June 12, 2025 • 20 mins
Simon sought to buy the Holy Spirit’s power, but Peter’s fiery rebuke revealed a deeper truth—can a man truly purchase what only God freely gives?
In Season 7, Episode 15 of The Jesus Podcast, we encounter Simon the Sorcerer, a man of power and influence in Samaria, who becomes intrigued by the message and miracles of Philip. Despite his baptism, Simon’s heart remains set on acquiring power for selfish gain, leading to a powerful confrontation with Peter and John.
Today's Bible verse is Matthew 7:21, from the King James Version.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Not every one who says to me, Lord Lord, will
enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does
the will of my Father, who is in heaven Matthew
seven twenty one. Dear Lord, we come to you with
hearts full of gratitude for your boundless love and mercy.
(00:22):
Thank you for the gift of your word, which guides
us and reveals your will for our lives. We recognize
that it is not enough to merely call upon your
name with our lips, but we must also honor you
with our actions and hearts. We often fall short, relying
(00:45):
on our strength and understanding instead of seeking your guidance
and obeying your commands. Change our hearts, Lord, align our
desires with yours, so that we may in a way
that is pleasing to you. Teach us to love as
(01:05):
you love, to serve as Jesus served, than to walk
humbly with you each day. Give us strength and courage
to follow your will, even when it's difficult or require sacrifice.
Empower us by your Holy Spirit to be faithful and
(01:28):
obedient servants. May our lives reflect your grace and truth,
drawing others to your kingdom. Use us, Lord, to be
a force for good in our families, communities, and beyond.
Help us to be doers of the word, not just hearers,
(01:52):
so that we may bring glory to your name and
advance the Kingdom here on earth. In jesus precious name,
we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me to day.
You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for gripping
(02:13):
tales connecting Jesus' Sermon on the Mount to other biblical adventures.
If you've been inspired by these podcasts, we would love
it if you left a review. In the heart of Samaria,
where stone paved streets wound like serpents between the sun
(02:35):
bleached buildings, there lived a man of formidable reputation. The
people called him Simon. The whispers of his other titles
danced in the air like ghostly tendrils the great power
of God. They murmured with awe and fear. Or Simon
(02:58):
the Sorcerer was a man and not to be trifled with.
He was a man acquainted with alchemy, tonics, and different
forms of sorcery. With the right concoction, he could make
a man feel what he wanted him to feel. With
the right incantations, he could summon spirits to perform signs.
(03:22):
Simon's assent of fame had been as mysterious as the
man himself. He had come from humble beginnings, a nameless
child from a forgotten village, but within him burned a
hunger as vast and insatiable as the desert sands. In
(03:43):
those early days, he had wandered far and wide, delving
into the arcane arts, seeking knowledge and places where the
light of day dared not venture. Simon sat in his
grand hole, a small temple smelling of wet stone and incense.
(04:05):
People would come to him there. They asked for signs
from God. They wanted their moods altered and fortunes told.
Simon met their needs for a price.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Simon, please consult God and tell me if my crops
will yield this year.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
I shall consult the sands.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Simon took out a sack of dark ebony sand and
threw it onto the floor. He crouched down and blew,
whispering incantations he'd learned from foreign lands. His practice was
disingenuous at best, and blatantly evil at its worst.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
I see what God decease, I hear what he hears.
An evil weed seeks to choke out your crop, hindering
its rules. The sun's scorch will likely cause them to wither.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
Unless Simon retrieved a sack of ground goat bones he
waded in his hand, a slight smile coiling around his mouth,
the man bowed his head and left, grateful and anxious.
The people of Samaria revered Simon, and why should they not.
(05:33):
Local legends whispered that Simon could conjure flames from thin air,
summon storms from a whisper, and bend the will of
man and beast alike. To them, Simon was more than
a sorcerer. He was a god among men, and in
their eyes, his power was good. That was until a
(06:01):
new force entered the land, carry it on the lips
of travelers and merchants, a man named Philip.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Where does true power lie? And what's the cost of
a prideful pursuit of power? Welcome to the Jesus Podcast.
