CHRIST AND WALKING THE WALK—Part 2

February 13th, 2022

Acts 8:9-24 CSB
A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and amazed the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God.” They were attentive to him because he had amazed them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he followed Philip everywhere and was amazed as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed. When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. After they went down there, they prayed for them so that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit because he had not yet come down on any of them. (They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit[c] was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven. For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by wickedness.”
“Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Part 1 of looking at Walking the Walk, was about deacon Phillip and the positive example he made in his life and with the Ethiopian Eunuch. Today we will see a contrast with Simon the Samaritan. Deacon Phillip was the positive example of walking the walk. Simon the Samaritan is the negative example of walking the walk.
I. REVIEW PHILLIPS EXAMPLE OF “WALKING THE WALK”
A. Phillip was busy obeying the Lord and actively doing the Lord’s work
B. Phillip obeyed simply new directions God gave in a divine interruption Remember the definition of obedience:
1. Doing what your told
2. When your told
3. With the right heart attitude
C. Phillip boldly obeyed even when it was dangerous:
II Timothy 1:7 CSB “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”
D. Phillip obeyed God not tradition—Jesus said in Matthew 28;18- 20 CSB “Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The Ethiopian Eunuch requested baptism and Phillip baptized him based on his desire and profession of Faith in Jesus
E. Phillip obeyed God continually—when the divine interruption was finished Phillip went back to the previous work God had given him.
II. LOOK AT SIMON THE SAMARITAN
A. Before deacon Phillip’s witness, Simon was lost, without salvation
1. Simon practiced sorcery
a. Sorcery could have been of 2 types:
1). Eastern magic—a mixture of science and religion
2). Demonic—Satanic powered work—I believe in demons and Satan’s imitation of God’s work because he Bible says so and gives illustrations of demonic work and teaches that Satan imitates God’s work
3). Could even be a combination of the two
b. Sorcery is not God’s will or work
1). Not astrology, Ouija or spirit board, Seances
2). At best they are a distraction from listening to the Spirit and walking in God’s leadership
3). At worst they are dangerous and are participating in Satanic work and associating with the demonic
2. Simon attempted to control others
a. He assumed a position of authority (called the Great power of God)
b. He used sorcery to impress people
3. Simon gained for himself
a. Position
b. Influence
c. Wealth
B. Simon was impacted by the ministry of Deacon Phillip
1. Phillip, fleeing the persecution in Jerusalem went up into Samaria and preached and there was a revival
a. Acts 8:6—Phillip preached the good news that Jesus is the Messiah
b. People listened and saw signs
1). Phillip preached Jesus
2). Phillip, through the Holy Spirit, exorcised demons and healed the paralyzed and lame.
3). Phillip baptized those who believed
4). The people were joyful and put their faith in Jesus, not Phillip
5.). Phillip baptized believers in Jesus
2. Simon believed also
a. The Bible words it almost as a surprising or shocking thing
b. Then, when everyone else was believing, even Simon did. Did Simon truly believer or was he just joining the crowd?
3. Simon followed Phillip everywhere
a. He was amazed at the signs and miracles
b. What Simon saw was either beyond what Simon could accomplish as a Sorcerer or was of a greater magnitude than Simon could perform
C. Simon was even more impressed by the Apostles and the Holy Spirit
1. The disciples came and they believers received the Holy Spirit
a. The Bible does not say what was different, but apparently with the Spirit on them there was a transforming impact upon lives
1). It could have been that they received tongues as was given at Jerusalem
2). It could have been miracles or transformed lives
3). The Bible does not say, just that there was a noticeable difference
b. We do not know if Simon received the Holy Spirit, but he wanted to be able to lay hands on people to receive it
2. Simon tried to buy from Peter the ability to lay hands on people and for them to receive the Holy Spirit
D. Simon was corrected by Peter
1. Peter told Simon “may your money be destroyed along with you” 2. Peter told Simon that Simon had no part in the Spirit’s work
3. Peter told Simon that the problem was that Simon’s heart was not right with God
4. Peter told Simon to repent and pray that if possible he could be forgiven
5. Peter told Simon that he was poisoned by bitterness and bound by wickedness
E. Simon asked Peter to pray for him so that he would not be judged
1. We have no record that Simon prayed or repented himself
2. We have no record of Simon living a Holy Spirit filled transformed life
III. WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT WALKING THE WALK FROM SIMON
A. People come to Jesus from different environments and experiences
1. Not everyone comes from a church or Bible background
2. Some have religious experience that have not connection with Jesus or the Bible                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                B Profession does not necessarily mean Salvation
1. We need to make a faith profession, that we trust Jesus as Savior
2. It needs to be more than an intellectual belief Jesus is Messiah or Savior
3. Profession needs to be accompanied by faith and transformation
C. Being amazed or astonished does not mean Salvation
1. The Samaritans had been amazed by Simon’s sorcery, but they were not saved, transformed, delivered from their sins.
2. Simon was amazed by Peter’s miracles, but apparently was not saved, transformed, delivered from his sins
3. Emotions do not mean transformation, which only Jesus can accomplish (both words for amazed are the same in Greek)
D. Being baptized does not mean Salvation
1. Simon had been baptized
2. Peter told Simon of a terrible judgment if he did not repent
E. God expects us to life holy lives
1. It is a sign or indication of our salvation
a. It does not make us saved—Works do not equal salvation
b. It does not mean that we never sin or struggle with sin
b. Works do accompany salvation however—
Ephesians 2:10 CSB “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”
2. Bitterness and wickedness are not acceptable for a Christian
a. Simon was poisoned by bitterness (perhaps envy)
b. Simon was in bondage, captive to sin, iniquity (perhaps love of money and position)
F. We must repent
1. There has to be a turning from our old lives, there must be a transformation
2. There needs to be a public repentance
a. It does not have to be words or a speech
b. It does have to be seen and lived in view of all
F. We need to have Godly practices
1. Realize flesh or money cannot accomplish or gain the Spiritual
2. We need to confess our own sins. Ask people to pray with us, but we need to repent and pray ourselves

