Magicians In The Church

[0:00] Thank you for tuning into this message by David Entry. Every true revival is a product of the strong preaching of God's word. May you receive a word from this message that will spark a revival in you.

[0:12] Acts chapter 8, reading from verse 8 to 26. And there was great joy in that city.

[0:51] And there was a lot of time he had bewitched them with sorcery. But when they heard Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

[1:08] Then Simon himself believed also. And when he was baptized, he continued with Philip and wondering, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

[1:20] Now, when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost.

[1:35] For as yet it was falling upon none of them. Only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[2:14] For as yet it was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[2:44] And in the bond of iniquity. Then I said, Simon and said, pray ye to the Lord for me that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

[2:54] And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

[3:07] And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip saying, arise and go towards the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

[3:20] Here ends the gospel in the name of the Lord. Here ends the gospel in the name of the Lord. Here ends the reading of God's word. Father, we pray that let the scrolls be opened for you are worthy. You alone are worthy to take the scrolls, break the seal and open it.

[3:34] Lord, as we come to you, open the scriptures to us, open our understanding and that we can comprehend the scriptures and see Christ in every page.

[3:46] I submit myself under the influence of the Holy Spirit. That Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you. Let the words of my heart be acceptable to you.

[4:25] In verse 8, the Bible says that, and there was great joy in the city. Shall we all read it out together?

[4:37] And there was great joy in that city. There was great joy in that city. What caused the joy? Verse 5, Philip went down to Samaria.

[4:48] And people go down to Samaria, but Philip did something in Samaria. And that was the cause of the joy. Went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto them.

[5:00] What did he preach? What did he preach? He preached Christ unto them. And then we saw as well that, I think in the verse 3, that they that were scattered abroad, verse 4, They that were scattered abroad, went everywhere, preaching the word.

[5:17] From Philip's preaching, we can understand that when the Bible said they were preaching the word, verse 5 tells us what the word meant. He went down.

[5:28] Everyone was preaching Christ in the word. Philip went down and preached Christ to them. So the preaching of Christ is the preaching of the word. You can't separate the word of God from Jesus.

[5:40] When the word of God is preached in truth, Jesus is revealed and known. When the word of God is preached in truth, Jesus is revealed and known. So if you are in church for a while and you don't know Jesus, it looks like you have not been exposed to the preaching, the true preaching of the word of God, which is also called the gospel.

[6:02] Now, we see that Philip, because of true gospel preaching, or because of the testimony of Jesus, there was great joy in the city.

[6:15] It's the preaching of the true gospel that accounted for the casting out of demons, or demons screaming out, or clean spirit coming out with loud voice coming out of many.

[6:28] He didn't say he was casting. The preaching was making demons come out. Verse 6 says that, And the people of one accord gave heed to the things which Philip speak, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

[6:43] So as they gave attention to him and saw the signs and wonders, not demons he was casting, he was doing miracles. As he was preaching, his core job was declaring the gospel.

[6:55] And as he declared the gospel, Mark chapter 16 verse 20 happened. God was working with them, confirming his word with signs following. So as the people, he was declaring the word, he was announcing the gospel of the kingdom.

[7:10] He was preaching Christ. God was confirming his word with signs and wonders. And the people were following, looking at him, and the people were with one of God. They gave heed.

[7:20] Listen to that. I like that word, they gave heed. It wasn't like they were just watching. He had something to say. So people who only want to do signs without Jesus to speak about, they are misleading people.

[7:34] I said last Thursday that the Bible is not, it's not our preaching that makes the Bible the word of God. It's the word of God that makes our preaching meaningful.

[7:48] The power is not in the preaching, but powerful preaching is based on the word declared. When the word is declared, the power of God comes to bear.

[8:00] So it is not our preaching that makes the word of God powerful. It's the word of God that makes our useless preachings powerful. It's the word.

[8:11] Now, I want to draw your attention to something very interesting in that text that they gave heed. That means you could not ignore what he was saying and only watch what he was doing.

[8:24] What he was saying was so married to what he was doing or what was happening that you can't just focus on what was happening and ignore what he was saying because his mission was to say.

[8:38] That is the gospel. The gospel is worse. The gospel is a message. So we can't be silent on our message and try to win people by our activities and our actions.

[8:51] The activities themselves are not good enough. It's the message that gives birth to the activities that give the power behind the activities. So they gave heed with one accord.

[9:04] Bible says they gave heed and the people with one accord gave heed. I like the word. It is in watching what he was doing first. They gave heed unto the things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles.

[9:20] They gave heed, hearing and seeing the miracle. The miracles that they heard and saw made them give heed to. This guy, let's listen to what he's saying because they realized that it's what he's saying that was producing what was happening.

[9:35] And Bible says that there was and then for unclean spirits crying out with loud voice came out from many.

[9:48] Usually demon possession is a lot of people. Yeah, it's not only a few people. A lot of people. So when you are on the street, about 80% or more of the people are demon possessed.

[10:05] In the nightclub, about 99% of the people are demon possessed. I'm telling you the truth. Demon possessing sin even influence your tastes and your decisions.

