True Faith: Beyond Belief and Worldly Idols
Summary
In our journey through the book of Acts, we have witnessed the transformative power of the gospel as it spread beyond Jerusalem, reaching even the Samaritans, who were historically at odds with the Jews. This remarkable event fulfilled the prophecy in Ezekiel 37, where God promised to reunite the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Today, we focus on Simon, a man who practiced magic in Samaria and was revered by the people as a great power. However, upon encountering the true power of God through the miracles performed by Philip, Simon believed and was baptized. Yet, his story reveals a deeper issue: his faith was misplaced.
Simon’s desire to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles exposed his heart's true intent. He sought the praise and attention of people rather than a genuine relationship with God. This mirrors the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, who also sought to buy approval and ended in judgment. Unlike them, Simon was given a chance to repent, but his response was not one of true repentance. He was more concerned with avoiding consequences than genuinely turning away from his sin.
This narrative challenges us to examine our own faith. Belief is not the same as faith; God is not a tool for our purposes, and sorrow is not equivalent to repentance. True faith requires placing the full weight of our lives on Jesus, without a backup plan. It means recognizing that God is not merely useful but is the ultimate need of our lives. Repentance involves a complete restructuring of our hearts and desires, turning away from idols and placing our faith entirely in Jesus.
As we reflect on Simon's story, we are reminded that our faith should not rest on the things of this world but on the unshakeable foundation of Christ. We are called to walk in repentance and faith, continually turning away from worldly idols and placing our trust in Jesus alone.
Key Takeaways:
- Belief vs. Faith: Belief in God’s existence or His miracles is not the same as having faith in Him. True faith involves placing the full weight of our lives on Jesus, trusting Him completely without relying on worldly securities. [33:22]
- God is Not a Tool: God should not be seen as a means to achieve our personal goals. When we approach God with the intent to use Him for our purposes, we reveal a heart that is not right with Him. Instead, we should seek God for who He is, not for what He can give us. [41:53]
- Repentance vs. Sorrow: Genuine repentance is a heartfelt turning away from sin and idols, while sorrow often focuses on avoiding consequences. True repentance involves a change of mind and heart, aligning our desires with God’s will. [49:00]
- Idolatry in Modern Life: We must examine what we truly place our faith in. If losing something would cause our lives to fall apart, it may be an idol. Jesus calls us to place our faith in Him alone, as He is the only unshakeable foundation. [38:35]
- The Call to Repentance and Faith: Being a Christian means continually turning away from worldly idols and placing our faith entirely in Jesus. This ongoing process of repentance and faith is open to everyone, regardless of past missteps. [54:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [23:22] - Introduction to Simon
- [24:47] - Simon's Encounter with the Apostles
- [26:14] - Simon's Reputation and Magic
- [27:29] - The Greater Power of God
- [28:40] - Simon's True Intentions Revealed
- [30:12] - Peter's Stern Rebuke
- [31:44] - Simon's Legacy and Lessons
- [32:42] - Belief vs. Faith
- [34:24] - Examining Our Faith Foundations
- [37:03] - The Nature of True Faith
- [38:01] - Placing Faith in Jesus Alone
- [40:47] - God is Not Merely Useful
- [43:38] - Misusing God’s Gifts
- [45:49] - Seeking God’s Kingdom First
- [47:07] - Repentance vs. Sorrow
- [49:53] - The Difference Between Sorrow and Repentance
- [51:47] - Faith in Jesus and His Kingdom
- [54:50] - The Call to Repentance and Faith
- [56:16] - Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 8:4-25
- Ezekiel 37:15-23
- James 2:19
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was Simon's initial reaction to the miracles performed by Philip, and how did it change when he saw the apostles impart the Holy Spirit? [24:47]
2. How did Peter respond to Simon's offer to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, and what does this reveal about Simon's heart? [30:12]
3. What similarities can be drawn between Simon's actions and those of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5? [28:40]
4. According to the sermon, what are the three false equivalents that we need to remember from Simon's story? [32:42]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Simon's story illustrate the difference between belief and faith, and why is this distinction important for Christians today? [33:22]
2. In what ways might people today be tempted to view God as a tool for achieving personal goals, similar to Simon's perspective? [41:53]
3. How does the concept of repentance differ from mere sorrow, and why is this distinction crucial for genuine faith? [49:00]
4. What modern-day idols might people place their faith in, and how can these be identified and addressed in light of the sermon? [38:35]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be confusing belief with true faith? How can you ensure that your faith is fully placed in Jesus? [33:22]
2. Consider a time when you might have approached God with the intent to use Him for personal gain. How can you shift your focus to seeking God for who He is rather than what He can give you? [41:53]
3. Identify a specific idol in your life that you might be placing your faith in. What steps can you take this week to turn away from this idol and place your trust in Jesus alone? [38:35]
4. Think about a recent situation where you felt sorry for your actions. Was your response more about avoiding consequences or about genuine repentance? How can you cultivate a heart of true repentance? [49:00]
5. How can you actively practice placing the full weight of your life on Jesus, without relying on worldly securities as a backup plan? [37:03]
6. In what ways can you seek God's kingdom first in your daily life, and how might this change your approach to challenges and decisions? [45:49]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about ongoing repentance and faith. What practical steps can you take to continually turn away from worldly idols and deepen your faith in Jesus? [54:50]
Devotional
Day 1: The Distinction Between Belief and Faith
Belief in God's existence or His miracles is not synonymous with having faith in Him. True faith involves placing the full weight of our lives on Jesus, trusting Him completely without relying on worldly securities. This distinction is crucial because belief can be superficial, acknowledging God's power without a personal commitment to Him. Faith, however, requires a deeper surrender, where one entrusts every aspect of life to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the ultimate foundation. This means letting go of any backup plans or worldly securities and fully relying on Christ's sufficiency. [33:22]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: God is Not a Means to an End
God should not be seen as a means to achieve our personal goals. When we approach God with the intent to use Him for our purposes, we reveal a heart that is not right with Him. Instead, we should seek God for who He is, not for what He can give us. This perspective shift is essential for a genuine relationship with God, where He is valued above all else. It challenges us to examine our motives and ensure that our pursuit of God is driven by a desire to know Him intimately, rather than to gain something from Him. [41:53]
James 4:3 (ESV): "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
Reflection: Reflect on your recent prayers. Are there any requests where your primary motivation is personal gain rather than seeking God's will? How can you realign your heart to seek God for who He is?
