WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.000 So I want to talk today about the trap of religion. 00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:09.500 The trap of religion. 00:00:10.500 --> 00:00:12.900 It feels like that. 00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:20.879 But first, I want to look at a core issue, and that is idolatry. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:28.900 And so really quick, can we get, if you'll help me here, with a working definition of idolatry. 00:00:28.899 --> 00:00:30.039 What would you say? 00:00:31.979 --> 00:00:37.619 Treating something that is not God like God. 00:00:37.619 --> 00:00:38.239 Okay. 00:00:39.100 --> 00:00:39.600 That's good. 00:00:39.700 --> 00:00:40.619 Any other thoughts? 00:00:42.859 --> 00:00:43.579 Idolatry. 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:47.959 Say again? 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:48.820 Idol worship. 00:00:49.099 --> 00:00:49.939 Idol worship. 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:50.619 Yeah. 00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:51.780 Yeah. 00:00:51.780 --> 00:00:59.780 Now, we'll use that sort of supplanting, taking something and putting it in God's spot. 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:03.140 That whole idea is idolatry. 00:01:03.620 --> 00:01:14.500 Well, the idea of turning religion into an idolatrous thing is what I want to talk about today. 00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:20.540 There's a lot of examples in Scripture of where this very thing happened. 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:21.959 Just a few of them. 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:28.900 The Israelites, remember, when they made the golden calf, that was idolatry. 00:01:29.040 --> 00:01:32.420 They took on kind of their own idea of religion and ran with it. 00:01:33.340 --> 00:01:36.840 Priests sacrificing, but their hearts were far from God. 00:01:37.379 --> 00:01:41.719 Peter wanting to make a tent on the Mount of Transfiguration. 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:50.120 Ananias and Sapphira, the book of Galatians, as they wanted to add something to salvation. 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:52.079 They said, this is true religion. 00:01:52.219 --> 00:01:53.579 Let's put more into it. 00:01:54.239 --> 00:01:55.780 That is idolatry. 00:01:55.799 --> 00:01:56.760 And there's a lot more. 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:00.200 How can religion be bad? 00:02:00.659 --> 00:02:02.759 Maybe as a thought that you have. 00:02:03.319 --> 00:02:10.620 Well, there's three areas that I just right off the bat that I think about. 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:14.439 Number one is when the gospel is ignored. 00:02:15.340 --> 00:02:25.560 So when the true gospel is something that gets distorted or neglected or forgotten and pushed out, 00:02:25.960 --> 00:02:29.080 then people make up their own religion. 00:02:29.080 --> 00:02:30.580 They make up their own rules. 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:34.840 They make up their own way of coming to God. 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:41.020 Another one is when the authority of scripture is pitched out. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:47.420 So in other words, when we read the Bible and we say, well, I don't agree with this. 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:48.740 It doesn't feel right. 00:02:48.920 --> 00:02:50.379 And then that's pushed out. 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:55.759 Then a brand new fake false religion gets created. 00:02:55.759 --> 00:02:59.439 Another one is when the spirit is neglected. 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:13.199 When we gather as a church and maybe in our own hearts, we neglect the Holy Spirit and we don't let him speak and we don't let him move. 00:03:13.739 --> 00:03:16.639 Then those other two will come into play as well. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:19.159 Then I also don't want to hear the conviction of the word. 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:25.399 And I also might have something wrong in my gospel understanding. 00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:32.079 All of those will create a place where false religion exists. 00:03:33.799 --> 00:03:40.000 Today, I want to talk about a sort of a spectrum of this, if you will. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:04:03.039 So the spectrum goes from the behaviors of a true believer, somebody who is in Christ, somebody who has has taken that gospel and believed that Jesus is their salvation and their sins were nailed to the cross and they are forgiven. 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:07.020 And Jesus is who he said he was. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:08.639 There's that. 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:16.180 Now, the problem is we can fall into gospel neglect, Bible neglect, and also neglecting the spirit. 00:04:16.479 --> 00:04:28.139 Even as a believer, we can fall into that trap and then come up with our own ways of behaving, which are not true and not true religion. 00:04:28.779 --> 00:04:35.279 Now, if you go all the way to the other side, which is what our example is today in Acts. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:45.299 If you go all the way to the other side of that same concept, you have a false gospel that doesn't include Jesus, doesn't include his saving grace. 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:52.199 You have no authority of scripture and you have no spirit that operates in a person's life. 00:04:52.199 --> 00:04:58.939 But there's this understanding that they want to be around the things of God. 00:04:59.740 --> 00:05:02.479 And so a false religion is created. 00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:05.659 A false sense of safety. 00:05:05.899 --> 00:05:07.759 A false idea of God. 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:12.099 A constructed mechanism that has nothing to do with God himself. 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:15.439 Which, as we understand, is idolatry. 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:16.620 All right. 00:05:17.080 --> 00:05:20.180 So, if you would, turn to Acts chapter 8. 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:28.519 This is where we will find our example that we're going to take apart today and look at together. 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:36.040 Acts chapter 8, starting with verse 9. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:42.899 We'll read the passage and then we'll go back and we'll talk about the different pieces of it, okay? 00:05:42.899 --> 00:05:50.479 But there was a man named Simon who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria. 00:05:50.799 --> 00:05:53.099 That's the group we're talking about, is the Samaritans. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:55.719 Saying that he himself was somebody great. 00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:00.639 They all paid attention to him from the least to the greatest. 00:06:01.179 --> 00:06:05.439 Saying, this man is the power of God that is called great. 00:06:05.919 --> 00:06:07.739 And they paid attention to him. 00:06:08.019 --> 00:06:12.079 Because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:14.019 Now, just to be clear here. 00:06:14.219 --> 00:06:15.959 This has nothing to do with God. 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:18.919 It has nothing to do with religion. 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:24.139 It has nothing to do with true understanding of who God is, okay? 00:06:24.539 --> 00:06:25.180 Just to be clear. 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:26.860 Verse 12. 00:06:27.719 --> 00:06:35.299 But, when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:36.779 They were baptized. 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:39.339 Both men and women. 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:40.459 Even Simon. 00:06:40.459 --> 00:06:43.419 This dude that was going around and doing magic. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:46.620 Even Simon himself believed. 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:49.359 And after being baptized, he continued with Philip. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:52.199 And seeing signs and great miracles performed. 00:06:52.740 --> 00:06:53.939 He was amazed. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:57.339 Now, that was at what God was doing. 00:06:57.899 --> 00:06:58.819 Is that amazement. 00:06:59.299 --> 00:06:59.399 Right? 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:00.560 14. 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:04.519 Now, when the apostles of Jerusalem heard that Samaria. 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:08.379 Samaria, the place that they fought for years. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:09.079 It was no good. 00:07:09.160 --> 00:07:10.339 Their relationship was bad. 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:14.079 But when they heard that Samaria had received the word of God. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:15.660 They sent to them Peter and John. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:20.319 Who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:23.300 For he had not yet fallen on any of them. 00:07:23.300 --> 00:07:26.759 But they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:29.560 Then they laid their hands on them. 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:32.360 And they received the Holy Spirit. 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:34.759 18. 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:40.580 Now, when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands. 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:42.639 He offered them money. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:45.759 Saying, give me this power also. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:51.800 So that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:56.120 But Peter said to him, may your silver perish with you. 00:07:56.439 --> 00:08:00.500 Because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money. 00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:04.420 You have neither part nor lot in this matter. 00:08:04.520 --> 00:08:07.180 For your heart is not right before God. 00:08:07.780 --> 00:08:10.920 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours. 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:12.019 And pray to the Lord. 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:15.960 That if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:18.019 Then Peter goes on. 