Gospel inspired stories to enliven and enrich your imagination and
your faith. We've been going through a miniseries on the
Birth of the Church. We've been highlighting stories from the
Book of Acts to showcase how the Gospel of Jesus
(06:36):
worked through the lives of early believers. Today, we're going
to dive into a thrilling story from the Book of Acts,
a tale filled with miracles, magic, and a man named
Simon who tried to buy his way into God's kingdom.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Buckle up, because.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
This story, inspired by Acts eight five through twenty five,
has lessons that are going to challenge us, inspire us,
and maybe even make us laugh.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Simon watched from the alleyway, his face hidden beneath the hood,
he peered out, observing every move Philip made. The man
didn't wear the garb of a priest, nor carry himself
like a prophet. His clothes were ragged, his beard untrimmed,
yet his face radiated purpose. He addressed the crowd, his
(07:27):
voice bolstered by some unseen authority.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
It was faith that moved our father Abraham. Faith one day,
through his seed, all the nations will be blessed. I've
come here to tell you that the promised seed of
Abraham has come. He is Jesus, and the faith that
moved Abraham to greatness can move you too.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Simon's ears perked up at the words greatness. He had
heard rumors about the man from Nazareth named Jesus. He
heard stories of healed lepers and multiplied bread.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Truly, I tell you, if you have faith as small
as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,
move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing
will be impossible for you.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Just then, Simon saw Philip approach a lame man sitting
on the ground. He walked with gentle steps and reached
out a hand. Philip's eyes were earnest warm. He spoke
with words that didn't seem to be his.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Own brother, get up and walk.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Simon's eyes widened with disbelief as he watched the lame
man stretch his legs, roll his ankles, and rise to
his feet. Gasps from the crowd gave way to cheers.
Philip seized the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Believe in Jesus that he died on the cross for
the sins of mankind and rose again in power. Let
faith move, you be baptized and follow Jesus.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Droves of people raced to Philip, hands stretched out, eager
to experience freedom from sin and power from the spirit.
Simon found his legs moving forward. He was drawn to
the power Philip had. Whatever spirit compelled him, Simon desired.
(09:35):
He moved with the tide of the crowd, following Philip
to the water.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Do you confess that Jesus is Lord and that, through
the power of God's Spirit was raised to life after death?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
I do. Jesus is Lord.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Then be baptized, my friend, in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Simon was baptized, caught up in the euphoria of the crowd,
eager to experience the power Philip had. But as he
emerged from the water, he felt nothing. He didn't sense
a force within, nor did he feel energy coursing through
his veins. Power.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
I want that power.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Simon tugged at Philip's garment and spoke in an.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Innocent voice, Philip, I want to do what you do, signs, wanders, healings.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Show me how patience, brother, you have yet to receive
the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Come.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
I will gather the others and visit Peter and John.
They will lay hands on you and commission you for
the great ministry Christ has called you two.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Simon followed Philip and the others to meet with John
and Peter. He walked eagerly, padding behind them like a child.
He expected them to be escorted to a temple of Opulence,
where Peter and John would receive them adorned with jeweled,
encrusted medallions and golden laced robes. Yet, to Simon's dismay,
(11:14):
they wore fishermen's garbs. The one they called Peter was
a burly man with unkempt hair. The one they called
John looked no older than seventeen.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Brothers and sisters, we give thanks to God, the Father
of our Lord Jesus, that you have been redeemed and
brought near. Welcome to the community of Christ. Come, let's
lay hands on you so that you may receive the
Holy Spirit, empowered and emboldened for the mission ahead.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Lord God, we pray that you'd adorn your children with
the spirit, fill them afresh, awakening gifts to glorify your name.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Simon watched incredibly as each person around him became empowered
by the Holy Spirit, a tangible difference in their countenance.
This was the power Philip had, the power Simon desperately wanted.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Peter John hello.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Simon pushed through the crowd and reached into his purse,
a large sack of silver weighed his palm. A wry
grin painted his face.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Ha, how much for the power you wield? Name your prize?
Speaker 5 (12:27):
What do you mean you are men of great power
able to give it to others? I want that power?
How much can I pay you for your services? I
have acquired much silver in my life. No prize will
be too high for me.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Peter's gaze became intense. He darted his eyes to Philip.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Felid, Where did you find this man?
