Living Word Sermons

Part 4 of a 5-part series on True and False conversion

Part 3 of a 5-part Series on False and True Conversion from Acts 8:9–40

Examining Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8 is a sobering exercise—he witnessed the power of the Gospel, made a profession of faith, and was even baptized, yet when confronted with his mercenary heart by Peter, his response revealed a a lack of humility and a focus on avoiding consequences rather than true repentance. He asked Peter to pray that nothing bad would happen to him, rather than crying out for a clean heart.

It serves as a vivid mirror for us: when scripture, a brother or sister, or the Spirit corrects us, do we respond with anger, self-justification and fear of punishment, or with a humbled heart that desires genuine alignment with God's truth?

May the Lord indeed soften the soil of our hearts to welcome His reproof, recognizing that His discipline is a mark of His loving fatherhood and His commitment to conform us to the image of Christ.

Part 2 of a 5-part Series on False and True Conversion from Acts 8:9–40

What does true conversion actually look like?

In Acts 8, Luke places two stories side by side: Simon the magician and the Ethiopian eunuch. Both encountered the power of God. Both appeared to respond to the gospel. Yet their hearts were pursuing two very different things.

Simon was captivated by miracles, power, and what God could give him. The Ethiopian eunuch was searching for truth—and ultimately, he found a Person: Jesus Christ.

In this sermon, we examine the sobering difference between false conversion and true saving faith. False conversion may be drawn to the benefits of Christ, spiritual experiences, miracles, or what Jesus can do for us. True conversion increasingly desires Christ Himself. It produces a hunger for God's Word, a desire to know Jesus, a love for Him, and a growing willingness to obey His Word.

The question is not simply, “Have you believed?” or “Have you experienced something supernatural?” The deeper question is: What are you seeking?

Are you seeking the gifts of God—or God Himself?

Using Acts 8:9–40, along with passages including Matthew 7, John 15–16, 1 Corinthians 2, and Luke 6, this sermon calls us to examine ourselves and ask whether our faith is truly centered on Christ.

“False conversion continues to seek miracles. True conversion persists and continues to seek Jesus.”

May this message cause us to examine our hearts, hunger for God's Word, and treasure Christ above everything He can give.

Part 1 of a 5-part Series on False and True Conversion from Acts 8:9–40

What does true conversion actually look like?

In Acts 8, we encounter two very different responses to the gospel: Simon the magician, whose faith appeared genuine but was ultimately exposed as false, and the Ethiopian eunuch, whose response demonstrated a humble and genuine hunger for God.

In this message, we begin a study of five key differences between false and true conversion. The first is at the heart of the sermon:

False faith remains prideful before God. True faith humbles itself before God.

Simon had heard the gospel, believed, and even been baptized. Yet when his heart was exposed, his desire for power revealed that the gospel had reached his mind without truly transforming his heart. In contrast, the Ethiopian eunuch approached God's Word with humility, recognizing his need for someone to guide him and seeking to understand the truth.

This message challenges us to look beyond outward appearances—baptism, church attendance, religious activity, or even a profession of faith—and examine the condition of our hearts before God.

Are we still holding onto the things we once boasted in? Do we seek the praise of people or the glory that comes from God? Are we willing to humble ourselves before His Word?

This is not a message intended to condemn, but an invitation to examine ourselves honestly and allow God to bring us from darkness into true light.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” — James 4:6

Stay with us as we examine all of the 5 key differences between true and false conversions.

What happens when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we expect?

In this message from John 11, we walk through the story of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary and confront one of the deepest struggles of faith: misunderstanding God’s wisdom. When suffering, loss, sickness, disappointment, or unanswered prayers enter our lives, it can be difficult to understand what God is doing—or why He seems to be silent.

But the story of Lazarus reveals that God’s purposes are often far greater than our immediate circumstances. Jesus reminds Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life,” shifting her focus from what she desperately wanted God to fix to the One she truly needed.

This sermon challenges us to see suffering differently, to trust God’s wisdom even when we cannot understand His ways, and to move from simply being followers of Jesus to becoming worshippers who surrender our plans to His.

What if the thing you are asking God to change is actually the very thing He is using to draw you closer to Him?

“Do I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40

A message about suffering, faith, surrender, spiritual maturity, and learning to see God’s glory—even when we cannot yet see what He is doing.