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:22.259 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness. 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:24.639 And in the bond of iniquity. 00:08:25.659 --> 00:08:28.079 And Simon answered, pray for me to the Lord. 00:08:28.299 --> 00:08:30.779 That nothing of what you have said may come upon me. 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:35.659 So that's our account of Simon. 00:08:36.319 --> 00:08:37.779 Simon the sorcerer. 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:38.960 Simon the magician. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.379 Is some of that. 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.819 Some of the history there that we pick up on. 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:46.879 Is Simon is a self-proclaimed great guy. 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:49.980 He thought he was great. 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:51.159 And then he went around. 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:52.039 He did this magic. 00:08:52.179 --> 00:08:54.480 And then got people on board with that. 00:08:54.919 --> 00:08:56.500 To where they were amazed. 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:58.460 The people of Samaria were amazed. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:00.500 Matter of fact, you look in those first few verses. 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:02.460 Everybody was amazed. 00:09:03.059 --> 00:09:04.379 At the things that were happening. 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:07.820 This man, they said, is the power of God. 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:08.779 Whoa. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:11.460 He was something. 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:14.519 And he had it good from a worldly standpoint. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:15.919 They all listened to him. 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:16.799 They all followed him. 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:18.299 They all liked what he had to say. 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:21.199 And they liked to be amazed. 00:09:21.699 --> 00:09:23.479 In this way. 00:09:24.079 --> 00:09:27.000 Simon was, quote, fulfilled. 00:09:27.439 --> 00:09:30.659 Although we learn later that his heart was far from it. 00:09:30.899 --> 00:09:32.639 Kind of like when people win the lottery. 00:09:33.099 --> 00:09:35.159 And then short time later, what happens? 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:37.019 Their whole lives fall apart. 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:39.299 Because they thought that the money was going to do it. 00:09:39.959 --> 00:09:42.199 Simon was not truly fulfilled. 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:46.180 He had what he thought would satisfy. 00:09:46.700 --> 00:09:50.440 He had what in his mind he thought would be good for him. 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:53.480 And so he devised this setup. 00:09:53.879 --> 00:09:55.360 And he worked toward that end. 00:09:56.860 --> 00:09:58.200 I want to make a note here. 00:09:58.280 --> 00:10:01.980 The first step of false religion is discontent. 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:05.160 Things aren't the way I want them to be. 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:08.120 This doesn't look how I want it to look. 00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:09.819 I'm discontent. 00:10:10.319 --> 00:10:12.899 So I'm going to leave something. 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:14.039 I'm going to leave the gospel. 00:10:14.199 --> 00:10:15.699 I'm going to leave God's word. 00:10:15.819 --> 00:10:17.620 I'm going to neglect what the spirit's saying. 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:20.139 And I'm going to devise something on my own. 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:23.659 Because I want it to look like what I want it to look like. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:25.219 I'm discontent. 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:30.700 A person may not be happy with their current circumstance in some way. 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:38.040 One example of this is social agendas that are changing the landscape of churches. 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:46.920 Over the last however many years, homosexuality has been something that churches have been changing their stance on. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:48.120 Why? 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:50.399 Well, they've left authority of scripture. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:52.540 They've left true. 00:10:52.539 --> 00:10:58.399 They've left true religion and picked up something fake and said, hey, this feels better to us. 00:10:58.959 --> 00:11:00.719 And so this is what we're going to adopt. 00:11:04.059 --> 00:11:08.539 Both the Samaritans and Simon started with an interest in being amazed. 00:11:09.599 --> 00:11:11.399 They wanted to be amazed. 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:15.399 Look back at verses 12 and 13. 00:11:15.399 --> 00:11:27.439 But, but, when they believed Philip, as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized. 00:11:28.439 --> 00:11:29.600 Both men and women. 00:11:29.819 --> 00:11:32.779 Even Simon himself believed. 00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:36.919 The good news came. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:40.480 Philip preached the good news, the kingdom of God, the name of Jesus. 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:42.940 And this changed everything. 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:46.180 It changed the dynamic of all the relationships. 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:48.500 It changed what the people were after. 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:53.879 It gave them something to truly be amazed at. 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:55.759 Which was the grace of God. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:56.980 Through Jesus. 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:58.379 Through the name of Jesus. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:00.539 That was preached to them. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:03.279 So, truth invaded. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:04.799 Truth. 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:10.639 The Samaritans then no longer looked to Simon anymore. 00:12:11.339 --> 00:12:12.539 What do you think that happened? 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:14.059 How did Simon build on it? 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:18.000 He goes back into that discontentment column. 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:18.439 Right? 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:22.539 He goes to that other space where now they're not doing what I want them to do anymore. 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:27.000 But at the same side, he believes in what was preached. 00:12:27.219 --> 00:12:29.039 And he sees the power in it. 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:32.099 Interesting spot. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:33.899 Even Simon. 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:37.199 What if the story stopped right there? 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:40.559 What if that's all we knew of this situation? 00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:46.959 It would seem that it was similar to other groups we hear about in Acts specifically. 00:12:46.959 --> 00:12:48.379 That come to know the Lord. 00:12:48.599 --> 00:12:49.779 The gospel is preached. 00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:51.959 And then the Holy Spirit descends. 00:12:52.719 --> 00:12:53.959 Sometimes they speak in tongues. 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:56.219 Sometimes other great things happen. 00:12:56.220 --> 00:13:02.740 And we sort of anticipate that the church grows out of that and goes forward. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:05.560 And that usually was the case. 00:13:07.680 --> 00:13:15.100 We would like to believe that they were all, every last one of them, saved by grace. 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:22.540 We would like to believe that every one of those people that were baptized, including Simon, we would see in heaven one day. 00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:32.699 We cannot make the general assumption that all of these people were actually congregants. 00:13:33.099 --> 00:13:35.039 One thing is we know the rest of the story. 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:41.819 So making assumptions isn't necessarily a good thing. 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:46.820 Why can't we make assumptions? 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:48.720 Why can't we make that assumption? 00:13:49.180 --> 00:13:51.160 That they were all baptized so they're believers. 00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:55.760 They all said they believed in some form or fashion. 00:13:56.040 --> 00:13:56.980 And then they were baptized. 00:13:57.300 --> 00:14:00.600 So can I not make the assumption that they're all saved? 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:01.540 No. 00:14:02.180 --> 00:14:02.800 I can't. 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:04.140 I can't. 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:06.879 Matthew 7, 15, 16 says, 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:15.019 Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:20.080 You will recognize them by their fruits. 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:24.500 How do we know when someone's dressed up as a sheep? 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:29.019 But really, they're bringing something of the enemy. 00:14:29.819 --> 00:14:30.840 How do we know? 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:33.399 We know it by their fruit. 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:39.600 We know it by true faith fruit that will come from it. 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:42.740 James 2, 18, but someone will say, 00:14:43.180 --> 00:14:44.700 You have faith and I have works. 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:47.920 Show me your faith apart from your works, 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:51.440 and I will show you my faith by my works. 