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Peter turned to Simon, eyes hot with conviction. His deep
voice and Galilean accent added volume to his intense rebuke.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Keep your silver.
Speaker 5 (13:08):
Well, I'm surprised you wouldn't accept my offer. Is there
something else you want? Then? You know I have connections
in other places, places of influence. I'm certain they would
be very helpful in getting this little religion of yours
off the ground. Perhaps that's more your fancy, eh.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Keep your silver and may it perish with you. You
think you can obtain the gift of God with money,
You're sorely mistaken. You have no part nor lot in
the matter of the spirit. Your heart is in right
before God.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
How dare you?
Speaker 5 (13:51):
Do you know who I am? Do you know what
they call me? I am Simon, the Great of God.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Repent, Simon, turn from the wicked avarice that grips your heart.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Eh, will forgive me, sir, I think we got off
on the wrong foot.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Tire No, no, do not ask for my forgiveness. Pray
to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your
heart may be forgiven. I see you, Simon, I see
your heart. You are trapped in the gall of bitterness
and Jane as a slave to iniquity.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Simon paused, throat clenched and chest beating rapidly. He felt exposed, embarrassed,
and angry, Yet his tongue couldn't unravel to defend himself.
Deep down, he knew Peter's arrow was aimed true. Simon
(14:54):
had a choice before him, but he remained powerless, content
to proclaim the name of Jesus without the power of Jesus,
or would he humble himself before God and change his heart.
He was still unresolved, barely inching out a whispered to apology.
Speaker 5 (15:21):
Pray for me, then, pray to the Lord on my behalf,
that what you have said will not come to pass.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Our story today begins with Philip, one of the Twelve,
when persecution broke out against the Church, mostly led by
Saul of Tarsus. Philip wasn't one to sit back and
wait for things to calm down. Instead, Philip took the
Gospel where it had never been before, into Samaria. Now
to grasp the significance of this, you need to understand
the Jews and Samaritans got along about as well as
(15:52):
cats and dogs, or maybe the fans of two rival
football teams. I'm a Rams fan, and naturally I have
a hard time getting along with forty nine Ers fans.
Sorry to all those forty nine Ers fans out there.
If you're a brother in Christ, I'm sure we'll get along.
For centuries, Jews saw Samaritans as half breeds who had
corrupted the truth faith. There was a deep seated prejudice
(16:12):
between them. Yet here comes Philip preaching Christ right in
the heart of Samaria. Why because there's no room for
prejudice in the Gospel. When Jesus gets a hold of
your heart, he tears down the walls of hatred, division,
and pride. Let's be honest, some of us could use
a bit of demolition in our hearts too. And what
happens when Philip starts preaching, miracles break out, the paralyzed walk,
(16:35):
the demon possessed are set free, and the whole city
is filled with joy. When Jesus is lifted up, lives
change and there's this wake of restoration that happens. Friends,
when was the last time you saw a great joy
breakout because Jesus was preached in your neighborhood. Then enter
a character named Simon. The Bible describes him as a sorcerer,
(16:55):
which could mean many different things back then. It can
mean that he was a distributor of defferent sorts of
narcotics and drugs and hallucinogenics. He means that he dabbled
in the dark arts and that he dealt with magic
to try and gain wisdom and access from demonic forces.
Either way, this guy was a big deal in Samaria.
He wasn't just your local card trick magician. He was
(17:16):
a bona fide sorcerer who had a whole town convinced
that he was the great power of God. Simon was
like that TV evangelist who promises you miracles for a
small donation, but with the dash of Harry Potter flair.
He had power, but it wasn't from God. It was
from a much darker source. But when Philip came to town,
(17:36):
Simon noticed something different. There was a real power on display, healing, deliverance,
lives being transformed. So Simon did what any self respecting
sorcerer would do. He got baptized and started following Philip
around like a lost puppy, and can you blame him?
He thought that Philip was the source of this power,
and if he can gain access to what Philip had
(17:58):
access to, then perhaps he could replicate that power for himself.