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CHRIST AND WALKING THE WALK—Part 1

February 13th, 2022

Acts 8:26-40 CSB
An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.” When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will describe his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.
The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture. As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?” : Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer but went on his way rejoicing. Philip appeared in Azotus, and he was traveling and preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

We have all heard the saying, “If you talk the talk you need to walk the walk”. We can make a statement about faith in Jesus as Savior, but are we living the lifestyle matches our words? Part 1 of looking at Walking the Walk, Look at deacon Phillip and we will see the characteristics of one who walked the walk.

I. BE BUSY OBEYING THE LORD
   A. Phillip was actively doing the Lord’s work
        1. Not just being busy, even doing religious things—Phillip was doing the LORD’s work
            1. Phillip served God in good times, and as a result was chosen to be one of the first deacons
            2 When driven out from Jerusalem, bad times, no longer able to minister as deacon to the church there, Phillip witnessed as he left
   B. Phillip was following the directions of Jesus
        1. Being a witness is Samaria was one of the areas mentioned by Jesus after his resurrection and before his ascension
        2. He had been obedient in witnessing in Jerusalem and Judea, so he went to the next step, Samaria. While in Samaria, Phillip was used in a great revival.
   C. Phillip’s service was divinely interrupted in Samaria
        1. If you are a servant of God, doing God’s work as God directed, God has the right to interrupt and change directions
            a. Phillip was serving in Jerusalem and Judea, when that door closed there he didn’t pout or quit serving. He was committed to Jesus and service. There was a divine interruption to Phillip’s service in Jerusalem so Phillip could work in Samaria
            b. Phillip was serving in Samaria, when again, God divinely interrupted his service. Phillip again did not sulk or question, but was simply obedient to the divine interruption
            c. Since it is Jesus’ ministry we are to be doing, Jesus has the right to change directions, methods, or divinely interrupt us
       2. Phillip had been obedient to the words of Jesus to go to Samaria. He would not know it then, but Phillip was being led to witness to someone from the “uttermost part of the world.”, the next step in the plan Jesus had given
II. OBEY SIMPLY NEW DIRECTIONS
     A. What is obedience:
          1. Doing what your told
          2. When your told
          3. With the right heart attitude (a happy heart)
     B. Phillip was doing what he was told
          1. Passively—Phillip was not fighting the direction given. He was yielded and specifically following as much as he was able the directions he received.
              a. We are not required to be obedient beyond the light we have be given—we don’t get a complete set of directions at one time, usually
              b. We are required to obedient to what light we have received
         2. Actively—Phillip was seeking out the purposes of God. He had only received a part (direction and road), but Phillip had been in a revival, and Phillip was looking for the next step of obedience. a. Phillip was Active, not limp in his service—Phillip was following the Lord’s                               direction, but he was actively seeking the Lord’s direction on a moment by moment basis
        3. Phillip was Passive in not fighting the call, Active is searching moment by moment for the Spirit’s continued guidance and opportunities to serve, but Passive in yielding to any change
III. BOLDLY OBEY
       A. He saw the opportunity to courageously serve—This was a BIG deal.
             1. The man was apparently from a different nationality, culture, and perhaps language
             2. The man was obviously from a different social standing (probably high in government and society)