[10:22] There are things you like that are as a result of demon influence. Because the way you like alcohol, no. Because in you, your right sense, you know it's affecting your health.

[10:37] There are people who like things they don't want to like. And it is usually many. Right? I'm talking about people here. Usually not only one or two people.

[10:48] Many. You think you're alone. You don't know. If we ask everybody to write three things anonymously, that really troubles them.

[11:03] That tempts them. And we collect it all. You'll be shocked that almost everybody are very similar. Many who were possessed, Bible says, demons were coming out of many who were possessed.

[11:20] For unclean spirits crying with loud voice came out of many that were possessed with them. As a result of the preaching of the gospel. Bible didn't tell us he was lay hands.

[11:31] He was just preaching Christ. And demons were running out of people. That's why don't stay at home. Don't just stay at home when you can come to church.

[11:42] Because when you come to church, there's an opportunity for that demonization or demon influences or any sometimes they may know but maybe there's a demon in your pocket.

[11:57] It really troubling you. It's trying and timing you. During the preaching, they leave. Many demons live, move out of an environment or a territory where Christ is preached.

[12:14] That's why how many of you have experienced this before? After church, you feel freer. Okay, I know you won't lift your hand because you may think that's a certain thing.

[12:26] But usually, after church, you feel lighter. You feel freer in the living because he said, if you abide my way, John chapter 8 verse 31, if you continue in my way, then you are my disciples indeed and you will know the truth and the truth, the truth you know is what makes you free.

[12:47] You will know the truth and the truth shall make you free. So usually, when there's good, true, Christ-centered gospel of the kingdom of God preached, people live free.

[13:02] You'll be listening to... The other time, I woke up very happy. I normally wake up, okay, depends on what else maybe activity or sometimes I'll be tired but sometimes I wake up very happy and I said, I want to sleep that same side again.

[13:19] Do you know why? You know, there are times you are awake but you are not awake. Yeah, I woke up and someone was having this sweet conversation that I can't explain. Sweet conversation.

[13:31] It's like I was listening to somebody preaching and I was hearing this sweet... Oh! And it's like I can't explain the feeling. It's so sweet. I woke up so free and light. When I woke up, oh, it was the Bible that was playing and I felt I was listening to deep revelation but I was asleep.

[13:51] So I like I was semi-dreaming and somebody was preaching nice things to me and I was so happy. I woke up only to real and I felt so free.

[14:05] I woke up so blessed. The word of God does something to you. When we hear the word of God publicly read, Isaiah chapter 43, it did something to some people who were paying heat.

[14:18] A paying heat. And so when they gave heat to Philo or they heard the things he was preaching, demons left by themselves and because of that there was great joy in the city.

[14:29] When people don't have joy, it's a sign demons are harassing them. No. Demon harassment is not congruent with joy.

[14:41] So when you're on the train, you look at people, you can tell, okay, I told you, many people, many people possessed with demons or harassed with devils. There are a lot of them on the streets of London.

[14:55] Pastor, I don't agree with you. You don't have to agree. You don't have to agree. I'm just telling you. Many people because you can never, the reason why your house is so morose is because demons are hiding in different places.

[15:14] Why is it that anytime you enter the house, you are sad? Anytime you enter the house, some people just, ah, okay.

[15:26] You are not saying, Pastor, so my wife is demon possessed. That's why, that's why every time I go home, I'm sad. No, the demon is in you. The sadness, where the sadness is, is a reflection of where the concentration of the enemy is working.

[15:46] So, it's not with your husband. The problem is they are concentrated around you, but they are using your wife as a trigger to harass and to steal and to rip joy out of your life.

[16:03] So, that's why it's good to always allow messages. Sometimes, movies can make you laugh, but they won't bring joy. They can give you some intellectual relief or emotional relief, but joy, joy, ah, great joy is a function of the gospel.

[16:22] Play the gospel in your car. Play preaching in your car, in your house. Play, let your children grow up knowing that preaching is meant to be listened to.

[16:32] play it. Play it. Demons live by themselves when pure gospel is preached. And so, they said that now in that same city where joy has come, there was a man called Simon.

[16:50] Simon. Simon was a common name. A common name at that time. There was a man, a certain man called Simon, which before time, in other words, before this record was being given, he was already doing that.

[17:07] In the same, before time, in the same city, used sorcery. Some translations say use magic. So, sorcery, in a lot of settings, has a combination of supernatural powers to achieve physical results.

[17:23] So, you go and consult them and they use some powers to give you some results. That is sorcery. And, there are people who are supposed to be preachers and who are using sorcery.

[17:35] Yeah, in places. Yeah. Simon, the sorcerer in the church. Because I will show you, he also became a follower. So, let's look at the text.

[17:47] There was, in that same city, there was a man which called Simon, which before time, in the same, I like the way the scripture says, same, where miracles were happening in joy.

[17:58] There was a guy who was already dominating the skyline there. In the same city, used sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that he himself was some great one.

