Sermon Notes

“Real Power”

Acts 8:9-25

“But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.” Acts 8:9-13

IS THIS REAL?!

“But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.” Acts 8:9

1. The power of God will always be counterfeited

“It is a basic principle in Scripture that wherever God sows… Satan will eventually sow his counterfeits.” Warren Wiersbe

“They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.” Acts 8:10-11

Biblical Realities:

We have an enemy that has real, but limited power

"…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers…” 2 Corinthians 4:4a

We have a God with ultimate power

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17

2. The power of God is the Spirit of God

“But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:12-17

“Each new stage moves the mission of the church into these new areas, and is signified by the sending of the Spirit to initiate first the Jewish Pentecost (Acts 2), then the Samaritan Pentecost (Acts 8), and the Gentile Pentecost (Acts 10).” Kent Hughes

The book of Acts is…

Descriptive: It’s telling us what God did then 

Prescriptive: It’s telling us what we should do now

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 8:18-19

3. The power of God cannot be earned

“But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.’” Acts 8:20-21

“‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.’” John 15:9

"Do you realize that it is only in the gospel of Jesus Christ that you get the verdict before the performance?" Tim Keller

As a follower of Jesus, there is nothing you can do to make God love you more or less.

"When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent,’ he willed the entire life of a believer to be one of repentance." Martin Luther