Day 3: True Repentance vs. Mere Sorrow
Genuine repentance is a heartfelt turning away from sin and idols, while sorrow often focuses on avoiding consequences. True repentance involves a change of mind and heart, aligning our desires with God’s will. This transformation is not about feeling sorry for the repercussions of sin but about a sincere desire to change and live in accordance with God's purposes. It requires humility and a willingness to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with God, embracing His grace and forgiveness. [49:00]
2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt sorry for your actions. Was your sorrow focused on the consequences or a genuine desire to change? How can you seek true repentance in this area?
Day 4: Identifying Modern Idols
We must examine what we truly place our faith in. If losing something would cause our lives to fall apart, it may be an idol. Jesus calls us to place our faith in Him alone, as He is the only unshakeable foundation. This requires a careful evaluation of our priorities and attachments, identifying anything that competes with our devotion to Christ. By recognizing and removing these idols, we can ensure that our faith is firmly rooted in Jesus, who provides stability and hope in all circumstances. [38:35]
1 John 5:21 (ESV): "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Reflection: Identify one thing in your life that, if lost, would cause significant distress. How can you begin to shift your reliance from this to a deeper trust in Jesus?
Day 5: The Ongoing Call to Repentance and Faith
Being a Christian means continually turning away from worldly idols and placing our faith entirely in Jesus. This ongoing process of repentance and faith is open to everyone, regardless of past missteps. It is a journey of growth and transformation, where we are constantly invited to deepen our relationship with Christ. By embracing this call, we can experience the fullness of life that comes from living in alignment with God's purposes, continually seeking His guidance and strength. [54:50]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to turn away from a worldly idol and place your faith more fully in Jesus? How can this step become a regular practice in your spiritual journey?
Quotes
"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. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the power of God that is called great. And they paid attention to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic." [00:24:20] (27 seconds)
"But when they believed Philip, as he preached good news about the kingdom of God in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed. And after being baptized, he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed." [00:24:47] (19 seconds)
"Now when Simon saw what the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. But Peter said to him, May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money." [00:25:25] (22 seconds)
"Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. And Simon answered, Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you said may come upon me." [00:25:40] (21 seconds)
"He saw the path to winning back the praise and attention of the people. And he was willing, as the proverb says to sell everything to be able to get that no matter the cost I need to have that and in doing so that it's it's revealed that what he really is placing his faith in what he's really worshipping isn't Jesus but rather what he has placed his faith in is the praise and the affirmation of other people." [00:28:47] (32 seconds)
"Belief is not the same thing as faith. God is not useful to us. And sorrow is not the same thing as repentance. So belief is not the same thing as faith. It says here that Simon believed. He believed in the miracles. He believed in the teaching of Philip and the apostles. He believed it. But was his faith in God?" [00:32:17] (31 seconds)
"The foundation of his life, the thing that he needed to keep him going, the thing that he needed more than anything else, was for people to say, wow, he's quite a guy. Everything else was simply a means to an end. And this is something that is common in the modern church, and probably common in our church as well." [00:33:17] (24 seconds)
"Are we resting the weight of our lives on, I live in the United States, and this system that we have is a good system of government, and that will take care of me? Are we trusting the rule of law, and the courts, and the police to protect us and to keep us safe? Is that where the weight of our lives sits?" [00:34:24] (22 seconds)
"That's the nature of faith, right? I can believe that that harness is going to hold me. Because every couple of years, Scott gets in a jam, and I get to go with him, and we can go up the tower. And you get up. I'm not particularly useful, because I'm real slow, but anyway. You get up there, and you have that moment. Am I going to place my faith in this harness, and let go of everything else?" [00:37:18] (31 seconds)
"Trusting in God, placing our faith in him, instead of in the things of this world, is called repentance. It's a change of mind. I am no longer trusting in this, I am going to trust in God instead. being sorry is not the same thing as repentance. Simon was sorry, right? He was sorry that he did what he did. But he was not repentant." [00:47:47] (30 seconds)
"That is what it means to be a Christian, to walk in repentance and faith, to turn away from the things of this world and to place our faith entirely and only in Him. And that is open to every person, regardless of what it is that you have placed your faith in, regardless of how long you have placed your faith in." [00:55:09] (25 seconds)
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