Word got back to the apostles in Jerusalem that all
these awesome things were happening in Samaria, and so Peter
and John went to Samaria to see what was happening,
and when they arrived, they lay hands on the new
believers that they would receive the Holy Spirit. This was
a big deal. It was like a divine endorsement showing
that these Samaritans were full fledged members of the family
(18:21):
of God. Ephesians tells us that the Holy Spirit is
the seal and the guarantee of our inheritance. Those who
have the Holy Spirit are sealed by God for salvation,
but also for the works of Christ. The Holy Spirit
is not confined to Jewish believers only, and he's poured
out to all who would believe, breaking cultural and ethnic barriers.
(18:41):
Simon saw all of this and thought, Wow, that's a
cool trick and I'd love to have that up my sleeve.
So he does what any magician might do. He pulls
out his wallet and tries to buy the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
Big mistake.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
Peter looks at Simon and in a moment of Holy
Spirit discernment, drops a bombshell. Your money perish with you
because you thought that the gift of God could be
purchased with money. To paraphrase Peter's response, he's essentially saying, buddy,
you and your money can go straight to h e
double hockey sticks. Peter calls Simon out not just for
(19:15):
trying to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, but
for his heart not being right with God. Peter implores
him to repent and pray that God might forgive him
for such a wicked thought. Simon wanted power without submission.
You see, miracles without surrender and authority without relationship are empty. Friends,
How often can we fall into the same trap, wanting
(19:36):
God's blessings but not his lordship, seeking his gifts but
not his holiness. You may love aspects of the Christian faith,
but let me be absolutely clear, you can't have God's
gifts without God's authority over your life. In the end,
Simon doesn't quite get it. Instead of humbling himself before God,
he asks Peter to pray for him, as if Peter
could repent on his behalf. And let me tell you,
(19:58):
a church, nobody ca can repent for you. We don't
pray to Peter in order to be forgiven. Nope, we
have unbridled and unhindered access to Jesus through you. Guessed it,
the Holy Spirit. No one can believe for you, No
one can forgive on your behalf. Your relationship with God
is personal, and it starts with a changed heart. So
(20:18):
as we close today, let's ask ourselves. Are we, like Philip,
willing to cross barriers and boldly proclaim the gospel? Or
like Simon, are we wanting the benefits of God without
truly wanting to know Him or obey Him. May we
seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit today, not for
our own gain, but for God's glory, And may there
be great joy in our city because of it.
Not every one who says to me, Lord Lord, will
enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does
the will of my Father, who is in heaven Matthew
seven twenty one. Dear Lord, we come to you with
hearts full of gratitude for your boundless love and mercy.
(00:22):
Thank you for the gift of your word, which guides
us and reveals your will for our lives. We recognize
that it is not enough to merely call upon your
name with our lips, but we must also honor you
with our actions and hearts. We often fall short, relying
(00:45):
on our strength and understanding instead of seeking your guidance
and obeying your commands. Change our hearts, Lord, align our
desires with yours, so that we may in a way
that is pleasing to you. Teach us to love as
(01:05):
you love, to serve as Jesus served, than to walk
humbly with you each day. Give us strength and courage
to follow your will, even when it's difficult or require sacrifice.
Empower us by your Holy Spirit to be faithful and
(01:28):
obedient servants. May our lives reflect your grace and truth,
drawing others to your kingdom. Use us, Lord, to be
a force for good in our families, communities, and beyond.
Help us to be doers of the word, not just hearers,
(01:52):
so that we may bring glory to your name and
advance the Kingdom here on earth. In jesus precious name,
we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me to day.
You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for gripping
(02:13):
tales connecting Jesus' Sermon on the Mount to other biblical adventures.
If you've been inspired by these podcasts, we would love
it if you left a review. In the heart of Samaria,
where stone paved streets wound like serpents between the sun
(02:35):
bleached buildings, there lived a man of formidable reputation. The
people called him Simon. The whispers of his other titles
danced in the air like ghostly tendrils the great power
of God. They murmured with awe and fear. Or Simon
(02:58):
the Sorcerer was a man and not to be trifled with.
He was a man acquainted with alchemy, tonics, and different
forms of sorcery. With the right concoction, he could make
a man feel what he wanted him to feel. With
the right incantations, he could summon spirits to perform signs.