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:52.860 Fruit. 00:14:54.160 --> 00:14:58.120 We cannot make the same assumption in our church. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.240 It's dangerous. 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:01.799 This is a dangerous assumption. 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.399 To hear someone say, 00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:04.259 I believe. 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.419 I was baptized. 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:07.539 That's a dangerous assumption. 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:09.860 Because if I just stand on that, 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:14.659 and I never look at the fruit of true repentance, 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:17.680 at the fruit of a true Christ follower, 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:23.419 that person may die and spend eternity away from God, 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:25.360 thinking that they knew him. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:32.379 We can identify fruit. 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:34.159 Matter of fact, it's imperative. 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.899 It's imperative. 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:42.639 On the boat, on the submarine, 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:44.759 one thing that we would do is, 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:50.899 we had this sort of protocol that when you first got there, 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:55.439 you had to go through the gauntlet of being beat up a little bit. 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:58.519 Sometimes physically, sometimes mentally, 00:15:58.819 --> 00:16:01.000 sometimes, you know, just in however that was. 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:04.000 And so part of the reason we did that, 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:06.259 at least this is what they said when they were beating you up. 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:10.059 Part of the reason that we would do that 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:15.139 is the idea that when you are a thousand feet under the water 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:17.259 and you still have a month to go, 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:20.419 you've got to be able to hold your own. 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:23.399 You've got to be able to not freak out 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:26.360 or run amok 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:30.559 when the chips are down in that kind of situation. 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:34.099 Well, there's this guy, his name was David Malley. 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:37.379 And he made it through sub-school 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:39.399 and he came to the boat 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:42.079 and we got there almost about the same time. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:46.639 So I wasn't really one that really put a lot of pressure on David, 00:16:47.119 --> 00:16:48.699 but all the rest of the guys did. 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:51.739 And I could see this dude didn't belong. 00:16:52.339 --> 00:16:53.419 He did not belong. 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:55.119 He didn't need to be a submariner. 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:58.379 He had a lot of issues. 00:16:58.560 --> 00:16:59.539 There was a lot of different issues. 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:01.580 I won't go into too much detail on that. 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:04.420 But there was one day that he was being pressed 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:06.940 by all these guys just over and over and over. 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.799 And he finally flipped. 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:11.480 We were working on a barge 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:15.059 and the barge was like basically kind of like two stories. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:16.839 And then the top, the third story, 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:21.000 was a open air kind of railing. 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:24.619 And they pushed him so far that he kind of wigged out 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:26.199 and he went up to the top. 00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:28.259 He ran all the way across the barge 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:31.119 and took a jump over and went into the water. 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.399 He was fished out. 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:33.879 He was fine. 00:17:35.219 --> 00:17:38.379 But that was the last time we saw David Malley. 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:44.159 He did not have the fruit of a submariner, right? 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.919 He didn't have that calmness. 00:17:45.959 --> 00:17:49.239 He didn't have that sense of under pressure 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:52.960 when things happen that you make good decisions 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:55.079 and you go about things the way you should. 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.500 And it came out. 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:58.319 That came out. 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:02.900 Simon is an example of a guy 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:05.120 that showed the wrong kind of fruit. 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:08.120 Now here we understand that he's a quote believer 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:10.799 and we understand that he was baptized. 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:16.299 But the wrong kind of fruit is what showed up. 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:19.839 It wasn't the fruit of repentance. 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:24.299 Simon was also interesting. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:28.980 If you look back at 13, 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:33.759 even Simon himself believed 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.639 and after being baptized, 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:36.779 he continued with Philip. 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:38.899 He became a missionary of sorts 00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:41.539 and went on with Philip to preach the gospel 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:43.799 and spend time with him. 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:45.559 Is that really what he was there for? 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:48.839 And seeing signs and great miracles performed, 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:50.339 he was amazed. 00:18:58.279 --> 00:19:01.579 There's an example that I have lived 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.859 and maybe you have too 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:06.240 that sort of plays out in our churches. 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:10.339 And I'm painting a broad stroke here. 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:13.279 But what can happen 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:17.619 is that the way you look 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:21.099 in the church is good enough. 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:23.779 If you come in and you say, 00:19:23.899 --> 00:19:25.839 I've been baptized, I believe. 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:29.139 And then you just set about the work 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:30.639 of the church. 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:32.079 It's good enough. 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.579 And that's fine. 00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:34.579 And you'll be welcomed. 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:36.220 Maybe you'll be a committee member, 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:36.799 a leader, 00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:37.960 someone who serves, 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:39.000 a giver, a member, 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:42.119 a good attendance. 00:19:42.939 --> 00:19:45.119 I knew a lady who gave out 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:47.159 a full attendance things, 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:49.059 pins for the kids 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.220 who did Sunday school 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.699 and stuff like that. 00:19:50.919 --> 00:19:51.980 Maybe you get all the pins 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.299 and you do all the things. 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:59.899 That would be the same thing 00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:01.980 as an optimist club 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:04.099 or a lion's club 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.839 or any other get-together. 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:08.099 You can do all those same things. 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.440 You can look the same 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.259 as everybody else. 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:12.240 Operate the same exact way. 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.980 What sets the church apart? 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:15.599 True. 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.599 True gospel. 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.359 True relationship 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:20.419 with Jesus Christ. 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:22.700 That's what sets us upon you. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.840 People who are pursuing 00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.880 another religion 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:29.900 maybe hold tradition 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.560 higher 00:20:30.560 --> 00:20:32.960 than the movement 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.720 of the Holy Spirit. 