             3. He was without doubt highly educated
             4. The man was surely wealthy (he had a scroll, one of the largest, it would have been worth many years of a man’s salary). He was in a chariot
             5. He undoubtedly had armed men around the chariot, being an obstacle to Phillip speaking to the man in the Chariot
        B. Phillip risked
             1. Don’t be afraid to risk in the service of the Lord—Fear is a weapon of the enemy, the Devil—II Timothy 1:7 CSB “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”
             2. The worst Phillip could have done is fail.
                 a. You might think that failing is the worst thing.
                 b. Better to fail trying to be obedient than to not try
                 c. Failing while attempting to be obedient in the direction the Lord has given is success
            2. Philipp could have been dismissed, insulted
                a. Better to be dismissed by men than God
                b. Mark 8:38 CSB “For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
                c. Philippians 1:20 CSB “My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death
           3. Phillip could have been considered a threat, could have been injured or killed—there were bandits looking for opportunities to attack travelers
               a. Philippians 1:21 CSB “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
               b. There are worse things for a child of God than death. Death is to be one with Jesus in heaven. Living apart from Jesus in disobedience upon this earth is death, separation
IV. OBEY GOD NOT TRADITION
       A. Church had not voted to accept this man
            1. The Ethiopian Eunuch does not fit our neat boxes of someone coming to church to be a member and then being baptized
            2. Some have said that Phillip was authorized by the church to do this when Phillip went on his preaching journey.
                a. Not true Baloney! Phillip was driven out of Jerusalem without known directions, everything else is speculation not Bible
                b. Phillip’s direction was received from Jesus: Martthew 28;18- 20 CSB “Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and                      of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
               c. You cannot make this Biblically fit any way except this man requested baptism and Phillip baptized him based on his profession of Faith in Jesus
      B. Phillip just baptized the Eunuch when the opportunity arose                                                 
           1. Phillip baptized the Eunuch based on the Eunuch’s desire—He was convicted by God’s word and Jesus example that he needed to be baptized
          2. Phillip baptized based on the Eunuch’s confession—“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
          3. You cannot make this Biblically fit any way except that this man requested baptism and Phillip baptized him based on his profession of faith in Jesus                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      4. I wonder if we would have accepted the Eunuch’s baptism—God forgive us if we wouldn’t
V. OBEY GOD CONTINUALLY
         A. The interruption was completed
              1. I like staying around, sometimes beyond God’s time
              2. God’s plan stretches beyond my will and desires
        B. God supernaturally guided Phillip
             1. God guided Phillip in Jerusalem
             2. God guided Phillip in Samaria
             3. God guided Phillip in reaching out to the world
             4. God guidance was in interruption in Phillip’s life each time
        C. Phillip went back to God’s previous direction—Samaria
             1. When God had finished, God moved him
             2. Phillip, after the divine interruption, was guided back on track toward where he had been, sharing about Jesus wherever he went

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AMERICA: WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE TO A HOLY, JUST GOD?

January 29th, 2022

Before we can honestly respond to the question, “America, what is our response to a holy, just God?”, we need to resolve several issues/questions. 

