Philip’s Magic

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7.21 Dear Lord, we come to you with hearts full of gratitude for your boundless love and mercy. Thank you for the gift of your word, which guides us and reveals your will for our lives. We recognize that it is not enough to merely call upon your name with our lips, but we must also honor you with our actions and hearts. We often fall short, relying on our strength and understanding instead of seeking your guidance and obeying your commands. Change our hearts, Lord. Align our desires with yours. so that we may live in a way that is pleasing to you. Teach us to love as you love, to serve as Jesus served, and to walk humbly with you each day. Give us strength and courage to follow your will, even when it's difficult or requires sacrifice. Empower us by your Holy Spirit, to be faithful and obedient servants. May our lives reflect your grace and truth, drawing others to your kingdom. Use us, Lord, to be a force for good in our families, communities, and beyond. Help us to be doers of the word, not just hearers. so that we may bring glory to your name and advance the kingdom here on earth. In Jesus' precious name we pray. 00:02:03 Speaker 2: Amen. 00:02:06 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for gripping tales connecting Jesus' Sermon on the Mount to other biblical adventures. If you've been inspired by these podcasts, We would love it if you left a review. In the heart of Samaria, where stone-paved streets wound like serpents between the sun-bleached buildings, there lived a man of formidable reputation. The people called him Simon. The whispers of his other titles danced in the air like ghostly tendrils. The great power of God they murmured with awe and fear. For Simon the Sorcerer was a man not to be trifled with. He was a man acquainted with alchemy, tonics, and different forms of sorcery. With the right concoction, he could make a man feel what he wanted him to feel. With the right incantations, he could summon spirits to perform signs. Simon's ascent to fame had been as mysterious as the man himself. He had come from humble beginnings, a nameless child from a forgotten village. But within him burned a hunger as vast and insatiable as the desert sands. In those early days he had wandered far and wide. delving into the arcane arts, seeking knowledge in places where the light of day dared not venture. Simon sat in his grand hall, a small temple smelling of wet stone and incense. People would come to him there. They asked for signs from God. They wanted their moods altered and fortunes told. Simon met their needs for a price. 00:04:20 Speaker 3: Simon, please consult God and tell me if my crops will yield this year. 00:04:25 Speaker 4: I shall consult the sands. 00:04:28 Speaker 1: Simon took out a sack of dark ebony sand and threw it onto the floor. He crouched down and blew, whispering incantations he'd learned from foreign lands. His practice was disingenuous at best, blatantly evil at its worst. 00:04:48 Speaker 4: I see what God sees. 00:04:52 Speaker 5: I hear what he hears. An evil weed seeks to choke out your crop, hindering its roots. The sun's scorch will likely cause them to wither. 00:05:08 Speaker 1: Unless Simon retrieved a sack of ground goat bones. He waited in his hand, a slight smile coiling around his mouth. The man bowed his head and left, grateful and anxious. The people of Samaria revered Simon, and why should they not? Local legends whispered that Simon could conjure flames from thin air, summon storms from a whisper, and bend the will of man and beast alike. To them Simon was more than a sorcerer. He was a god among men, and in their eyes his power was good. That was until a new force entered the land, carried on the lips of travelers and merchants, a man named Philip. 00:06:14 Speaker 2: Where does true power lie? And what's the cost of a prideful pursuit of power? Welcome to The Jesus Podcast, gospel-inspired stories to enliven and enrich your imagination and your faith. We've been going through a mini-series on the birth of the church. We've been highlighting stories from the book of Acts to showcase how the gospel of Jesus worked through the lives of early believers. Today, we're going to dive into a thrilling story from the book of Acts, A tale filled with miracles, magic, and a man named Simon who tried to buy his way into God's kingdom. Buckle up, because this story, inspired by Acts 8, 5-25, has lessons that are going to challenge us, inspire us, and maybe even make us laugh. 00:07:01 Speaker 1: Simon watched from the alleyway, his face hidden beneath a hood. He peered out, observing every move Philip made. The man didn't wear the garb of a priest, nor carry himself like a prophet. His clothes were ragged, his beard untrimmed, yet his face radiated purpose. He addressed the crowd, his voice bolstered by some unseen authority. 00:07:31 Speaker 3: It was faith that moved our father, Abraham. Faith that one day, through his seed, all the nations will be blessed. I've come here to tell you that the promised seed of Abraham has come. He is Jesus. And the faith that moved Abraham to greatness can move you too. 00:07:54 Speaker 1: Simon's ears perked up at the words greatness. He had heard rumors about the man from Nazareth named Jesus. He had heard stories of healed lepers and multiplied bread. 