WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.560
 Good morning. Today's scripture reading is taken from Acts chapter 8 verses 4 to 25.

00:00:08.300 --> 00:00:15.939
! Please follow along in your Bible or the church Bible. Our passage can be found on page 862 in the church Bible.

00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:21.620
 Acts chapter 8 starting in verse 4 we read

00:00:21.620 --> 00:00:26.160
 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

00:00:26.160 --> 00:00:31.280
 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

00:00:32.259 --> 00:00:38.880
 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.

00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:44.840
 For unclean spirits crying out with a loud voice came out of many who had them.

00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:50.280
 And many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.

00:00:50.280 --> 00:01:00.380
 But there was a man named Simon who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria saying that he himself was somebody great.

00:01:00.820 --> 00:01:08.819
 They all paid attention to him from the least to the greatest saying this man is the power of God that is called great.

00:01:08.819 --> 00:01:14.759
 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.

00:01:15.579 --> 00:01:21.739
 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,

00:01:21.739 --> 00:01:24.659
 they were baptized both men and women.

00:01:25.479 --> 00:01:30.379
 Even Simon himself believed and after being baptized he continued with Philip.

00:01:31.039 --> 00:01:35.159
 And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:41.140
 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God,

00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:47.739
 they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,

00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:54.239
 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

00:01:55.340 --> 00:01:59.079
 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

00:01:59.079 --> 00:02:06.980
 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands,

00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:09.319
 he offered them money, saying,

00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:16.120
 Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.

00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:18.599
 But Peter said to him,

00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:25.039
 May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money.

00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:31.259
 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:37.859
 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible,

00:02:38.239 --> 00:02:40.879
 the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

00:02:41.419 --> 00:02:46.180
 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.

00:02:47.159 --> 00:02:48.280
 And Simon answered,

00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:53.379
 Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.

00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:57.599
 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord,

00:02:57.740 --> 00:03:03.539
 they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:05.599
 This is the word of God.

00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:08.960
 Thank you, Kristen.

00:03:09.419 --> 00:03:10.099
 You guys hear me okay?

00:03:10.859 --> 00:03:11.159
 Is that good?

00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:12.439
 All right.

00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:14.719
 Hello, good morning.

00:03:15.379 --> 00:03:16.139
 Good morning.

00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:16.859
 My name is Oscar.

00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:19.979
 I serve here at Watermark as one of the elders,

00:03:19.979 --> 00:03:25.019
 and it is a great joy to be spending this time worshiping God together,

00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:27.560
 and it's my great privilege to be sharing God's word.

00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:28.620
 Come join me.

00:03:28.659 --> 00:03:30.339
 Let's pray as we look at God's word.

00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:35.319
 Father, we give this time to you, Lord.

00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:41.359
 We ask that your spirit would open up the eyes of our hearts to see the beauty of Christ.

00:03:41.899 --> 00:03:46.859
 Help us, God, to see where we perhaps are turning away from you,

00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:48.720
 and bring us back to you, Lord.

00:03:49.480 --> 00:03:53.820
 May the beauty of our great Savior, Jesus, come through this message.

00:03:53.940 --> 00:03:56.840
 I pray that I would speak clearly and articulately, Lord.

00:03:56.900 --> 00:03:58.980
 I pray that my heart would come through.

00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:02.200
 But I pray that ultimately, Lord, your message will come through, not mine.

00:04:02.820 --> 00:04:07.700
 May this message be an arrow pointing all of us to Jesus.

00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:09.960
 In his name we pray.

00:04:10.820 --> 00:04:11.220
 Amen.

00:04:11.219 --> 00:04:11.379
 Amen.

00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:12.659
 Amen.

00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:17.620
 So today we're continuing the book of Acts,

00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:22.100
 this marvelous book which paints a very detailed picture

00:04:22.100 --> 00:04:27.660
 of how the ministry of Jesus continued after his ascension into heaven,

00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:32.439
 which is through his church, by the power of his spirit.

00:04:33.420 --> 00:04:36.459
 Last week, Niels took us through Acts 6 and 7.

00:04:37.139 --> 00:04:37.639
 6-7?

00:04:37.980 --> 00:04:38.959
 A big turning point.

00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:40.680
 No youth here, unfortunately.

00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:43.399
 With the killing, a big turning point.

00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:47.120
 With the killing of Stephen and the subsequent violent persecution,

00:04:47.979 --> 00:04:52.959
 acting not as a deterrent, but actually as a key catalyst for something new.

00:04:53.620 --> 00:04:57.699
 For the first time, the gospel was to go outside of Jerusalem

00:04:57.699 --> 00:05:02.139
 into the rest of the world according to God's plan.

00:05:02.899 --> 00:05:04.000
 And this is good news.

00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:06.620
 This was good news for the people back then,

00:05:06.620 --> 00:05:09.579
 and it is good news for us here in Hong Kong

00:05:09.579 --> 00:05:13.500
 because it means that we too can receive the good news of Jesus.

00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:17.800
 And today now we're looking at Acts chapter 8, the first part of it,

00:05:18.060 --> 00:05:22.139
 and we'll see how the gospel advances in more detail.

00:05:22.660 --> 00:05:24.480
 We'll start at a high level,

00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:28.100
 and then we will slowly drill down, and we'll get personal.

00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:34.439
 Think of today's message as you're looking through a satellite telescope from space at the earth.

00:05:34.960 --> 00:05:39.760
 You first see an entire country, and then you zoom in, and then you see a city,

00:05:39.980 --> 00:05:43.120
 and then you zoom in yet again, and you'll see a neighborhood,

00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:46.060
 and people actually having conversations.

00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:48.800
 That is sort of hopefully how this message will flow.

00:05:50.080 --> 00:05:51.700
 So how does the gospel advance?

00:05:51.699 --> 00:05:54.879
 Well, we'll look at that in initially two ways.

00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:58.420
 First, through God's people sharing Jesus,

00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:02.240
 and second, through the unity of the church.

00:06:03.599 --> 00:06:09.319
 Now, as we read, as the result of this persecution in Jerusalem,

00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:13.180
 these early followers of Jesus, except the apostles,

00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:17.060
 were scattered to Judea and Samaria.

00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:20.800
 The apostles stayed in Jerusalem,

00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:24.040
 but incredibly, the rest of the church members,

00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:27.180
 in the face of persecution and in a foreign land,

00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:30.500
 they didn't hide away nor simply focus on self-preservation.

00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:34.519
 No, they boldly shared the gospel of Jesus wherever they went.

00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:38.000
 Not the apostles, not the senior leadership,

00:06:38.660 --> 00:06:39.800
 but regular church members.

00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:45.639
 Verse 4, those who were scattered, i.e. church members,

00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:47.199
 not the apostles.

00:06:47.959 --> 00:06:48.759
 Next slide, please.

00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:52.500
 Not the apostles went about preaching the word.

00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:54.979
 By the way, the word preaching here

00:06:54.979 --> 00:06:57.979
 doesn't mean that everyone gave 30-minute sermons

00:06:57.979 --> 00:06:59.000
 on Sunday morning.

00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:03.120
 It reflects a general rhythm of sharing Jesus,

00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:06.019
 the good news, in daily life.

00:07:07.039 --> 00:07:09.319
 And there is one church member in particular,

00:07:09.599 --> 00:07:11.240
 Philip, who went to Samaria.

00:07:12.099 --> 00:07:13.819
 By the way, this is not Philip the apostle.

00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:16.540
 This is Philip, one of the seven deacons,

00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:18.079
 from Acts chapter 6,

00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:21.240
 similar to Stephen, who we saw last week.

00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:24.279
 And here, in Samaria,

00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:25.599
 Philip the deacon,

00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:28.100
 he finds himself in this foreign land.

00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:31.779
 But because of his personal conviction

00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:33.839
 in the good news of Jesus,

00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:36.939
 because of his great belief in the power of Jesus,

00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:39.759
 not to just change lives,

00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:40.920
 but to save lives,

00:07:40.920 --> 00:07:42.900
 and because of his view that the gospel

00:07:42.900 --> 00:07:44.199
 wasn't just to the Jews,

00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:47.199
 but to all people, including Samaritans,

00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:50.780
 and because of his desire to help save souls,

00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:54.500
 Philip boldly proclaimed to them the Christ.

00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:57.580
 And along with proclaiming Jesus,

00:07:58.080 --> 00:08:00.160
 Philip prayed for healing and deliverance

00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:01.480
 from unclean spirits,

00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:05.040
 and many unbelievable things happened in those days.

00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:06.939
 And so in Samaria,

00:08:07.460 --> 00:08:08.020
 through Philip,

00:08:08.540 --> 00:08:10.120
 by the power of God's spirit,

00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:12.400
 the gospel of our Lord Jesus

00:08:12.400 --> 00:08:14.560
 expanded to this foreign people.

00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:16.540
 Many people believed,

00:08:17.140 --> 00:08:18.939
 were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus,

00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:21.820
 just like we do here at Watermark,

00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:24.600
 and there was much joy in that city.

00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:28.600
 This is how the gospel advances

00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:31.620
 through God's people sharing Jesus.

00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:34.820
 Was Philip anyone particularly special?

00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:38.060
 What we don't know is educational background,

00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:39.680
 although he wasn't an apostle.

