Are You For Real?
Acts 8:9-24
On June 13, 1994, Nicholas Barclay who is pictured here was playing basketball in a local park in San Antonio, TX. Then, he was gone. For over 3 years he had not been seen or heard from. Then, amazingly, his family received a phone call from authorities in Spain saying that Nicholas had been found, in Spain, having been kidnapped and abducted. His older sister quickly purchased a ticket, flew to Spain where she was reunited with her brother. He was given a US passport, flew back to San Antonio where he was reunited with the rest of his family. A local Television news station picked up the amazing story. Watch this:
As amazing as the story was, unfortunately, it wasn't true. French-born serial child impersonator Frederic Bourdin - who was 23 years old - had convinced both Spanish and American authorities and the family that he was the then 16 year old Nicholas. For the next five months he lived with the family, road the bus to school and lived out the lie. It was during that news interview that a local private investigator who had been hired by a national TV news magazine saw a picture of the actual Nicholas Barclay in front of him and the imposter being interviewed and realized they had different ears. Nicholas had an attached ear lobe and the imposter did not. Once he was found out, it made National News. Watch this:
How's that for a mother's nightmare on Mother's Day? As we continue our Sunday morning sermon series through the book of Acts we find ourselves in chapter 8. This morning we're going to read and study about another imposter who was welcomed into the family - the spiritual family known as the church. His name was Simon. As we consider Simon's counterfeit faith and how he was initially received as part of the family of God, it poses a question for all of us - Are You For Real? Are You For Real? Is your faith the real thing, or is it a counterfeit faith?
9But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
14Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
Now let me give you the background to this account we find here in the Bible. The book of Acts is the story of the early church. After Jesus ascended to heaven, the church in Jerusalem exploded with growth and influence. 10's of thousands of people were being converted, were baptized and were joining their lives with the throng of followers of Christ.
This began to upset the religious establishment in Jerusalem such that they began to persecute the church. It started off with insults and threats, but then escalated to imprisonment, beatings and then they killed Stephen, one of the leading members of the Christian movement. After his execution at the end of chapter 7, wholesale persecution - led by one Saul of Tarsus - came down hard upon the church. Luke says he was "ravaging" the church, ripping it to shreds. This forced the scattering that we studied last week at the beginning of chapter 8.
Thousands of displaced Christians from Jerusalem were scattered into the outlying areas of the region of Judea and into Samaria. But they didn't go quietly, they went proclaiming, gospeling the truth about Jesus as they went. Philip - not to be confused with the apostle Philip - was one of those who went. Luke introduced us to him last week. God used him in mighty ways and we saw how God performed a God-twist - turning the terror of intense persecution we saw in verse 1 of chapter 8 into much joy in the city of Samaria we saw in verse 8 of chapter 8.
In the text we just read, Luke zooms into one of the amazing stories surrounding that revival that was taking place in Samaria. And this is how you know the Bible is true and trustworthy. Because the Bible records - again and again, not only the victories of God's people, not just the successes of the church - but the bumps and bruises that God's people encountered; the Bible records the mistakes and missteps God's people have made. That's how we know the Bible is authentic. So Luke introduces us to the first false-convert of the church - but no doubt he was not the last false-convert.
Jesus told his disciples this would be the case. In Matthew 13 he tells 3 different parables to illustrate this fact. First he told the parable of the Sower. The Sower spread out seed - which represents the truth of the gospel of Jesus. Jesus described 4 different types of soils - the path, the rocky soil, the thorny soil, and the good soil. Only 1 of the four soils Jesus described represented legitimate faith. 75% were false conversions.
The next parable he told was the parable of the weeds. Good seed was sown by the farmer, but his enemy came behind him and sowed weed seed. They grew up together - weeds and genuine believers.
Then finally, Jesus told the story of the great fishing net. Look at that parable: 47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad." Matthew 13:47-48
All kinds are drawn in by the net, Jesus said, some good and some bad. This is what happens in Samaria. Philip is Jesus' divine fisherman. He's been throwing out the net and drawing in many. Simon the magician is one who was drawn in that was not genuinely converted.
Where did Simon go wrong. How was his faith -a faith that seemed at first to be so legitimate that he was baptized into the family of God - how was it that his faith was out of bounds? Four things I want you to notice about his faith - any one of which could be reason that someone's faith is not for real. As we go through each of these, I want you to examine your own faith and ask yourself the question - "Are You For Real?"
I've quoted Adrian Rogers numerous times on this issue, and it bears repeating: "The faith that fizzles at the finish was flawed from the first." So notice these four fatal flaws of Simons fizzled faith. First of all, Simon had:
I. A Flawed View Of SELF
His flawed view of self was the fact that he was egotistical, he was prideful, he was full of himself. This is a common reality that keeps many from a faith that saves. Egotism, pride – they think they’re good, they think they’re important, they think they're significant – that was Simon. Verse 9: But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.
