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Simon trying to buy power with money

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[ Acts 8:19 ]

and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

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Some people think that with money they can do everything. Even when the Church was first established and the Gospel was preached, those who thought this way are introduced to the Bible.

4

Of the seven deacons in Jerusalem, Deacon Stephen was martyred while preaching the gospel. After Deacon Stephen was martyred, the Jews persecuted the believers in Jerusalem. So the believers left Jerusalem and were scattered elsewhere.

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The scattered people preached the word of God wherever they went. Among them, Philip preached the gospel in Samaria. Amazing things happened there when Philip preached the gospel.

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The ghost that entered the human body screamed and escaped from the human. The Holy Spirit healed those who suffered from strokes and those who paralysis. Those who were healed and those who saw it and rejoiced with it, Samaria was full of joy.

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Before Philip came to Samaria, there was a man named Simon who was recognized as a powerful person. He tricked people with deceptive magic to wrap himself up as capable. He told himself that he was a special being.

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The people in Samaria thought that Simon has received from God's great power.

They set up Simon, shouting to Simon,

“This man is God's power known as ‘great power.’”

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But when Philip preached the gospel about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, the people of that city believed in Jesus and was baptized. Even Simon, who had been a great man until now, was baptized. Simon was surprised to see Philip's signs and great power as he followed him.

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The news that the Samaritans accepted the gospel was also given to the apostles who remained in the church in Jerusalem. The apostles decided to send Peter and John to Samaria.

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Peter and John, who went to Samaria according to the church's decision, earnestly prayed for the Holy Spirit to come to those gathered there. When the two apostles laid their hands on the people and prayed, the Holy Spirit came there, filled with great joy and grace.

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Simon, who saw this scene, thought he wanted to have that ability.

He gave the apostles money and asked them to have that ability too.

“Give me this power so that anyone with my hand on him will receive the Holy Spirit.”

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The apostle Peter spoke scary words to Simon.

“You thought you could buy the gift of God for money, and you will be ruined with it.” Peter rebuked Simon's sin for buying God's gift with money.

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Simon thought wrong before God. Simon did this because he was captivated by sin because of his selfish heart. He wanted to buy God's power with his own money and use it for his popularity.

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The Apostle Peter told Simon how to be forgiven of sins. “Repent of evil thoughts and pray to the Lord. Then the Lord may forgive the thoughts you have in your heart.”

When Simon heard Peter, he was surprised and asked for forgiveness from the Apostles.

“Pray for me that what you said will not happen to me.”

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Simon thought that God's gifts could be bought with money.

Simon sinned against God because of the wrong idea that he could do anything with money. Simon shows that God's gifts can never be bought with money.

God's gifts can only be received by God's people.

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We have already received a great gift from God that cannot be compared with anything in the world. It is a gift of believing in Jesus, gaining eternal life, and becoming a child of God. The gifts we receive from God cannot be bought with money or effort. We should live with real gratitude to God for giving this gift at no cost. I hope to be friends who always glorify and thank God for making us children.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)