00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:36.019 These are the folks, 00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:37.080 and we've all heard about it, 00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:38.759 that fight over the carpet color 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:41.380 because that's the most important thing 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:42.259 we can deal with. 00:20:46.560 --> 00:20:47.680 Simon was baptized. 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:50.420 These things 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.539 do not 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.500 make 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.539 a Christian. 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.140 Just 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:55.920 belief, 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.519 baptism, 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.380 do not 00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.160 make 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.120 a Christian. 00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:02.100 All right? 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.340 That's not 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:04.720 necessarily. 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:06.620 There's more to it. 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.539 Those things alone. 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.860 Ephesians 2, 8, and 9. 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:12.019 For by grace 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.600 you have been saved 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:14.600 through faith. 00:21:15.580 --> 00:21:16.920 And this is not of your own doing. 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.340 It's the gift of God. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:20.840 Something that's given to us 00:21:20.840 --> 00:21:21.920 by God. 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:23.980 Not a result of works 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:25.420 so that no one 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:26.180 may boast. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:29.080 No magic words. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:29.960 No works. 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.600 No, quote, 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.279 belief. 00:21:32.560 --> 00:21:33.300 Even the demons 00:21:33.300 --> 00:21:33.920 believe. 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.180 Right? 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.920 No baptism. 00:21:38.060 --> 00:21:39.039 No being moral. 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.460 Nothing you do 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.720 earns salvation. 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:42.700 Nothing 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:44.100 you do 00:21:44.100 --> 00:21:45.039 earns 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.159 your salvation. 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.159 It's only 00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:49.000 grace 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.899 through faith. 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.059 Paul Washer said, 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.099 does our gospel 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.000 presentation 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:54.639 make men excited 00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.619 about what God 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.740 can do for them 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.740 on this earth 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:59.000 or about 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.299 whom God 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:01.000 is? 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.980 Ask yourself 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.559 that in your own 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:03.859 heart. 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:07.639 am I connected 00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:08.319 to God 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.139 for what God 00:22:09.139 --> 00:22:09.719 gives me 00:22:09.719 --> 00:22:10.719 on this earth? 00:22:11.719 --> 00:22:12.859 Or am I 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:14.019 connected 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.859 to God 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:15.859 and seek God 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.740 because of what 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.859 and who 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.740 he is? 00:22:19.419 --> 00:22:20.459 His attributes, 00:22:20.979 --> 00:22:22.000 who he is, 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.319 who he provided 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:23.859 to me. 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:27.479 Jesus died 00:22:27.479 --> 00:22:28.199 to reconcile 00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:28.959 us to God 00:22:28.959 --> 00:22:30.179 by nailing 00:22:30.179 --> 00:22:30.799 our sin 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:32.539 to the cross. 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.740 God is our 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.659 ultimate treasure 00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:35.799 as believers 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:37.639 and this must 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.439 be analyzed 00:22:38.439 --> 00:22:39.439 in our hearts. 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.000 Is he 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.819 your ultimate 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.339 treasure 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:44.899 or have you 00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:46.159 bought into 00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:47.059 the trappings 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.579 of religion 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.779 and fake 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:51.039 faith? 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:54.259 Simon did. 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.899 He had faith 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.740 in the scene. 00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:59.519 Simon had faith 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.139 in what he could 00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:00.659 see. 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.460 Simon loved 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.319 to be amazed. 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:03.819 He walked 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:04.619 by sight 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:06.200 and not by faith. 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.579 It was the signs 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.079 and wonders 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.559 that he wanted 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.639 more of 00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:10.980 to be amazed. 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.019 The things 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.659 of God 00:23:14.659 --> 00:23:16.819 were only, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.799 were only 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.539 what he could 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.059 see 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:20.700 and interact 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.100 with 00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:22.160 on that 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:23.100 level. 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.120 If you look 00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:25.480 down to 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.299 verse 21, 00:23:28.580 --> 00:23:29.420 Peter rebukes 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.319 him as we 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:31.160 learn. 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.279 I'm kind of 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:33.779 skipping ahead. 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.360 Of course, 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:35.420 Simon wants 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.039 to buy 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:37.000 this ability 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.080 to bring 00:23:38.080 --> 00:23:38.620 the Holy 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.100 Spirit 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:40.180 onto people 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.759 through laying 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.500 on of hands. 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:42.640 But then 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:44.220 Peter said 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.539 to him, 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.160 may your 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:45.819 silver perish 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.380 with you 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:46.980 because you 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.420 thought you 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:47.900 could obtain 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.279 the gift 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.700 of God 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.200 with money. 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.700 Now, 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.299 it's all 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:50.779 kinds 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.799 of wrong. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.360 His heart 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:52.860 is crooked. 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.720 It says 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.080 it's not 00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:54.480 straight. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.019 So he's 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.860 way off. 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.299 21, 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:58.740 you have 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.420 neither part 00:23:59.420 --> 00:23:59.940 nor lot 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.319 in this 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:00.600 matter 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:01.000 for your 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.220 heart 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.680 is not 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:01.980 right 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.799 before God. 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:03.740 Repent 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:04.140 therefore 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.539 of the 00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:04.920 wickedness 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.360 of yours 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:06.240 and pray 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.819 the Lord 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.460 that if 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:07.840 possible 00:24:07.840 --> 00:24:08.279 the intent 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.500 of your 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:08.680 heart 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.000 may be 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.360 forgiven. 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:12.099 one of 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:12.579 the things 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:12.899 that 00:24:12.899 --> 00:24:13.979 aside 00:24:13.979 --> 00:24:14.500 here 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.079 in this 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:15.679 not 00:24:15.679 --> 00:24:16.179 straight 00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:16.659 heart 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.339 that 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.459 he 00:24:17.459 --> 00:24:17.799 had 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.439 if 00:24:18.439 --> 00:24:19.039 you 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.259 look 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:19.619 back 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:19.979 at 00:24:19.979 --> 00:24:22.559 what 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:22.799 he 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.339 wants 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.179 in 00:24:24.179 --> 00:24:24.679 18 00:24:24.679 --> 00:24:24.919 when 00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:25.159 Simon 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:25.339 saw 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:25.459 the 00:24:25.459 --> 00:24:25.659 spirit 00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:25.779 was 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:25.899 given 00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:26.059 through 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.399 the 00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.119 laying 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:27.279 of 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.579 hands 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:27.719 he 00:24:27.719 --> 00:24:27.939 offered 00:24:27.939 --> 00:24:28.079 the 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:28.240 money 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.500 saying 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:28.679 give 00:24:28.679 --> 00:24:28.759 me 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:28.939 this 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:29.259 power 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:29.839 look 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:29.919 at 00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:30.219 this 00:24:30.219 --> 00:24:30.740 so 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.019 that 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.559 anyone 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.219 on 00:24:32.219 --> 00:24:32.519 whom 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:32.719 I 00:24:32.719 --> 00:24:32.939 lay 00:24:32.939 --> 00:24:33.219 my 00:24:33.219 --> 00:24:33.879 hands 00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:34.679 may 00:24:34.679 --> 00:24:35.059 receive 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.240 the 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:35.419 Holy 00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:35.859 Spirit 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:38.479 anyone 00:24:38.479 --> 00:24:39.159 on 00:24:39.159 --> 00:24:39.579 whom 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:39.879 I 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.119 lay 00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:40.399 my 00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:40.959 hands 00:24:40.959 --> 00:24:41.559 do 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:41.719 you 00:24:41.719 --> 00:24:41.979 hear 00:24:41.979 --> 00:24:42.339 him 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:42.679 making 00:24:42.679 --> 00:24:42.959 a 00:24:42.959 --> 00:24:43.399 decision 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:43.759 there 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.039 he's 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.399 looking 00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:45.679 at 00:24:45.679 --> 00:24:45.819 the 00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.179 group 00:24:46.179 --> 00:24:46.679 and 00:24:46.679 --> 00:24:46.979 thinking 00:24:46.979 --> 00:24:47.299 about 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:47.719 this 00:24:47.719 --> 00:24:48.319 and 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:48.539 he's 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:48.879 saying 00:24:48.879 --> 00:24:49.939 I 00:24:49.939 --> 00:24:50.679 want 00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:51.000 to 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.579 choose 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:51.899 on 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:52.259 some 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.679 level 00:24:52.679 --> 00:24:53.439 who 00:24:53.439 --> 00:24:54.439 will 00:24:54.439 --> 00:24:54.879 get 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:55.459 the 00:24:55.459 --> 00:24:55.879 blessing 00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:56.939 and 00:24:56.939 --> 00:24:57.159 who 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:57.379 will 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:57.699 not 00:24:57.699 --> 00:24:58.939 I 00:24:58.939 --> 00:24:59.479 want 00:24:59.479 --> 00:24:59.799 to 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.119 make 00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:00.419 that 00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:01.039 decision 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.339 who's 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:02.519 going 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:02.679 to 00:25:02.679 --> 00:25:02.879 get 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.099 it 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.539 who 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:03.959 won't 00:25:03.959 --> 00:25:04.339 I 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:04.519 want 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:04.659 to 00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:05.419 bring 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:05.660 this 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:05.940 up 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.259 as 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.500 a 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.440 small 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:07.980 aside 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.779 when 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:09.980 we 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.279 think 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:10.580 about 00:25:10.580 --> 00:25:10.840 our 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.220 gifts 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.460 when 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:11.620 we 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:11.800 think 00:25:11.800 --> 00:25:12.019 about 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.200 the 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.500 things 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:12.680 that 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:12.880 God 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.039 has 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.259 given 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.519 to 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:13.820 us 00:25:13.820 --> 00:25:14.240 to 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.519 bless 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:14.759 other 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.100 people 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:15.500 with 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.779 how 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.160 do 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:17.400 you 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:17.980 choose 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.980 to 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.400 utilize 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:19.860 those 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:20.200 gifts 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.000 how 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.140 do 00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:21.320 