00:08:40.560 --> 00:08:41.360
 He was a deacon.

00:08:41.560 --> 00:08:42.680
 He was a godly man.

00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:44.460
 But his main role back in Jerusalem

00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:47.060
 probably wasn't teaching and preaching

00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:48.519
 on a daily basis.

00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:50.860
 It was likely serving the church community

00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.300
 in tangible ways,

00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:53.879
 like serving food.

00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:56.460
 But always proclaiming Christ.

00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:59.480
 It wasn't simply social justice.

00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:00.939
 It was caring for the marginalized.

00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:02.820
 But his overarching message

00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:04.259
 was always Jesus first.

00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:06.679
 And then after Stephen's death,

00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:08.700
 when the great persecution happened,

00:09:09.559 --> 00:09:10.439
 Philip went to Samaria.

00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:11.980
 He didn't hide away.

00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:13.860
 He didn't fear for his life.

00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:15.720
 He goes out and he proclaimed to them

00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:16.840
 the Christ.

00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:21.039
 So the question here is for us,

00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:23.460
 how is God calling you?

00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:24.980
 In your own life,

00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:26.399
 through your relationships,

00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:27.879
 at work,

00:09:27.939 --> 00:09:28.740
 at school,

00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:30.159
 or with your family and friends,

00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:31.740
 how is God calling you,

00:09:31.799 --> 00:09:32.259
 like Philip,

00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:35.059
 to share his good news

00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:36.279
 of himself?

00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:39.000
 For this is how the gospel advances,

00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:41.639
 through God's people sharing Jesus.

00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:45.960
 The second way the gospel advances

00:09:45.960 --> 00:09:49.019
 is through the unity of God's people,

00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:49.799
 his church.

00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:53.139
 Due to the persecution in Jerusalem,

00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:56.059
 we saw that Philip went to Samaria.

00:09:56.819 --> 00:09:57.679
 There's a map again.

00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:01.100
 Samaria was 15 kilometers north of Jerusalem.

00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:05.120
 But Jews and Samaritans were not besties.

00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:06.680
 Far from it.

00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:09.100
 The Jews thought of Samaritans

00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:10.420
 as half-breeds,

00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:11.740
 half-Jew,

00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:13.519
 and half-infidel.

00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:16.240
 If you recall the story

00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:17.700
 in the book of John,

00:10:17.820 --> 00:10:18.500
 chapter 4,

00:10:18.899 --> 00:10:20.540
 Jesus meets the woman at the well,

00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:22.680
 a Samaritan woman.

00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:24.279
 He approaches her

00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:25.860
 and asks her for a drink,

00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:27.680
 to which she responds,

00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:29.320
 how is it that you,

00:10:29.800 --> 00:10:30.279
 a Jew,

00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:32.820
 ask for a drink from me,

00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:34.300
 a woman of Samaria?

00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:36.560
 And then the writer John says,

00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.340
 for Jews have no dealings

00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:39.519
 with Samaritans.

00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:41.620
 The animosity between Jews

00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:42.779
 and Samaritans

00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:44.940
 went back hundreds of years.

00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:46.680
 And so although Jesus,

00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:48.080
 back in Acts chapter 1,

00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:48.840
 if you recall,

00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:50.500
 Jesus said the gospel

00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:51.779
 was spread far and wide,

00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:52.740
 outside Jerusalem,

00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:54.379
 to the ends of the earth.

00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:56.000
 But let's be realistic.

00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:58.080
 It's hard for people

00:10:58.080 --> 00:10:58.919
 of different cultures

00:10:58.919 --> 00:10:59.539
 to get along,

00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:01.220
 never mind two people

00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:02.159
 that had tension

00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:03.600
 for hundreds of years.

00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:05.820
 Look in our day

00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:07.120
 at the human level conflicts

00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:07.779
 that we have

00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:09.179
 due to different views

00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:10.519
 on politics,

00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:11.399
 race,

00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:12.259
 religion,

00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:13.360
 sexuality.

00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:15.299
 Years ago,

00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:16.439
 I went to a football match

00:11:16.439 --> 00:11:17.539
 in Rome in Italy.

00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:19.600
 And as I was watching the match,

00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:21.740
 the two opposing fans,

00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:22.799
 they literally were

00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:23.799
 punching each other

00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:24.479
 in the stands

00:11:24.479 --> 00:11:25.599
 during the match.

00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:26.659
 And that's sport,

00:11:26.819 --> 00:11:28.919
 not even race or religion.

00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:31.019
 But the apostles

00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:32.120
 back in Jerusalem,

00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:33.219
 they were aware

00:11:33.219 --> 00:11:34.099
 of this tension,

00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:35.079
 obviously.

00:11:35.419 --> 00:11:36.459
 And when they heard

00:11:36.459 --> 00:11:37.620
 of the Samaritans

00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:40.000
 believing in Jesus,

00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:42.399
 they sent Peter and John,

00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:44.819
 two senior apostles,

00:11:44.819 --> 00:11:45.799
 all the way from Jerusalem

00:11:46.319 --> 00:11:47.639
 to Samaria

00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:49.379
 for one main purpose,

00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:52.240
 to pray for the Samaritans

00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:53.960
 to receive the Holy Spirit.

00:11:54.439 --> 00:11:55.220
 For it says,

00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:56.659
 in verse 16,

00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:57.879
 for he,

00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:58.679
 the Holy Spirit,

00:11:59.059 --> 00:11:59.980
 had not yet fallen

00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:00.799
 on any of them,

00:12:01.059 --> 00:12:01.759
 but they had only

00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.379
 been baptized

00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:03.419
 in the name

00:12:03.419 --> 00:12:04.340
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:06.939
 What on earth

00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:08.039
 is going on here?

00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:09.620
 This raises

00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:11.179
 two questions,

00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:11.700
 at least.

00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:12.919
 First,

00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:14.539
 why did Peter and John

00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:15.559
 come all the way

00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:16.600
 from Jerusalem

00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:17.919
 to pray for the Samaritans

00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:19.039
 to receive the Holy Spirit?

00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.399
 Are Peter and John

00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.979
 micromanaging Philip?

00:12:22.839 --> 00:12:23.539
 And second,

00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:25.519
 and more perplexing,

00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:26.919
 why do Peter and John

00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.579
 need to pray

00:12:27.579 --> 00:12:28.159
 for the Spirit

00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:29.399
 to fall on these

00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.299
 new believers

00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:31.259
 in Samaria?

00:12:32.199 --> 00:12:33.319
 On question two,

00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:34.519
 isn't it true

00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.240
 that since the day

00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:36.059
 of Pentecost,

00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:37.299
 in Acts chapter two,

00:12:37.719 --> 00:12:38.419
 when a person

00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.559
 believes in Jesus,

00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.679
 don't they receive

00:12:40.679 --> 00:12:41.679
 the Holy Spirit

00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:42.759
 at that moment?

00:12:44.099 --> 00:12:44.939
 Peter said,

00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:45.959
 in Acts chapter two,

00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:47.659
 repent and be baptized

00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.600
 every one of you

00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:49.100
 in the name

00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:49.980
 of Jesus Christ

00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:50.719
 for the forgiveness

00:12:50.719 --> 00:12:51.480
 of your sins

00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.839
 and you will receive

00:12:52.839 --> 00:12:53.600
 the gift

00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:54.839
 of the Holy Spirit.

00:12:56.059 --> 00:12:56.899
 Paul said

00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.779
 in Romans eight,

00:12:58.799 --> 00:12:59.620
 anyone who does not

00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:00.719
 have the Spirit

00:13:00.719 --> 00:13:01.980
 of Christ,

00:13:02.219 --> 00:13:03.360
 he does not belong

00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:03.839
 to him.

00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.539
 There is a consistent

00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:06.899
 theme in the New Testament.

00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:08.219
 Believe in Jesus

00:13:08.219 --> 00:13:09.639
 and the Spirit of God

00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:10.299
 will dwell

00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:11.379
 in you.

00:13:11.939 --> 00:13:12.379
 Normally,

00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:14.039
 it's one step.

00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:16.419
 But here in Acts chapter eight,

00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:17.360
 there appears to be

00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.819
 a two-step process.

00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:19.899
 First,

00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:21.039
 the Samaritans believe

00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:22.000
 and are baptized

00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.500
 and then second,

00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:25.319
 they receive the Holy Spirit

00:13:25.319 --> 00:13:26.019
 when Peter and John

00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:26.679
 prayed for them.

00:13:28.099 --> 00:13:29.039
 You guys following me?

00:13:29.579 --> 00:13:30.039
 Everyone okay?

00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:30.279
 Yeah?

00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:31.819
 It's a bit dense

00:13:31.819 --> 00:13:32.240
 and confusing,

00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:33.379
 but here we go.

00:13:33.579 --> 00:13:34.379
 We'll continue on.

00:13:35.059 --> 00:13:36.120
 Back to our two questions.

00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:38.139
 Why did Peter and John

00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:39.259
 come all the way

00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:40.179
 from Jerusalem

00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:42.019
 to pray for the Samaritans

00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.340
 to receive the Holy Spirit?

00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:43.980
 And second,

00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:45.079
 why did the Samaritans

00:13:45.079 --> 00:13:46.179
 receive the Holy Spirit

00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:47.419
 in this abnormal

00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:49.240
 two-step process?