00:08:07 Speaker 3: Truly I tell you, If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. 00:08:20 Speaker 1: Just then Simon saw Philip approach a lame man sitting on the ground. He walked with gentle steps and reached out a hand. Philip's eyes were earnest, warm. He spoke with words that didn't seem to be his own. 00:08:38 Speaker 3: Brethren, Get up and walk. 00:08:41 Speaker 1: Simon's eyes widened with disbelief as he watched the lame man stretch his legs, roll his ankles, and rise to his feet. Gasps from the crowd gave way to cheers. Philip seized the opportunity. 00:08:59 Speaker 4: Repent. 00:09:00 Speaker 3: Believe in Jesus, that he died on the cross for the sins of mankind and rose again in power. Let faith move you. Be baptized and follow Jesus. 00:09:13 Speaker 1: Droves of people raced to Philip, hands stretched out, eager to experience freedom from sin and power from the Spirit. Simon found his legs moving forward. He was drawn to the power Philip had. Whatever spirit compelled him, Simon desired. He moved with the tide of the crowd. following Philip to the water. 00:09:39 Speaker 4: Simon was baptized. 00:09:50 Speaker 3: Then be baptized, my friend, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:09:58 Speaker 1: Simon was baptized, caught up in the euphoria of the crowd, eager to experience the power Philip had. But as he emerged from the water, he felt nothing. He didn't sense a force within, nor did he feel energy coursing. 00:10:16 Speaker 4: Through his veins. 00:10:17 Speaker 5: Power! Power! 00:10:19 Speaker 4: I want that power. 00:10:22 Speaker 1: Simon tugged at Philip's garment and spoke in an innocent voice. 00:10:27 Speaker 4: Philip, I want to do what you do. Signs, wonders, healings. Show me how. 00:10:35 Speaker 3: Patience, brother. You have yet to receive the Holy Spirit. Come, I will gather the others and visit Peter and John. They will lay hands on you and commission you for the great ministry Christ has called you to. 00:10:49 Speaker 1: Simon followed Philip and the others to meet with John and Peter. He walked eagerly, padding behind them like a child. He expected them to be escorted to a temple of opulence, where Peter and John would receive them, adorned with jewel-encrusted medallions and golden-laced robes. Yet, to Simon's dismay, they wore fisherman's garbs. The one they called Peter was a burly man. with unkempt hair. The one they called John looked no older than 17. 00:11:25 Speaker 3: Brothers and sisters, we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, that you have been redeemed and brought near. Welcome to the community of Christ. Come, let's lay hands on you so that you may receive the Holy Spirit, empowered and emboldened for the mission ahead. 00:11:43 Speaker 4: Lord God, we pray that you'd adorn your children with the Spirit, Fill them afresh, awakening gifts to glorify your name. 00:11:52 Speaker 1: Simon watched, incredibly, as each person around him became empowered by the Holy Spirit. A tangible difference in their countenance. This was the power Philip had. The power Simon desperately wanted. 00:12:09 Speaker 3: Peter! 00:12:10 Speaker 5: John! 00:12:10 Speaker 4: Hello! 00:12:12 Speaker 1: Simon pushed through the crowd and reached into his purse. A large sack of silver weighed his palm. A wry grin painted his face. 00:12:22 Speaker 4: How much for the power you wield? Name your price. What do you mean? You are men of great power, able to give it to others. I want that power. 00:12:37 Speaker 5: How much can I pay you for your services? I have acquired much silver in my life. No price would be too high for me. Peter's gaze became intense. He darted his eyes to Philip. Philip, where did you find this man? 00:12:57 Speaker 1: Peter turned to Simon, eyes hot with conviction. His deep voice and Galilean accent added volume to his intense rebuke. 00:13:07 Speaker 5: Keep your silver. Well, I'm surprised you wouldn't accept my offer. Is there something else you want then? You know, I have connections in other places. 00:13:20 Speaker 4: Places of influence. 00:13:23 Speaker 5: I'm certain they would be very helpful in getting this little religion of yours off the ground. Perhaps that's more your fancy, eh? 00:13:32 Speaker 3: Keep your silver and may it perish with you. Do you think you can obtain the gift of God with money? You're sorely mistaken. You have no part nor lot in the matter of the spirit, for your heart isn't right before God. 00:13:49 Speaker 4: How dare you? Do you know who I am? 00:13:54 Speaker 5: Do you know what they call me? I am Simon, the great power of God. 00:14:01 Speaker 3: Repent, Simon. Turn from the wicked avarice that grips your heart. 00:14:06 Speaker 5: Forgive me, sir. 00:14:08 Speaker 4: I think we got off on the wrong foot. 00:14:10 Speaker 1: No, no. 00:14:12 Speaker 3: Simon paused, throat clenched and chest beating rapidly. He felt exposed, embarrassed and angry. 00:14:43 Speaker 1: Yet his tongue couldn't unravel to defend himself. Deep down, he knew Peter's arrow was aimed true. Simon had a choice before him. Would he remain powerless, content to proclaim the name of Jesus without the power of Jesus? Or would he humble himself before God and change his heart? He was still unresolved, barely inching out a whispered apology. 