Passage of the Day - November 19, 2010

Acts 8:9-13

⁹Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great;

 ¹⁰and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, "This man is what is called the Great Power of God."

 ¹¹And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts.

 ¹²But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.

 ¹³Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

Notice how the focus was on the astonishing acts of Simon.  People made him out to be something he wasn’t because of the acts he was able to perform.  He even made himself out to be something great. 

Philip came and “preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ”.  Do you see the difference?  Philip pointed to God, Simon pointed to himself.  The gospel message is so powerful, that even men like Simon can be turned.

If the message is focused on the messenger, the messenger is wicked.  However, if the message is focused on God and Christ, give him a discerning ear.