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Week Four: "The Gift Money Cannot Buy"
The Apostle John wanted fire to fall from heaven and destroy a Samaritan village.
But something changed.
In Luke's gospel, John and his brother James were ready to punish a village that refused to welcome Jesus. Then they sought places of honor beside him (Matthew 20). They were still learning what it meant to follow Jesus.
Jesus had something to teach them: “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
Now, here's where the story gets interesting.
Later, in Acts, John returns to Samaria. This time, he's not asking God to destroy anyone. He's there with Peter, praying for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit.
The same John. The same Samaritans. A very different prayer.
There's another man in this story named Simon. When he sees what the Holy Spirit can do, he offers money to get that power for himself.
What do you think power is for?
Is it to make yourself important? To get your way? To put yourself above others?
Or could it be something entirely different?
And what happened to John? What changed between the man who wanted fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritans and the man who prayed for God's Spirit to be poured out upon them?
What might John's story reveal about the way the Holy Spirit is working in your life?
What's the gift money cannot buy?
Join us this weekend to find out.
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