00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:51.600
 Well,

00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.139
 Bible scholars

00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:52.779
 have debated

00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.340
 these verses

00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.600
 for quite a long time

00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:55.500
 and the interpretation

00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:57.519
 is by no means settled.

00:13:58.199 --> 00:13:59.079
 But here is what

00:13:59.079 --> 00:14:00.120
 is the most likely

00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:00.879
 explanation.

00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:02.399
 Remember,

00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:03.500
 the Jews

00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:04.379
 and Samaritans

00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.240
 were at odds

00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.179
 for hundreds

00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:07.179
 and hundreds

00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:07.860
 of years.

00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.480
 But as the gospel

00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.299
 expanded

00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:11.279
 outside Jerusalem

00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:12.959
 as Jesus prophesied,

00:14:13.359 --> 00:14:13.939
 amazingly,

00:14:14.099 --> 00:14:14.979
 the Samaritan people,

00:14:15.079 --> 00:14:16.199
 they heard the gospel

00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:17.059
 and they believed

00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:18.240
 in this Jewish Messiah.

00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.799
 And somehow,

00:14:21.439 --> 00:14:22.819
 God in his sovereignty

00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:24.819
 held back his spirit

00:14:24.819 --> 00:14:26.279
 from the Samaritans

00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.699
 such that Peter and John

00:14:27.699 --> 00:14:28.699
 would have to travel

00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:29.439
 all the way

00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.259
 50 kilometers

00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.039
 from Jerusalem

00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:32.659
 to come and pray

00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.519
 for the Samaritans

00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.799
 to receive his spirit

00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:35.799
 so that

00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:38.120
 all the Samaritans

00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:39.479
 present at that time

00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:40.820
 would witness

00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:42.620
 the great power

00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.659
 of God.

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.680
 And all those

00:14:44.680 --> 00:14:45.480
 Jewish believers

00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.899
 back in Jerusalem

00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:48.220
 would hear the chatter

00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:49.300
 that this people,

00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:50.200
 the Samaritans,

00:14:50.300 --> 00:14:51.120
 this foreign people

00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:52.740
 once looked down upon

00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.920
 by the Jews,

00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:55.259
 once considered

00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:56.360
 second-class citizens

00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.519
 by the Jews,

00:14:57.680 --> 00:14:58.940
 were now of one faith,

00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.500
 one heart,

00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:02.200
 one spirit,

00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:03.879
 and one Savior,

00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.560
 Jesus Christ.

00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:07.639
 So Peter and John

00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.779
 came from Jerusalem

00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:10.179
 to pray for these

00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:11.439
 new Samaritan believers

00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:13.159
 to receive the Holy Spirit

00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:14.539
 which welcomed them

00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.879
 into Jesus' family,

00:15:16.599 --> 00:15:17.139
 his church.

00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:20.279
 Let me try to illustrate it

00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:21.319
 in this way.

00:15:22.619 --> 00:15:24.119
 Imagine you are applying

00:15:24.119 --> 00:15:25.739
 for your very first job.

00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:27.639
 You land in a job interview

00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:29.359
 with Apple in Hong Kong,

00:15:29.819 --> 00:15:31.279
 but you're an outsider.

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:33.219
 Your family are poor immigrants.

00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:35.340
 You're a university dropout.

00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:36.920
 You even have a criminal record

00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:38.040
 for stealing food

00:15:38.040 --> 00:15:38.720
 to try to provide

00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:39.519
 for your family.

00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.300
 But somehow,

00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.120
 you interview

00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:43.519
 and you land the job.

00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:45.600
 But you're understandably

00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.540
 a bit insecure.

00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:48.540
 You have imposter syndrome.

00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:49.820
 You're worried that

00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:51.040
 the folks at Apple

00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:51.740
 will realize

00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.500
 that you're actually

00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.320
 not really worthy

00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:54.019
 to work there.

00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.840
 But on your first day,

00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.220
 you're at your cubicle,

00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.040
 you're hunched over

00:15:58.040 --> 00:15:59.139
 coding on your laptop,

00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:01.300
 and guess who comes over?

00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.259
 Tim Cook,

00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.379
 the CEO.

00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:05.399
 He's flown all the way in

00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:06.360
 from the US of A

00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.960
 just to see you.

00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.259
 And he says to you,

00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:09.960
 hey,

00:16:10.439 --> 00:16:11.360
 welcome to Apple.

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.399
 I'd love to take you out

00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.200
 for lunch

00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.620
 to welcome you here.

00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.159
 And then,

00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:17.059
 we're going to call

00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:17.559
 a global,

00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:19.000
 company-wide Zoom call

00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.259
 so that everyone at Apple

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.179
 can welcome you

00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:22.659
 into the Apple community.

00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.399
 You are now

00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.340
 one of us.

00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:25.220
 Welcome to Apple.

00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:26.639
 Now,

00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.620
 that is kind of

00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.200
 what happened,

00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:29.580
 kind of what happened

00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.439
 with the Samaritans,

00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:32.780
 except the Samaritans.

00:16:33.020 --> 00:16:34.240
 It was more than

00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.380
 just a welcome party.

00:16:36.140 --> 00:16:37.460
 It was a healing party.

00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:38.740
 You see,

00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:39.380
 that event

00:16:39.380 --> 00:16:40.440
 crystallized

00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:41.720
 the restoration

00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.960
 and healing

00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:44.200
 between two deeply

00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:45.700
 divided people groups,

00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.280
 two deeply divided

00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:48.840
 ethnic and religious groups,

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.480
 breaking down the walls

00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:51.440
 that stood

00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.600
 for hundreds of years.

00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.980
 A similar thing happens,

00:16:56.380 --> 00:16:57.380
 event happens,

00:16:57.380 --> 00:16:59.380
 in Acts chapter 10.

00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.379
 We'll look at that

00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.340
 a bit later on

00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.700
 in a few weeks.

00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.220
 God sent Peter

00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:04.920
 all the way

00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.819
 to Caesarea

00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:07.740
 to share the gospel

00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:09.380
 to the Roman centurion,

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.180
 Cornelius.

00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.460
 And there,

00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.460
 for the first time,

00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:13.880
 the gospel moves

00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:15.519
 not just outside Jerusalem

00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:17.180
 to Judea

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.119
 or Samaria

00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:18.980
 to half-Jews,

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.859
 the gospel moves

00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:21.660
 to non-Jews,

00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.660
 to Gentiles.

00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.279
 And what happens?

00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.599
 As Peter's preaching,

00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:28.359
 the Holy Spirit

00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.899
 falls on Cornelius

00:17:29.899 --> 00:17:31.259
 and all of his close friends

00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.459
 and family.

00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.679
 The Holy Spirit

00:17:34.679 --> 00:17:36.000
 falls like a seal

00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:38.740
 to publicly display

00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.399
 the inclusion

00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:40.659
 of another people group

00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:42.319
 into God's family,

00:17:42.439 --> 00:17:42.959
 his church.

00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:44.500
 This is how

00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.599
 the gospel advances

00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:47.359
 through the unity

00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:49.339
 of God's church.

00:17:49.859 --> 00:17:50.359
 Now,

00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:51.139
 it's important to mention

00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.879
 that this event

00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:54.139
 does not happen anymore,

00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:55.560
 mainly because

00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:57.440
 this was the first time

00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.740
 the gospel expanded

00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:00.240
 to Samaritans

00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.580
 and then to the Gentiles.

00:18:02.020 --> 00:18:02.360
 And hence,

00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.060
 these were unique

00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:03.940
 one-time events.

00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:06.580
 But what does happen today

00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:07.620
 is that when we believe

00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.120
 in Jesus,

00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.060
 we become baptized.

00:18:09.520 --> 00:18:10.380
 We get baptized.

00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:13.480
 Baptism is a public declaration

00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:15.240
 of our faith in Jesus,

00:18:15.780 --> 00:18:16.100
 right?

00:18:16.300 --> 00:18:17.440
 For us to say

00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.520
 and for our church family

00:18:18.520 --> 00:18:19.780
 to say back to us

00:18:19.780 --> 00:18:20.840
 among many things

00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:21.640
 that we are unified

00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:22.380
 and united

00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:24.000
 in one church.

00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:25.380
 in the family of God.

00:18:26.840 --> 00:18:27.280
 Okay.

00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:28.780
 So now,

00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:29.560
 what does this all mean

00:18:29.560 --> 00:18:30.360
 for us here

00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:31.620
 at Watermark?

00:18:31.820 --> 00:18:32.000
 Well,

00:18:32.040 --> 00:18:32.380
 look around.

00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.580
 Look around the sanctuary.

00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:36.740
 You can actually do it.

00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.580
 You can actually do it

00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:38.020
 if you want to.

00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:39.920
 We are a picture

00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:40.480
 of God,

00:18:40.540 --> 00:18:41.340
 unified church.

00:18:41.560 --> 00:18:42.160
 Look at us.

00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:43.340
 We are from many different

00:18:43.340 --> 00:18:44.420
 countries,

00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.440
 nationalities,

00:18:45.560 --> 00:18:46.320
 and backgrounds.

00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:48.120
 We are from different

00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:49.680
 demographic spheres,

00:18:50.800 --> 00:18:52.000
 different educational backgrounds,

00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:53.080
 different histories.

