Authenticity in Faith: Living Out Our Beliefs
Summary
Good morning, family. Today, I want to talk about the importance of authenticity in our walk with Jesus. We often find ourselves caught up in the motions of faith, saying the right things, but not always living them out. This morning, I shared a humorous story about my shirt, which I wore without fully understanding its meaning. It reminded me of how we sometimes wear our faith as a label without truly understanding or living it.
In Matthew 16:13-17, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" This question is crucial because it challenges us to reflect on our personal understanding and relationship with Christ. It's not enough to rely on others' perceptions or regurgitated answers. We must know Him for ourselves. Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Messiah was not just a statement; it was a revelation from God. This teaches us that our understanding of Jesus should be deeply personal and divinely inspired.
I also shared a story about a pastor who learned a valuable lesson from a waitress who made a little boy feel real and valued. This story challenges us to consider how we make others feel. Are we truly listening and valuing them, or are we just going through the motions? Our actions should reflect the love and light of Jesus, as we are called to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16).
Finally, I shared a touching story about a deacon who brought church to a nursing home. His simple act of holding a man's hand became a profound representation of Jesus' love. This story reminds us that we are often the only Jesus people will see. Our actions, more than our words, reflect Christ to the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Authenticity in Faith: Our faith should be more than just words or labels. Like Peter's revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, our understanding of Christ should be personal and divinely inspired. We must strive to know Jesus for ourselves, beyond what others say or think. [54:06]
- The Power of Listening: The story of the waitress teaches us the importance of making others feel valued and real. We should strive to truly listen and engage with people, reflecting Jesus' love in our interactions. Our actions should speak louder than our words. [01:07:11]
- Being the Light: As followers of Christ, we are called to be the light of the world. Our actions should reflect the love and light of Jesus, illuminating the lives of those around us. We must ensure that our deeds align with our words. [01:08:48]
- Representing Jesus: We are often the only Jesus people will see. Our actions and how we treat others are a reflection of how they perceive Jesus. It's crucial that our actions match our words, embodying the love and grace of Christ. [01:17:11]
- Community and Family: Our church community is a family, and each of us brings a unique light. When we are absent, our light is missed. We are called to be an active part of this family, contributing to the collective light that shines in the world. [01:10:10]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[41:10] - Appreciating Our Community
[43:05] - The Shirt Story
[44:13] - Who Do You Say I Am?
[45:32] - Math and Life Lessons
[48:32] - Show Your Work
[51:45] - Jesus' Question to the Disciples
[53:15] - Personal Reflection
[54:06] - Peter's Revelation
[55:50] - Defining Our Faith
[58:05] - Actions Speak Louder
[01:00:15] - The Bumper Sticker Analogy
[01:01:42] - Bishop Arthur Moore's Story
[01:03:13] - The Waitress and the Boy
[01:04:49] - Making People Feel Real
[01:08:48] - Being the Light of the World
[01:10:10] - Community and Family
[01:11:10] - The Call to Be Uncomfortable
[01:12:51] - Bringing It Home
[01:14:17] - The Deacon's Story
[01:17:11] - Representing Jesus
[01:19:19] - Final Thoughts and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 16:13-17: "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.'"
- Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
#### Observation Questions
1. What question did Jesus ask His disciples in Matthew 16:13-17, and why was it significant? [44:13]
2. How did Peter respond to Jesus' question, and what was Jesus' reaction to his answer? [54:06]
3. In the sermon, what story was shared about a waitress and a little boy, and what lesson did it illustrate? [01:07:11]
4. How does the story of the deacon visiting the nursing home reflect the message of being the light of the world? [01:17:11]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for believers to have a personal and divinely inspired understanding of who Jesus is, as illustrated by Peter's revelation? [54:06]
2. How does the story of the waitress challenge us to reflect on our interactions with others and the importance of making them feel valued? [01:07:11]
3. What does it mean to be the light of the world, and how can our actions reflect the love and light of Jesus to those around us? [01:08:48]
4. How can the story of the deacon and the man in the nursing home inspire us to represent Jesus through our actions? [01:17:11]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal understanding of Jesus. How can you deepen your relationship with Him beyond what others say or think? [54:06]
2. Think of a recent interaction where you may not have fully listened or valued the other person. How can you improve your listening skills to make others feel real and valued? [01:07:11]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where your actions may not align with your words. What steps can you take to ensure your deeds reflect your faith? [01:08:48]
4. Consider how you can be a light in your community. What practical actions can you take this week to illuminate the lives of those around you? [01:10:10]
5. Reflect on a time when you were the only representation of Jesus to someone. How did your actions reflect Christ, and what could you do differently next time? [01:17:11]
6. How can you contribute to your church community as an active member, ensuring your unique light is not missed? [01:10:10]
7. What specific steps can you take to ensure your faith is authentic and not just a label you wear? [43:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Authentic Faith Beyond Labels
Our faith journey with Jesus should be more than just a superficial label or a set of rehearsed words. It requires a deep, personal understanding and relationship with Christ, much like Peter's revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. This understanding is not something that can be borrowed from others or simply repeated; it must be a divinely inspired conviction that transforms our lives. In Matthew 16:13-17, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" This question challenges us to reflect on our personal knowledge of Jesus and to ensure that our faith is authentic and rooted in a genuine relationship with Him. [54:06]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current understanding of Jesus. How can you deepen your personal relationship with Him this week, moving beyond what others say or think?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Listening
Listening is a powerful act that can make others feel valued and real. The story of the waitress who made a little boy feel important reminds us of the impact our interactions can have on others. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His love in our daily encounters, ensuring that our actions speak louder than our words. By truly listening and engaging with those around us, we can embody the love and compassion of Jesus, making a difference in the lives of others. [01:07:11]
"Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone you encounter regularly. How can you intentionally listen to them this week, showing them the love and value that Jesus would?
Day 3: Illuminating the World with Christ's Light
As followers of Christ, we are called to be the light of the world, illuminating the lives of those around us with the love and light of Jesus. Our actions should align with our words, ensuring that we are a true reflection of Christ's love. This calling challenges us to live authentically, allowing our deeds to shine brightly and draw others to the hope and grace found in Jesus. [01:08:48]
"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)." (Ephesians 5:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where your actions could better reflect the light of Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to align your deeds with your faith?
Day 4: Embodying Jesus in Our Actions
We are often the only representation of Jesus that people will see, and our actions can significantly influence how others perceive Him. The story of the deacon who brought church to a nursing home illustrates the profound impact of simple acts of love and kindness. Our actions should embody the love and grace of Christ, ensuring that we are a true reflection of His character to the world. [01:17:11]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your interactions with others this past week. How can you better embody the love and grace of Jesus in your actions today?
Day 5: The Importance of Community and Family
Our church community is a family, and each member brings a unique light that contributes to the collective brightness that shines in the world. When we are absent, our light is missed, and the community is not as strong. We are called to be active participants in this family, supporting and encouraging one another as we grow in our faith and shine the light of Christ to those around us. [01:10:10]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your church community this week, ensuring that your unique light is not missed? What specific actions can you take to support and encourage others in your faith family?
Quotes
"Who do you say I am? Because, see, y 'all have been hanging around with me quite a bit at this point. You've seen some miracles. You've listened to my messages. Are you really picking up what? I'm putting down. Or are you just kind of going through the motion?" [00:53:15] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Which I think that question is important to all of us today because there's so many of us 2,000 years later still just going through the motion and don't really understand who Jesus is." [00:54:06] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Are our actions matching our words? Because I'll tell you this. You can't declare love for Jesus in one breath and then spew hatred in the next. And it'd just be okay." [01:10:10] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And he said, that little boy looked at his parents and said, that lady believes I'm real. And he said, it just hit him in a way. And he's like, you know, I started thinking, do I truly make people feel like they're real?" [01:07:11] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Or do when they come to me with issues and come to me with problems, do I just give them some cookie cutter answer and give them the, I'll pray for you and just move on? And he said, from that moment, when I left that diner, I made a decision that anybody that comes to me, anybody that talks to me, I'm going to hear them out." [01:08:48] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because to somebody, you're the only Jesus that they're ever going to see, that they're ever going to experience. And how you treat them and how you treat others is going to be a reflection of how they see Jesus." [01:17:11] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"May you, be the light that Jesus has called you to be. May you always show your work and may your actions match your words. Grace and peace. I love you." [01:19:19] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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