Acts Chapter 8:12-28

They were talking about the Bible, God was speaking through them to the people, the warlords important thing we talk about the word of God and were focused on the word of God is important to notice the three steps it happened with these minima when they heard the word of God. Number two, they served God without thinking about what they would do and what they would not do for them, and the third thing they proclaim the word of God nor the God they serve God. They proclaim the word of God, where are you on this last yet all three covered. Maybe China get the number three yet I hear the word of God, then you need to serve God and proclaim the word of God because of you serving God in your proclaim the word of God limitation people see you not serving up in the less likely they are much less likely to hear what you have to say welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is a senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina.

The question for you today.

What is the most powerful display in the Bible God is given each of us different resources to reach the lost question is using them. Let's see how these things are connected as pastor David encouraged us to find these resources and use them for God to continue teaching the book of acts chapter 8 now is David McGee with part two of his teaching is your heart right rear acts chapter 8. What were the early church and Saul persecuting the early church is pursuing the people that are involved with the church and some things are going on and out of the Philip goes out of Jerusalem that we talked about the fact that Philip waited tables and and because he was willing to serve God in that way.

God used him in more powerful ways we find him now in Samaria.

We talked about the break down the walls between the Jewish people and the Samaritan people that Philip would reach out to only talked about breaking walls down. And so there in Samaria and these people are coming to the Lord. Ellis go back to verse 12, but when they believed Philip as a priest thinks concerning the kingdom of God in the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

Then Simon himself also believed in when he was baptized. He continued with and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs that were done.

Verse 14 now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them when they had come down praying for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit verse 64 as yet he had fallen upon them, they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

They laid hands on and they received you receive the Holy Spirit by grace just like you receive salvation by grace mention one more thing in this room, like people in here came. We know Jesus as our Savior. There was that moment in time, we should Jesus forgive me of my sent for some of us that was an increase credible emotional experience. Tears flowed you know things like that for some people in here when they came in they asked Jesus to forgive the mother sent it was not this big incredible emotional experience. It was a quiet thing babies in the quietness of your own. Maybe maybe didn't cry with your point both cases received salvation by faith through grace not based upon Wausau felt so good I felt forgiven.

Don't base it on your feelings because some people like not feel forgiven when they do this verse eight when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles hands, the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, give me this power also that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the holy. Peter said to him your money perish with because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money so early on early church. We talked about this before with tend to think of the early church is the perfect church. It wasn't a perfect church here in the early church we already have somebody attempting to buy a position I give you money you give me the power I give you money is not going to be the last person Bob position in the church. Verse 20 what Peter said to him your money perish with you because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money, what awesome thing. Peter Peter has a lot of interrogator is not so wanted to is not for sale, you're missing the whole point of sure this is a little weird for me. I have the experience of somebody approaching me that's there's a lot of people in this church. So when when somebody has a need.

A lot of times I'll delegate that the painful thing that happened repeatedly learn all say hey we you meet with us personally. Can you help this person. Can you help the situation in an and one guy get really upset and it was very obvious that this man was well-to-do and think that was part of the reason he got so upset with me about. I don't think that he was convinced the pastor Sean or somebody else couldn't play with him. I think it was the notion that because he had money I needed to roll out the red carpet for I'm sorry I that man is not my source now know that he left he never came back. Jesus is my sword. God is my source and so we have to be careful that's again that's why we don't do you know the gold hats and put your name on projects in any of that weird stuff because Peter had it right your money perish is will you as you.that the gift of God could be purchased with money, time, and give me some money for that power us as men. Men love power. We just love power, which is there something about you know if there's they were looking at two chainsaws and one is more probably more powerful looking at you know lawnmower is more renewed, though you are even vacuum cleaner vacuum cleaner go zero 67 turbo hit me. That's what we need and and that's why some of some guys get lost in the corporate search hunger for power. Good thing well answer may shock you get it in, is actually God-given thing but where's that power to come from. This was come from God, not from anything from corporate achievement.some you drive a car with him. He not so much. You know, turbocharge vacuum or any of those other things from God himself. How is the most powerful thing display that we see in Scripture. Well maybe you think will money healing somebody from being that is obviously most powerful thing.

I don't think healing a lame thing. The most powerful display in the Bible is when somebody turns from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light that is the most powerful thing, Romans chapter 1 verse 16 says I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ through the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek it is the power of God. The word therefore power is due to missing the Greek where we get our word for dynamite very powerful people want to exploit the power of God for their own gain. I just have a problem with that. But that doesn't negate the fact that God has given us power to reach out to others. Blessing God has given us power and resources to reach others. God has given us power and resources to reach others that the question is are we using their power in our resources and energy to reach others. Verse 21 you have neither partner portion in this matter. For your heart is not right side of there's an interesting thing Simon I believe you say Simon has been baptized but his heart's not right. Jimmy Stan harkens straight quickly harkens straight hearts. They just tend to wander just like the children of Israel in the desert our hearts tend to wander and we need to follow the Lord everything the day of our lives. So what are you doing your heart's not right. Maybe here in here and you messed up this morning you messed up yesterday or you messed up this week and and you're going man will do well this is what he says was 22 repent therefore this your wickedness and pray God is perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven. You is just that simple.