(03:22):
Simon's assent of fame had been as mysterious as the
man himself. He had come from humble beginnings, a nameless
child from a forgotten village, but within him burned a
hunger as vast and insatiable as the desert sands. In
(03:43):
those early days, he had wandered far and wide, delving
into the arcane arts, seeking knowledge and places where the
light of day dared not venture. Simon sat in his
grand hole, a small temple smelling of wet stone and incense.
(04:05):
People would come to him there. They asked for signs
from God. They wanted their moods altered and fortunes told.
Simon met their needs for a price.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Simon, please consult God and tell me if my crops
will yield this year.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
I shall consult the sands.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Simon took out a sack of dark ebony sand and
threw it onto the floor. He crouched down and blew,
whispering incantations he'd learned from foreign lands. His practice was
disingenuous at best, and blatantly evil at its worst.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
I see what God decease, I hear what he hears.
An evil weed seeks to choke out your crop, hindering
its rules. The sun's scorch will likely cause them to wither.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
Unless Simon retrieved a sack of ground goat bones he
waded in his hand, a slight smile coiling around his mouth,
the man bowed his head and left, grateful and anxious.
The people of Samaria revered Simon, and why should they not.
(05:33):
Local legends whispered that Simon could conjure flames from thin air,
summon storms from a whisper, and bend the will of
man and beast alike. To them, Simon was more than
a sorcerer. He was a god among men, and in
their eyes, his power was good. That was until a
(06:01):
new force entered the land, carry it on the lips
of travelers and merchants, a man named Philip.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Where does true power lie? And what's the cost of
a prideful pursuit of power? Welcome to the Jesus Podcast.
Gospel inspired stories to enliven and enrich your imagination and
your faith. We've been going through a miniseries on the
Birth of the Church. We've been highlighting stories from the
Book of Acts to showcase how the Gospel of Jesus
(06:36):
worked through the lives of early believers. Today, we're going
to dive into a thrilling story from the Book of Acts,
a tale filled with miracles, magic, and a man named
Simon who tried to buy his way into God's kingdom.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Buckle up, because.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
This story, inspired by Acts eight five through twenty five,
has lessons that are going to challenge us, inspire us,
and maybe even make us laugh.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Simon watched from the alleyway, his face hidden beneath the hood,
he peered out, observing every move Philip made. The man
didn't wear the garb of a priest, nor carry himself
like a prophet. His clothes were ragged, his beard untrimmed,
yet his face radiated purpose. He addressed the crowd, his
(07:27):
voice bolstered by some unseen authority.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
It was faith that moved our father Abraham. Faith one day,
through his seed, all the nations will be blessed. I've
come here to tell you that the promised seed of
Abraham has come. He is Jesus, and the faith that
moved Abraham to greatness can move you too.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Simon's ears perked up at the words greatness. He had
heard rumors about the man from Nazareth named Jesus. He
heard stories of healed lepers and multiplied bread.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Truly, I tell you, if you have faith as small
as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,
move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing
will be impossible for you.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Just then, Simon saw Philip approach a lame man sitting
on the ground. He walked with gentle steps and reached
out a hand. Philip's eyes were earnest warm. He spoke
with words that didn't seem to be his.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Own brother, get up and walk.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Simon's eyes widened with disbelief as he watched the lame
man stretch his legs, roll his ankles, and rise to
his feet. Gasps from the crowd gave way to cheers.
Philip seized the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Believe in Jesus that he died on the cross for
the sins of mankind and rose again in power. Let
faith move, you be baptized and follow Jesus.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Droves of people raced to Philip, hands stretched out, eager
to experience freedom from sin and power from the spirit.
Simon found his legs moving forward. He was drawn to
the power Philip had. Whatever spirit compelled him, Simon desired.
(09:35):
He moved with the tide of the crowd, following Philip
to the water.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Do you confess that Jesus is Lord and that, through
the power of God's Spirit was raised to life after death?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
I do. Jesus is Lord.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Then be baptized, my friend, in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Simon was baptized, caught up in the euphoria of the crowd,
eager to experience the power Philip had. But as he
emerged from the water, he felt nothing. He didn't sense
a force within, nor did he feel energy coursing through
his veins. Power.
