ACTS 8:9-25
"But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!"
This week's text is a heavy reminder of Jesus's words spoken in Matthew 7:
"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!"
Here is a story that shows us that a person can be so close to salvation, but so far away. That in their mind they believe that are in good standings with God, while in the eyes of God, close is never close enough. Much like the rich young ruler, Simon was a man who believed that God existed and was very much intrigued by the ways of Jesus. Simon wanted the gifts of the Holy Spirit and was to some degree humble in the presence of Godly men.
However, Simon was not a Christian. Simon did not experience a heart change because he thought he could pay and work his way into God's good grace. Also, his desire for God came from a place of pride and greed. Simon wanted the gifts of God, not a walk with Jesus. Simon walked on the wide and broad way that will end in destruction like Jesus speaks about in Matthew 7.
This is a heavy truth, because there are many rich young rulers and many Simons that live today. These people are friends, family, and people who attend church. They are all around us, lost men and women that are disguised as believers, but still very much lost.
As we read this week's text, there is a strong sermon of salvation that should shake all of us. We should read the word of God in Acts 8 and all surrender to what it means to be saved and let this truth inspire us to "go out" and scream to the world that "close is not close enough!"
Take time this week and
- Speak to others about our text.
- Look in the mirror yourself and ask hard questions.
- Pray over those who you believe are lost.
- Take time to praise God for Salvation and His son Jesus!
Stay faithful church.
"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!"
Here is a story that shows us that a person can be so close to salvation, but so far away. That in their mind they believe that are in good standings with God, while in the eyes of God, close is never close enough. Much like the rich young ruler, Simon was a man who believed that God existed and was very much intrigued by the ways of Jesus. Simon wanted the gifts of the Holy Spirit and was to some degree humble in the presence of Godly men.
However, Simon was not a Christian. Simon did not experience a heart change because he thought he could pay and work his way into God's good grace. Also, his desire for God came from a place of pride and greed. Simon wanted the gifts of God, not a walk with Jesus. Simon walked on the wide and broad way that will end in destruction like Jesus speaks about in Matthew 7.
This is a heavy truth, because there are many rich young rulers and many Simons that live today. These people are friends, family, and people who attend church. They are all around us, lost men and women that are disguised as believers, but still very much lost.
As we read this week's text, there is a strong sermon of salvation that should shake all of us. We should read the word of God in Acts 8 and all surrender to what it means to be saved and let this truth inspire us to "go out" and scream to the world that "close is not close enough!"
Take time this week and
- Speak to others about our text.
- Look in the mirror yourself and ask hard questions.
- Pray over those who you believe are lost.
- Take time to praise God for Salvation and His son Jesus!
Stay faithful church.
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
Read Matthew 7 and Matthew 19:16-30.
Posted in Year One
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