Without notice he doesn't say what to argue about it with God is repent asking to forgive you don't defend your actions. You know the sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin that is not asked forgiveness that is the unforgivable Leon Wilson is not asking for forgiveness.

Peter tells them repent. Verse 23, for I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity, and Simon answered and said, pray the Lord for me that none of the things which you are spoken may come upon me as a little problem there.

And there Simon say Peter pray for me then, and in a new job. Pray for yourself.

This is a hard issue between you and God and people love to put people in between them and got some people really are more comfortable you really think a minute and I'm not to go to God directly. I need you to go to God for I don't necessarily need to hear your sin back. Some examples really shouldn't hearing herself.

You don't know the Lord should go directly to him because you have direct access Lord forgive me of these you're listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be right back with more just a moment, but I want to remind you of the free resources available to you on cross the bridge.com there's a team of hundreds of people that will pray for somebody to be saved.

You have a loved one that needs to know Jesus as Savior. You need people to pray for you need someone to present God's word to them every day were present in God's virtual here on cross the bridge with Pastor David McGee.

We can pray for them as well. Just by simply going to cross the bridge.com and click on the pray for the lost button.

All you need to do is put in the first names of the people you love, that need to know Jesus as Savior. Click on submit and immediately hundreds of people begin praying for your lost loved ones. What an awesome way to bring love once to Jesus, here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown. We want to take just a minute to pray for some cities in our listening audience. Specifically, Merlin Pendleton, Portland, Powell Butte Prairie city in Redmond Oregon. What we think, for the people living in the cities where we pray that you would draw them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Father we pray for their homes, that there be unity and love that they would fall you with all your heart and soul and strength. As a family we pray for the pastors and churches in these areas God that you would anoint them to teacher word.

Verse by verse.

Even Lord that you give the pastors wisdom and discernment, how to serve and love the people that God brings Lord we love you. We thank you for the cities. We pray that you do a mighty work in the name of Jesus. Amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse 25 someone testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. This is great, preach the word of the Lord. They were talking about the Bible, God was speaking through them to the people of the warlords important thing we talk about the word of God and were focused on the word of God. That's important to notice the three steps that happen with these men.

Number one they heard the word of God. Number two, they served God without thinking about what they would do and what they would not do for them, and the third thing they claimed the word of God so they heard the Lord God they serve God. They proclaim the word of God, where are you on this last all three covered. Maybe China get the number three you hear the word of God, then you need to serve God and proclaim the word of God because of you serving on your proclaim in the word of God. Let me take people see they are not serving God in their less likely they are much less likely to hear what you have to say. Verse 26 now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, arise, and go towards the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.

This is the desert. This makes no sense and get the picture. Philip is in the future about people are coming to the Lord all the Samaritans, or people being filled with the Holy Spirit and the angel of the Lord comes, the films is to leave the revolver. You understand, God will tell you to do something.

Sometimes it don't make a lot of sense. You need to be careful when you get into that area need to be careful.

Meaning that talk to other brothers and sisters and I think God's lien on the this home are made sure that if it's zany that it's biblical okay. I remember years ago I was traveling around the country doing music and teaching. We ran the place Olympia, Washington. We were in Washington state work where there were saying at a campground or RV which I in the guy who ran this Bible-based campground also went to the church and I was freaking out that night he came out of my room and as soon as he came in.

I heard the that still small voice. Not all voice but still small voice and the Lord said, you need to give him some money accidental, get behind me there talking and I'm having this conversation with the Lord, Lord, meaning money, he's got a job he's running that he's not involved in the faith-based ministry where they don't know what was going on ministry not based on love offerings like I was on the run.

God of things he probably so I'm going back and forth every week. This guy gets me checking is with the lead in the God starts to tell me how he's leaving that place and he's going to begin working for gospel operation so okay and I said brother and sister help support at the end the conversation. It was like I wouldn't Sharon that answers breath and understand it even asked for but I just really feel like the Lord is speaking to make sense until that moment where he explained.

Sometimes you don't get explanation doctors take the baby step by understand that matter. Take the baby step a few years ago most of your where the story traveled around the country. I'm doing teaching them in doing music and in these huge churches all the stuff God's blessing, but the year in advance and I mean some mega churches and stuff and and then God said to quit doing what what's quit doing that.

