Transcript: Understanding God's Grace in Acts 8:9-25

Hello my dear brothers and sisters, a warm welcome to one and all of you and I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As always I feel very privileged and happy to be part of these sessions and I want to thank God who enables such platforms that we are able to see each other. Obviously not face to face but at least we have a platform like YouTube where we are able to share the word of God and I am very very thankful for that. Alright, so today we are going to get into a short session. In this short session we pick a title and then we discuss a little bit of details. This is to enable those that have no time to go through the detailed teaching. But our calling, our ministry is to teach Bible in holistic measure. Therefore we pick a chapter, we end up talking for 40-50 hours. We get into almost all the perspectives, all the details as how the Holy Spirit inspires and leads us. But if you don't have time to spend that much of time, it's okay. It's like a starter course. Short and interesting messages is the playlist under which you will find lots of videos like this. Please go to those. Each video is not more than 20 or 30 minutes or sometimes even 15 minutes. Today we are going to talk about a title which is very unique. And the title is something like this. Sinning against the Holy Spirit. In other words, you can also entitle it, purchasing Holy Spirit for a price. Many people think through their deeds, they are able to purchase the Holy Spirit, not receive the Holy Spirit. Because Bible is very clear that by your righteousness, by your deeds, by your works, you are not able to impress God, you are not able to enter into the kingdom of heaven, you will never be able to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, anointing gifts of the Holy Spirit, neither the fruits of the Spirit. what does this actually mean many people think they use the word I I I brother you know I went there and I did this charitable deed brother when I was a teenager from that time onwards you know I was always involved in ministry I brother I always am not like that person comparative attitude you know all these things basically brings glory to you and yourself you think because of your that piety you have for God is the one which got you closer to God. It's because of your decision, you think you can enter into the kingdom of heaven. It's because of your judgment that, you know, you are better than others by the standards which you define, which the word of God did not define. So, everything is all about you, the frame of mind which you created for yourself, the standards which you, the protocol which you have, you know, defined as guidelines, everything, right? But you are not abiding in the word of God. Such people, they always work in assumption that Holy Spirit is with me. Why? Because they take this word as mantra, Acts 2.38. Mantra means formula. What is that? In the name of Jesus, you accept his name and you get baptized. You go through this remission of sins, cleansing of sins. Therefore, you are called as righteous and the anointing of the Holy Ghost will descend on you, which means the fruit of the spirit will belong to you and the gifts of the Holy Ghost will be given to you according to the divine will and plan of God. Understand this clearly. That is applicable for one day, which means on the day you took the water baptism. Every single day, you need to go through this virtual water baptism through confessions, through repentance and reconciliation. Until when can I do this? Until your last day on earth. This is where people have a conflict. Now, I am not getting into that subject. Let's come back to this subject. Now, whatever they went through that day also, there is a problem. There is a logical problem. Logical problem in the sense, logical and psychological problem. even on that day if you think that it is because of your decision it's because that you have such an open mind such a sober mind, humble attitude to accept Jesus and walk out of your mainline churches and I don't want to be a nominal Christian anymore it's because of my deed, it's because of my effort that I will receive the Holy Spirit you are not going to receive the Holy Spirit, sorry because through your deeds, through your attitude We are all filthy rats before God. All our righteous deeds are like dog tongues before God. I want you to know this. Except by the grace, you embrace the grace of Jesus, then the outlook changes. Because God the Father will stop looking at you, but he will be looking you through Jesus. Jesus is like that mirror through which he will be. you know it's like a microscope through which he looks you that microscope's name is jesus then the outlook changes oh he has accepted the name of jesus he agrees that it's because of sacrifice that jesus made on the cross that today i have that freedom today i have that liberty to enter into the kingdom of heaven and live that life in righteousness then the outlook changes now why i'm explaining all this is because i want you to first of all understand what is this grace gift of grace and through grace is when you get the anointing correct no now many people again this is one category the second category of people when they get into the ministry their attitude changes what is that self-prejudice pride starts to build up there are a lot of miracles are taking place wonderful teaching skills wonderful preaching skills miracle workers healing ministry and what else prophecies or speaking in tongues and this and that slowly they'll start getting you know, that self-prejudiced, you know, elevated in their mindset. Just like Lucifer became devil because of this reason. Now, what happens is, they will switch their focus from Jesus, cross, the mercy seat of Christ and the, you know, the Holy Spirit's help. Without all this for you are not a miracle worker You are not someone whom the devil should get scared of Just think and see Who are you Who am I The devil should get really scared and they should be obedient to what you say Hey devil, move out in the name of Jesus. That's the point. That Jesus name is the one which basically drives the devil out far away. Then the stripes of Jesus is