Word + Walk: Simony & Harmony
✝️ Sermon Recap: Simony & Harmony
Text: Acts 8:9–25
Big Idea: The Spirit cannot be bought, and the Church must not be for sale. True harmony flows from humility, not control.
I. MAGIC VS. MIRACLES (vv. 9–13)
False power manipulates; divine power liberates.
Simon used magic to captivate and amaze — not to save.
People followed Simon for the wow, not the word.
But when Philip preached Christ, the people believed and were baptized — even Simon.
However, Simon remained more amazed than truly converted.
Reflection: Are we more drawn to what God can do than who God is?
II. INITIATION TO VERIFICATION (vv. 14–17)
God guards unity by verifying inclusion.
Apostles Peter and John came to confirm the Samaritans' faith.
The Spirit had not yet fallen because God wanted the apostles to witness the inclusion of Samaritans.
This wasn’t about redoing baptism, but affirming unity.
Reflection: Are we discipling others to carry the mission or holding all the keys ourselves?
III. SURFACE CONVERSION & HIDDEN MOTIVES (vv. 18–25)
You can be baptized and still bitter.
Simon tried to buy the power of the Spirit.
Peter rebuked him, saying his heart wasn’t right.
“Gall of bitterness” = spiritual rot. He wanted power, not purity.
Final Word: Trade platform for prayer, fame for faithfulness, and power for purity.
🙏 Walk It Out: 5-Day Devotional
Day 1 – Am I Amazed or Transformed?
📖 Acts 8:9–13
Have I let wonder distract me from worship? Ask God to show you if you're more interested in His works than His will.
Day 2 – God’s Mission, God’s Method
📖 Acts 8:14–17
Do I trust God’s process even when I don’t understand it? Thank Him for how He brings unity through the Spirit.
Day 3 – Baptized But Bitter?
📖 Acts 8:18–21
Is there spiritual ambition hiding under your devotion? Surrender your need for control and ask God to cleanse your motives.
Day 4 – Root Out the Bitterness
📖 Deuteronomy 29:18; Acts 8:23
Bitterness grows quietly. Confess any resentment and let God pull up the root.
Day 5 – Restore the Harmony
📖 Acts 8:25; Ephesians 4:3–6
Speak words that build unity. Use your voice to proclaim peace, not pursue power.
🗣️ Adult Bible Class & Family Discussion Questions
1. What’s the difference between being amazed by God and being transformed by Him?
→ Follow-up: Can someone attend church regularly and still not be converted?
📖 Matthew 7:21–23
2. Why did Simon follow Philip after his baptism?
→ Follow-up: How can we tell when our interest in God is about His power and not His presence?
📖 Acts 8:13
3. How do people today try to “buy” God’s power or favor?
→ Follow-up: How can the Church resist treating spiritual gifts like merchandise?
📖 Isaiah 55:1
4. Why didn’t the Holy Spirit fall on the Samaritans until Peter and John arrived?
→ Follow-up: What does this teach us about God’s timing and unity?
📖 Acts 8:14–17
5. How can we tell if a conversion is sincere or surface-level?
→ Follow-up: What should we do when someone’s actions suggest their heart isn’t right?
📖 1 John 2:19
6. Peter said, “Your heart is not right before God.” What does a right heart look like?
→ Follow-up: What habits help us stay aligned with God?
📖 Psalm 51:10
7. What is the “gall of bitterness,” and how might it show up in someone who’s been baptized?
→ Follow-up: How can we recognize and root out bitterness early?
📖 Deut. 29:18
8. Why did Simon ask Peter to pray for him instead of praying for himself?
→ Follow-up: What’s the danger of outsourcing our repentance?
📖 James 5:16
9. How does this passage challenge the Church’s obsession with platform and performance?
→ Follow-up: How can we cultivate a humble church culture?
📖 Philippians 2:3–4
10. How does the Holy Spirit unify the Church today like He did in Samaria?
→ Follow-up: Where do we still see divisions the Spirit wants to heal?
📖 Ephesians 4:3–6
11. What are signs that someone desires spiritual control rather than communion with God?
→ Follow-up: How do we teach surrender as the true path to authority?
📖 Luke 22:42
🧾 Quick Scripture Reference List
Matt. 7:21–23 – False familiarity with God
Acts 8:13 – Simon’s “belief”
Isaiah 55:1 – Free grace
Acts 8:14–17 – Apostolic verification
1 John 2:19 – Surface conversion
Psalm 51:10 – A right heart
Deut. 29:18 – Root of bitterness
James 5:16 – Confession & prayer
Phil. 2:3–4 – Humility over ambition
Eph. 4:3–6 – Spirit-led unity
Luke 22:42 – Surrendering control
Prov. 18:21 – Power of the tongue