00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:55.720
 but all welcomed

00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.460
 by God

00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.920
 into his church family

00:18:57.920 --> 00:18:59.560
 and unified together.

00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:00.780
 And second,

00:19:01.520 --> 00:19:02.560
 isn't this unity

00:19:02.560 --> 00:19:04.100
 such a powerful

00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:05.520
 and attractive message

00:19:05.520 --> 00:19:06.540
 to a world

00:19:06.540 --> 00:19:07.860
 that is so fragmented

00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:08.660
 and broken?

00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:11.300
 when we care for one another,

00:19:11.300 --> 00:19:14.100
 when we actually reconcile

00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:15.779
 very difficult relationships

00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.640
 and conflicts,

00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:18.000
 we're telling the world,

00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.820
 I'm doing this.

00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:21.360
 I'm caring for those

00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:22.480
 that are not easy

00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:22.960
 to care about

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.620
 or different than me.

00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.400
 I'm doing that

00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:25.900
 because there is one person,

00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:26.779
 Jesus,

00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.600
 who cares so much more

00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:28.880
 for me

00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:29.340
 that he gave

00:19:29.340 --> 00:19:30.300
 his very life for me.

00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.779
 And so I desire

00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:33.180
 to honor him

00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:34.340
 and to care

00:19:34.340 --> 00:19:34.840
 and love

00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:36.160
 and accept others.

00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:38.360
 Isn't that a beautiful picture

00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:39.340
 of God's church?

00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.000
 And isn't that

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.380
 a beautiful invitation

00:19:41.380 --> 00:19:43.019
 to God's church?

00:19:43.840 --> 00:19:45.320
 This is how the gospel advances

00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.660
 through the unity

00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:48.000
 of God's church.

00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:49.840
 Okay,

00:19:50.080 --> 00:19:50.420
 so,

00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:51.539
 now,

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.019
 we've seen the big picture

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.580
 of how the gospel

00:19:53.580 --> 00:19:54.180
 is advancing

00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:54.880
 and going out

00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:56.200
 according to God's plan.

00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:57.480
 But now,

00:19:57.560 --> 00:19:58.779
 what does that look like?

00:19:58.779 --> 00:20:00.180
 How does that happen

00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:01.859
 on a micro level?

00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:03.720
 Well,

00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.839
 we're now introduced

00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:06.279
 to a man named Simon,

00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.279
 a magician,

00:20:07.879 --> 00:20:08.139
 who,

00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:09.119
 for a long time,

00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.379
 amazed the people

00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:11.099
 of Samaria

00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:12.099
 with his magic.

00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:14.339
 People were so amazed

00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:14.759
 by him

00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.319
 that they said,

00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.119
 this man

00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.899
 is the power of God

00:20:17.899 --> 00:20:19.019
 that is called great.

00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.839
 Some believe Simon

00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:22.379
 was some sort of demigod.

00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.859
 But then Philip the deacon

00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.819
 shows up

00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:27.119
 proclaiming Jesus

00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:28.319
 and many

00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.079
 people,

00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.980
 as we saw earlier,

00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:31.500
 believed in Jesus

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.619
 and were baptized.

00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.879
 And even Simon the magician

00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:35.439
 believed

00:20:35.439 --> 00:20:36.460
 and was baptized.

00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:38.379
 And it says in verse 13

00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:39.099
 that he continued

00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:39.720
 with Philip.

00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.740
 Simon used to amaze people

00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.460
 with his magic

00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.879
 and now he's amazed

00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.700
 by Jesus.

00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.980
 Or was he?

00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.619
 Later on,

00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.659
 Simon sees the power

00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:50.919
 of God's spirit

00:20:50.919 --> 00:20:51.480
 move

00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.399
 when the apostles

00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:53.019
 lay hands

00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.939
 on the Samaritans.

00:20:54.679 --> 00:20:55.419
 And you can imagine

00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:56.819
 Simon's eyes

00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:58.139
 grow wide.

00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:00.139
 The passage

00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.599
 doesn't say

00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.240
 what he saw,

00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:01.819
 but we know

00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:03.019
 from the rest of Acts

00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.819
 that when God's spirit

00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.879
 falls on people,

00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:07.119
 there are outward signs.

00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.359
 Boldness

00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.579
 to proclaim the gospel,

00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.980
 praising God

00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.059
 unceasingly,

00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:13.079
 speaking in tongues.

00:21:13.899 --> 00:21:14.799
 And so,

00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.039
 like Gollum

00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.700
 in Lord of the Rings,

00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.319
 Simon wants that power.

00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.720
 Simon needs that power.

00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:22.159
 Simon offers Peter

00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:22.899
 and John money

00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:24.139
 for that power.

00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:25.040
 And of course,

00:21:25.520 --> 00:21:26.180
 Peter strongly

00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.080
 rebukes Simon.

00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:29.960
 So what drove Simon

00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:31.620
 to want this power?

00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.300
 Well,

00:21:33.340 --> 00:21:34.560
 we read that his magic

00:21:34.560 --> 00:21:35.840
 amazed the people

00:21:35.840 --> 00:21:36.600
 of Samaria

00:21:36.600 --> 00:21:37.480
 and that he loved

00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.200
 the attention

00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.100
 because it made him

00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:39.960
 feel great.

00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.180
 It made him feel

00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.840
 that he himself

00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:42.660
 was somebody great.

00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.220
 Verse 9.

00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.860
 And so when he sees

00:21:44.860 --> 00:21:46.300
 the even greater power

00:21:46.300 --> 00:21:47.100
 of God's spirit,

00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:48.040
 he wants it

00:21:48.040 --> 00:21:49.759
 not to bless others,

00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:51.740
 but to impress people

00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.500
 even more.

00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:54.460
 Because what made

00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:55.920
 Simon most happy,

00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:58.339
 what made him

00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.180
 most content,

00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.759
 gave him most joy,

00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:01.480
 was when people

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.619
 thought highly of him.

00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.559
 He wanted to be known

00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.640
 as somebody great.

00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.539
 Martin Luther wrote this,

00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.900
 whatever your heart

00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:11.359
 clings to and confides in,

00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.619
 that is really your God.

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.819
 Meaning,

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.059
 whatever you fundamentally

00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:17.359
 believe will make you

00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.220
 most happy.

00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:20.140
 That is what drives

00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:20.779
 your decisions

00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:22.440
 and possibly the entire

00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.960
 direction of your life.

00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.279
 You will pursue

00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.980
 and cling to

00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.059
 what you adore.

00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:28.799
 And for Simon,

00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.880
 he pursued

00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:30.620
 and he clung to

00:22:30.620 --> 00:22:32.319
 having a good self-image.

00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.880
 His God

00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:35.519
 was his own self-image.

00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.019
 Now,

00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:37.460
 wait a minute.

00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:39.200
 Wait a minute.

00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.759
 Didn't we read

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.579
 in verse 13

00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.720
 that Simon believed

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.160
 in Jesus?

00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.920
 Wasn't he baptized?

00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.180
 Wasn't he amazed

00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:47.019
 by the signs

00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.960
 and the miracles?

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.039
 That he saw?

00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.980
 Didn't he continue

00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.620
 with Philip?

00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:53.180
 And this is where

00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.980
 this passage

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:55.660
 gets quite personal

00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.120
 and challenging.

00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:00.839
 If you know

00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.519
 this parable,

00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:02.420
 parable of the sower,

00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.620
 Jesus said,

00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.680
 Jesus spoke about

00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.480
 actually this very

00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.140
 heart condition.

00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:07.620
 Jesus said that

00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:08.120
 God's word,

00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:08.680
 the gospel,

00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.180
 is like a seed

00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.579
 which a farmer grows.

00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:12.860
 Some seed

00:23:12.860 --> 00:23:14.259
 falls on the path

00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:16.200
 but has no roots

00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.860
 and is taken

00:23:16.860 --> 00:23:17.759
 away immediately.

00:23:18.340 --> 00:23:18.759
 Other seed

00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.539
 falls on rocky

00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.000
 ground

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.620
 but persecution

00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:22.420
 causes that person

00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.140
 who receives

00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:23.840
 God's word

00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:25.000
 to also fall away.

00:23:26.080 --> 00:23:26.640
 And then there

00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.660
 is God's word

00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.799
 that falls

00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.799
 on thorns.

00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.460
 These are people

00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.740
 where they hear

00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:34.100
 the word,

00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:34.960
 the gospel,

00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:35.700
 but the cares

00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.440
 of the world

00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:37.360
 and the deceitfulness

00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:38.039
 of riches

00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.840
 and the desire

00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:39.480
 for other things

00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:40.279
 enter in

00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.720
 and choke the word

00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:43.200
 and it proves

00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:43.980
 unfruitful.

00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.940
 And this third way,

00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:47.759
 the seed that is choked,

00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.640
 describes exactly

00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.500
 Simon the magician.

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.319
 When Simon first

00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.160
 heard the news,

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:53.960
 the good news

00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.380
 of Jesus,

00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.079
 he probably thought,

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.059
 oh, that's great news.

00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:57.279
 I'll follow Jesus.

00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.120
 When he saw the signs

00:23:59.120 --> 00:23:59.720
 and the miracles,

00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.180
 he thought,

00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.259
 he was amazed.