the one which gives that healing. You remove all these two and then you proclaim healing. I command you in the name of Jesus, get out. Who are you? You know, right? What happened to the Jewish exorcist sons? They all went inside and they said the same thing. Get out. In the name of Jesus, they tried to play with the name of Jesus. They got beaten up. They were stripped off naked and they were treated shamefully by the devil. I'm telling you this. Be very careful. Don't play with name of Jesus, neither with the devil. Both are equally harmful. And you have to give an account in the day of judgment. So many people get into this realm of purchasing Holy Spirit by their deeds. by their standards, by their definitions. No, you cannot purchase. You cannot use his name for the sake of using, right? You got to live by the standards of the gospel. Only then you are going to receive the fullest measure of the Holy Spirit. Else, your life is going to be cursed. You are a hypocrite and you are on the devil's side. Even the devil can transform himself as angel of light, right? can show himself as someone who is very good and righteous and holy and, you know, full of piety for God and all that actors. They're false prophets and false teachers, right? What is the difference between you and him, right? So, I'm just setting the context here. Now, we are going to go to the book of Acts. Today, many people's situation is this. They have gone far away, miles away from Jesus, miles away from the throne of God, miles away from the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Forget about gifts the holy spirit is not in them and they have not felt it and they are walking in assumption because why they think it's because of their deeds it's because of their p80 for god it's because of their efforts because of their talent because of their skills is what everything is is why everything is happening including their ministries including their materialistic prosperity peace at home health um you know you know freedom from sickness everything they say that it's because of me. I am fasting. I fasted and prayed. Therefore, I got healing. Really? You fasted and prayed in whose name? Yeah. And it is the Holy Spirit who guides you. He brings to your remembrance all that Jesus spoke and taught, all that you have learned from the Bible. John 14, 26 says that. And without him, there is nothing that you could do. There is nothing that I can, I can't even rise up. I always tell Holy Spirit for even to rise up and sit down. I need your help. Because, and he's not going to catch hold of me. Nothing like that. Don't imagine he's like a physical helper, maidservant or something like that, right? Caretaker or something like that. No. He reminds from the scriptures few verses. I will tell you, for example, what are they? In Christ who strengthens me, I can do all things. Philippians 4.9 or 4.13. Just check it, okay? On the day where I'm very weak, sometimes I get this, you know, back pain, lower back pain and all that. Rising up and sitting down itself will be a big pain. Yeah. because of my profession I ended up with that little pain anyway I'm doing some exercise and physiotherapy and strengthening it but even while that strengthening physiotherapy is happening the word of God will be reminded by the Holy Spirit it's not the physiotherapy it's not the doctor's wisdom or whatever but it's the word of God that reigns in you and helps you to fight that sickness and helps you to come out of that in whose name by whose grace by whose sacrifice by whose blood I am redeemed and delivered. It's in the name of Jesus. It's the blood of Jesus. It's by the stripes of Jesus I am healed. Now who brings all this remembrance? Holy Spirit. Now who has to basically read the word of God? It's me. So we work in partnership. Me and Holy Spirit. So if he is not there to remind you, now how is that you are going to fight it? And if he would not remind you or if you would not read the Bible, you are fighting it by your own wisdom. you are definitely not needing the help of the Holy Spirit there. You are fighting by your own description, by your own definitions. And you will end up in failure. You will never be healed. It may look that you are healed now, but after a period of time, you will again fall into sickness. It may look for now you are freed from all this kind of problems and troubles. Again, the problem will come and cling to you. It may look like you are just walked out of alcoholic, you know, habitual practice, but for a few weeks. after that you will again go back to the liquor shop why because it's by your own standards you fought the battle not by god's standards not with the help of the holy spirit correct and you always walk in that assumption so what are two different things we are dealing here number one is you need to understand that you need to rely on holy spirit number two by your deeds you think you can make the holy spirit work for you right and you treat him like a maidservant he will give some supernatural energy, nothing like that. He's not a magician to create some magic on you. No, he teaches you from the scriptures. Why? Because the word of God is living. Word, it's powerful. It has life in it. Let there be light. Light came. Yeah. Lazarus come out of the tomb. Lazarus came out. His bones, his nerves bled and body was chill and it starts to get warmer and he just caught up to his feet. The word that proceeds from the mouth of Jesus. Let Be still and let there be peace. The storms, the waves calm down. Right? And you and I have been given that authority through the words of the mouth and the faith in the heart. And who triggers and rejuvenates it? The Holy Spirit. Without His help, you just cannot do everything by your own. If you have the attitude that you can do everything by your own, you are not depending on Holy Spirit. You are just taking for granted. One aspect. Second aspect is, many people think by your deeds, Holy Spirit is impressed and he has basically come into you which means you have purchased him, you paying some price. The price is nothing but I read Bible every day therefore Holy Spirit comes and helps me I pray for one hour therefore Holy Spirit comes and you know takes care of me Something