"I want what you got!"
The text from this message comes from Acts 8:4-13;2 Chronicles 14:1; Luke 10:38
From the text we learn about a man named Simon. Simon was a very famous sorcerist in a city called Samaria. A sorcerist back then is similar to what we today would know as the occult, psychics, astrologers. There's no doubt that Simon had some limited powers, but they were demonic powers, not powers that come from the living God. Notice in the text that ALL the people of Samaria both believed and gave their attention to Simon. That includes the lower class, the upper class, the obese, the small, the "beauty queens" and the ugly people. Everyone, I repeat, everyone paid attention to Simon. Simon was a man who boasted about these powers that he had. Would a man who was given powers by God brag about these powers, bringing glory to himself? Highly unlikely. Even if he did, I'm quite sure that God would take them away as soon as Simon, or anyone else for that matter began to act in such away, taking the glory away from God. Another thing to note is that Simon practiced his sorcery for a long time. When you do something for a long time, what happens? Number one, you get good at it. Secondly, you get good at determining whos real and whos a fake. In Simon's case, if someone came along demonstrating powers that were demonic, he would know it. If they were powers that came from God, Simon would realize that these powers were not of the demonic nature. It's kind of like having a job. After doing it for a long time, you begin to get really good at it. If someone comes along for you to train, you can very easily tell whether or not the person will do well at it. Is this person a natural, or is that person going to perform very poorly? This exact scenario soon comes into play. The word teaches that a man called Philip came into town, who had powers of the living God. Simon very quickly learned that Philip had powers that were not of the same "god" that he was serving. We learn from the word that the dumb could speak, the lame could walk, and the blind could see. God gave Philip powers, that Simon knew were not demonic! Simon was thinking, Philip had something that he wanted! We also learn that many people were watching Philip perform these miracles (which took attention off of Simon). I'm sure Simon was peeking around the corner trying to figure out what was going on as well. Then, one day, Simon said, "I can't take it anymore!". I have to know this God who gives you this power. That very day, Simon gave his heart to Christ, along with many others in Samaria, because of the awesome miracles the God had given Philip the ability to perform. There was great joy in that city! Can we say revival? Now, I have a question for you. If Simon were to follow you around for a day, would he want what you got? Would he want your attitude? Would he want the joy and peace you experience? Would he want the kind of love you demonstrate to others? Would he want the same Jesus you serve? If the answer to any of these questions are no, you need a self-check. If you belong to Christ and are really experiencing and living out all that He's given you, anyone who looks at you...should exclaim, "I want what you got!". Three areas that I'd like to quickly go over now in the Christian walk are as follows: Principles, Priorities, and Passions. Number one is Principles. I'm talking the principles that you live your life by. When people look at you and they see that you are always experiencing joy, love, and peace, do they think to themselves..."I want what they got!". Or, are you one of them "Christians" who tend to act all depressed, lonely, vulgar, and mean? Would someone say..."I want what they got!". You already know the answer to that question. When someone sees the priciples that you live your life by, they should without question be exclaiming..."I want what they got!". The second thing is Priorities. When people see you putting others first and yourself last...do they think..."I want what you got!"? Or, are they likely to proclaim, "I want what you got!" when they see you putting yourself first, not caring about others, and always thinking...me me me! You know the answer to that one as well, there buddy! Finally, when people see your passion, how do they think? You have the person who yearns for more of God; wants to help the needy and homeless; wants to help those in need. This person also doesn't care if others dis him/her because they love Jesus. Since they are so in love with God, they also want what God wants and don't want what the devil wants. They want God's blessings and peace in their life, not the lies, immorality, and such that the devil wants in their life. The second person goes after their sexual passions, living for themselves and just want what is best for themselves. Their passions are pointed at themselves, and not at Christ or others. Now, which person are you going to exclaim "I want what they got!". It's person number one, of course. If you want others to think "I want what they got!" you need to put others and Christ first, yourself last, be a servant, and love everyone just as Christ loves you. Religion isn't going to give you this, but a relationship and love for Jesus Christ, God in the flesh who came down to save you because He loves you so much! If people aren't saying, "I want what you got!" you either need to get serious in your faith or you need to start that relationship with Christ. Either way, take a self check. And if you don't have that relationship, start one today! Ask Jesus to forgive you for the way you are living, and ask Him to help you so that others will say, "I want what you got"! Peace.
Published September 23, 2001