[18:13] So, he was using sorcery and has gained reputation, has gained this name and his brand was high. Top brand. Top.

[18:25] And how did he get it? He was using sorcery. So, he had big congregation. In fact, politicians consulted him. Yeah.

[18:36] If he tells you you are not winning the election, you won't win it. Move away from prophets who are only telling you who will win the election. It's the lowest. In fact, it's not Christianity.

[18:47] It's not indicative of a man of God. Please. How no and pediatric Christians in the nation can become that what makes you a prophet is because you said out of the two people who are standing for election, one is going to win.

[19:10] It's an insult to our intelligence. intelligent people wake up and other sorcerers from other nations are really intrigued.

[19:22] The Lord told me this person can you shut up and turn to Jesus? Can you shut up? We are not interested. Clairvoreans can do that. Sorcerers do this much of the time. That is sorcerers job.

[19:35] It's so it's so low low grade. In fact, it's not Christianity. Can I say that is not Christianity. So if that is what makes you a man of God I beg to submit to you that I doubt if you are actually a man of God.

[19:50] What shows you a man of God is the gospel content in your address in your speaking the gospel content Philip Simon sit at the back seat let Philip do his job.

[20:06] Why are the Philips quiet? I don't blame the Simon the sorcerers I blame the Philips and when the Philip rises to preach or Stevie rises to preach then the funny Philips who have lost their bearing stand to throw stones at proper Philip.

[20:26] Philip is addressing something important. Let's listen to Philip and stop glorifying sorcerers in the church. Sorcerers in the church.

[20:37] What does it take us to? If I tell you I'm going to get a new job and you get it it's not bad in itself but where does that lie in the scope of eternity? But if I reveal Christ to you and I help you come on the church has gone so low and people who are supposed to be men of God don't even know what Christian preaching is.

[20:57] That's what breaks my heart. Philip rise up and shout up about Simon the sorcerer. So the sorcerer was bewitching them and they believed that this is them when you look at man of God that's a man of God he was a great one he was a great one he was a great one he had crowd he had crowd having crowd is not an indication that you are a true gospel preacher having large following online is not an indication that you are a true gospel preacher because the scripture says clearly in 2nd Timothy chapter 4 verse 3 it says that for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own last shall they give them to themselves teachers have been eating ears and they will turn their ears away from the truth and shall be turned unto fables it is a church Christians turn their ears away from truth and how do you know people are doing well in their

[22:00] Christianity how Christ is becoming central in their life but people who are Christ not central they like they laugh I like what he's saying I like what he's saying I like what and we are importing new age philosophy and terminology into that we have gone silent on justification sanctification propitiation atonement it's not Jewish word it's a biblical word let's leave all those new age words we are bringing energy energy encounters energy can you leave that and let's go to biblical words many people are preaching and you hardly find biblical terminologies in their mouth you don't find it because the thing is a cake it's old fashioned we don't need that but actually we need redemption to be spoken about we need to talk about justification it's important but if you're going to be teaching these things you are not likely to have high online followers apart from serious

[23:09] Christians oh a man of God should be excited serious Christians have appetite for what you are teaching don't be worried about who is not attracted to your preaching a man of God don't be worried about that as long as you are doing second Timothy chapter 4 verse 2 the first three words oh my God my God my God my God as long as you are doing preach the word preach the word preach the word leave whatever is not following you can't do much about them don't change it don't change the word to fit into culture don't change the word because don't change new strategies because times are changing but God is the same yesterday today and forever heaven and earth shall pass away but my word shall not pass away so he had bewitched people with sorcery that's serious the whole city he has bewitched them what does that mean you can't even think properly people think in the light of what he says they think in the light of what he says that's bewitching someone can say my mother

[24:32] I don't like my mother because I've been told that she's the one behind my problems that's you have been bewitched by a sorcerer you have been bewitched and I'm tired of the so-called Christians who are always suspicious about everybody and anything you go through is not you but some people are behind your problems some people are behind your problems it's unintellectual it's unintelligent and it's certainly unscriptural how come Christians who can pray are so powerful but every time their struggles witches are more powerful than prayer warriors anyway so he said he bewitched them with sorcery he has bewitched them and bewitched the people of Samaria he bewitched them Samaria was bewitched thank God for the preaching of Christ you see how so many people were demon influenced some of the sorcerer yeah some of the you see these magical activities and these occultic practices invade people's life with devils create room create platform platform for smooth manifestation operation of devils in the lives of people so their whole city was bewitched because of this man no wonder as the guy was preaching the true gospel the demons were evil spirits were just living they're just running away it doesn't take too much it doesn't take too much it takes true gospel preaching it takes true gospel preaching so and he has bewitched people and they say he's a great one verse 10 says that to whom they all gave heed from the least to the greatest saying this did you see that they say he's a man of

[26:28] God great not just a man of but he himself is actually the power yeah and any man of God who cannot be challenged on the grounds of scripture is practicing witchcraft you have sorcerer you have the right as a christian to tell me you disagree with what i just said based on scripture not disrespectfully based on scripture because scripture is document and scripture doesn't have two meanings it has one meaning every text has one meaning not two theologians call it authorial intent the intent of the author when the author was writing what did he actually mean so you cannot interpret it your own way because you don't have editorial authority you don't have editorial authority to decide that this is what he means you have to take so when we are reading when we are reading the bible and when

