This document summarizes a sermon given by Rev. Sara McKinley about Acts 8:4-25. The summary discusses how Philip preached in Samaria and many people were healed or delivered from evil spirits. Simon the magician also believed but wanted the power of laying hands on people to give them the Holy Spirit for himself. Peter rebuked Simon for thinking God's gift could be bought. The sermon encourages praying for empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

1. Pray for Empowerment Acts 8:4-25 Rev. Sara McKinley

2. Acts 1:8 “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

3. SAMARIA

4. Acts 8:4-25 4 Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.

5. 6 The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did,

6. 7 for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

7. 9 Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great.

8. 10 All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great." 11 And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.

9. 12 But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed.

10. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place. 14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

11. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

12. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

13. 20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's gift with money! 21 You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God.

14. 22 Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness."

15. 24 Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me."

16. 25 Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.

17. Pray for Empowerment Acts 8:4-25 Rev. Sara McKinley

18. PROCLAIMED

19. PERFORMED GREAT SIGNS & WONDERS

20. SIGNS POINT TO THINGS

21. SIMON THE MAGICIAN

22. PROMOTED HIMSELF

23. Pray for Empowerment Acts 8:4-25 Rev. Sara McKinley

24. John 3:8 “ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

25. Pray for Empowerment Acts 8:4-25 Rev. Sara McKinley

26. Who is the Holy Spirit?

27. PILOT LIGHT

28. The FIRE of the Holy Spirit

29. Pray for Empowerment Acts 8:4-25 Rev. Sara McKinley

30. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our LIGHT, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

31. We are born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It is not in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our Light shine, we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

32. Pray for Empowerment Acts 8:4-25 Rev. Sara McKinley

33. WILL YOU PRAY FOR HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERMENT?