“Encounter With the Risen Christ” John 20:11-23 “True Evangelism or False Faith” Acts 8:9-24

“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ” Matthew 16:18

“Not everyone that says unto me Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 7:21

I. Characteristics of a Phony

“And there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:8

I. Characteristics of a Phony “And there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:8 “But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,” Acts 8:9

I. Characteristics of a Phony 1.Exalting self through occultic practices

I. Characteristics of a Phony 1.Exalting self through occultic practices 2.Drawing a following on fleshly impressions

I. Characteristics of a Phony 1.Exalting self through occultic practices 2.Drawing a following on fleshly impressions “to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” Acts 8:10

I. Characteristics of a Phony 3.Exercising a counterfeit power

I. Characteristics of a Phony 3.Exercising a counterfeit power “And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.” Acts 8:11

I. Characteristics of a Phony 4.Going through religious motions with the wrong motives

I. Characteristics of a Phony 4.Going through religious motions with the wrong motives “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” Acts 8:12

I. Characteristics of a Phony 4.Going through religious motions with the wrong motives “Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.” Acts 8:13

I. Characteristics of a Phony “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

I. Characteristics of a Phony “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-17

I. Characteristics of a Phony “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-17 “Now if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” Romans 8:9

I. Characteristics of a Phony 5.Preoccupation with external manifestations

I. Characteristics of a Phony 5.Preoccupation with external manifestations “And 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 Spirit.” Acts 8:18-19

II. Confrontation by the Pure

“But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!” Acts 8:20

II. Confrontation by the Pure 1.You cannot buy a gift

II. Confrontation by the Pure 1.You cannot buy a gift 2.You do not have the gift

II. Confrontation by the Pure 1.You cannot buy a gift 2.You do not have the gift “You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.” Acts 8:21

II. Confrontation by the Pure 3.You must repent of this wickedness

II. Confrontation by the Pure 3.You must repent of this wickedness “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.” Acts 8:23

III.Condemnation of the Pretender

1.Self blinds, while sin binds

III.Condemnation of the Pretender 1.Self blinds, while sin binds “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Acts 8:23

III.Condemnation of the Pretender 2.Halfway repentance brings hollow forgiveness

III.Condemnation of the Pretender 2.Halfway repentance brings hollow forgiveness “Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” Acts 8:24

IV.Counsel for the Present

1.A wrong view of self

IV.Counsel for the Present 1.A wrong view of self 2.A wrong view of salvation

IV.Counsel for the Present 1.A wrong view of self 2.A wrong view of salvation 3.A wrong view of the Holy Spirit

IV.Counsel for the Present 3.A wrong view of the Holy Spirit “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk, Without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1

IV.Counsel for the Present 4.A wrong view of sin