Storytellers, pt. 6
Fil Anderson | September 4, 2022
We hope this guide will help you take the good news you hear today into your daily lives.
This week, Fil Anderson explores the story of Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:9-24, looking at the deceptive yet revealing nature of power. In the process, we’ll see how the Holy Spirit undermines our attempts to control it.
Scripture and Notes
A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.
But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”
“Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”
Acts 8: 9-24 (NLT)
THE SEDUCTIVE & DECEPTIVE NATURE OF POWER
"To hell with you and your money! How dare you think you could buy the gift of God!
Acts 8:20 (J.B. Phillips)
THE REVEALING NATURE OF POWER
"Wounds from a friend can be trusted."
Proverbs 27:6 (NIV)
"Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
Acts 8:24
THE HOLY SPIRIT'S UNDERMINING OF POWER
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-17 (NLT)
Going Deeper: Submitting to God
The Seductive & Deceptive Nature of Power
With Bible in hand, reflect on Verses 9-11 for a few minutes:
Where do you find yourself seduced or deceived by your desire for power?
The Revealing Nature of Power
Thoughtfully consider Verses 20-23:
What is the Holy Spirit revealing to you about yourself in this story, in relationship to power and control?
The Holy Spirit's Undermining of Power
Ponder Verses 14-17:
Can you pray for the Spirit to help you identify and disrupt the ways in which you may be seeking to wrestle control of your life from God?
What does it look like for you to live in submission to God’s plans and purposes for you?
This week, pray for the Spirit to help you immerse yourself in God’s grace and mercy.
