Philip, Samaria, and the Sorcerer’s Prone (“Stranger Things” Week 6)

If we’ve learned anything from the Marvel movies recently, it’s that people getting caught up in their own power never really ends well, as there’s something more powerful coming to right their wrongs. Of course, to Marvel, it’s usually something banal like the power of friendship that defeats evil in a humorous way. In Scripture, however, it’s always God, and He’s always right, and it’s always at least a little bit amusing to see power-tripping prideful smarmy know-it-alls try to face off against the Lord of Creation. This week, we’re talking about a sorcerer named Simon who messed up so badly, the early church named a heresy after him: Simony. The lessons from then are still applicable now, so let’s open up and learn today!

Scriptures Today: Acts 8:9-23 (Simon’s story) // Acts 8:4-8 (Philip’s story) // Matthew 13:47-50 (Jesus explains the kingdom of God like a fishing net) // 2 Timothy 3:1-2, Proverbs 6:16-17, 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 (the Lord is *not a fan* of selfish pride)

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