00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.380
 But like in the parable,

00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:05.220
 the gospel never found

00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:06.920
 any roots in his heart

00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:08.380
 because it was crowded out

00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:09.580
 by his desire

00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:10.320
 to promote

00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:11.840
 his self-image.

00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:13.860
 You see,

00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.560
 Simon wanted

00:24:14.560 --> 00:24:15.380
 the power

00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:16.420
 of Jesus,

00:24:16.760 --> 00:24:17.820
 but he wasn't willing

00:24:17.820 --> 00:24:18.340
 to take up

00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:19.000
 the cross

00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.940
 of Jesus.

00:24:20.540 --> 00:24:21.260
 He wasn't willing

00:24:21.260 --> 00:24:22.100
 to give up

00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:23.440
 his self-promotion

00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.920
 and self-image.

00:24:27.320 --> 00:24:27.960
 And so the apostle

00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.920
 Peter

00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:30.000
 tells Simon,

00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:31.920
 your heart

00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.660
 is not right

00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:34.000
 before God,

00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.340
 which can also

00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:36.380
 be translated as

00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:37.280
 your heart

00:24:37.280 --> 00:24:38.080
 is not straight

00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.619
 with God.

00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:39.839
 You have

00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.639
 a crooked heart.

00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:42.419
 Peter then has

00:24:42.419 --> 00:24:43.339
 some even stronger

00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:44.579
 words for Simon,

00:24:44.699 --> 00:24:45.500
 which tells us

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.439
 that although Simon

00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:47.960
 professed to believe

00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.480
 in Jesus,

00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:49.839
 although he was

00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:51.199
 even baptized,

00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:53.299
 he wasn't actually

00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.039
 saved

00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:55.699
 or born again.

00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:58.099
 Simon's heart

00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:59.679
 never turned

00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.839
 towards Jesus.

00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.500
 He wasn't

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.399
 a true Christian.

00:25:04.919 --> 00:25:06.099
 Peter says to Simon

00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:06.839
 in verse 23,

00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:08.399
 you were in the

00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:09.500
 gall of bitterness,

00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.339
 which suggests

00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.039
 someone who is

00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.339
 wretched,

00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:13.000
 and you were in

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.859
 the bond of

00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.659
 iniquity,

00:25:15.159 --> 00:25:15.659
 which suggests

00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:17.720
 Simon was a

00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.679
 prisoner of sin

00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.559
 in bondage.

00:25:20.679 --> 00:25:21.679
 And this is,

00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:22.980
 let's be honest,

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.740
 this is challenging,

00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.240
 is it not?

00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:28.160
 But being born

00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:28.620
 again,

00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:31.160
 becoming a Christian

00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:32.740
 is not just

00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:34.500
 a one-time

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.880
 verbal acknowledgement

00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:36.900
 and then we just

00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:38.220
 think and live

00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.960
 as before.

00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.339
 It's a heart

00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.200
 that turns away

00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.880
 from our own

00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.920
 selfish desires

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:44.160
 towards Jesus

00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.940
 and on that

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.740
 new path

00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:47.380
 and in that

00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.039
 new life,

00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.579
 we seek to

00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.240
 honor him

00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.400
 and to submit

00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:51.079
 to his authority

00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:52.279
 and the way

00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.919
 we speak,

00:25:53.419 --> 00:25:54.199
 the way we live,

00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.699
 the decisions

00:25:54.699 --> 00:25:55.339
 we make

00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.319
 reflect the

00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:56.899
 inner reality

00:25:56.899 --> 00:25:57.519
 of this new

00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.619
 path that

00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.079
 we're on.

00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:01.319
 John Piper

00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:01.980
 says this

00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.639
 about Simon

00:26:02.639 --> 00:26:03.139
 the magician.

00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.199
 Piper says,

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:05.759
 at the root

00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.579
 of Simon's

00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.419
 false faith

00:26:07.419 --> 00:26:08.339
 was a heart

00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:08.659
 problem.

00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:09.819
 He was a man

00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.319
 with a crooked

00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:10.859
 heart who

00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.879
 willfully suppressed

00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:12.460
 the knowledge

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.199
 of the true God

00:26:13.199 --> 00:26:13.919
 whose spirit

00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:14.960
 cannot be bought.

00:26:15.679 --> 00:26:16.379
 Deep down,

00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:16.980
 he still wanted

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.699
 to be a great

00:26:17.699 --> 00:26:18.339
 power broker.

00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:20.039
 You see,

00:26:21.179 --> 00:26:21.799
 Simon never

00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.439
 loved Jesus.

00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:23.939
 He just loved

00:26:23.939 --> 00:26:24.319
 what he thought

00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:24.980
 Jesus could give

00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.240
 him.

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.519
 Power to boost

00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.279
 his self-image.

00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:30.599
 Now,

00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:31.259
 notice though,

00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:32.799
 that although

00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.539
 Peter rebuked

00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.099
 Simon quite

00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.659
 harshly,

00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.419
 he doesn't just

00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:36.459
 leave him there.

00:26:37.459 --> 00:26:38.240
 He advises

00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.619
 Simon to repent

00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:40.740
 and to pray

00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.259
 to the Lord

00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.179
 that if possible,

00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:43.339
 the intent

00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:44.139
 of your heart

00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:45.099
 may be forgiven

00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:45.459
 you.

00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.299
 In spite of

00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.939
 Simon's sin,

00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.860
 all is not

00:26:48.860 --> 00:26:49.259
 lost.

00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:50.039
 There is

00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.840
 another chance.

00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:51.700
 Repent.

00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:53.019
 This is the

00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.980
 same simple

00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:55.120
 and consistent

00:26:55.120 --> 00:26:56.080
 gospel message

00:26:56.080 --> 00:26:56.519
 throughout the

00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.019
 book of Acts

00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.720
 and throughout

00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.220
 the entire

00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.620
 Bible.

00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.559
 Repent.

00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.580
 Peter in Acts

00:27:00.580 --> 00:27:00.759
 2,

00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.500
 repent and

00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:01.960
 be baptized.

00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.740
 Peter in Acts

00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.019
 3,

00:27:03.340 --> 00:27:03.860
 repent and

00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.600
 therefore turn

00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:05.360
 back that

00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:05.920
 your sins

00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.559
 may be blotted

00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:06.940
 out.

00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:07.580
 John the

00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:07.860
 Baptist,

00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.580
 repent for

00:27:08.580 --> 00:27:08.820
 the kingdom

00:27:08.820 --> 00:27:09.160
 of God

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.559
 is near.

00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:10.840
 Yes,

00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:12.279
 your heart

00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.740
 is dark.

00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:13.759
 My heart

00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.140
 is dark.

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.500
 Yes,

00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:15.519
 you're in

00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:15.960
 bondage.

00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:16.519
 Your selfish

00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.100
 desires.

00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:17.539
 Yes,

00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.500
 your heart

00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.099
 is crooked.

00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.480
 It's not

00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.019
 straight.

00:27:20.659 --> 00:27:21.099
 But the

00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:21.639
 true repentance

00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:22.139
 that you may

00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:22.439
 have missed

00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:22.819
 the first

00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.079
 time,

00:27:23.159 --> 00:27:23.699
 it is still

00:27:23.699 --> 00:27:24.480
 on offer.

00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:26.439
 It is still

00:27:26.439 --> 00:27:26.939
 there for you

00:27:26.939 --> 00:27:27.259
 to take

00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.619
 today.

00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.240
 You have a

00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:29.839
 second chance.

00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:31.379
 The wonderful

00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.319
 forgiveness of

00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.899
 Jesus that you

00:27:32.899 --> 00:27:33.599
 missed before,

00:27:33.939 --> 00:27:35.459
 it is on offer

00:27:35.459 --> 00:27:36.240
 for you today,

00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.179
 but you must

00:27:37.179 --> 00:27:38.279
 repent.

00:27:39.719 --> 00:27:40.599
 But what does

00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.259
 Simon do

00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.319
 instead?

00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:44.579
 said he

00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:45.339
 doesn't pray

00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:45.899
 to God

00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:46.639
 for forgiveness.

00:27:47.439 --> 00:27:47.740
 He doesn't

00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.419
 acknowledge his

00:27:48.419 --> 00:27:49.859
 offense against

00:27:49.859 --> 00:27:50.299
 God.

00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:51.740
 He says to

00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.039
 Peter,

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.960
 you pray for

00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.200
 me.

00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.379
 You pray for

00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:55.679
 me that I

00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:55.939
 won't be

00:27:55.939 --> 00:27:56.359
 punished.

00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.519
 But true

00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:00.939
 repentance,

00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:01.700
 friends,

00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:03.519
 is not simply

00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.619
 trying to avoid

00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:05.439
 punishment.

00:28:06.919 --> 00:28:07.480
 True repentance

00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.900
 is omitting

00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:09.559
 the offense,

00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:11.019
 owning the

00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.440
 mistake,

00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.799
 and asking

00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.240
 but not

00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.799
 demanding

00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.319
 forgiveness.

00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.480
 True repentance

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.500
 is omitting

00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.079
 the offense,

00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.160
 owning the

00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:19.620
 mistake,

00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.799
 and asking

00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.279
 but not

00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:21.900
 demanding

00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:23.120
 forgiveness.