     1.  First what does it mean that God is “Holy” and “Just”? 

     2.  Next, does God even expect/require a response individually or corporately? 

The answer is YES!  God’s expects and requires both individuals and nations to respond to Him.  God’s initial call is usually to individuals. We can see many examples of God speaking to one person.  We also see, however, God communicating a message to specific nations.

     3.  If God does expect/require a response, what is the response a Holy, Just God desires?

God’s expects people to reflect Him, which is that they be holy and just.  He provides the ability to be holy and just and when people (individually and collectively) fail, God invites them to repent, to turn from the wrong direction and turn back to God.  Since God is holy and just, he cannot be in an intimate relationship with those who are not.  That is why God desires people to be like Him so that we can have a close relationship with Him.

     4.  And, what is the consequence if we do not respond as a Holy, Just God desires/requires?

God does not desire to punish, but if individuals or nations will not be obedient and be holy and just, will not turn around when they fail, God will punish.  His person is to restore the relationship.

     5.  Since we must respond individually and our corporate/united response as a Nation is an expression of individual responses acted out in a public/political setting, what do we do if we are alone or in a minority?

We as individuals must be obedient even if no one else is listening to and obeying God’s call.  

     6.  Finally, what if we respond in the way a Holy, Just God desires, but our nation does not?

Sometimes individual obedience helps turn nations.  Sometimes it does not and the obedient person suffers the consequences of living in a disobedient nation.  If we are obedeint, we get to keep our relationship with God even when our nation does not obey God.  An obedient person in a disobedient nation stands as a light that can direct back to God.  An obedient person also is a witness against a nation when judgment comes

So, America, What is our response to a Holy, Just God?

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The Razor’s Edge

December 23rd, 2020

We have a view of life that there is a light side which is pure, good, and selfless.  We also believe that there is a dark side which is corrupt, evil, and selfish.  We also believe that between the good light side and the bad dark side that there is gray, neither light good or dark bad–just gray.

We envision the light side as ethereal and far above us and that only a few live there–we see it an an unattainable goal.  We view the dark side as beneath us, that we may have touched that dark side, but we would never live there.  Truly evil people live there, but we do not.  We live in the gray area, neither good or bad–just gray.  We view the light side as a narrow band.  We view the dark side as a narrow band.  We view the gray side as vast and that most people live there, that its okay to not have reached the light as long as you do not live in the dark, just live in the gray–just gray.

We are wrong.

There is a light side and a dark side.  There is no gray.  There is good or evil, nothing in-between.  There is pure or corrupt, no chasm that separates.  There is selfless or selfish, not a midpoint where a person can be selfless/selfish at the same time.  There is no gray.  Gray is an illusion–a Satanic smoke, a dream from the Devil.   There is no place that is not light or dark–just gray.  We want a gray so that we are not convicted about not living in light.  We want to believe that people like us cannot be in the dark.  We want God to not be so holy and our sin to be so sinful.

We are wrong–no one is just gray.

There is not a great chasm between the light side and the dark side, but a razor’s edge.  Living in the dark, but close to the line where the light is does not make you in the light.  You are still in the dark.  The only way to be in the light is to step from the dark to the light.

Jesus can move us to the light.

We will remain in dark as long as we are comfortable thinking it is gray.  Deception is comfortable, but the problem is that we were created to live in the light, so we are never satisfied, never going to be satisfied anywhere in the dark.

The light calls to us.

Am I going to step into the dark?–yes. Unfortunately I have and will cross into the dark until I reach the place where there is not darkness and there is only light.  Yes, I have been in the dark, set up camp, tried to make it feel like home, but it is a sickening feeling once you have lived in the light to cross over the razor’s edge into the dark.

As long as there is light “Gray” doesn’t exist, only dark and light.

I don’t want to live in the dark.  Once you have tasted the light, deluding your self with a “gray” concept provides no contentment.  Light continues to call.  You can use the excuse that most people live in the “Gray”.  Your friends live there.  Many churches unknowingly abide there.  Most of our society dwells in the dark and think they live in the “gray”.   There is no gray.

Today seems like a good day to step over the razor’s edge into the light.

