When Advertising meets Reality

The graphic says it all: how many times have I seen wonderful TV ads and then reality showed the truth, junk. This is especially true in the movie previews, as oftentimes the only good parts of the movie WERE THE PREVIEWED PARTS! This isn't restricted to just TV, it occurs in real life; take the following passage from the book of Acts, for instance:


Act 8:9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who before in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Act 8:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Act 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip, preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.
Act 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Act 8:14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John:
Act 8:15 Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
Act 8:16 (For as yet he had fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.
Act 8:20 But Peter said to him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Act 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.
Act 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Act 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

The Webster Bible

Simon advertised himself as someone great, when in reality he was nothing at all. What a corrupt mind he had! Because he was a trickster, he thought everyone was just like him. When the false "great one" met true greatness he was put in his place, just as it should be. In fact, there is only one God, one Great One, one for whom no advertising is required. Reality is that He sent Jesus and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit and that's that; no embellishment required.