like that These are all kindergarten not even a kindergarten A kindergarten child at least knows how to play with the ball, right? But I think many people are like mentally impaired. They don't know the basics of Bible. You understand what I'm saying, huh? Short session, what can I do? I'm trying my best to help you, right? Now let's get to one person. Let's take one person as an example. Now we will understand this better. His name is Simon. Christian name, but he was a professional. Acts chapter 8 verses 9 to 25. I want you to read at home. Now I will be picking few scriptures and I will be showing you examples. And now you will understand it even better. So far you have just taken something. Right? Now I will help you to digest appetite. I have fed you with appetite. Now let us digest it. What? But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously, previously means what? Before coming to Jesus, his profession was what? Sorcery. Sorcery, you know, right? Evil spirit, they will go capture the evil spirits and then with the help of the evil spirit, they will be conducting all this magics, this and that and all that. I don't want to get into the details and give glory to the demons. He is defeated on the cross. Why I should talk about that guy, right? So leave him. Practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great. Yeah, I told you one thing for sure. Satan is powerful. He has got, but he's got powers. He's been given powers. And he can also do miracles. He can also heal his people. He can also, you know, do some magic sins. Immediately you will see a flower in your hand. Empty hand and then suddenly a flower. All these tricks he will do, right? but through which you and I can never be getting into deception right he can never deceive us and our God is not a magician right he does things in a way that he that the glory belongs to the name of Jesus everything miracles happens in our lives too but ultimately the glory goes to one name that's the name of Jesus because the son of God had to shed his blood for chasing us for a price hanging naked on the cross, sacrificing everything from the childhood. And he died for you and me. And he deserves the glory and honor, right? That's different. Now, let's go. To whom they have... He was very famous. That's what even verse 10 is saying. Acts 8, 10. Saying, this man is the great power of God. Yeah, they almost called him a God. One of the gods. And they healed and they heeded him because he had astonished them with this... sorceries for a long time, full of magics, you know. And I think even he raised the dead bodies, could be. But Bible is passive about it because they don't want to give glory to the devil. The devil also can do anything. But when they believed Philip, as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus, both men and women were baptized. And Simon himself also believed. Now, Philip goes in, you know, I mean, God leads him and the ministry gets very powerful. what a ministry, right? Yes, the sorcerer, man who deals with evil spirit and strongly possessed with evil spirit, he believes. And Paul, sorry, Philip never prayed over him. Actually, Philip preached the name of Jesus and this guy believes and he's convicted and whom he has baptized and continued with Philip. He was traveling with Philip and closely observing what Philip is doing, right? And was amazed seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now, this guy's attention is where? Tell me. Not about Jesus. It's not about his grace. It's not about the sacrifices on the cross. It's not about getting into the kingdom of heaven. It's not about receiving the word of God with pleasure and repenting and reconciling. It's about where? Signs and wonders. Because why this guy's mind goes to the business what he was into. That is where the attitude, right? Is put to test. you if you have an attitude even after accepting jesus connecting to the sins of the past or connecting to the deeds of the past only thing is you're doing it differently that's all i don't think you will deceive the anointing of the holy ghost why because your heart should be broken you need to empty everything within you and you need to become a that open vessel that uh the empty vessel and the holy spirit will fill you with the new wine and oil right the new anointing but that was not in this guy because he sees I was doing this miracle with great difficulty you know receiving the evil spirit and for that they need to climb mountain skeleton skull this thing and all that you know right their methods black magic and all that method this is very easy I have to get baptized in the name of Jesus go the devil goes the name of Jesus gets healed and he's healed and something like that. He is seeing that something different. Then Simon also believed not because Jesus had shed his blood and all that. He never understood any of the Old Testament scriptures just by seeing the works. His focus was on the works because why? He wants to retain the same popularity. It's all about pride in his heart. I want to be the same famous guy and how to get famous he is now learning those skills he thought it is like a skill which he could learn from Philip somebody are you a few are like that who want to become ministers therefore they can become popular like this Billy Graham like a great teacher and like a great prophet like brother DJ Sinek and this and that sorry you're not on the side of God there are bunch of demons living in you and prove it to you in a moment right then I will go to Verse number 16. For as they had fallen, that none of them, they had only been baptized in the name of Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw, see, now all this time only miracle is happening. Then now what happens is, the apostles have been laying hands and they had been, when they laid the hands, the anointing of the Holy Ghost came. And they are able to receive the power. Each one is receiving one one gift kind of thing. This is explained in 1 Corinthians 12 1 to 11 This guy Simon is watching He gets super astonished and excited Wow what is this They lay hands and they get some gifts It's a magical attitude, sorcery attitude. This guy is not a transformed Christian. No renewal of