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Goal of Repentance

October 11th, 2020

Repentance is described as making a U-turn. It is not just a random turn or eventually you make a circle and end up back where you were, a story often repeated. True repentance in a Biblical since is a turning from sin, but not toward a void. It is turning from sin toward a deliberate goal–JESUS.  Moving toward the target JESUS stops the cyclical pattern of sin.  Fixing our eyes on JESUS deminishes the distracting power of past sin. When we take our focus off of JESUS, we begin a U-turn back toward sin.  The goal, victory, permanence of Repentance is found in JESUS!

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Be a friend

September 25th, 2020

“There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus.”
Jesus is my best friend. He has proven that over and over, even if the cross was not enough proof. I am not a very good friend, however. A friend likes to spend time with the person they love, to get to know them better and better. They want to try the foods that their friend prefers. They want to go the places where their friend is. They want their friend to be happy, so they don’t leave dirty clothes lying around if their friend doesn’t appreciate it. They want to be friends with the people their friend likes. A friend will protect their friend from enemies. They do not say things that hurt or offend their friend. They are always telling others about their friend–what their friend does and says. If their friend sends them a note or a card, they treasure it and read it over and over. They share the wonderful thoughts their friend sent with others. They wake up every morning excited to spend the day with their friend and are sad when their friend is away.
The Christian walk is fairly simple if we remember Jesus is our friend, and if we treat Jesus as a friend that we love.
“There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, No, not one! no, not one!”

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Desires

September 22nd, 2020

Desires are not evil in themselves. Desires are part of GOD’s creative act. We desire food to desire. We desire liquids. We desire companionship. All are good, good for us, and GOD given, but sin corrupts our desires. A desire for food becomes gluttony, which is bad for our health. A desire for liquids becomes an addiction to alcohol, again bad for health. A desire for companionship becomes lust which can lead to adultery and other sexual sins,, bad for our relationships, our minds and our bodies. Ultimately, our desire should be for JESUS. With HIM as our desire, HE will realign every other desire for our benefit and for the good of all around us. If we do not have JESUS as our desire, eclipsing all others, our desires will always continue to be off center, attempting to satisfy what can only happen with JESUS.

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HOLINESS

January 4th, 2015

Holiness literally means being “Set apart”. We are told to be “holy” as our God and Savior are “holy”. What then does it mean to be set apart? Does it mean to be different in appearance? It can be if the appearance of others is against the nature or expression of God. Different emotionally? It can be if the emotions of others is contrary to the emotions of God. Different in actions? Yes, if the actions of others do not line up with the actions of God. Being set apart is not necessarily different than others. We are not setting ourselves against them. Jesus humbled himself to be with us and go through our experiences.  He was, however, totally dedicated to the Father. We are to be totally dedicated to Jesus! If others are there with us in total dedication, great!. If not, then we will be set apart from them, not choosing to be different, but choosing to be with JESUS! What would set us apart is that we are with him and they are not. The choice is ours to be with Jesus–the choice is theirs to not be with Jesus. The separation is their choice. We need to be holy, but not as a spiteful thing, because we would prefer all to be with us with Jesus. Holiness is just the natural result of someone lost in Jesus.

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Staying in the Walk

October 5th, 2014

My walk with God varies at time from hot to cold, on to off. What I am learning is to focus not on my walk but who I am walking with–Jesus. Focus on Him and the joy of all that His love provides. It is a great day walking with Jesus today!

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RELATIONSHIP part 4

December 17th, 2012

Sometimes relationships reach a crisis where one person in a relationship has to intervene to help protect others in the relationship.  In my relationship with GOD (it’s always me who gets off track–GOD can be trusted to stay on the straight and narrow path, HE’s just that way!), GOD will step in to save me from myself.  HE will speak softly, encourage, and tug, and T . H . E . N,  HE will shout, hit me with a 2 by 4 and threaten me.  You might think HE is being mean, but HE is not.  In fact, I am thankful when HE threatens.  It seems to wake me up to the seriousness of the path I am on, or not on.  It let’s me know how much HE loves me that HE cares enough to step in.  I even apologize to HIM that HE has to do it, but again, I am thankful.  After the wake up call and I get back on track then I realize how much I love HIM and how much I have missed in our relationship. Thank you GOD for caring!

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