1 2 - overcome a spirit of bitterness. 12 june. 2011

Text: Acts 8:9-25

= Good News with a Blemish:Acts 8:6-8 – Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.

When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

Vs. 23 - For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

Topic: Overcome the Spirit of Bitterness

= Working Out of SalvationPhils. 2:12-13 - Therefore, my dear friends, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose

Dear friends, work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

= Working Out of Wholeness1Thess. 5:23 - May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How Can We Enjoy the Wholeness of Ourselves

in the world?

1. 1. Your Will for Wholeness

Vs.12 - when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

= How does Our Heart Function in Coming to the Point of Accepting Jesus Christ?

Vs. 13 - Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

Rom. 10:9-10 - if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

= What Often Makes Non-Christians Decide for the Saving Faith in Jesus Christ?

Acts 8:6-8 – When the crowds heard Philip and saw the (1) miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, (2) evil spirits came out of many, and many (3) paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was (4) great joy in that city.

Acts 8:6-8 – When the crowds (5) heard Philip and saw the (1) miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention (6) to what he said. With shrieks, (2) evil spirits came out of many, and many (3) paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was (4) great joy in that city.

= What might have been the Impression of the Christianity to Simon?

Vs. 13 - Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

Vs. 9 - Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,

Ps 51:13 - Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

Ps 86:11 - Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

2. 2. Your Mind for Wholeness

Vs. 20 - Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”

= Why do you Think Simon Wanted to Buy the Ability through Peter and John?

Vs. 18-19 - When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

= What is the Reason Peter had to Correct Simon’s Action of Trying to Buy the Gift of God with Money?

Vs. 20 – Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”

(1) Simon with Wrong Ambition

Vs. 19 - “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

(2) Simon With Wrong Doctrine

Vs. 20 – Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

(3) Simon with Wrong Relationship

Vs. 21 - You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

3. 3. Your Emotion for Wholeness

Vs. 22-23 - Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord…. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

= How Do You Know the Root Cause of Wrong Feeling in your Life?

Vs. 23 – For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.

A Case Study of Simon (Acts 8:9-13)

(1) He Amazed all people, Vs. 9a - Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria.

(2) He Boasted of his Greatness,

Vs. 9b - He boasted that he was someone great

(3) He Had all People’s Recognition

Vs. 10 - all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.”

(4) He Had FollowersVs. 11 - They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.

(5) People Followed PhilipVs. 12 - But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

(6) Simon Followed PhilipVs. 13 - Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

= Why Do You Think Simon was Keeping Bitterness in His Heart as a Christian?

Vs. 22-23 - Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord…. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

Eph. 4:17-18 - So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

= How Can You Help Yourself toward the Wholeness of Your Emotion?

(1) Apply Repentance toward Sin

Vs. 22 - Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.

A Case Study of Jonah and Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-10)

Vs. 3-4 - Now Nineveh was a very important city—a visit required three days. On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned.”

Vs. 5-9 - The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with

sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast

be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

Vs. 10 - When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

(2) Apply Prayer to God. Vs. 22 - Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. Vs. 24 - Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

(3) Apply Mind toward HeartVs. 22b-23 - Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

(a) How do we stop Bitterness from Growing?

Hebrews 12:15 - Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Ephesians 4:31 - Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

(b) How does our Mind affect our Heart?

Rom. 12:2 - Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Vs. 20-23 - Peter answered: Vs. 20-23 - Peter answered: Repent of this wickedness and Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you will forgive you for having for having such such a thoughta thought in your in your heart.heart. For I see that you are full of For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” bitterness and captive to sin.”

(c) How do we Guard our Hearts and Minds?

Philippians 4:7 - the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Heb 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

How Can We Enjoy the Wholeness of Ourselves in

the world?

Your Will Your Mind Your Emotion

for Wholeness.