The Spirit is Not for Sale

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Act 8:9-24 KJV 

9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and [in] the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who was Simon, what did he do in Samaria, and how did the people regard him? (v.9-11)
2) How did the people of Samaria (including Simon) respond to Philip's preaching of the gospel? (v.12-13)
3) What did the apostles do when they heard of what happened in Samaria? (v.14)
4) What did the Apostles Peter and John after arriving in Samaria? (v.15-17)
5) Who witnessed this and what did he do in response? (v.18-19)
6) What did the Aposte Peter say to the man and how did the man respond? (v.20-24) 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Have you, or anyone else you know, ever sought to acquire a gift of the Holy Spirit  to receive the approval of people, rather than God? If so, what did you (they) do to repent of your (their) self-serving motives?

LIFE LESSONS
8) The gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit are given by the Holy Spirit, to whoever He will and as Father God has purposed before we were born.
9) The gifts and callings of God are not for sale.

The Spirit and Bezalel

Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Exodus 31:1-6 KJV

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set [them], and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who did the Lord tell Moses that He had called to assist in the building of the tabernacle? (v.1-2)
2) What had the Lord filled the man with? (v.3)
3) What skills had the Lord blessed the man with? (v.4-5)
4) Who else had the Lord brought alongside the man and how had He equipped him for the work? (v.6)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Who has the Lord sent into your life to assist you in your life and/or work assignment?
6) What attributes do(es) these (this) people (person) possess that are a help to you?

LIFE LESSONS
7) Whenever the Lord has a great work for His people to do, He will always send others alongside us to help complete that assignment. 

A Failed Attempt at Reconciliation

Monday, August 18, 2014
Act 7:23-28  

23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 
24 And seeing one [of them] suffer wrong, he defended [him], and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 
25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. 
26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 
27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 
28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did Moses want to do at forty years of age? (v.23)
2) What did Moses see and how did he respond? (v.24)
3) What did Moses presume about his brethren? Was his presumption right, or wrong? (v.25) 
4) What happened the next day? (v.26)
5) What did the neighbor who wronged his brother say to Moses? (v.27)
6) What did he ask Moses? (v.28)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Has the Lord ever given you a burden to help or encourage someone? If so, please describe one such instance.
8) Have you ever attempted to help someone, but your efforts were refused? If so, please describe what happened.
9) Have your motives for helping others ever been questionned? If so, what happened and how did you handle the situation?

PRINCIPLES
10) The Lord frequently burdens our hearts with that which will become our ministry.
11) Everyone will not understand your motives for doing good for others.
12) Our burden to minister often precedes our call to ministry.