you 00:25:21.320 --> 00:25:21.680 offer 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.060 that 00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:22.500 gift 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.000 is 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.140 it 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:23.259 in 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:23.420 the 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:23.800 spirit 00:25:23.800 --> 00:25:24.720 and 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:24.840 in 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:25.019 the 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.380 spirits 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:25.759 leading 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.920 or 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:27.160 do 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:27.340 you 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:27.700 pick 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.580 and 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:29.160 choose 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.220 who 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.480 will 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.039 receive 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.400 that 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.019 and 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.220 who 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.660 won't 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.600 my 00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:33.860 next 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:34.240 question 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.460 would 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.220 be 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:35.820 what 00:25:35.820 --> 00:25:36.660 criteria 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.140 do 00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.380 you 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:38.019 use 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.820 when 00:25:38.820 --> 00:25:38.980 you 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.180 do 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:39.460 that 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.860 if 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.019 you 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.740 decide 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.140 whether 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:42.420 to 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:42.900 withhold 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:43.240 your 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.640 gift 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:44.460 and 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:44.700 not 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.060 offer 00:25:45.060 --> 00:25:45.240 it 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.440 at 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:45.759 all 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.480 if 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.660 you 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.160 choose 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.420 to 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:47.700 let 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.340 some 00:25:48.340 --> 00:25:48.740 people 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.000 in 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.180 on 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:49.420 that 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:49.640 and 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.140 others 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:50.700 not 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.800 if 00:25:51.800 --> 00:25:52.120 you 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:52.320 are 00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:52.800 choosing 00:25:52.800 --> 00:25:53.200 that 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:54.019 what 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.660 criteria 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.080 do 00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:55.279 you 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.720 use 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.460 to 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.680 make 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:56.880 that 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.240 happen 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.240 on 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.600 some 00:25:58.600 --> 00:25:58.980 level 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.680 it's 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.019 selfish 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.539 ambition 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.200 you 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.079 you 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.079 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:14.480 you 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.480 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:35.299 Maybe we consider on our own heart why we do what we do sometimes. 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:39.480 Well, Peter called him out. 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.420 Verse 21. 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:50.180 Simon willfully suppressed and traded the knowledge of God for amazement, for exciting things, for personal gain. 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:53.839 Obviously, he was after power, fame, attention. 00:26:54.399 --> 00:26:56.200 That attention, remember, he lost it. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.579 He wanted it back. 00:26:57.960 --> 00:27:00.159 He wanted to be the guy again. 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:05.220 For his own spin on religion. 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:08.279 Matthew 6, 1-3. 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:16.460 Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them. 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:21.879 For then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:29.920 So how does religion become ungodly? 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:46.059 I, as I was working on this, I came up with a, I came up actually with a, in my notes, so I kind of visual. 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:48.440 So I put together a flow chart. 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:51.399 And then I made a whole bunch of notes on the flow chart. 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:53.839 And I was like, why don't I just copy this and give it out? 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:55.179 I think that would be way easier. 00:27:55.440 --> 00:28:00.440 Than trying to explain what's going on in my brain and get it to what I'm trying to give to you. 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:07.200 So, number one, if you can't read my reading, I apologize. 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:10.580 But that's probably going to be the case on somebody. 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.160 Against my notes. 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:15.720 I even rewrote it to make it a little bit neater. 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:19.000 Which, what it's worth. 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.559 Okay. 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:28.619 So what this flow chart is, is I want to just really break down what happened here with Simon. 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:30.380 So we'll step through each piece. 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:36.680 The question I'm answering, how does religion become ungodly? 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:42.619 In other words, how do we involve idolatry in religion? 00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:49.319 When man idolizes the created instead of the creator, we have idolatry. 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:53.739 So, if you would, in your Bible, turn to Ephesians chapter 2. 00:28:53.839 --> 00:29:00.000 And that's what we're going to use to guide us in this discussion. 00:29:02.699 --> 00:29:04.179 Ephesians chapter 2. 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:15.880 So, if we go to the very top of the flow chart, we see that we are, at least originate, as dead. 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:19.100 Ephesians chapter 2, verse 1. 00:29:19.100 --> 00:29:27.500 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:31.000 following the prince of the power of the air, which is Satan, 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:35.500 the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:39.640 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:43.259 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:47.119 and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:49.799 Does Simon fit into that category? 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:52.039 He does. 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.599 He fits into that category. 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.660 That's where we begin. 00:29:55.660 --> 00:30:05.980 Then, just as with the Samaritans, there comes this wonderful day in which the good news is shared. 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.640 The gospel is shared. 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.540 The truth. 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:10.740 The truth is shared with them. 00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:13.240 That for them, it changed everything. 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:16.800 Even for Simon, in a bad way, it changed for him. 00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:18.320 But it changed everything. 00:30:18.820 --> 00:30:22.560 So, the first block we have is when the good news is presented. 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:26.639 Ephesians, just to pick up at four. 00:30:27.159 --> 00:30:33.000 But, God being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us, 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:38.460 even when we were dead in our trespasses, he made us alive. 