[27:33] I'm teaching the scriptures what I'm supposed to be doing is to fish out the authorial intent first the actual content of the text and the authorial intent of the text is what I should be projecting not what I want to say what the text is saying so every text has an actual meaning its application can be varied you can apply it in various ways but the meaning the meaning is one for God so loved the world means for God so loved the world and nothing else and so then if I said for God so loved the world that's what if God so loved the world that he gave his only because his son and I said but you see there's something that you haven't seen it means that God also hates some people who are not in church the text didn't say that the text didn't say so then you have the audacity and the right to disagree with me based on scripture now if

[28:43] I say who are you to challenge me now I've entered into the realm of sorcery bewitchment because you have to take what I say it doesn't matter how you whatever you see that is so there are witches behind puppets a lot of them in different places of the world different places sorcerers behind puppets who project their personal whims intentions and aspirations on audience so it must be what I am saying and human nature can be so strong some people can speak in a way that you take it like that you take it like that you take it like that then I can't be a man of God and I have to spice it with a lot of confidence and personal testimonies of others who didn't listen to what I said and you see the way they ended you don't listen to me you see what happened to you is sorcery it's bewitching bewitching people thinking you are doing gospel work you are you are actually working against the gospel because the gospel is liberating the gospel and so when I do that and I bewitch you it is easy to collect money from you it is easy to take large offerings that

[30:23] God has told me one two three four don't speak over there I see let me leave it let me leave it and sometimes all these antics the end result is not souls being saved by his money being raised money being raised sorcery so Simon bewitch people with sorcery for a long time and Bible says that verse 10 verse 10 says that to whom they all gave heed saying that he was the God verse 11 says that no watch this and to him they had regard because for a long time he has bewitched them with sorcery for a very long time for a very long time he's been doing this for a very long time and he has enshranged himself so Simon the sorcerer!

[31:23] for a long time he was you don't operate in his territory or in his airspace without permission you enter there you need his permission you enter that guy was very powerful you can't win elections without him telling you that okay you can't stand for a long time has bewitched the people and then look at verse 12 verse 12 says that but when they believe that's the people who have been bewitched there's hope for the bewitched if you can expose yourself to the gospel when those who have been bewitched believed that's where your testimony starts believing Philip preaching and that's where I'm going you see it's not I believe he's a man of God no no it's not necessary it's not necessary I believe this guy is anointed it's not necessary what will save you is believing of the message about

[32:23] Christ is believing that's why sometimes it's good for we pastors to separate ourselves from the message and not make ourselves the message it's the message we are preaching that's what saves how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed how can they believe in whom they have not heard how can they hear without a preacher so the preacher is supposed to say some things the words the preacher says as I was saying earlier on the Bible is the word of God is the revelation of God by God's self revelation so if you want to know me he has revealed himself to scripture and so when I'm a man of God and I'm preaching the word of God if I misrepresent or I misinterpret the word I'm preaching I have misrepresented God that's how serious it is for a preacher to misinterpret text has misrepresented

[33:24] God because the text is a revelation of God Philip was preaching Bible says that but when they believed that Philip preaching the things did you see in the verse 4 they scattered including Philip and what did they preach the word in the verse 5 the Bible makes us know that the word is the same as preaching what now it's taking it further to make us see in verse 12 that the preaching it was preaching concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ concerning the kingdom of God it was first of all when you read some translation instead of preaching the Bible uses announcing preaching is announce announcement you have an announcement to make you are about to declare something to people so preaching actually is an announcement so

[34:26] Philip was announcing things concerning the kingdom of God that was what was causing the miracles that was causing the demons to live it was announcing Jesus Christ when he started his Bible said he announced repent for the kingdom of God as he was preaching the kingdom in Luke chapter 4 verse 43 look for verse 43 the Bible says that and he said this is Jesus talking he said unto them I must announce the kingdom of God to other Gentiles I must preach give us new American standard or English standard version I must I must I must preach the kingdom of God to other so what was he preaching the kingdom of God Jesus preached Luke 1616 Luke 1616 it says that the law and the prophets were until John since that time the kingdom of

[35:26] God give us a new American standard version since that time let's read from since that time let's go I like the way this version renders it it says the gospel of the kingdom the good news concerning the kingdom of God it's always good news that's why it brings joy that's why it brings liberty good news is so refreshing how many of you know that anytime you hear good news I believe by Monday somebody's about to hear good news yes you send some application somewhere and I believe good news is coming sometimes when good news comes it doesn't matter where you are you!

