What's Missing?

This message from Acts 8 confronts us with an uncomfortable truth: it's possible to believe in Jesus, be baptized, and even witness miracles, yet still miss the heart of what it means to be saved. Through the story of Simon the sorcerer, we discover that genuine salvation requires more than intellectual agreement with the gospel. Simon believed, was baptized, and followed Philip, but the apostle Peter saw what was missing: true repentance and authentic relationship with Christ. We're challenged to examine whether we've simply met Jesus at an altar one time or whether we actually know Him intimately. The distinction is crucial. Many of us have become familiar with Jesus, attending church regularly and knowing the right answers, yet we've left Him at the altar instead of taking Him into our daily lives. We've treated salvation like a one-time transaction rather than an ongoing, deepening relationship. The call for 2026 is clear: move beyond being fans who admire from afar and become true followers who dwell with Christ daily. This means intentional prayer, vulnerable confession, active listening to His voice through Scripture, and making room in our lives for genuine communion with the God who tore the veil so we could approach His throne. The question isn't whether we believe the facts about Jesus, but whether our hearts are right before God through confession, repentance, and daily surrender.