?