[36:15] sitting on the! why because somebody has heard good news so good news so Philip went to Samaria and he said I brought you some good news I know you have been bewitched I brought you good news I brought you good news I brought you good news someone shout good news so Philip when he came it was not miracles but he came with an announcement he announced good news he announced the good news of the kingdom so that's what Jesus was doing it's more about see the good news about the kingdom another word another phrase is the gospel of the kingdom the gospel of the kingdom Jesus Christ when he says that Bible says that he was preaching the prophet prophesied to John but since that time the gospel of the kingdom the gospel of the kingdom in

[37:22] Luke chapter 8 verse 1 it speaks about the kingdom the preaching of the kingdom he says that and he came to pass that he went throughout every city and village preaching and showing the gospel of the kingdom he was preaching and bringing the good news which is the gospel of the kingdom of God that is Jesus that Jesus in Mark chapter 1 verse 14 and 15 he preached the gospel he preached the gospel he announced the gospel after that John the Baptist was put into Jesus came to Galilee preaching the gospel of the I can hear preaching what preaching what that is what how are you feeling today that is what actual preaching is about actual preaching is not about poverty alleviation actual preaching is not about motivational talk it's not about self help advice there's no actual preaching is not fundamental about that actual preaching is not about therapy advice or whatever it's not political speech it's not preaching about climate change excuse me can some priests anyway some of them are not born again anyway but all your

[38:55] Easter message is about climate change no there's a problem but you see when if you are not taught and you don't understand what the kingdom is about you think a lot of things that are going on is normal and there's such a severe pernicious aberration from the gospel preaching in our times it's always been like that anyway serious distortion and diversion and derailments from gospel preaching that's why people don't grow in Christ that's why people don't grow that's why the influence of the church in nations are stifled because the reason why Europe was christianized if I can use that physiology the reason why united kingdom the culture is built around christianity it wasn't because the people were originally nice the people were originally fetish pagan and fetish until some people like john wesley and some of these great guys they invaded the land with pure gospel preaching pure gospel preaching and it has left legacy many generations after and it's still not shaking it's the preaching of the gospel the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom that's what we are supposed to be preaching the gospel of the kingdom jesus said matthew 24 verse 14 it says the gospel of the kingdom will be preached it says that and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations and then the end shall come this gospel of the kingdom matthew chapter 4 verse 23 said man he went to the synagogue and went to preach the gospel of the kingdom think about it synagogue synagogue synagogue that's where they killed steven synagogue but when jesus went about the teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom how many of you agree with me that that would not be a popular preaching in the synagogue no in the synagogue no but he didn't change the message even though there might be some hostility against that kind of preaching he didn't change the message because that is what brings liberation to people once we talk about liberation day is preaching the gospel of the kingdom preaching that jesus went into their synagogues and was preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing is their preaching before the healings healing all that were oppressed all were sick!

[41:47] all manner of sickness! any kind of sickness! when the gospel of the not sorcery so gospel preaching trumps sorcery anytime sorcery prevails it prevails because gospel preaching hasn't come when gospel preaching rises sorcery begins to shake and go to the backseat gospel preaching gospel preaching to the extent that bible says in acts chapter 1 verse 3 when he resurrected from the dead he showed himself 40 days to them guess what he was doing look at the text he said to whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by means of infallible proof being with them 40 days and what was it speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of god that's what he was talking about the topic of their conversation was not fish yeah I submit to you the topic of their conversation was not the sahindrin neither was it potipha it was the kingdom it was the kingdom of god that's why he said except the man is born again he shall not enter john chapter 3 verse 3 john chapter 3 verse 5 it takes it's the kingdom it's the kingdom preaching the kingdom preaching of the kingdom so when you study the book you look at the book of acts you can see that the preaching of the kingdom was not a different thing was not detached from what jesus did they were also preaching the kingdom that's why we see here from this text when the bible said they preached the word in totality or in actuality it was the kingdom they preached when you preach christ you are preaching the kingdom when you preach the name of jesus you are preaching the kingdom when you preach christ it's the kingdom you are preaching it's the kingdom jesus said that you are asking where is the kingdom he says that you don't know the kingdom of god is in your midst he told them in luke chapter 11 that if i by the finger of god verse 20 cast out devils then the kingdom of god jesus came with the kingdom he was the manifestation of the kingdom and the church is in the morning day the biblical expression of the kingdom of god i'll take my time maybe talk about that later but they preached the kingdom the apostles preached the kingdom in acts chapter 14 verse 22 in acts chapter 14 verse 22 i like that one confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of god was foremost on their mind in acts chapter 19 verse 8 acts chapter 20 verse 25 look at 19 verse 8 he said and he went into the synagogues and spoke boldly for the space of three months disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of god poor apostle for three months for three months even though there were opposition in the synagogue he was disputing that's why i said christianity cannot be mindless mindless worship will cost you what mindless worship can pave the room for sorcery to operate that's what is happening to some parts of the world that i'm talking about a lot of mindless worship in other words the worship is not based on scriptural data it's based on how you like a song how you feel about when the preacher you go so it's just based about whims and caprices it's based about natural norms and human norms but not on the data of scripture if you are worshipping god without understanding sorcery will enter very soon even in 47 verse 7 it said praise god with understanding understanding i can't wait to get i thought i was going to hit it today by the way he said understanding what that read it understanding understanding understanding

[45:47] when there's understanding is lacking sorcery can enter religion begins to take center stage when understanding is lacking so he was persuading can you imagine apostle paul he was disputing and persuading how many of you can agree with me that's an intellectual exercise even though it's spiritual it's an intellectual exercise disputing he was disputing and persuading that's what they were doing concerning the kingdom of god look at chapter 20 verse 25 and now behold voy voy Preaching the kingdom.