He was practicing magic, mageuon in the Greek. Magic: To be skilled in the art of the magi.
The term magi, or magic, eventually came to refer to all practice of magical arts of any kind: astrologers, soothsayers, sorcerers – any pagans who dealt in incantations, charms, spells, divinations, horoscopes. They could pull off some amazing things, as magicians can today, by sleight of hand, by deception, by trickery; and they also were aided by demonic power.
And verse 9 says that because of his skill and deception and trickery, the people of Samaria were in amazement; they were astonished and in wide-eyed wonder of his magical powers. And because he held the people in amazement, what did he think of himself? The end of verse 9: saying that he himself was somebody great.
Verses 10-11 just builds on his reputation and the inflated ego that caused in him: 10They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
He called himself, "Simon the Great!" I find it interesting that a lot of magicians refer to themselves as "Great." Here's just a few: Thurston, Carter, Levante, Kellar, Karini, Herrman
Simon saw himself as great and as such he had a significantly flawed view of himself. He made great claims for himself, saw himself in an elevated way, and so this cuts him off from the hope of salvation. Such pride in any form – not even as extreme as his – but such pride in any form is a weed springing up in every heart that literally cuts off the growth of true faith.
Such pride in the heart is like a robber who conceals himself in the dark recesses waits to seize the plunder in the darkness. This is pride. It is a robber. It robs the heart of the possibility of genuine brokenness, genuine repentance, humility, which is necessary for salvation.
Because of his pride He had no sense of the fear of judgment. He had no sense of his own lowliness, his own sinfulness. That's what's so damning about pride - it prevents an honest self appraisal. The problem is, it's so easy to see a prideful heart in others but very difficult to see in ourselves.
In 2009 basketball greats Michael Jordan and David Robinson were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. During the induction ceremony, the acceptance speeches that were given by Jordan and then Robinson displayed a stark contrast. Texas Pastor Vodie Baucham actually wrote a blog on the vast difference between the two speeches. Pastor Vodie writes:
Jordan’s Speech was self-centered, indulgent, arrogant, and at times embarrassing. In contrast, David Robinson rose to the occasion and made a brief, inspiring, encouraging speech that made his family, his team, and his friends proud. Jordan put on a disappointing display that looked even worse when compared to Robinson’s speech.
David Elevated Others... Mike Elevated Mike
David Robinson took the time to honor all of the people who were there to support him. He acknowledged coaches, fellow players and fans. Here was a man who saw himself as the recipient of a great legacy, surrounded by great players and coaches, and grateful to have had personal success in the process.
On the other hand, the theme of M.J.’s speech was, “If you want to know where my legendary ‘fire’ comes from... here it is.” M.J. shone the light on himself by putting others down. He stepped on players, coaches, and the guy who took his spot in High School all in a self-serving fashion.
[Vodie concludes his blog with these words:] Pray for David as he strives to walk with God. Also, pray for M.J. as he seeks to fill a massive void in the center of his life that basketball, money, fame, championships, and women can never satisfy. Pray that Christ saves him and turns his gaze to something loftier than his own highlights. Not because Jesus needs Jordan’s voice, but because M.J. needs Jesus (just like the rest of us).
The Scripture is filled with warnings regarding the prideful, arrogant, haughty heart. Here’s just a few: In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” Psalm 10:4
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts. Psalm 12:3
Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. Psalm 101:5
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
And to sum it up: God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. James 4:6
But Simon sees himself as someone great. Simon does all that he does to have people tell him how great he is; Simon is way too concerned with what others think of him; Simon spends way to much time in front of the mirror. Simon is one who loves to take selfie's, and post them on social media. This is a soul-damning self-perception. It was a fatal flaw that reveals he was not authentically born again. A flawed view of self. Second, he had
II. A Flawed View Of SALVATION
How was his view of salvation flawed? He thought it was all about the externals. He viewed salvation as simply an external thing to do. Look again at verse 12 and following: 12But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
God the Holy Spirit was performing signs and wonders through Philip in the city of Samaria. As I’ve mentioned before in this series, God empowered his apostles and servants the ability to perform the miraculous signs for a very specific purpose – at authenticate the truthfulness of the message. Signs and wonders are not the end, they are a means to an end, namely – authenticating the truth of the gospel.
Ill: Let me illustrate it like this – you moms who are here today. I want you to think back when your children were babies, just infants sitting on your lap. Perhaps you're outside, on the porch and a beautiful red cardinal lands on a tree in the yard. You want your child to see it, so what do you do – you point. You point and say, “Look at that beautiful little bird!” But what does the child do. The child doesn’t look at the cardinal, the child is fascinated by… your finger. How many of you moms – or dads – have experienced this phenomenon.