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:41.059 Who's doing the action there? 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.460 God is. 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:46.319 He made us alive together with Christ. 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.679 Not of our works. 00:30:48.179 --> 00:30:49.059 Not of our own works. 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:59.179 By grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 00:30:59.179 --> 00:31:06.859 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.879 Good news. 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.599 That's the block. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.799 So, what happens then next? 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:16.039 All of us at one point or another, even this very moment. 00:31:16.399 --> 00:31:18.359 The good news is on our doorstep. 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.940 It's right in front of us. 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:22.039 We just, we're reading right there. 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:25.279 Why Jesus died in grace. 00:31:25.919 --> 00:31:29.700 So, we all get to this second block at one point or another. 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.279 We've been there. 00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.599 What happens? 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:33.379 If you go to the left, 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:38.399 one path is what I'm calling there true religion. 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:42.700 True religion is the religion of the authority of scripture. 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:48.900 It's the true religion of Jesus and what he did for us on the cross. 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:53.040 That then is a faithful, a fruitful life, a faithful life. 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:56.000 Look at Ephesians 2.10 if you skip down a little bit. 00:31:56.900 --> 00:32:01.019 For we are his workmanship, creating Christ Jesus for good works, 00:32:01.320 --> 00:32:05.259 which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.259 There we are. 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.740 That's that life. 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:09.799 Now, as I said at the beginning, 00:32:10.140 --> 00:32:13.920 we can fall into the false religion trap. 00:32:14.120 --> 00:32:17.519 So, we're going to follow out the worst case scenario 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:19.420 because we're following Simon. 00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:24.079 But even in this life, this believer's life, 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:26.960 we can fall into the trap of religion. 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.680 I've been there. 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:30.019 I've done this. 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.880 Probably you have too. 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:38.320 I've thought that some things were so utterly important and it had nothing to do with God. 00:32:38.320 --> 00:32:45.580 I thought that different relationships or different things in the church or different ways to do church 00:32:45.580 --> 00:32:47.360 were the most important thing. 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:49.939 And I totally lost sight of Christ. 00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:51.639 That has happened to me. 00:32:51.899 --> 00:32:52.799 Maybe that's happened to you. 00:32:52.799 --> 00:33:01.579 So, that column, that true, faithful, fruitful life can also get caught up in this. 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:03.299 Don't neglect that. 00:33:03.399 --> 00:33:04.139 Don't forget that. 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:14.940 But in a bad way, in a way that eternally significant way, there's also other ways this next block goes. 00:33:15.120 --> 00:33:22.060 If you go down from good news and you go down the false religion line, one way, if you go to the left, 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:24.820 is just simply the person doesn't care. 00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:29.679 You share the good news and they don't care and they walk away and that's that. 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:33.659 There's another column, though. 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:35.759 That is pretty straightforward. 00:33:35.899 --> 00:33:36.519 It's pretty simple. 00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:38.539 They just reject and that's it. 00:33:39.379 --> 00:33:40.799 There's another column. 00:33:41.819 --> 00:33:47.480 And this other column goes down a different line altogether. 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:55.160 And it's a column that, for some reason, different things happen. 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:59.240 Number one, the good news is shared. 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:06.019 And then there is this sense of needing to cope with it. 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:12.019 A sense of needing to connect with the good news. 00:34:12.280 --> 00:34:13.599 Not in a real way. 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:17.179 A real way would be connecting with Jesus himself. 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:27.500 There's a false way to connect with trappings, religion, man-made things that we talked about. 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:34.820 Now, it might be things like the weeds, the tares and the weeds that Jesus talks about. 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:44.320 Where there is wheat and then there's tares or weeds that look a lot like the wheat. 00:34:44.320 --> 00:34:46.019 And they grow up together. 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:49.900 And they look very similar to each other. 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:51.700 But the wheat has fruit. 00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:53.900 And the weeds do not. 00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:56.019 Big difference. 00:34:56.019 --> 00:35:02.280 But for some reason, I'm going to follow out as if I'm going down that line. 00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:04.739 I hear the gospel or I understand church. 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:06.480 I understand some things of God. 00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:07.980 Maybe I hear about hell. 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:09.179 Something like that. 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:11.119 And I say, I don't want that for me. 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:15.119 So, I need to somehow cope with this. 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:23.380 And there's a pressure then that is put onto me, either from internal or external, that says, 00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:26.719 I need to hang around the people at church. 00:35:27.279 --> 00:35:28.539 I need to be there. 00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:30.380 I need to be with them. 00:35:30.839 --> 00:35:32.719 I need to sort of hear these things. 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:35.239 Maybe because I'm supposed to go. 00:35:35.239 --> 00:35:41.959 Maybe because from the time I was little, my family, my parents, my grandparents, whoever it might be, said, 00:35:42.039 --> 00:35:43.139 You need to do this. 00:35:43.839 --> 00:35:47.219 And so, I went and I got my badges for being there at every science school class. 00:35:47.279 --> 00:35:49.019 And I got goodies and whatever. 00:35:50.479 --> 00:35:52.359 And so, I'm supposed to be there. 00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:54.039 Maybe I'm scared not to. 00:35:54.339 --> 00:35:55.359 He talks about hell. 00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:57.000 I don't want to go to hell. 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.459 I don't want that. 00:35:59.059 --> 00:35:59.979 I better go. 00:36:00.379 --> 00:36:01.679 I better be a part of this group. 00:36:01.759 --> 00:36:02.839 I better look like this group. 00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:05.960 I better think like this group thinks somehow. 00:36:08.620 --> 00:36:11.579 Maybe somehow I just always thought it was important. 00:36:12.120 --> 00:36:13.519 Or that it's moral. 00:36:13.740 --> 00:36:14.519 Or it's good. 00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:21.500 Or I need to fix something in myself. 00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:24.960 That when I go and I'm around good people, I feel good. 00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:27.019 Maybe that's something. 00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:33.579 At any rate, there's a pressure that's put on me to stay and participate. 00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:37.119 Now, I'm not the person who just ends that don't care. 00:36:37.719 --> 00:36:41.559 Maybe I heard the gospel and I said, I don't care. 00:36:41.900 --> 00:36:43.800 And so, I go out and I keep doing my own thing. 00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:45.539 That's not this person. 00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:48.340 This person is the weeds. 00:36:48.579 --> 00:36:49.420 Or the weeds. 00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:50.000 The tear. 00:36:50.239 --> 00:36:51.940 The one that grows up next to the weed. 00:36:51.940 --> 00:36:59.320 The one that's a part of things and feels the pressure to remain a part of everything. 00:36:59.320 --> 00:37:07.620 In Matthew 13, when Jesus talks about the weeds that grow up in the group, 00:37:08.240 --> 00:37:10.260 you know who put those weeds there? 00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:11.720 The enemy. 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:15.140 He says the enemy put them there. 00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:20.740 Why would the enemy put people among other people? 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:24.519 Some believe and some don't. 00:37:24.600 --> 00:37:25.880 Why would the enemy want that? 00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:25.880 00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:31.640 Disruption. 00:37:32.640 --> 00:37:33.080 Division. 00:37:35.460 --> 00:37:35.900 Fighting. 00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:38.920 Ruining. 00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:39.900 Destroying. 