00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:25.539
 You see,

00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:26.079
 this story,

00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.599
 this little

00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.380
 vignette about

00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:28.920
 Simon is a

00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.440
 sharp warning

00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.019
 for us.

00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.079
 You see,

00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:32.539
 the Bible

00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.980
 oftentimes doesn't

00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.799
 end a passage

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.539
 or a book

00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.259
 with a neat

00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.920
 little bow

00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.820
 or fairytale

00:28:37.820 --> 00:28:38.279
 ending.

00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:40.660
 We're often

00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.600
 left with

00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.480
 a challenge.

00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.340
 Consider the

00:28:44.340 --> 00:28:44.940
 prodigal son

00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.320
 story,

00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:45.600
 right?

00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.080
 The older

00:28:46.080 --> 00:28:46.500
 brother at

00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:46.880
 the end

00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.240
 of that

00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.680
 story,

00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.680
 even though

00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.620
 he served

00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:50.140
 his father

00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.700
 faithfully

00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:50.980
 in the

00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.360
 fields,

00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.220
 his heart

00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:52.779
 was cold

00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.300
 towards his

00:28:53.300 --> 00:28:53.640
 father.

00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:54.920
 He never

00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.320
 loved his

00:28:55.320 --> 00:28:55.600
 father.

00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.080
 Or consider

00:28:57.080 --> 00:28:57.420
 Jonah.

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:57.759
 We just

00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.019
 went over

00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.940
 Jonah last

00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.380
 couple weeks.

00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.200
 Consider

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.560
 Jonah.

00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.779
 He was a

00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.080
 prophet.

00:29:02.840 --> 00:29:03.140
 He knew

00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.700
 God's word

00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.519
 inside out,

00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:04.860
 but his

00:29:04.860 --> 00:29:06.400
 heart never

00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:06.900
 loved God.

00:29:06.900 --> 00:29:07.019
 God.

00:29:08.540 --> 00:29:09.280
 He actually

00:29:09.280 --> 00:29:10.000
 was angry

00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.480
 at God.

00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:12.840
 These

00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:14.600
 teachings are

00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:14.880
 meant to

00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.519
 provoke us

00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:15.900
 to look

00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.360
 inward

00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:17.320
 at our

00:29:17.320 --> 00:29:17.600
 own

00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:18.040
 hearts.

00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.440
 It's the

00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:19.840
 same here

00:29:19.840 --> 00:29:20.880
 today as

00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:21.519
 well with

00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.720
 Simon the

00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.000
 magician.

00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:24.780
 So today

00:29:24.780 --> 00:29:25.220
 we've seen

00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.540
 how the

00:29:25.540 --> 00:29:26.220
 gospel advances.

00:29:26.540 --> 00:29:26.759
 It's going

00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.400
 from Jerusalem

00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:28.220
 to Samaria

00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:28.860
 to the rest

00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.100
 of the

00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:29.800
 Gentile world

00:29:29.800 --> 00:29:30.640
 and it

00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.019
 has come

00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.420
 to us

00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.140
 here in

00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:32.800
 Hong

00:29:32.800 --> 00:29:33.300
 Kong.

00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:34.539
 the gospel

00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.099
 is for

00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:36.299
 anyone

00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.720
 and everyone.

00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:38.899
 The offer

00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.339
 of Jesus

00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.819
 is to

00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.879
 all people

00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:42.779
 one life

00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.740
 at a

00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.099
 time.

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.299
 One life

00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:46.559
 at a

00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:46.879
 time.

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.000
 But as

00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.480
 the gospel

00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.319
 confronts

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.960
 the idols

00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.839
 of our

00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:51.359
 hearts,

00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.599
 we must

00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.399
 make a

00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:53.839
 choice.

00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:54.940
 Will we

00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.639
 tear down

00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:56.399
 those idols

00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:57.579
 and submit

00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:57.899
 to the

00:29:57.899 --> 00:29:58.359
 authority

00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:59.539
 of Jesus?

00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.199
 Will we

00:30:01.199 --> 00:30:01.779
 cast our

00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.659
 idols aside

00:30:02.659 --> 00:30:04.019
 and make

00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.779
 that sacrifice

00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:06.259
 and love

00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:07.179
 and trust

00:30:07.179 --> 00:30:08.359
 Christ above

00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:08.719
 all?

00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:10.939
 And so as

00:30:10.939 --> 00:30:11.519
 we reflect

00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.439
 on Simon,

00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:13.859
 two questions

00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.679
 for us to

00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:15.359
 consider.

00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.179
 First,

00:30:17.679 --> 00:30:18.299
 what do you

00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.000
 crave most?

00:30:19.719 --> 00:30:20.399
 What makes

00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:20.959
 you most

00:30:20.959 --> 00:30:21.519
 content?

00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.419
 Is it

00:30:23.419 --> 00:30:23.839
 promoting your

00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.179
 own self

00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:24.639
 image like

00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:24.899
 Simon?

00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:28.159
 Or maybe

00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:28.360
 something

00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:28.700
 else?

00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:29.800
 If you

00:30:29.800 --> 00:30:30.019
 crave

00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.360
 financial

00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.060
 security,

00:30:31.300 --> 00:30:31.660
 as an

00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.040
 example,

00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:32.440
 you will

00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:32.980
 make big

00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:35.140
 sacrifices

00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:35.840
 to make

00:30:35.840 --> 00:30:36.360
 more money.

00:30:36.800 --> 00:30:37.300
 If you

00:30:37.300 --> 00:30:37.519
 crave

00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:37.900
 relational

00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.540
 intimacy,

00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.600
 above all,

00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:39.960
 you will

00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.380
 make big

00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:41.160
 compromises

00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:41.820
 to pursue

00:30:41.820 --> 00:30:42.340
 what you

00:30:42.340 --> 00:30:42.700
 adore.

00:30:43.560 --> 00:30:43.920
 I've

00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.120
 actually

00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:44.680
 done both

00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.279
 in my

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.620
 life.

00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:47.019
 Often

00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.460
 the things

00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:47.700
 that we

00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.180
 care about

00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.680
 most,

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.140
 that are

00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:49.600
 most important

00:30:49.600 --> 00:30:50.040
 to us,

00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:50.800
 health,

00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:51.160
 job,

00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:51.440
 money,

00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:51.960
 relationships,

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.620
 children's

00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.220
 education,

00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:54.019
 and success,

00:30:54.380 --> 00:30:54.720
 these are

00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:54.940
 the very

00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.480
 things that

00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.259
 choke us

00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:57.200
 from knowing

00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:57.960
 and experiencing

00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:59.039
 the goodness

00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.620
 of God.

00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:01.559
 Second,

00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:02.920
 are we

00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:04.360
 amazed by

00:31:04.360 --> 00:31:04.900
 what happens

00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:05.420
 in church?

00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.360
 Or are we

00:31:07.360 --> 00:31:08.480
 amazed by

00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:08.819
 Jesus?

00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.539
 I do think

00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:11.799
 we have an

00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.319
 amazing church,

00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:12.779
 by the way.

00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:14.000
 But like

00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.360
 Simon the

00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:14.700
 magician,

00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.360
 we can

00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:15.880
 marvel at

00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:16.440
 the signs

00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:16.720
 and the

00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:17.079
 wonders,

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.500
 and we

00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:17.860
 can miss

00:31:17.860 --> 00:31:18.360
 the giver

00:31:18.360 --> 00:31:18.620
 of the

00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:19.079
 signs.

00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.180
 Simon

00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:20.920
 marveled

00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:22.079
 at the

00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.680
 arrow,

00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.660
 but he

00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:24.160
 missed what

00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:24.519
 the arrow

00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.140
 was pointing

00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.920
 towards.

00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:27.580
 See,

00:31:27.640 --> 00:31:28.080
 everything we

00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:28.440
 do here

00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:29.000
 at Watermark,

00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.340
 the preaching,

00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.060
 the music

00:31:32.060 --> 00:31:32.400
 worship,

00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:33.700
 our great

00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.400
 kids ministry,

00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.140
 our gospel

00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:35.580
 community,

00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.640
 even this

00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:37.060
 building,

00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:37.940
 everything we

00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.320
 do at

00:31:38.320 --> 00:31:38.720
 Watermark

00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:39.120
 is like

00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:39.759
 an arrow

00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.700
 pointing not

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.240
 at ourselves,

00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:41.900
 but pointing

00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:43.080
 towards Jesus.

00:31:43.920 --> 00:31:44.500
 Everything we

00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:44.860
 do as a

00:31:44.860 --> 00:31:45.360
 church community

00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:45.920
 is to point

00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:46.400
 each other

00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:47.000
 back to

00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.720
 the only

00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.039
 one who

00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.640
 can save

00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.620
 us from

00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:50.080
 our wandering

00:31:50.080 --> 00:31:50.500
 and sinful

00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:50.940
 hearts,

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:52.080
 and that is

00:31:52.080 --> 00:31:52.840
 the person

00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:53.919
 of Jesus,

00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:54.659
 our Lord

00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.059
 and Savior.