We got awesome schedule that me and you God that we put together and not some different so okay I came off the road. Help dad with. He had a stroke and some problems in his businesses are trying to help women in got a little distracted for season but then the Lord said to start about God didn't help me when I was coming off the road that I was also around Bible study. He said it is okay sure okay I'll do it for God is always in the office that sometimes he just gives you one that sometimes it doesn't look like it makes a lot of sense mean for me to quit traveling, quit teaching, quit, don't make sense to me.

That's what God asked me to ask Philip to leave this place where things are going one because he had somehow sworn to do and God doesn't explain a disease for you all the time. It's those baby steps don't pause for the explanation. Verse 27 so he arose and went, behold, a man of Ethiopia unit of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who charge you had charge of all her treasury had come to Jerusalem to worship was returning, and sitting in the chair. It and he was reading Isaiah the prophet was a very powerful man he'd been to Jerusalem to find out is that he wasn't safe religious experience in Jerusalem, but he did know the Lord. He did know Lord many people in our society would qualify for that every people meeting in churches all across the community this morning do not have a personal relationship with you. The other two question test hey are you going to heaven. Most of them would say yes and that but is then you said but why do you believe that you listen to the answer they gave it would be the wrong answer.

Why do you think you're going to heaven work as a basically good person. I'm sorry that's not biblical. Bible says in Romans 310, 323 there is none righteous, no not want all fall short of the glory of God. So your business is not getting it. I'm going to heaven because I go to church.

It does not say that in this book. If you go to church are going out Most the 10 Commandments will you know that's a lot religious but not saved many friends you got probably be defined like that and talk to their open having the conversation they have a religious expand some of the members, go to church but they don't know Jesus. Now don't kick the door down. If they resist you. Don't you know jump up on a day and start foaming at the mouth and prophesied important that lot because the next person that's going to talk about the Lord shut down completely and way too many believers of acted like I don't will go back to the vacuum like vacuum cleaner salesman member when vacuum cleaner salesman used to go door-to-door and they would stick their foot in the door they went, leaving the body back.

We can be like we need to be open about conversations about Jesus when he talked to people about Jesus. But we don't need to kick the door to bring people to us talk to them about him. He'll do that over and over. We need to be ready first Peter chapter 3 verse 15 says.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life and if you are asked about your Christian hope always be ready to explain, always be ready to explain it in the concept there is that you would live a life which would cause question hey you that a church service in question, why do you not do this or why do you not do that people ask you a member years ago is working those doing some production work some sound engineer work with abandon, and they were prayed about it and I felt like the Lord wanted me to work with this. Brandon and I was just doing some record and stuff and not Christian I'm not going to do it and then you know brother asked me scissor is your house made completely out of Christian lumber by Christian carpenters to be honest, when I took the project I still felt like I was wrong but talking with in the conversation, production recordings.you know one guy kept trying to get offer may bear for nothing and then finally done what was obvious is that I don't drink anymore. Same God's will spend you work well these guys and played in Denali Safari recording artist sought so I walked away from industry for a while because I got confused about what life was about, and I came back to the Lord and now the only music that I play is contemporary worship contemporary Christian music is. That's why you and take a bear. That's why wouldn't they could be with other guys in the band got tears in his eyes said you know what is the play contemporary Christian and Did anything I didn't hammer him with that man's life changed to the point that when it was all over we were hugging each other and he was to sweep and I was praying for him and he was praying God did work in his heart. What's my point. Hammer them from the get go.

I would've not had that opportunity to minister to, I would've lost that opportunity God in his timing knows when to present people with truth you been presented with a lot of truth this morning you've been presented with truth about the Holy Spirit you been presented truth about your goodness will not lead you in the habit of the question is what are you going to do now that truth. Some of your really caring around some heavy thing sends disappointments and failures. You have the opportunity this morning. Let go of the summit got confused. Simon's heart got off track Peterson's repent come to God Tony, sorry that's what many people in your should do this more friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven.

You can know right now own Legion.

A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now.

Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible.

You've been forgiven you've been born again, so congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you prayed that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you visit, cross the bridge.com and click on God's plan for new life to receive our first steps packaged with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. God wants to bless you and encourage your relationships today.

Whether you are married, considering marriage or engaged to be married. We have a resource for you pastor David wants to send you his four-part video series allies stay friends. Allow God to minister to your marriage through his word today. This was an unforgettable weekend that encouraged many marriages and you and your spouse can be encouraged to allies stay friends is our thanks for your generous gift today to help more people hear God's truth on this station and beyond, so they can cross the bridge from death to life. Please visit cross the bridge.com today to give a gift of any amount and get your copy of allies stay friends ODA before we go. What are some ways of lesser listeners each day. You can wake up with encouragement for pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider daily reading and thought to meditate on throughout your day. From the heart.

The David McGee those are terrific and it's easy and it's free so folks sign up today, cross the bridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continues verse by verse through the book of acts