Speaker 3 (10:19):
I want that power.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Simon tugged at Philip's garment and spoke in an.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Innocent voice, Philip, I want to do what you do, signs, wanders, healings.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Show me how patience, brother, you have yet to receive
the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Come.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
I will gather the others and visit Peter and John.
They will lay hands on you and commission you for
the great ministry Christ has called you two.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Simon followed Philip and the others to meet with John
and Peter. He walked eagerly, padding behind them like a child.
He expected them to be escorted to a temple of Opulence,
where Peter and John would receive them adorned with jeweled,
encrusted medallions and golden laced robes. Yet, to Simon's dismay,
(11:14):
they wore fishermen's garbs. The one they called Peter was
a burly man with unkempt hair. The one they called
John looked no older than seventeen.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Brothers and sisters, we give thanks to God, the Father
of our Lord Jesus, that you have been redeemed and
brought near. Welcome to the community of Christ. Come, let's
lay hands on you so that you may receive the
Holy Spirit, empowered and emboldened for the mission ahead.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Lord God, we pray that you'd adorn your children with
the spirit, fill them afresh, awakening gifts to glorify your name.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Simon watched incredibly as each person around him became empowered
by the Holy Spirit, a tangible difference in their countenance.
This was the power Philip had, the power Simon desperately wanted.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Peter John hello.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Simon pushed through the crowd and reached into his purse,
a large sack of silver weighed his palm. A wry
grin painted his face.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Ha, how much for the power you wield? Name your prize?
Speaker 5 (12:27):
What do you mean you are men of great power
able to give it to others? I want that power?
How much can I pay you for your services? I
have acquired much silver in my life. No prize will
be too high for me.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Peter's gaze became intense. He darted his eyes to Philip.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Felid, Where did you find this man?
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Peter turned to Simon, eyes hot with conviction. His deep
voice and Galilean accent added volume to his intense rebuke.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Keep your silver.
Speaker 5 (13:08):
Well, I'm surprised you wouldn't accept my offer. Is there
something else you want? Then? You know I have connections
in other places, places of influence. I'm certain they would
be very helpful in getting this little religion of yours
off the ground. Perhaps that's more your fancy, eh.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Keep your silver and may it perish with you. You
think you can obtain the gift of God with money,
You're sorely mistaken. You have no part nor lot in
the matter of the spirit. Your heart is in right
before God.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
How dare you?
Speaker 5 (13:51):
Do you know who I am? Do you know what
they call me? I am Simon, the Great of God.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Repent, Simon, turn from the wicked avarice that grips your heart.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Eh, will forgive me, sir, I think we got off
on the wrong foot.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Tire No, no, do not ask for my forgiveness. Pray
to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your
heart may be forgiven. I see you, Simon, I see
your heart. You are trapped in the gall of bitterness
and Jane as a slave to iniquity.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Simon paused, throat clenched and chest beating rapidly. He felt exposed, embarrassed,
and angry, Yet his tongue couldn't unravel to defend himself.
Deep down, he knew Peter's arrow was aimed true. Simon
(14:54):
had a choice before him, but he remained powerless, content
to proclaim the name of Jesus without the power of Jesus,
or would he humble himself before God and change his heart.
He was still unresolved, barely inching out a whispered to apology.
Speaker 5 (15:21):
Pray for me, then, pray to the Lord on my behalf,
that what you have said will not come to pass.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Our story today begins with Philip, one of the Twelve,
when persecution broke out against the Church, mostly led by
Saul of Tarsus. Philip wasn't one to sit back and
wait for things to calm down. Instead, Philip took the
Gospel where it had never been before, into Samaria. Now
to grasp the significance of this, you need to understand
the Jews and Samaritans got along about as well as
(15:52):
cats and dogs, or maybe the fans of two rival
football teams. I'm a Rams fan, and naturally I have
a hard time getting along with forty nine Ers fans.
Sorry to all those forty nine Ers fans out there.
If you're a brother in Christ, I'm sure we'll get along.