00:15:20 Speaker 5: Pray for me then. Pray to the Lord on my behalf that what you have said will not come to pass. 00:15:31 Speaker 2: Our story today begins with Philip, one of the twelve. When persecution broke out against the church, mostly led by Saul of Tarsus, Philip wasn't one to sit back and wait for things to calm down. Instead, Philip took the gospel where it had never been before, into Samaria. Now, to grasp the significance of this, you need to understand that Jews and Samaritans got along about as well as cats and dogs, or maybe the fans of two rival football teams. I'm a Rams fan, and naturally, I have a hard time getting along with 49ers fans. Sorry to all those 49ers fans out there. If you're a brother in Christ, I'm sure we'll get along. For centuries, Jews saw Samaritans as half-breeds who had corrupted the true faith. There was a deep-seated prejudice between them. Yet, here comes Philip, preaching Christ right in the heart of Samaria. 00:16:17 Speaker 5: Why? 00:16:18 Speaker 2: Because there's no room for prejudice in the gospel. When Jesus gets a hold of your heart, he tears down the walls of hatred, division, and pride. Let's be honest, some of us could use a bit of demolition in our hearts too. And what happens when Philip starts preaching? Miracles break out. The paralyzed walk, the demon-possessed are set free, and the whole city is filled with joy. When Jesus is lifted up, lives change, and there's this wake of restoration that happens. Friends, when was the last time you saw a great joy break out because Jesus was preached in your neighborhood? Then enter a character named Simon. The Bible describes him as a sorcerer, which could mean many different things back then. It could mean that he was a distributor of different sorts of narcotics and drugs and hallucinogenics. It could mean that he dabbled in the dark arts and that he dealt with magic to try and gain wisdom and access from demonic forces. Either way, this guy was a big deal in Samaria. He wasn't just your local card trick magician, he was a bona fide sorcerer who had a whole town convinced that he was the great power of God. Simon was like that TV evangelist who promises you miracles for a small donation, but with a dash of Harry Potter flair. He had power, but it wasn't from God, it was from a much darker source. But when Philip came to town, Simon noticed something different. There was a real power on display, healing, deliverance, lives being transformed. So Simon did what any self-respecting sorcerer would do. He got baptized and started following Philip around like a lost puppy. And can you blame him? He thought that Philip was the source of this power. And if he can gain access to what Philip had access to, then perhaps he can replicate that power for himself. Word got back to the apostles in Jerusalem that all these awesome things were happening in Samaria. And so Peter and John went to Samaria to see what was happening. And when they arrived, they lay hands on the new believers, that they would receive the Holy Spirit. This was a big deal. It was like a divine endorsement, showing that these Samaritans were full-fledged members of the family of God. Ephesians tells us that the Holy Spirit is the seal and the guarantee of our inheritance. Those who have the Holy Spirit are sealed by God for salvation, but also for the works of Christ. The Holy Spirit is not confined to Jewish believers only, and he's poured out to all who would believe, breaking cultural and ethnic barriers. Simon saw all of this and thought, wow, that's a cool trick, and I'd love to have that up my sleeve. So he does what any magician might do. He pulls out his wallet and tries to buy the Holy Spirit. Big mistake. Peter looks at Simon and, in a moment of Holy Spirit discernment, drops a bombshell. Your money perish with you because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money. To paraphrase Peter's response, he's essentially saying, buddy, you and your money can go straight to H-E double hockey sticks. Peter calls Simon out, not just for trying to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, but for his heart not being right with God. Peter implores him to repent and pray that God might forgive him for such a wicked thought. Simon wanted power without submission. You see, miracles without surrender and authority without relationship are empty. Friends, how often can we fall into the same trap, wanting God's blessings but not his lordship, seeking his gifts but not his holiness? You may love aspects of the Christian faith, but let me be absolutely clear, you can't have God's gifts without God's authority over your life. In the end, Simon doesn't quite get it. Instead of humbling himself before God, he asks Peter to pray for him, as if Peter could repent on his behalf. And let me tell you, church, nobody can repent for you. We don't pray to Peter in order to be forgiven. 00:20:04 Speaker 1: Nope. 00:20:04 Speaker 2: We have unbridled and unhindered access to Jesus through, you guessed it, the Holy Spirit. No one can believe for you. No one can forgive on your behalf. Your relationship with God is personal and it starts with a changed heart. So as we close today, let's ask ourselves, are we like Philip, willing to cross barriers and boldly proclaim the gospel? Or like Simon, are we wanting the benefits of God without truly wanting to know him or obey him? May we seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit today, not for our own gain, but for God's glory. And may there be great joy in our city because of it.