[46:46] Preaching the kingdom. Preaching the kingdom. Preaching the kingdom. Unabated. In Acts chapter 28 verse 23. And Acts chapter 28 verse 31. Look at verse 23.

[46:57] Disputing appears there. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him in his lodging, to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning.

[47:09] See the kingdom inside there? Persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses and out of the prophet, from morning to evening. It's all the kingdom he was described. The kingdom he was talking to them, discussing the kingdom, discourse about the kingdom, letting them know that Jesus is the one.

[47:26] This is the kingdom message. The kingdom message, when you hear pure kingdom message, you are not doubtful about who Jesus is. The kingdom message. Look at verse 31. Verse 31 says that.

[47:38] It says, Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Yes. He was preaching the kingdom and explaining how this is Jesus.

[47:51] This is Jesus. That is the kingdom preaching. It's not about a building somewhere. It's not about one day going to heaven. No, no. That's not the preaching. That's all peripherals.

[48:03] Healing, peripherals. Breakthroughs, peripherals. Marriages, peripherals. The core of the kingdom is Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. So the kingdom of God is not one day I'll go to heaven.

[48:16] Excuse me. That's not why God saved you. He didn't save you so you go to heaven. He saved you so you can be a kingdom expression on earth. An expression of his kingdom. They preached the kingdom.

[48:28] It says that, Romans chapter 14, verse 17. It says that, The kingdom of God is not in meat and drink but righteousness. That's the kingdom. 1 Corinthians chapter 6, verse 9 and 10.

[48:44] I don't know. Some of you might not like this but sorry. It's not my word. It's the word. It's the word. 1 Corinthians chapter 6, verse 9 and 10. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived.

[48:56] Neither fornicators. See, I told you you would like it. Neither fornicators, idolaters, nor adulterers, nor a feminist. Google it. nor abuses of themselves with mankind.

[49:09] What does he mean? It's not part of my topic. Nor thieves. Hey! Convertions. You want somebody's husband. You want somebody's shoe. You want convertions.

[49:20] Nor drunkards. Nor revilers. Nor extortioners. 419. You borrow money.

[49:31] You don't want to pay. You hire extortioner. Shall I inherit? The kingdom of God was fundamental in their teaching. So, Bible says that.

[49:43] Verse 12 of Acts chapter 8. When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God at the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

[49:55] They were baptized. Why baptism? Baptism is a public declaration that I've identified myself with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It's not private.

[50:05] Baptism is not private. It's not in secret. It's a public declaration. So, they were... And then guess what happened? Look at the next verse. Then Simon himself believed also.

[50:17] Wow! The sorcerer! The sorcerer in church! Sorcerers in church! Sorcerers in... The sorcerer has come too! The sorcerer is here too!

[50:27] The sorcerer! But you know what? Without proper teaching, he might think that this is an offshoot of sorcery. Hallelujah! Amen! So, the sorcerer came to church and got a seat.

[50:41] Wow! The sorcerer himself believed and when he was baptized, he didn't leave. He didn't leave. He did membership class.

[50:52] He did everything. He joined the choir. He did induction. He joined the choir and then later went to Ashes. People who did move around. Because looking for something. He joined the choir, left.

[51:02] Went to Ashes, left. Went to... Went to... And now, his target was he should be made a minister. Because he served for 10 years. It's a sorcerer spirit.

[51:16] Simon the sorcerer is also in church. Simon the sorcerer is also in church. Simon the sorcerer is also in church. And, did he change?

[51:28] Bible said, he believed also and was baptized, continued with Philip and wondering and beholding the miracles and the signs. So, they see his focus. You see his focus? The guy is preaching the kingdom.

[51:40] That one was not his focus. So, what is teaching? What is preaching? Please put it aside. Do some signs. Do some wonder. Yeah, Steve, do some signs. Do some wonder. Steve-o! Steve-o! Hey, hey!

[51:50] Steve-o! Hey, hey! He's in a sorcerer. He has come to church. The sorcerer has come to church. So, he doesn't have appetite for true teaching of the kingdom. If you bring dogs into your house, you can't feed them with grass.

[52:07] You need some meat and bones. But, if all you have is grass, then you have a problem in your hands. You are using bones to attract the churches that are trying to attract unbelievers.

[52:19] And now, when they come, unbelievers don't have appetite for God's word. They like the ambience. They like their singing. They like their girls and their bearded men, nice guy looking. They like all that.

[52:30] They like the fashionistic approach. They like all those big, big brand names wearing and all the cars. Unbelievers like this naturally. It is stupid to try to use that to attract an unbeliever to Jesus.