For centuries, Jews saw Samaritans as half breeds who had
corrupted the truth faith. There was a deep seated prejudice
(16:12):
between them. Yet here comes Philip preaching Christ right in
the heart of Samaria. Why because there's no room for
prejudice in the Gospel. When Jesus gets a hold of
your heart, he tears down the walls of hatred, division,
and pride. Let's be honest, some of us could use
a bit of demolition in our hearts too. And what
happens when Philip starts preaching, miracles break out, the paralyzed walk,
(16:35):
the demon possessed are set free, and the whole city
is filled with joy. When Jesus is lifted up, lives
change and there's this wake of restoration that happens. Friends,
when was the last time you saw a great joy
breakout because Jesus was preached in your neighborhood. Then enter
a character named Simon. The Bible describes him as a sorcerer,
(16:55):
which could mean many different things back then. It can
mean that he was a distributor of defferent sorts of
narcotics and drugs and hallucinogenics. He means that he dabbled
in the dark arts and that he dealt with magic
to try and gain wisdom and access from demonic forces.
Either way, this guy was a big deal in Samaria.
He wasn't just your local card trick magician. He was
(17:16):
a bona fide sorcerer who had a whole town convinced
that he was the great power of God. Simon was
like that TV evangelist who promises you miracles for a
small donation, but with the dash of Harry Potter flair.
He had power, but it wasn't from God. It was
from a much darker source. But when Philip came to town,
(17:36):
Simon noticed something different. There was a real power on display, healing, deliverance,
lives being transformed. So Simon did what any self respecting
sorcerer would do. He got baptized and started following Philip
around like a lost puppy, and can you blame him?
He thought that Philip was the source of this power,
and if he can gain access to what Philip had
(17:58):
access to, then perhaps he could replicate that power for himself.
Word got back to the apostles in Jerusalem that all
these awesome things were happening in Samaria, and so Peter
and John went to Samaria to see what was happening,
and when they arrived, they lay hands on the new
believers that they would receive the Holy Spirit. This was
a big deal. It was like a divine endorsement showing
that these Samaritans were full fledged members of the family
(18:21):
of God. Ephesians tells us that the Holy Spirit is
the seal and the guarantee of our inheritance. Those who
have the Holy Spirit are sealed by God for salvation,
but also for the works of Christ. The Holy Spirit
is not confined to Jewish believers only, and he's poured
out to all who would believe, breaking cultural and ethnic barriers.
(18:41):
Simon saw all of this and thought, Wow, that's a
cool trick and I'd love to have that up my sleeve.
So he does what any magician might do. He pulls
out his wallet and tries to buy the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 3 (18:53):
Big mistake.
Speaker 4 (18:54):
Peter looks at Simon and in a moment of Holy
Spirit discernment, drops a bombshell. Your money perish with you
because you thought that the gift of God could be
purchased with money. To paraphrase Peter's response, he's essentially saying, buddy,
you and your money can go straight to h e
double hockey sticks. Peter calls Simon out not just for
(19:15):
trying to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, but
for his heart not being right with God. Peter implores
him to repent and pray that God might forgive him
for such a wicked thought. Simon wanted power without submission.
You see, miracles without surrender and authority without relationship are empty. Friends,
How often can we fall into the same trap, wanting
(19:36):
God's blessings but not his lordship, seeking his gifts but
not his holiness. You may love aspects of the Christian faith,
but let me be absolutely clear, you can't have God's
gifts without God's authority over your life. In the end,
Simon doesn't quite get it. Instead of humbling himself before God,
he asks Peter to pray for him, as if Peter
could repent on his behalf. And let me tell you,
(19:58):
a church, nobody ca can repent for you. We don't
pray to Peter in order to be forgiven. Nope, we
have unbridled and unhindered access to Jesus through you. Guessed it,
the Holy Spirit. No one can believe for you, No
one can forgive on your behalf. Your relationship with God
is personal, and it starts with a changed heart. So
(20:18):
as we close today, let's ask ourselves. Are we, like Philip,
willing to cross barriers and boldly proclaim the gospel? Or
like Simon, are we wanting the benefits of God without
truly wanting to know Him or obey Him. May we
seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit today, not for
our own gain, but for God's glory, And may there
be great joy in our city because of it.
Host
Zak Shellabarger
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