Amazed by Grace
Acts 8:9-13
Intro: These Samaritans had been amazed and seduced by magic and sorcery for a long time and had become addicted to Simon and his deception. However, they were even more amazed by the straightforward truth of the good news, and they believed on Jesus. Simon himself longed for something real, because he of all people knew how empty his pagan magic really was. So, he believed also, and he was amazed at the power of God. We will see next week how he got off track and wanted to buy God’s power to use for his own selfish purposes. Nevertheless, the powerful simplicity of the gospel resonated with these people, and for once in their lives, they were amazed by the truth, rather than mesmerized by deception.
Prop: The truth about Jesus will have a powerful effect on those who receive it.
Interrogative: How can we back up such a claim?
TS: We are going to be talking about power and how it affects people. I’d like to make 3 observations about power that will help us recognize how amazing it really is to have a living relationship with the Son of God.
I. Power Attracts People (8:9-11)
-People like power! Don’t we usually want the most powerful cars, pickups, chainsaws, rifles, power tools, powerful fireworks, powerful muscles, and so on? Some of you may like spending power. Most of us would probably like a little more of that. We are impressed by sports teams and athletes who show their power to excel and win. History has also shown us that some people have very powerful personalities and charisma. They attract people who are willing to follow them because people want to be around power. Leaders like this have accomplished amazing things because people were attracted to their power and helped carry out their wishes.
-Today, politicians are generally elected on the basis of their power to lead and to get things done. If they can convince the people that they have the power to change bad situations into good ones, then they will probably get elected.
-Simon had a following because he had convinced people that he had power. Perhaps he had been able to perform some miracles through his sorcery. This really shouldn’t surprise us because when Moses confronted Pharaoh and performed miracles, the magicians of Egypt were also able to perform certain miracles. It would appear that Simon’s magic was along the same lines. It was not just magic tricks, but it was witchcraft, which the Bible speaks strongly against. So, whether Simon had some kind of supernatural powers or just convinced people that he did, there was no doubt that he had power and influence over the people. V.11 says, “They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.”
-If you study the history of religious revivals, you can see that people are attracted to spiritual power. Healing crusades have drawn millions of people over the years, because God’s power was at work in those places. Aside from facing times when our only answer must come from a higher power, there is something within us that wants to see something supernatural happen. In its purest form, I believe that something is a genuine hunger for the living God. However, in its fallen form, it can become an unhealthy infatuation with spiritual forces that are out to do us harm.
-TS: That leads us to the 2nd point.
II. Power without Truth Is Dangerous (8:11)
-Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Simon had seduced these people for a long time with his sorcery. His desire for power over others was corrupt and evil. He enjoyed being the center of attention. He enjoyed being a person of power and prestige. And no doubt he enjoyed the money he received for his spiritual services. It is probably safe to say that Simon was addicted to the approval and attention of the people.
-Now some would argue that there are neutral powers in our world today that we do not understand. In fact, it is popular to believe that many religions are good and moral, and that we should not say anything bad against them. Those who say this will usually add that all roads lead to God, or that it doesn’t matter what God you believe in as long as you are sincere.
-The Bible teaches us differently. We have one Creator who is Lord of heaven and earth. He has explicitly told us not to have any other gods in our lives, and not to make any kind of images or substitute gods to worship. Ephesians 6:12 also tells us that “our struggle [on this earth] is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” So, we know that there are other powers and spiritual forces around, but Paul tells us to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. He goes on to illustrate the spiritual armor every believer must have in order to be strong. The very first piece of armor he mentions is the belt of truth. They are all important, but for now we are going to focus on this one.
-Jesus used the word “truth” to describe Himself. Or perhaps, He used himself to describe real truth. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” As much as people often need more power in their lives to help meet their needs, they need to be very careful. If they sacrifice truth for power, they will be getting a lot more than they bargained for. Power without truth will seduce you. Power without truth will corrupt you. Power without truth can kill you.
-If an electrician doesn’t know the truth about an electrical wire - whether it is 110 or 220, they generally don’t grab a hold of it to find out. If so, they may only do it once. We need to keep the truth always before us as we seek God and His power.
-The Samaritans that Philip came and ministered to had been under the influence of witchcraft for quite some time. We read that people of all classes paid close attention to what Simon told them. They were seduced by his power because they did not have the truth to guide them. However, the Lord knew what they needed, so He sent Philip to tell them the truth and to show them what real power was all about.
-TS: That leads us to the final point.
III. The Power of the Truth Leads to Freedom (8:12-13)
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
-It might be helpful for us to look back a few verses to Philip’s arrival in this city.
-Acts 8:5-8 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.”
-Philip was not out to make a name for himself, nor was he after the people’s money, as Simon likely was. In fact, Philip was probably hurting. His close friend, Stephen, had just been falsely accused of blasphemy and stoned to death by the authority of the Sanhedrin. On top of that, the church at Jerusalem, where he had loved and labored, had been scattered and reduced from thousands to almost nothing. In fact, he had to get out of Jerusalem in order to avoid arrest and execution himself.
-He remembered something Stephen had said before he died about Samaritans and even Gentiles receiving the good news about Jesus. So, with a sense of mission he headed towards a Samaritan city to tell the people about Jesus. Well, as we saw in vv.5-8, God showed up and began healing people and setting them free from demon possession. Since most of them were involved in Simon’s witchcraft, there was likely a lot of demonic activity and bondage in their lives. The same demons that Simon had perhaps unknowingly introduced into these people’s lives went shrieking their way out as Philip preached to them and prayed for them. Those who were sick became well, and those who were paralyzed were able to stand up and walk.
-So, instead of a dark, mysterious, oppressive atmosphere, the Bible tells us there was great joy in that city. The truth was having a powerful effect on these Samaritans. They were being set free and finding forgiveness and healing. The impact of the gospel was so great that even Simon believed – the very one who had led these people deeper and deeper into darkness. 13 “Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.”
-Some Bible teachers find it necessary to say that Simon was not sincere and therefore was not really saved. We will talk more about him next week, but for now, I take Luke’s words just as they are written. Even Simon, who may have claimed to be a god himself, experienced God’s power and was forgiven for all his dark and dirty deeds. Freedom had come to Samaria!
-There is more we could say about this story. For one, God’s grace can reach even the worst of sinners. Simon had led hundreds (if not thousands) of people into the sin of witchcraft. Who knows how low he himself had sunk in his wickedness and depravity. As we will see, he still had issues that he may not have been willing to face. Nevertheless, God’s grace was available to him, and he was so amazed by God’s love and power that he believed on Jesus and was baptized to show that he too wanted to follow the one true God.
Conclusion: As we close, let me say it again: The truth about Jesus will have a powerful effect on those who receive it. There are other kinds of spiritual power, and many people will look for answers where there are none to be found. Unfortunately, when people don’t know the truth about Jesus, the spiritual power they might find can cause them great harm. The good news is that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, and He can turn spiritual darkness into joy and freedom.
-The message today is simple: If you’ve not been amazed by the love of God and the power of His truth, then get ready for something good! He loves you and will forgive you for every wrong thing you’ve ever done. He will heal you and deliver you from the darkness and bondage that the enemy has tried to keep you under. Do you want to know that God is real? Talk to Him and ask him to help you find His love and truth. You will be amazed at how He changes your life around! His grace is powerful enough to help you if you only call on Him.
-If you need Jesus to help you today, come and receive prayer. Let God’s power be released in your life! [Sing Come to Jesus]