[52:42] It is. It is. It is not Christian. It is. It is. It is not Christian. Remove that rig. It is not Christian. No, I am explaining something.

[52:53] You are comfort, you are comfort their gospel with something that looks nicer. Because you think they don't like their gospel. So, you are using something else to attract them. When they come, what are you going to feed them?

[53:06] That's why you can't teach. That's why you can't teach. Because your congregation doesn't, they don't like teaching. They don't have an appetite for it. They like dancing shows.

[53:17] They like everything that looks entertaining. Puppet entertainment, not gospel preaching. What the church is being reduced to puppet entertainment. Simon the Social has also come to church.

[53:29] He is in church. But the problem is he hasn't changed. He is in church. He is also following. But look at his focus. The wonders, the signs. Hey, hey, Philippo, Philippo, Philippo, was following, following, following.

[53:44] Let me just finish with Simon the Social. The Bible says that when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria has received their word, they sent Philip, Peter, and John, who when they came, prayed that they would receive the Holy Ghost.

[53:57] Verse 16 in brackets, for as yet, he has not fallen on none of them. Only they have been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why that? Because this is a runaway people from Philip.

[54:09] And they found themselves in Samaria. They were preaching. People go born again. And the way the Lord was moving, he can settle there and think, that's my job. That's my own. I've not got anything to do with them. It's me and I came to start this thing.

[54:21] So, oh yeah, it's very important. But God didn't want a detached church. The church is one. So instead of letting them receive the Holy Ghost, he had to wait for Peter them to come so that they will know that what you are doing is not different from what is happening in Jerusalem.

[54:36] This is this. We are all one body. So Bible says that because they, is it that they are not born again? No, they are born again. Everybody who receives Christ genuinely is born again. How? Ephesians chapter 1 verse 13, it says that, for we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

[54:52] So as soon as you are born again, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Galatians chapter 3 verse 2, when you are born again, you receive the Holy Spirit. So it says that, and this only would I learn of you, receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith.

[55:07] So as you head a message of faith, you receive the Spirit as you believe in Jesus. You already have the Spirit, but that is Spirit essentially for you to be a child of God, for you to be a member of the church, a true child of God.

[55:20] But functionally, the Holy Ghost hasn't come upon them to now begin to move the gospel ahead. And so that one, they have to wait, so it's not just your work. Even though you have also received the Spirit, wait so that we can, this is one Spirit working amongst all of us.

[55:35] One Spirit, the same Spirit that is working. That's why Peter and John had to come, and then the Bible says verse 17, when they have laid their hands, I'll talk about laying on hands another time because it's all over us.

[55:45] Lay their hands on them, they receive, so they lay their hands on them for what purpose? That they might receive the Holy Spirit. Then someone, the sorcerer emerges again. And when this sorcerer guy in church, when he saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands, the Holy Ghost was given, he also said, I want, you see what his focus was?

[56:05] Philippo, Philippo, wow, wow, I believe you, wow, I want to hold your back, wow, I want to be your armor bearer, wow. So, they won't take access to the pastor, not because they are really born again, and they had a heart for their kingdom and for disciples, but they are looking for relevance in the system.

[56:24] Relevance. And how do you know? Watch them very carefully. Their appetite, what their focus is on, what offends them, what motivates them, what makes them happy. It tells you where their heart is.

[56:35] So, Simon, though he had also, Bible says he had believed, there was a fundamental problem. His believing was not proper because he did not develop interest in the teachings of the kingdom.

[56:46] And he was following. He was following. So, when he saw higher level of manifestation, Peter and John had laid hands. He said, oh God, I have money because people pay taxes to me.

[56:58] I'm the don't here. Normally, we don't take money, but listen, me, I'm not submitting myself. I'm giving you money on one condition. Give me this trick.

[57:08] When you read the Message Bible, it's a very funny one. He puts it in the very funny one. Message Bible says, when, when someone saw that the apostles, by merely laying on hands, conferred the spirit, he pulled out money, excited.

[57:22] Verse 19, and said, sell me your secrets. Show me how you did that. How much do you want? Name your price. Yes.

[57:36] You know, if you were Peter, you'd be very worried. You're worried. What do you think about church? You don't know. That's what bothers me. Sometimes I look at people and I'm wondering.

[57:48] It looks like you don't know what church is about. Coming to stand here, Lord, I give my life. It's not a sign you are born again. It's not a sign, but it's a sign you are well-intentioned. And we want to encourage you to take the step, but now let's see whether you are a Simon the Social Convert or you are a child of God.

[58:08] You are a disciple. You are a disciple. There's Simon the Social Convert. You call them, you want to help them to know the Word of God. They are not interested. They block you. But you came and said, I want Jesus. You didn't want Jesus.

[58:19] It's just that you are sorry about what you are doing and the Word of God caught you. But you didn't really want Jesus. Simon the Social Convert, he saw that this thing is selling. I want to go down that line.

[58:29] So he followed Philip and see what happened. He offered money and Peter said to him, may your money perish with you. That means he was on his way perishing. He wasn't born again. John 3, 16.