That’s exactly what Simon is doing. The signs and wonders were intended to point to the true reality – which is Jesus. But Simon became enamored with the finger.
That’s exactly what the end of verse 13 says: And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. That word “amazed” has already been used twice in this passage. It described how all the people were held in wonder by the magic of Simon. Now, it’s Simon who is amazed. He’s amazed at the miracles performed by Philip. Now Simon knows magic, he knows sleight of hand, trickery and the art of illusion. He knows how to amaze people. But when he sees what Philip does, it moves him to amazement. He sees his counterfeit power in light of the authentic power.
Do you remember that show that was on several years ago, Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed!? Every episode was kind of a let down because they revealed how spellbinding illusions like making an airplane disappear, or a woman levitate were simple tricks. Simon saws his tricks in comparison to the power of God and he was amazed. He had a flawed view of salvation because he became fixated on the finger, not who the finger was pointing to.
This communicates a powerful truth that our elders remind each other of from time to time: what you win them with you’ve got to keep them with. There’s all kinds of church growth strategies and tricks that come across my desk in the mail, and in my inbox every week. You’ll notice, we don’t focus a lot on those kinds of things.
Ill. Evangelist Ray Comfort communicates this principle like this: He says, imagine you get on an airplane and when you get on the flight attendant hands you a parachute and says, “Hey, put this on. It will make your flight more comfortable and enjoyable, plus it will build your esteem in the eyes of others who are on the flight.” You say, well that sounds like some great motivations so you put on the parachute. Only to discover, it does make you more comfortable – just the opposite – it’s very bulky and uncomfortable. And as far as building your esteem in the eyes of other passengers it does just the opposite. You don’t see others around you wearing a parachute and they’re looking at you as though you are odd and weird for wearing one. So what do you do? You take it off because it didn’t fulfill the promises made to you when you accepted it.
The same is true of evangelism. If churches present Jesus as someone who should be put on because he’ll make the flight more enjoyable; he’ll make life more comfortable; and he’ll build your esteem in the eyes of the world and then the opposite happens –Christ calls you to uncomfortable situations and instead of being more esteemed in the eyes of men you are less esteemed in their sight. What then do people do with the gospel when they have been sold a bill of goods like that? They take it off because it didn’t accomplish for them what they thought it would.
On the other hand, if on the airplane a flight attendant comes to you and says, “We’ve lost all power in all of the engines! Here’s a parachute. Unless you put on this parachute, you will certainly die.” Does it bother you how uncomfortable or bulky the parachute is? Does it matter at all how esteemed you are in the eyes of others on the airplane? Of course not, because you know the truth! You’re destined for destruction unless you put it on. And so you cling to it, you rely upon it and trust in it.
The same is true of the gospel. When you come to realize that all of us are lost and headed for an eternal destruction, but Christ provides salvation, he’s not embarrassing or uncomfortable – he’s precious to you! And instead of holding on loosely – you cling to Christ.
What you win them with you’ve got to keep them with. We must be sure that our methods and programs and activities are not an end in themselves but are always pointing people to Jesus.
But Simon – like others – became enamored with the finger. And as such he had a flawed view of salvation. Thirdly notice Simon also had…
III. A Flawed View Of The SPIRIT
Let’s pick up at verse 14: 14Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, So if you’ll remember, when the scattering of Christians happened after the onslaught of persecution started, the apostles stayed at their post in Jerusalem. After hearing that people in Samaria were believing the gospel; were being baptized and making public profession of faith in Jesus – the apostles dispatched Peter and John to go to Samaria to check things out. 15who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 8:14-17
Let me explain what’s happening here. Again, the book of Acts is a transitional book. These Samaritans were really viewed with disdain as half-breeds by Jewish people. This is the first time there was a massive influx of Samaritan converts to Christ. I think there’s little doubt that when they received the Holy Spirit after the apostles laid there hands on them they began to speak in tongues based on Simon’s reaction.
So here's the question: why was there a gap between their conversion – when they believed the gospel – and the receiving of the Holy Spirit? Here's what God was doing in this transitional phase of the church: God was putting his seal of approval on them as being a part of the body of Christ. He's affirming by the sending of the Holy Spirit through miraculous manifestation that they are genuinely part of the church.
There is much prejudice that runs deep in these parts. And God was confirming to all the Jews that these Samaritans were in fact genuinely converted and born again as the Holy Spirit had come upon them in power and might. We’ll see this same series of events happen in chapter 10 when the gospel doesn’t just cross over to the half-Jews, the Samaritans, but crosses all the way over to non-Jews, the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house.
