GETTING SINNERS LOST
Acts 8:5-25
INTRO: Before anyone can be saved, they must first know that they are
Lost!! Church members need to realize that some of them are lost. Today, we will see the tragic story of an unconverted church member.
I. SIMON’S DECISION.
Simon the sorcerer was a great magician like Houdini. He had the pow
ers of Satan to bewitch the people of Samaria. He proclaimed himself
as a god. He demanded all the people to pay him respect so they
could live as they pleased. He had no desire to help them reform
their lives or improve their worship or devotion. He only wanted to
make them believe he was someone divine.
He came under the influence of Philip. He sees Philip perform
miracles and knows Philip has real power, not magic like his power.
He makes a profession of faith. He wanted this power, so he
professes to believe.
1. This was a head belief and not a heart belief.
2. Satan believes in God, but not for salvation.
3. Too many church members are in the same category.
Simon is baptized.
1. He follows God’s command to be baptized.
2. But baptism is meaningless to an unsaved person.
3. He was a dry sorcerer before baptism, and a wet sorcerer after
baptism.
Today, religious leaders are encouraging people to take Christ as
they would some wonder drug. He is good for what ails you, they
say. But you don’t take Christ like you do a shot or a pill. You
don’t take him at all. He takes you, but only if you are willing.
And unless you have been taken by him, and cleansed by him, you are
LOST!
II. PETER TOLD SIMON TO REPENT.
Simon saw the power Philip received and tried to buy this power.
Simon wanted to use God for his own personal gain. This is the same
thing many christians and church members try to do today.
Peter recognized Simon as a hypocrite. Simon was lost from the begin
ning. Peter told Simon to repent or he would be doomed for eternity.
The same is true of unsaved church members.
Simon refused to repent. He asked Peter to pray for him. He wasn’t
willing to pray for himself. No one can accept Christ for anyone
else.
Repent means to stop — turn 180 degrees — and
run to Jesus. When you get there, pray, asking Jesus to be merciful
to you and save you.
Remember, He will take you, you cannot take him. He will cleanse
you, you cannot cleanse yourself. He will save you, you cannot save
yourself.
CONC: If you do not know Christ, won’t you come to Him today, and let
Him make you a new person in Him?