mind, no transformation of spirit. Many, many Christians in Christendom, listen to me. You're just a same old person. You're no different than a nominal Christian. You're no different than an orthodox Christian. the same sinful deeds are in you. Only thing is you have taken a different outlook. Your dressing code changed. The membership in church changed. You are attending many charismatic prayers which are different from your nominal church traditions and all that. That's it. The inside man is still a sinful man according to this Bible. Look at Simon. And now this guy tells when Simon saw that through the laying of the apostles hands the Holy Spirit was given he offered the money you know he gives the money you know take this ten thousand dollars saying give me this power also that anyone on whom I may lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit the same magical attitude because he will lay hands boom something like that smoke will come whoo something like that water will come fire will come this was his magical attitude he thought Holy Spirit is something like magic. In many, many churches, these kind of magics are only happening. I had been in many cult churches too. Not willingly. Unknowingly, I go got and got, I went and got caught in the trap. And it took me a few years to compare with the scriptures and Holy Spirit delivers me. And I have seen all these things happening there. Yeah. In the stage, you know, two guys will be holding the pastor's hand. Power in the name of Jesus is getting received and two guys, all the four guys are being thrown in. Like six feet distance, all gimmicks, right? They go and fall and all the audience who are watching, amazing, what power. And who was that audience? I was audience. I was one of those sitting in the front row and clapping hands, oh, praise the name of Jesus and all that. Nothing like that. It's all gimmicks, right? Holy Spirit will not make anybody to fall down and, you know, clapping hands and speaking in gibberish and jumping like a demon and falling and rolling on the ground. All these are demonic manifestations. You understand that? Anyway, my subject is not that. Let me come back to the original of this thing, right? Now, all these things, Simon was involved. Now, Simon thought he could bribe and receive the Holy Spirit and continue with the same magical skills. but here the path is taken is different that's it the inner man is the same the sinful deeds are same the thought process is same the outlook is changed but the person inside is the same outlook is what he is taking bible in his hand and he is saying Jesus Jesus Jesus that's all no difference at all inside God is the Lord who will not look at outward appearance but he will look at the condition of your heart Bible says my time is actually up you know but Peter said to him your money perish with you what a statement because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with amount of money you have neither part nor portion in this matter for your heart is not right in the sight of God repent therefore of your wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you for I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity bitter attitude. Now, I want to become famous like these apostles. I never want to be humble. I, I, give me the skill. Therefore, I can become a popular miracle worker. You have that attitude. Give me the skill. Therefore, I can become very rich and therefore I can, you know, you know, drive posh cars and all that. You want to bless the poor people, that's okay. Therefore, you want to become rich, God will bless you. But then I want to drive the posh car. Therefore, people looking at me will see that I am prosperous, materialistic attitude, please. These are all like poison. Something has poisoned your mind. Of course, without you asking, God will give you. He will not allow you to beg on the streets. Don't worry. More than you think, more than you perceive and desire, God will bless you, Bible says, more than you desire. So don't worry about that. But I see that you are poisoned. Then Simon answered and said, this is important. Pray to the Lord for me, for none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me. when they had testified, preached the word of God, the Jerusalem and they traveled from there. This is a very important prayer this guy Simon made. That's why I think he would have become that minister of God. He repents. He truly repents. He understood his mistake. Today you have a chance to understand your mistake. If you are the same old person who is all living by your deeds, by your methodological way of doing things, you have made some logical assumptions, you will not listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit Even after going through this water baptism process, 20 long years, you are still an orthodox Christian right inside you. That is what you need to really excavate and find who you are. If you are that Simon, if any of this Simon, Simon's attitude is in you, right? That you could receive the Holy Spirit for money. For example, you know, through your deeds, you are able to enter into the kingdom of women. That's what it means. Correct, no? And please give that attitude. Come to God. And do not keep yourself in the front. Give that front seat. Give that first priority to God and the Holy Spirit. Let them take that seat and let them guide you. And not by your deeds, but by your attitude is when you can receive the Holy Spirit. Let there be renewal of mind. Let there be transformation of spirit. Paul says in Romans 12, 1 and 2. Today is your chance, my dear brother and sister. Learn from this person and please do not be that old person. Let there be transformation and please be that new person. Yeah, old things are passed away. I am born again. A new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3.17, 5.17. I am born again in the spirit. Renewed in the spirit, Bible says. God bless you. I hope this session was useful. Share it with your friends and relatives. Subscribe to our channel. Get access to all our playlists. Do not miss on any videos. All of them are going to be useful for you. And continue to remember me and my ministries in your personal prayers. God bless you. Wanaka.