00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:41.640 It goes on and on. 00:37:41.720 --> 00:37:42.840 I'm sure we've all seen it. 00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:44.320 We've all seen it. 00:37:46.900 --> 00:37:51.840 So, when the pressure's on, for whatever reason, I need to hang around the church. 00:37:51.840 --> 00:38:00.039 The only thing is, there's nothing inside of me that would produce fruit. 00:38:00.760 --> 00:38:05.559 Because the spirit, just like Simon, the spirit was not in Simon. 00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:09.140 There's nothing inside of me that produces that fruit. 00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:10.539 So, what do I do? 00:38:10.880 --> 00:38:11.380 Works. 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:15.079 I come up with ways that I can produce it myself. 00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:17.559 I'm going to be better. 00:38:17.780 --> 00:38:19.019 I'm going to stand tall. 00:38:19.100 --> 00:38:20.760 I'm going to pick up my bootstraps. 00:38:20.760 --> 00:38:21.520 I'm going to be moral. 00:38:21.620 --> 00:38:24.440 I'm going to do whatever I can do for worse. 00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:32.360 So, I can fix that problem of not having a power that's not my own. 00:38:33.580 --> 00:38:34.640 What does that look like? 00:38:34.740 --> 00:38:38.260 Number one is I might mimic. 00:38:38.640 --> 00:38:40.280 I'm going to act like everybody around me. 00:38:40.560 --> 00:38:42.520 I'm going to participate with this group. 00:38:42.720 --> 00:38:44.720 And then I'm going to act like everybody else acts. 00:38:44.960 --> 00:38:46.700 I'm going to use the words that they use. 00:38:46.900 --> 00:38:48.500 I'm going to act like they do. 00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:49.820 I'm going to tithe. 00:38:49.920 --> 00:38:51.039 I'm going to do whatever they do. 00:38:51.360 --> 00:38:53.300 I'm going to copy that exactly. 00:38:54.679 --> 00:38:56.300 Because I have to work for it. 00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:59.920 But there's still no real fruit. 00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:03.179 Second thing I might do is a doing. 00:39:03.639 --> 00:39:04.639 I'm going to serve. 00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:07.280 I'm going to encourage everyone to be moral. 00:39:07.380 --> 00:39:08.119 I'm going to give. 00:39:08.119 --> 00:39:11.400 I'm going to find ways to functionally participate. 00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:13.019 Whatever that looks like. 00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:15.719 I'm going to functionally participate with the group. 00:39:16.400 --> 00:39:22.159 Although that's exactly the same as any club or civic organization, isn't it? 00:39:22.299 --> 00:39:23.059 There's no difference. 00:39:23.619 --> 00:39:24.279 There's no difference. 00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:26.539 Third, I'm going to reason. 00:39:27.039 --> 00:39:29.480 I'm going to reason things out. 00:39:29.480 --> 00:39:35.760 I'm going to attack the scripture and twist it to make it fit my life better. 00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:39.960 I'm going to use platitudes that have nothing to do with God's word. 00:39:40.159 --> 00:39:45.139 But it's something I'm going to paint over life to make it where I feel comfortable with it. 00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:48.760 I may ignore it all completely. 00:39:49.240 --> 00:39:51.820 No love for God's word. 00:39:52.360 --> 00:39:56.360 If I'm in this line and I'm works-based and I'm trying to look like everybody else, 00:39:56.360 --> 00:39:58.280 will I have a love for the scripture? 00:39:58.880 --> 00:39:59.300 No. 00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:01.800 Because the spirit isn't in me. 00:40:02.880 --> 00:40:04.720 I couldn't care less about God's word. 00:40:05.620 --> 00:40:06.680 Couldn't care less. 00:40:10.660 --> 00:40:13.559 And certainly disregard the authority of scripture. 00:40:14.500 --> 00:40:15.320 The fourth thing. 00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:20.800 What happens when you get a whole group of people together who think this same way? 00:40:20.940 --> 00:40:22.740 Who function this same way? 00:40:22.740 --> 00:40:25.280 Who have not taught the gospel? 00:40:25.280 --> 00:40:27.900 Year after year. 00:40:28.060 --> 00:40:29.460 Decade after decade. 00:40:29.840 --> 00:40:34.220 And now the sons and daughters and grandchildren of the ones who never taught it 00:40:34.220 --> 00:40:36.620 are now the ones in the church. 00:40:36.900 --> 00:40:38.980 You have a corporate complacency. 00:40:39.620 --> 00:40:40.400 Nobody cares. 00:40:41.560 --> 00:40:41.980 Nobody. 00:40:44.340 --> 00:40:46.840 The whole group chooses to check out. 00:40:47.680 --> 00:40:48.860 There's no accountability. 00:40:49.700 --> 00:40:51.500 They calm their own fears. 00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:54.719 And they encourage each other in how to cope. 00:40:55.639 --> 00:40:56.519 I'm okay. 00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:57.340 You're okay. 00:40:57.760 --> 00:41:00.599 The fact is, they're all going to hell. 00:41:01.280 --> 00:41:03.059 Because the gospel is not true. 00:41:03.639 --> 00:41:04.239 Not for them. 00:41:06.820 --> 00:41:11.400 So what happens when you can't be what you think you should? 00:41:11.659 --> 00:41:12.559 Remember the pressure. 00:41:12.679 --> 00:41:13.619 That's what keeps them there. 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:15.199 They don't just quit and leave. 00:41:15.199 --> 00:41:17.939 The pressure keeps them there. 00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:20.239 Whatever internally says you need to stay. 00:41:20.480 --> 00:41:21.799 You need to stay in the church. 00:41:21.879 --> 00:41:23.019 You need to stay and do this. 00:41:23.699 --> 00:41:25.679 What happens when they finally say, you know what? 00:41:26.099 --> 00:41:28.739 I can't be what they think I should be. 00:41:28.919 --> 00:41:31.399 I can't be what I think I should be. 00:41:31.539 --> 00:41:33.079 These works are getting me nowhere. 00:41:33.819 --> 00:41:34.799 What happens? 00:41:35.759 --> 00:41:36.980 Then it begins to unravel. 00:41:37.699 --> 00:41:39.659 The whole thing starts to fall apart. 00:41:39.659 --> 00:41:50.480 Then things like frustration, bitterness, unfulfilled, hopelessness, the charade just falls apart. 00:41:50.879 --> 00:41:53.079 Because you cannot keep it up. 00:41:54.199 --> 00:41:55.739 You cannot keep it up. 00:41:56.859 --> 00:42:03.000 Only the power of Christ in us is what can bring about good works. 00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:05.960 So you drop out. 00:42:06.059 --> 00:42:06.900 You hide deeper. 00:42:07.079 --> 00:42:11.280 You double your efforts to look more fantastic in the church. 00:42:12.699 --> 00:42:15.559 Or you fight and you cause division. 00:42:15.760 --> 00:42:19.960 Why does the enemy want the weeds in the church? 00:42:20.539 --> 00:42:24.320 Because at some point, they're going to say, I can't do this and I don't believe it. 00:42:24.880 --> 00:42:26.760 And then they start to cause division. 00:42:31.139 --> 00:42:32.059 Acts 20. 00:42:32.059 --> 00:42:32.940 29. 00:42:32.940 --> 00:42:33.539 29.30. 00:42:34.400 --> 00:42:41.840 Paul's on the beach and he's telling the church there he's about to leave and he's trying to warn them 00:42:41.840 --> 00:42:47.619 and give them this word of warning and encouragement. 00:42:47.619 --> 00:42:53.460 I know that after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 00:42:53.460 --> 00:43:04.860 And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things to draw away the disciples after them. 00:43:06.079 --> 00:43:09.400 He knew it was coming because they were there. 00:43:10.340 --> 00:43:11.280 The weeds were there. 00:43:11.280 --> 00:43:14.700 What do we do? 00:43:15.660 --> 00:43:16.320 What do we do? 00:43:17.740 --> 00:43:18.760 Go back to Acts. 00:43:23.260 --> 00:43:26.780 And what does Peter's, what does he say in verse 24? 00:43:26.780 --> 00:43:30.100 I'm sorry. 00:43:30.100 --> 00:43:30.580 In 22. 00:43:32.160 --> 00:43:33.940 He says, your heart's not right. 00:43:34.060 --> 00:43:34.400 22. 00:43:35.240 --> 00:43:35.720 Repent. 00:43:36.240 --> 00:43:36.680 Therefore. 00:43:38.060 --> 00:43:38.519 Repent. 00:43:39.300 --> 00:43:39.780 Therefore. 00:43:39.780 --> 00:43:42.580 Repent of the wickedness. 00:43:42.760 --> 00:43:43.900 Repent of your sin. 00:43:44.300 --> 00:43:45.540 Pray for forgiveness. 00:43:46.040 --> 00:43:48.860 In other words, on the sheet that I gave you there, what do we do? 00:43:49.060 --> 00:43:50.980 We go back to the top. 00:43:50.980 --> 00:43:53.740 And we hear that good news. 00:43:54.360 --> 00:43:58.300 And we listen to it, maybe with ears for the first time. 00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:03.539 And you pray for forgiveness. 00:44:03.539 --> 00:44:04.860 And you repent. 00:44:05.400 --> 00:44:06.519 Turn to his grace. 00:44:07.019 --> 00:44:07.539 Submit. 00:44:08.019 --> 00:44:11.219 Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. 00:44:12.199 --> 00:44:13.400 That's what you do. 00:44:16.460 --> 00:44:20.679 Stop trying to cope with what you've maybe created. 00:44:20.980 --> 00:44:21.940 On your own. 00:44:22.579 --> 00:44:25.840 Stop trying to make something that doesn't work, work. 00:44:27.679 --> 00:44:29.219 Even in our lives. 00:44:29.860 --> 00:44:31.980 Even in our, a believer's life. 00:44:32.900 --> 00:44:35.900 Don't, don't, idolatry. 00:44:36.440 --> 00:44:41.900 Don't switch what is God's for something that's not. 00:44:42.559 --> 00:44:43.480 That's of yourself. 00:44:45.400 --> 00:44:47.440 You have to answer this for yourself. 00:44:47.599 --> 00:44:50.880 Don't ignore the issues that indicate self-reliance. 00:44:51.539 --> 00:44:51.740 Right? 00:44:52.179 --> 00:44:53.639 These things will come up. 00:44:54.159 --> 00:44:55.159 All these things will come up. 00:44:55.199 --> 00:44:56.000 The divisiveness. 00:44:56.360 --> 00:44:59.500 The, the, uh, hopelessness. 00:44:59.719 --> 00:45:01.740 The lack of faith. 00:45:01.880 --> 00:45:04.360 The lack of, of, uh, trust. 00:45:04.679 --> 00:45:05.760 These things will come up. 00:45:07.219 --> 00:45:08.420 Don't neglect that. 00:45:08.420 --> 00:45:12.980 Are you frustrated today with the things of God? 00:45:13.480 --> 00:45:14.639 Are you hopeless? 00:45:15.300 --> 00:45:16.320 Are you angry? 00:45:18.720 --> 00:45:19.780 Humble yourself. 00:45:21.059 --> 00:45:21.920 Submit your will. 00:45:21.920 --> 00:45:24.539 And take on Jesus's yoke. 00:45:24.539 --> 00:45:25.619 Be free. 00:45:26.139 --> 00:45:26.920 Be free. 00:45:27.559 --> 00:45:28.079 Let's pray. 00:45:28.079 --> 00:45:28.119 Let's pray.