When Peter came back to Jerusalem after the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house received the Holy Spirit, Peter reported to the apostles in Jerusalem all that had happened. Notice their response in chapter 11: When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Acts 11:18
They glorified God because the sequence of them receiving the Holy Spirit after their conversion demonstrated by speaking in tongues was God’s seal of approval that they were genuinely converted and were baptized by God’s Spirit into the body of Christ.
So back in chapter 8, notice how Simon responds when he witnesses the receiving of the Holy Spirit and the subsequent manifestation through the laying on of hands by the apostles: 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:18-19
Simon wanted to buy the true Holy Spirit. What’s going on today is that false teachers are trying to sell the false spirits. They’ve inverted it. Because Simon had a flawed view of self – he was prideful and thought he was great; and because he had a flawed view of salvation – he was amazed at the miracles that pointed to God, but not with God; that led him to a flawed view of the Spirit. He thought he could buy the Spirit with money.
Why would he want to buy that power? This would no doubt get him back on top in the eyes of the Samaritans. If he could add this supernatural power to his collection of tricks and illusions, he’d be right back on top. At the end – it was all about him. Which really leads to the final flaw we see in Simon, he had…
IV. A Flawed View Of SIN
Simon had a very high view of himself and a very low view of God. He did not understand the glory of the Holy Spirit. He didn’t realize the truth that God doesn’t have anything for sale.
All that God offers, He offers for free. But, it can only be received by the broken, contrite heart, repentant and those who truly believe in Christ. So Simon has exposed his crooked hear, and Peter pounces.
20But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Peter’s ticked off here. This is righteous indignation. This is kind of salty, fishermen talk, by the way. In fact, notice how the JB Phillips translation renders this verse: But Peter said to him, “To hell with you and your money! How dare you think you could buy the gift of God!” Acts 8:20 (PHILLIPS)
He didn’t coddle that false faith, he shot him down fast and hard. He continues in verse 21: 21You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right (literally "not straight") before God. 22Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
What is Peter telling him? Pray for your forgiveness; repent; turn 180 degrees. Go the exact opposite direction; renounce your sin; turn to God. Lay down your pride; lay hold of Christ. "You are in the gall of bitterness.” That’s a Greek word for bile. “You are in the bile of wickedness, and the bondage of iniquity. You are a slave to your sin. You must repent.”
That’s the right view of sin – realizing it separates you from God and you repent of it. Notice how Simon responds to Peter’s rebuke – and I think there’s some sarcasm here: 24And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” Kind of a mockery. Instead of saying, “Ok, I’ll pray to the Lord and repent” he says, “You pray for me and I’ll just go with that.”
Too much pride, too much arrogance, too full of himself to be humble before the Lord. Well that leads us to our most important question:
So What?
So what does this mean for me, how do I apply this to my life? Well the “so what” life application is really the title of my sermon: Are You For Real?
Is your faith the real thing? Is it authentic, is it genuine, is it legitimate? This is an altogether right and good and biblical question that each of us in this room – myself included – should ask ourselves. Are you for real?
In 2 Corinthians, Paul says, “Check yourself:” Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5
Peter says in 2 Peter: Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. 2 Peter 1:10
I began this message by telling you the account of Frederic Bourdin – the serial child impersonator. When he was arrested and found guilty for his crime, he was sentenced to six years in prison – double the recommended sentence. Why did they double it? Because of the extensive pain and suffering he caused to an already grieving family.
But can I tell you that the sentence for impersonating a Christian is much more severe than 3 years, or 6 years, or even a life sentence? The punishment is eternity separated, not only from loved ones, friends and family members – but most of all eternally separated from the One who loves you more than your own momma – God himself. Sentenced forever to a place called hell.
You may be here today and some of the things we've considered this morning have resonated with you. You know in your heart of hearts you're like Simon, you've not been genuinely converted. You may have done some outward religious acts just like Simon - you prayed a prayer or you were baptized. But you know, there's been no real change in your life. And the same thing that prevented Simon from being genuinely converted is the same thing that's prevented you: pride, ego, self-centeredness.
So my encouragement to you is this: Instead of having a flawed view of self, have an accurate view of self.
See yourself in light of the perfection and glory of God; see yourself in desperate need of rescue, see yourself in need of salvation; see yourself in need of the Spirit's transforming power.
Instead of having a flawed view of your sin, have an accurate view of sin.
See your own, personal sin as the soul-damning cancer it really is. You may be here this morning on mother's day, honoring your mom by the one thing you know she'd want you to do - go to church with her on mother's day. But do you know what the best mother's day gift you can give to your mom is? Humble yourself before God and trust in Jesus!
God has provided a way. Don’t look to the finger – the power and evidence of God’s salvation – look to Jesus, the author and perfector of salvation. Trust in his work, dying on the cross for your sin, rising from the dead to provide you life. Trust in Jesus today!
Last Thought: The same offer of salvation made to Simon is made to you: REPENT and pray to the Lord to be FORGIVEN.