00:31:58.619 --> 00:31:59.459
 So we've

00:31:59.459 --> 00:31:59.819
 looked at

00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.459
 how the

00:32:00.459 --> 00:32:01.039
 gospel advances

00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:01.639
 through people

00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:02.279
 sharing Jesus,

00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.679
 through the

00:32:03.679 --> 00:32:04.319
 unity of

00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:05.359
 God's church,

00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:06.599
 and one

00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:07.599
 life at

00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:08.199
 a time.

00:32:09.399 --> 00:32:10.159
 As we

00:32:10.159 --> 00:32:10.519
 close,

00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:12.519
 I have one

00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.139
 final thought,

00:32:13.699 --> 00:32:14.179
 and that is

00:32:14.179 --> 00:32:14.599
 comparing

00:32:14.599 --> 00:32:16.000
 Philip and

00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.359
 Simon.

00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:18.039
 Philip's only

00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.839
 mentioned in

00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:19.659
 Acts three

00:32:19.659 --> 00:32:20.159
 times.

00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.240
 Philip is

00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:21.480
 mentioned

00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.199
 twice in

00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.759
 Acts chapter

00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.120
 eight.

00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:23.460
 We'll look

00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:23.759
 at it next

00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.220
 week as

00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:24.500
 well.

00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:25.180
 And then

00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:25.400
 he's

00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:25.640
 mentioned

00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:26.740
 once in

00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.900
 Acts 21.

00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.080
 And in

00:32:29.080 --> 00:32:29.940
 Acts 21,

00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.160
 that's 20

00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:31.900
 years after

00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:32.580
 today's

00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:33.140
 passage.

00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.259
 In that

00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:34.620
 chapter,

00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.160
 the apostle

00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:36.840
 Paul goes

00:32:36.840 --> 00:32:37.740
 on a trip

00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.000
 and he

00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.360
 visits

00:32:38.360 --> 00:32:38.819
 Philip.

00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:39.759
 Philip's

00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.120
 living in

00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:40.519
 Caesarea

00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.080
 at that

00:32:41.080 --> 00:32:41.319
 time.

00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:41.640
 He's an

00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:41.960
 older,

00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:42.740
 more seasoned

00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.160
 man.

00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:43.539
 He has

00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.120
 four grown

00:32:44.120 --> 00:32:44.519
 daughters.

00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.480
 And in

00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.140
 Acts 21,

00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:46.799
 Philip,

00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.500
 his title's

00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.039
 different now.

00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:49.400
 He's called

00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:49.799
 Philip the

00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.480
 Evangelist.

00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.960
 Philip the

00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:52.519
 Evangelist.

00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:53.660
 And this

00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.880
 name signifies

00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:56.579
 his faithfulness

00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.559
 in expanding

00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.559
 the gospel of

00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:59.200
 Jesus for the

00:32:59.200 --> 00:33:00.019
 intervening two

00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.980
 decades that

00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.599
 aren't mentioned

00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.500
 in the book of

00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:02.819
 Acts.

00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:04.319
 Imagine the

00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.500
 lives that

00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.400
 Philip impacted

00:33:06.400 --> 00:33:07.099
 through sharing

00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:07.620
 the gospel,

00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:08.500
 preaching the

00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:08.960
 good news of

00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:09.319
 Jesus.

00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.599
 But then

00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.180
 consider Simon

00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:12.599
 the magician.

00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.480
 As we learn

00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.220
 after hearing the

00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:16.360
 gospel, Simon

00:33:16.360 --> 00:33:17.240
 doesn't really

00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.720
 believe.

00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:19.860
 Simon isn't

00:33:19.860 --> 00:33:20.400
 mentioned anywhere

00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:21.319
 else in the

00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:21.579
 Bible.

00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:22.759
 But other

00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.200
 historical

00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:24.140
 documents,

00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:25.740
 in other

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.220
 historical

00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:26.740
 documents,

00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:27.360
 there are

00:33:27.360 --> 00:33:28.640
 indications that

00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:29.680
 after this

00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:30.360
 episode in

00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:30.960
 Acts chapter

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.819
 8, Simon

00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.579
 founds a

00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:33.200
 religion called

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.940
 Gnosticism.

00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.220
 It's an

00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:35.960
 ancient spiritual

00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:37.100
 movement that

00:33:37.100 --> 00:33:38.039
 is anchored in

00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:39.319
 the belief that

00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:40.380
 salvation comes

00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:41.160
 from mystical

00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:41.140
!

00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:43.200
 And Simon

00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:43.799
 claimed to be

00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.319
 some sort of

00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:45.600
 teacher of

00:33:45.600 --> 00:33:46.220
 Gnosticism.

00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:47.620
 It sounds

00:33:47.620 --> 00:33:47.900
 like he

00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:48.220
 still only

00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:49.180
 cared about

00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:49.559
 his self

00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:49.900
 image.

00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:51.980
 It's very

00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.579
 likely that

00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:53.140
 Simon fell

00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:54.420
 away, never

00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:55.100
 turned and

00:33:55.100 --> 00:33:55.880
 repented towards

00:33:55.880 --> 00:33:57.279
 Jesus, and

00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:58.019
 his life ended

00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.660
 in death and

00:33:58.660 --> 00:33:59.079
 destruction.

00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:00.799
 You see,

00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:02.059
 Philip loved

00:34:02.059 --> 00:34:03.200
 Jesus and

00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:03.779
 pointed people

00:34:03.779 --> 00:34:04.799
 towards Jesus.

00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:06.259
 Simon loved

00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:07.059
 mainly himself

00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:08.460
 and pointed

00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:08.960
 people to

00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.460
 himself.

00:34:10.260 --> 00:34:10.780
 For Simon,

00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.240
 it was all

00:34:11.240 --> 00:34:11.840
 about Simon.

00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:12.679
 For Philip,

00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:13.340
 it was all

00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.260
 about Jesus.

00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.420
 Jesus.

00:34:16.220 --> 00:34:17.060
 And so

00:34:17.060 --> 00:34:17.960
 here, as

00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:18.480
 we close,

00:34:19.580 --> 00:34:20.320
 some final

00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:22.320
 questions for

00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:22.940
 us to think

00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:23.400
 about and

00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.040
 meditate over.

00:34:25.520 --> 00:34:27.320
 First, is

00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:27.880
 your faith

00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:29.440
 rooted in

00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:29.780
 the person

00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:30.440
 of Christ,

00:34:31.100 --> 00:34:31.920
 or is your

00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.540
 faith merely

00:34:32.540 --> 00:34:33.840
 because of

00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.400
 the benefits

00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:35.560
 of Christ?

00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:35.900
 Is your

00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:36.720
 faith how

00:34:36.720 --> 00:34:37.200
 Jesus can

00:34:37.200 --> 00:34:37.500
 make you a

00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.080
 better person,

00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:39.040
 friend, son,

00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:39.980
 daughter, father,

00:34:40.140 --> 00:34:40.440
 mother?

00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:41.380
 How you can

00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:41.640
 make your life

00:34:41.640 --> 00:34:42.240
 more comfortable?

00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:43.379
 Or is

00:34:43.379 --> 00:34:45.059
 your faith

00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:45.819
 centered on

00:34:45.819 --> 00:34:46.299
 the wonderful

00:34:46.299 --> 00:34:47.099
 person,

00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:48.059
 the wonderful

00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.759
 person and

00:34:48.759 --> 00:34:50.139
 sacrifice of

00:34:50.139 --> 00:34:50.439
 our Lord

00:34:50.439 --> 00:34:50.779
 Jesus?

00:34:52.779 --> 00:34:53.519
 Second, how

00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.000
 do you actually

00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.500
 relate to

00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:54.799
 Jesus?

00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.679
 Meaning, when

00:34:56.679 --> 00:34:57.519
 you pray or

00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.419
 read his

00:34:58.419 --> 00:34:59.979
 word or when

00:34:59.979 --> 00:35:00.739
 you spend time

00:35:00.739 --> 00:35:01.439
 with God,

00:35:02.339 --> 00:35:03.059
 which we all

00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:03.359
 do, right?

00:35:05.439 --> 00:35:05.639
 Okay,

00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:06.059
 Joby does.

00:35:06.839 --> 00:35:07.459
 Are you simply

00:35:07.459 --> 00:35:08.219
 asking Jesus

00:35:08.219 --> 00:35:09.479
 to help you

00:35:09.479 --> 00:35:10.819
 to get by in

00:35:10.819 --> 00:35:11.019
 life?

00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:11.259
 Are you

00:35:11.259 --> 00:35:11.659
 simply asking

00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:11.900
 him for

00:35:11.900 --> 00:35:12.599
 favors to

00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:13.039
 do this

00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:13.519
 or that?

00:35:13.800 --> 00:35:14.599
 Or are you

00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:15.280
 worshipful?

00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:16.139
 Are you

00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:16.820
 delighting in

00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:17.019
 him?

00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:17.639
 Are you

00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.460
 enjoying him?

00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:19.039
 Are you

00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:20.380
 satisfied in

00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:20.619
 him?

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:22.619
 And third

00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:23.059
 and final,

00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:24.599
 when you

00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:25.119
 consider the

00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:25.759
 great commission

00:35:25.759 --> 00:35:26.500
 from Jesus

00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:28.739
 in Matthew

00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:29.380
 28,

00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:30.900
 go make

00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:31.500
 disciples of

00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:32.079
 all nations,

00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:33.480
 baptizing them

00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:33.719
 in the name

00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:34.259
 of the Father,

00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.380
 Son, and the

00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.019
 Holy Spirit.

00:35:36.239 --> 00:35:36.840
 Or when you

00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:37.480
 consider the

00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:38.179
 great proclamation

00:35:38.179 --> 00:35:39.159
 of Jesus in

00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:40.059
 Acts chapter 1,

00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:41.239
 you'll be my

00:35:41.239 --> 00:35:41.960
 witnesses in

00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:42.400
 Jerusalem,

00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:43.460
 Judea,

00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.279
 Samaria,

00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:44.820
 and to the

00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:45.940
 ends of the

00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.299
 earth.

00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:48.139
 What is your

00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:48.960
 honest reaction?

00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:50.920
 Overwhelmed?

00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:52.400
 Someone else's

00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:52.739
 job?

00:35:55.179 --> 00:35:55.900
 I used to

00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.360
 think I don't

00:35:56.360 --> 00:35:56.719
 have it all

00:35:56.719 --> 00:35:57.099
 together.

00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:58.559
 I'm so busy

00:35:58.559 --> 00:35:59.659
 and no one

00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:00.199
 has it all

00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:00.579
 together.

00:36:02.340 --> 00:36:03.039
 But today,

00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:03.699
 more than ever,

00:36:03.799 --> 00:36:04.360
 I'll tell you,

00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:04.860
 friends,

00:36:05.099 --> 00:36:06.480
 I'm convicted

00:36:06.480 --> 00:36:07.840
 and I'm also

00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.320
 excited.

00:36:08.320 --> 00:36:09.680
 I look out

00:36:09.680 --> 00:36:10.140
 there and I

00:36:10.140 --> 00:36:10.380
 see the

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:11.460
 brokenness and

00:36:11.460 --> 00:36:11.940
 the pain in

00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:12.440
 this world.

00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.460
 I see

00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:13.960
 friends,

00:36:14.140 --> 00:36:14.519
 I see

00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:15.660
 family members,

00:36:15.780 --> 00:36:16.160
 I see

00:36:16.160 --> 00:36:17.000
 acquaintances,

00:36:17.200 --> 00:36:17.640
 I see the

00:36:17.640 --> 00:36:18.039
 world out

00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:19.140
 there running

00:36:19.140 --> 00:36:19.660
 after and

00:36:19.660 --> 00:36:20.240
 pursuing things

00:36:20.240 --> 00:36:20.780
 that never

00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:21.380
 satisfy,

00:36:21.740 --> 00:36:22.140
 that never

00:36:22.140 --> 00:36:22.480
 give us

00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:23.300
 true joy.

00:36:24.160 --> 00:36:24.720
 They're always

00:36:24.720 --> 00:36:25.440
 fleeting and

00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:26.300
 always fail us.

00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:27.340
 But I see

00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:27.980
 one solution.

00:36:28.660 --> 00:36:29.400
 I see one

00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:30.620
 solution and

00:36:30.620 --> 00:36:31.220
 one solution

00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:32.140
 only, and

00:36:32.140 --> 00:36:32.680
 that is

00:36:32.680 --> 00:36:34.240
 believing in,

00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:35.059
 trusting, and

00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.500
 loving the

00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:36.100
 person of

00:36:36.100 --> 00:36:36.780
 Jesus Christ.

00:36:36.780 --> 00:36:38.300
 that's the

00:36:38.300 --> 00:36:38.820
 one solution.

00:36:40.140 --> 00:36:40.820
 Today, I'm

00:36:40.820 --> 00:36:41.360
 more convinced

00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.380
 than ever of

00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:42.860
 what Philip

00:36:42.860 --> 00:36:43.200
 saw.

00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:44.560
 The offer of

00:36:44.560 --> 00:36:45.220
 Jesus trumps

00:36:45.220 --> 00:36:46.060
 anything this

00:36:46.060 --> 00:36:47.140
 world can

00:36:47.140 --> 00:36:47.540
 offer.

00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:49.120
 And so,

00:36:49.200 --> 00:36:49.700
 Watermark,

00:36:50.340 --> 00:36:51.060
 may our

00:36:51.060 --> 00:36:51.560
 prayer be

00:36:51.560 --> 00:36:53.260
 that may

00:36:53.260 --> 00:36:53.840
 God's Spirit

00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:54.480
 give us the

00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:56.400
 strength to

00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:56.840
 submit to

00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:57.700
 Jesus, to

00:36:57.700 --> 00:36:58.340
 love and trust

00:36:58.340 --> 00:36:59.100
 him above

00:36:59.100 --> 00:36:59.940
 all, and to

00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:00.620
 honor his

00:37:00.620 --> 00:37:01.240
 calling, to

00:37:01.240 --> 00:37:01.840
 share his

00:37:01.840 --> 00:37:02.840
 wonderful message

00:37:02.840 --> 00:37:04.080
 of salvation

00:37:04.080 --> 00:37:04.840
 and grace

00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:05.880
 to all.

00:37:06.780 --> 00:37:07.519
 Let's pray

00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:07.880
 together.

00:37:11.680 --> 00:37:12.540
 Father God,

00:37:12.640 --> 00:37:13.480
 Lord Jesus,

00:37:13.840 --> 00:37:14.519
 Holy Spirit,

00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:18.040
 it's a

00:37:18.040 --> 00:37:18.260
 challenging

00:37:18.260 --> 00:37:18.900
 message, God,

00:37:18.940 --> 00:37:19.320
 we admit.

00:37:20.280 --> 00:37:21.000
 Your word is

00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:21.340
 challenging.

00:37:23.400 --> 00:37:24.380
 Sometimes it

00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:24.840
 hits us with a

00:37:24.840 --> 00:37:25.300
 ton of bricks.

00:37:27.340 --> 00:37:28.680
 And we

00:37:28.680 --> 00:37:29.540
 ask God, as

00:37:29.540 --> 00:37:30.600
 we digest and

00:37:30.600 --> 00:37:31.960
 meditate, that

00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:32.380
 we would not

00:37:32.380 --> 00:37:34.500
 just let it

00:37:34.500 --> 00:37:35.240
 go by us,

00:37:35.239 --> 00:37:36.739
 that we

00:37:36.739 --> 00:37:37.099
 would honestly

00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:38.699
 reflect on

00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.219
 how you want

00:37:39.219 --> 00:37:39.619
 to speak to

00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:40.059
 all of us,

00:37:40.179 --> 00:37:40.319
 Lord.

00:37:40.799 --> 00:37:41.319
 All of us,

00:37:41.399 --> 00:37:41.719
 God, we

00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:42.699
 admit there

00:37:42.699 --> 00:37:43.239
 are things in

00:37:43.239 --> 00:37:43.839
 our life that

00:37:43.839 --> 00:37:44.319
 we are not

00:37:44.319 --> 00:37:44.919
 proud of, and

00:37:44.919 --> 00:37:45.099
 there are

00:37:45.099 --> 00:37:45.500
 things, God,

00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:45.879
 that are holding

00:37:45.879 --> 00:37:46.339
 us back from

00:37:46.339 --> 00:37:46.739
 knowing you.

00:37:46.819 --> 00:37:47.039
 There are

00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:47.500
 thorns in

00:37:47.500 --> 00:37:48.099
 our heart that

00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:49.119
 we are adoring

00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:49.699
 above you,

00:37:49.799 --> 00:37:49.959
 Lord.

00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:50.699
 Help us, God,

00:37:51.279 --> 00:37:51.739
 to be a

00:37:51.739 --> 00:37:52.119
 people that

00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:52.559
 bring those

00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:52.959
 to you,

00:37:53.959 --> 00:37:54.579
 that have the

00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:55.199
 strength to

00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:57.479
 lay them down

00:37:57.479 --> 00:37:58.159
 at your feet,

00:37:58.159 --> 00:37:59.440
 and to

00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.239
 honor you

00:38:00.239 --> 00:38:01.599
 above all,

00:38:02.159 --> 00:38:02.619
 because you

00:38:02.619 --> 00:38:03.440
 are worthy

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:04.460
 of honor

00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.500
 and praise.

00:38:06.500 --> 00:38:07.059
 As we

00:38:07.059 --> 00:38:07.440
 continue the

00:38:07.440 --> 00:38:08.059
 service, God,

00:38:09.319 --> 00:38:09.899
 Spirit, please

00:38:09.899 --> 00:38:10.500
 be with us.

00:38:11.239 --> 00:38:11.699
 Illuminate our

00:38:11.699 --> 00:38:11.960
 hearts.

00:38:12.399 --> 00:38:12.819
 Help us to

00:38:12.819 --> 00:38:14.460
 see our own

00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:14.659
 sin.

00:38:14.759 --> 00:38:15.159
 Help us to

00:38:15.159 --> 00:38:16.579
 see the

00:38:16.579 --> 00:38:17.899
 wonderful beauty

00:38:17.899 --> 00:38:19.219
 of Jesus.

00:38:21.699 --> 00:38:22.420
 In his name

00:38:22.420 --> 00:38:22.739
 we pray.

00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:23.839
 Amen.

00:38:24.299 --> 00:38:24.519
 Amen.

00:38:24.519 --> 00:38:24.619
 Amen.