[58:40] Can you recite it together? Let's go. For God saw the world and gave his holy blood to son that who saw the earth in the name shall not perish but have never lost him.

[58:51] Wow! Hallelujah! Whosoever believes in him should not, put you on the screen, should not perish.

[59:08] On what condition would you perish? If you believe in him. But Simon himself believed and Peter said, your money, you're already perishing. Let the money perish with you. That means his salvation. He was not truly genuine.

[59:19] He wasn't changed. He said, may your money, he says that may, you think you can, he said, then he said, thy money perish with thee.

[59:30] He didn't say your money perish. You are actually perishing and the money may perish with you. Then look at what Peter said. I want to run up on Simon the Soussard because he also is in church. Today, Simon the Soussard is also operating in church.

[59:44] But Peter said unto him, now next verse please, let's go to the next verse. Verse 21, says that, thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter. He wasn't born again. He said, you don't belong here.

[59:55] You don't have, you don't have a shee. You don't have koinonia in this thing. You don't have it because this koinonia belongs to those who are genuinely changed and Christ is living in them.

[60:08] So you don't have it. You don't have a part nor lot in this matter. Why? Your heart is not right in the sight of God. So you will see that Simon himself believed and was following and even baptized, yet his heart was not in it.

[60:23] His heart was not in it. He can be a choir leader, praise and worship leader, and yet his heart is not in it. Yeah. He can be a minister and pastor and apostle and a prophet and a bishop, yet his heart is not right in the sight of God.

[60:41] Heart is not right in the sight of God. Titles doesn't mean anything. It's the state of your heart. And when we want to know the state of your heart, we have to listen to you very carefully.

[60:51] The aspirations of your heart will be expressed. There are things that offend you in church. I don't want to talk to her again. I am talking to him again. Never in my life. Never.

[61:01] I will never. I hate him. Maybe you are manifesting some deep condition of your heart. Because the way you are saying some of these things without any hesitation, without any conviction, you say it freely, your heart.

[61:17] Simon, how dare you say you want to buy the Holy Ghost? You don't actually. See, you have not been listening to the preaching concerning the kingdom. If you knew what the kingdom is about, you wouldn't say this repulsive statement you just made.

[61:28] And it says, your money perish with you. You don't have a lot or a part in this thing because your heart is not right before God. Look at the next verse. It says that, repent. Did you see that? Peter said, repent therefore of this thy wickedness.

[61:42] That's not a born again person. Wickedness and pray. If perhaps the thoughts of your heart, that tells you the mind is in the heart. That's another answer. Thoughts of the heart. The thoughts of your heart, if perhaps the thoughts of your heart may be forgiving thee.

[61:57] Look at the next thing he said again. For I perceive that thou art in a garden. Give us a different translation, please. New American Standard Version might work for me. For I see that you are in a garden of bitterness and in bondage of iniquity.

[62:12] That's not a born again person. That's not a born again person. You manage to catch the girl but you are not born again. Yes. You manage to catch the boy. You are not born again. The very day you got in, you targeted somebody.

[62:25] The day you landed, you targeted that sister. Yeah. You targeted that brother. And you have behaved like you are very holy. We will find out. We will find out. We have to preach the gospel of the kingdom and disconnect you from all the things that you are targeting.

[62:42] You will see whether you are genuinely. So sometimes you can tell a Simon the sorcerer has made it to the pews. Yes. It is a marketing church that is interested in everybody should come and stay.

[62:56] No. A true church is not marketing. It's not based on marketing. It's based on Koinonia Fellowship. And for that matter not everybody can stay. Everybody should come but some must leave because preaching of pure gospel will make some people leave.

[63:10] Yes. They will leave. Some must leave. Some will go out. The Bible says the kingdom of God is like a man who will go to catch a fish and throw the net. Catch all manner of fish. So evangelism must bring everybody in.

[63:22] All manner. But the teaching of the kingdom will fish the Simon the sorcerers out. They have managed to be some can stay long following Philip. They have managed to be behind our sound.

[63:35] They have managed to be behind our keyboard. Our instrument. Sorry. Our instrument. They have managed to even do gospel songs for us to be singing.

[63:48] But yet they are Simon the sorcerer bewitching people by sorcery. Peter said pray that God see that you are a girl of bitterness. I see in you that art in a girl of bitterness and bound of iniquity.

[64:04] What did Peter say? He said pray to God. Did he say that? Look at the verse before. Peter said pray to God. Look at what he said. Verse 24. Then he answered ye pray to the Lord for me. I said you pray.

[64:14] You are telling me I should pray for you. Simon the sorcerer is also in church. Did you receive something? Somebody give the Lord a big sound of praise.

[64:29] Thank you for listening to this message by David Endry. We pray you have been revived towards God.

[64:41] You can connect with David Endry on all relevant social media platforms including Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also hear more messages from David Endry from all relevant streaming platforms and the Carriage Church app.

[64:53] Don't forget to like and share the message. Be blessed. God bless you. God bless you.