Contagious Part 4

CONTAGIOUS Part 4: Infected by Authenticity Luke 12:1 Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. One of the interesting and uniquely refreshing attributes of the Bible (God’s story) and the lifestyle it teaches is that of AUTHENTICITY. The behavior of COVERING over weaknesses or wrongs is not Christian. Ephesians 5:8-10; John 3:19-21; Luke 11:35; James 5:16 HYPOCRISY (acting, pretending, wearing a mask) is directly condemned. 1. Because it is a form of LYING fueled by pride and is sin. 2. Because it does not HELP anyone, it only hurts. The lies become a PRISON that keeps us in and keeps others out. The power of God’s story is revealed most often in the areas of our life we want to HIDE. (2Corinthians 11:30-31; 12:10) 2Corinthians 11:30-31 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 2Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. People need to SEE God’s story unfold in your life. Hebrews 4:15, 5:2 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. Titus 2:10 ...so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.