Live For Ambitioin or Live For Surrender? - Pastor Rusty Nelson

A profound exploration of two contrasting figures from Acts 8 – Simon the Sorcerer who sought power without surrender, and Philip the Evangelist who demonstrated true spiritual authority through complete obedience to God.

• The book of Acts has no ending because the Holy Spirit is still working through surrendered believers today
• Simon the Sorcerer represents more than history – he embodies a prophetic warning about pursuing spiritual power for selfish gain
• "Simony" became a term in church history for purchasing spiritual authority, which continues in modern forms
• Philip demonstrates a life fully surrendered to God's direction, leaving a vibrant revival to minister to one Ethiopian eunuch
• True spiritual authority comes through dying to self rather than promoting self
• The early church wasn't built on strategic plans but on people possessed by the Holy Spirit
• We often pursue God's hand (what He can do for us) while missing His face (who He is)
• Christianity without the cross misses the transformative power of being crucified with Christ
• Living Galatians 2:20 means recognizing "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me"
• The ultimate question: Do we want Simon's show or Philip's surrender?

If you're ready to move from ambition to surrender, from seeking power to being possessed by God's Spirit, make that decision today. Come to Jesus not just for what He can do for you, but surrender completely to what He wants to do through you.