SIMON IS REBUKED
(ACTS 8:2-25)
A TEACHING BY
SUPERINTENDENT LIZ HOPE
Everybody knows its painful to be have a whooping. In this case Simon got a verbal whooping. Yes Simon got busted. But it's more to the story than meets the eye This was the first time Simon and the Samaritans were seeing a demonstration of God's power manifested through the apostles. So it was a big deal. Today I would call it the 'WOW factor church style.
Simon got caught up, and didn't know what to do. It was bolder and bigger than him, and he someone who pulled off spectacular feats in his day. Simon did what many of us would want if we saw somethings big and bold, he wanted to own it. This is where we need to think about what Simon said. He said' give me also this power'. Then he was rebuked or busted?
Why, because he thought he could turn the power of God into something man made so he could manipulate it. We have to be careful too, to not to try and turn the favor, faithfulness and fulfillment of God promises into man made accolades; and try to manipulate with a holler, hype and hundreds. Simon was rebuked because Apostle Peter was able to see what was in his heart through his actions
We should every now and then take stock of our actions and do as Simon did when he was rebuked, pray that these things come not on me... in other words his prayer was for a clean heart. Psalms 4:23 says Above all else, guard your heart, for everything flows from it. So I ask, if you took stock of what you done lately would you need to be rebuked or would you be busted? Does your heart and actions tell a tale on you? If it does, then at this time we can do as Simon says...we can pray. Be sure to read the whole lesson. See you in Sunday School.
LIZ HOPE
Psalm 31:24
No comments:
Post a Comment