INTRODUCTION:
A. This morning I want to bring a message concerning salvation, though it might not be in the manner you are used to or expecting.
1. I want to read you the beginning of an article that is posted on facingforever.org. It was written by Michael J. Vlach in an article entitled, Lost in church. (Retrieved 02/28/07). In it he writes:
2. Recent research indicates a hard reality for many churches in the United States.
a. Researcher George Barna has discovered the disturbing fact that “half of all adults who attend Protestant churches on a typical Sunday morning are not Christian.” He also points out that people who call themselves Christians but are not born again are “a group that constitutes a majority of churchgoers.”
b. Barna’s findings are similar to those reported by Bill Bright, founder and fifty-year president of Campus Crusade for Christ. According to Bright, “Our surveys suggest that over 50% of the hundred million people in church here in the United States every Sunday are not sure of their salvation.”
B. Let me begin by stating this is not an indictment of anyone – simply findings of two well respected groups.
1. Romans 2:1 which states, Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things, makes it clear that neither I nor anyone else can judge another’s heart on the matter of salvation
2. But listen to Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
a. This requires judgment of what is seen as unrighteous or unholy behavior or living.
b. It is a judge of the “fruit of righteousness.”
C. This is why I think Paul wrote these words found in 2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
1. The only two people who can know for sure that a person is saved is God and that person.
2. However, the person can believe that he is going to heaven, when in fact, he has been deceived or deluded himself to the reality.
3. So we need to take the opportunity to examine ourselves and that is what this message is all about.
D. Here is the context of our message from the Book of Acts
1. The church is growing and so is the persecution against her.
2. In chapter 7 we have the first record of a Christian martyr named Stephen.
3. This persecution scatters the Jewish Christians throughout Judaea and Samaria.
4. Philip goes to Samaria to preach and according to Acts 8:7-8 demons are cast out, the sick and lame are healed, and the city is in great joy!
5. This is where we pick up the account we are to look at this morning, concerning a man named Simon.
E. I have entitled the message Salvation: A Heart Transformation or A Head Transaction? Hence we will look at it in such a fashion
1. Point one – A Heart Transformation
2. Point Two – A Head Transaction
3. Point Three – A Healthy Evaluation
4. We need to look at this very important subject, because it would be a shame to miss heaven by 18 inches!
PRAY
As I mentioned earlier you need to know that salvation is
I. A HEART TRANSFORMATION, Acts 8:9-13 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: [10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. [11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. [12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. The key character in this narrative is Simon and we see
A. His Former Self - Simon was a sorcerer!
1. He dabbled in the black arts
a. It was probably a combination of occult practices, divination, astrology, science and superstition, but you cannot rule out demonic manifestations of certain types of miracles – this is why God tells his people not to be involved in any form of magic (Deut. 18:10-14)
b. The Greek word used here for “bewitched” means to amaze, thrill or astonish: he had captivated them – he had them eating out of his hand, so to speak
2. He claimed to be “someone” - giving out that himself was some great one
a. He was full of pride
b. He thought he was it, and that there was none better than he
3. He had the people fooled, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
a. At the very least people thought he was a special envoy from God and at the other end of the spectrum some may have even thought he was god
b. To which he did not argue!
4. He had great influence and control of people - [11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
BUT, we see a change – possibly a heart transformation
B. His New Self – [12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Then Simon himself believed also:
1. Miracles never cease when the name of Jesus is preached along with the gospel of the kingdom.
a. Having seen the miracles and hearing the message many were coming to a saving knowledge in Jesus and being baptized
b. Along with the multitude was this one Simon – known as the sorcerer.
c. He believed
2. He followed through on his profession of faith
a. He was baptized – an initial step of faith and obedience
b. He continued with Philip, and therefore with many other believers – he did not forsake the assembling of themselves together and was not afraid to be associated with them.
c. He was filled with wonder over the miracles and signs that were being performed
C. At this point one would have to say that there was seemingly a transformation of the heart – there is absolutely no reason to believe otherwise.
1. Simon was saying and doing all the right things
2. It seemed to be a genuine conversion – that is a heart transformation!
Now lets move forward in the account and see possibly
II. A HEAD TRANSACTION, Acts 8:14-24 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: [15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. [18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, [19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. [20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. [23] For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. [24] Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. We begin with a
A. Manifestation of the Spirit of God
1. The apostles heard of what was going on in Samaria and came down from the church in Jerusalem
2. Upon seeing the work of Philip and all that was going on they laid their hands upon those who had believed and prayed for them.
3. We are told that the believers then received the Holy Ghost
4. I think this must have brought about some sign or signs, maybe speaking in tongues or other wonders, for Simon saw it
This manifestation of the Spirit of God brought about
B. A Manifestation of the Spirit of Man - Acts 8:18-19 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, [19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
1. Simon saw the power of the Holy Spirit and (personal opinion) possibly understood that it was the Spirit that was the source of the power being exhibited
2. He offered the apostles money to get the power to do the same things they were doing – predominately the power to give the Holy Spirit to others
3. His mind was focused on himself – that he might have the power to give the Spirit to others.
4. What was Simon thinking? Could it be that he saw the opportunity to regain his power over his constituency? That he could be more powerful than before? That he might have a means to make money?
5. Did he backslide so soon after conversion? Possibly.
This brings us to
C. The Spirit of God’s Rebuke - Acts 8:20-23 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. [23] For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
1. It was interesting to me to see other translations of this first phrase thy money perish with thee: one said it this way, “to hell with you.”
a. Now I don’t know that it is a very good translation, but it does give a good understanding of the weight of Peter’s comment” This was serious!
b. He basically thought he could by the gift of God – even salvation – with money!
2. The message was REPENT! Of wickedness, gall of bitterness, and iniquity
3. He had no part or lot in the matter: could mean in giving the Holy Spirit or in Salvation itself.
4. All of this is very interesting, but it is this final thought that brings home the point
D. The Spirit of Man’s Answer, Acts 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
1. Is this repentance? Not if we take him at his words.
2. Simon was not worried about his sinfulness or his sinful acts, he was worried about the consequences – than none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
3. In fact he did not even think to pray himself – in essence he said “You pray.”
4. It seems at this point to be all about a head transaction – what can I get out of this?
So we need to make
III. A HEALTHY EVALUATION - 2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
A. When examining the position of Simon we can not judge for sure, but his fruit does not seem to indicate that there was really a heart transformation – simply a head transaction.
1. I would seem that he saw a way to make his craft better by adding to it what Philip and the apostles had
2. Yes, he made a confession, was baptized, and hung with the church, but it would seem that his interests were selfishly motivated and serving God was not his main focus or desire
3. His reaction to the rebuke seems to indicate a fear of retribution rather than a conviction of sin and repentance
4. But we cannot judge completely or truly righteously – the scriptures say not a word more concerning him and neither will we
B. What we need to be concerned about is making a healthy evaluation of ourselves.
1. Are we Truly Saved? How do we know it: by fruit or fiction?
2. Why do we come to church?
3. What is our motivation for doing what we do for the Lord?
4. Is the Lord first and foremost in our thoughts?
C. I ask these questions because there are two possibly disturbing scripture passages in the Bible along these lines
1. James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
2. Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
D. Is your professed salvation based in a heart transformation or a head transaction – the difference between the two is heaven and hell!
CONCLUSION: In closing
A. My desire is not to get anyone to doubt their salvation, but rather to examine it as to whether it is real or not.
B. When death’s door opens for you will your testimony be on course with Simons – open to doubts and questions or will there be plenty of righteous fruit to prove your confession as true?
