Authenticity in Faith: Recognizing the True God
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the concept of authenticity, particularly in relation to our faith and understanding of God. Just as we perform a "legit check" to verify the authenticity of products, we must also discern the authenticity of our faith and the God we worship. The world is filled with counterfeits, not just in material goods but also in spiritual beliefs. Knowing the authentic God is crucial because it leads to an authentic spiritual life.
We discussed four foundational truths about God that help us identify His authenticity. First, there is only one authentic God. The idea that all gods are the same is flawed because different gods have contradictory teachings. Second, an authentic God does not change. Just as we trust consistent brands, we can trust God because He is immutable. His principles and promises remain constant. Third, an authentic God has a sovereign plan and purpose. Unlike a brand that operates without a clear design, God is purposeful and intentional in His actions. Lastly, an authentic God loves perfectly. His love is balanced, encompassing both affection and correction, aimed at our ultimate good.
We also touched on the importance of recognizing counterfeit beliefs and practices. Just as bank tellers are trained to identify counterfeit money by becoming intimately familiar with the real thing, we must know God deeply to discern false teachings. The sermon concluded with an invitation to embrace an authentic relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life and a perfect love that transforms us.
### Key Takeaways
1. There is Only One Authentic God: The belief that all gods are the same is fundamentally flawed because different gods have contradictory teachings. For instance, the God of the Bible teaches monogamy and loving one's enemies, while other gods may permit polygamy and violence. Therefore, understanding that there is only one true God is essential for authentic faith. [08:49]
2. An Authentic God Does Not Change: Just as we trust brands that are consistent, we can trust God because He is immutable. His principles, promises, and character remain constant. This immutability provides us with assurance and stability in our faith, knowing that God's love and righteousness do not waver. [15:01]
3. An Authentic God Has a Sovereign Plan and Purpose: Unlike brands that may operate without a clear design, God is purposeful and intentional. He has a sovereign plan for our lives, and His actions are always aimed at our ultimate good. This understanding helps us trust Him even when we don't get what we want, knowing that His plans are better than our desires. [21:39]
4. An Authentic God Loves Perfectly: God's love is balanced, encompassing both affection and correction. This perfect love is not about giving us everything we want but about what is ultimately good for us. It involves grace and mercy, as well as discipline and correction, aimed at our growth and well-being. [30:03]
5. Recognizing Counterfeit Beliefs: Just as bank tellers identify counterfeit money by knowing the real thing intimately, we must know God deeply to discern false teachings. The world is full of spiritual counterfeits that look and feel like the real thing but are not. Knowing the authentic God helps us avoid being duped by these counterfeits. [06:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - The Importance of a Legit Check
[01:09] - Understanding Authenticity
[02:35] - Identifying Genuine Faith
[03:11] - The Prevalence of Dupes
[04:04] - The Pricelessness of Faith
[05:09] - Training to Identify the Real Thing
[06:43] - Knowing the Real God
[07:50] - There is Only One Authentic God
[10:16] - God’s Exclusive Identity
[13:34] - An Authentic God Does Not Change
[17:01] - The Immutability of God
[19:27] - God’s Unchanging Design
[21:39] - God’s Sovereign Plan and Purpose
[26:51] - Trusting God’s Intentions
[28:30] - An Authentic God Loves Perfectly
[33:26] - The Perfect Love of God
[35:33] - The Gift of Eternity
[39:02] - Avoiding Spiritual Counterfeits
[44:23] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
2. Malachi 3:6
3. Romans 8:28
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Deuteronomy 6:4-5, what is the command given to Israel regarding their relationship with God?
2. In Malachi 3:6, what does God declare about His nature, and how does this relate to the concept of authenticity discussed in the sermon? [14:36]
3. How does Romans 8:28 describe God's actions and intentions towards those who love Him?
4. What are the four foundational truths about God mentioned in the sermon that help us identify His authenticity? [07:16]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand that there is only one authentic God, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:4-5? How does this exclusivity impact our faith? [13:05]
2. How does the immutability of God, as described in Malachi 3:6, provide assurance and stability in our faith? [14:36]
3. Romans 8:28 speaks about God's sovereign plan and purpose. How does this understanding help believers trust God even when their desires are not met? [27:28]
4. The sermon mentions that God's love is balanced, encompassing both affection and correction. How does this perfect love differ from the world's understanding of love? [30:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the belief that "all gods are the same." Have you encountered this belief in your life, and how did you respond to it? How can you lovingly explain the exclusivity of the authentic God to others? [08:49]
2. Think about a time when you felt uncertain or unstable in your faith. How can the knowledge that God does not change (Malachi 3:6) provide you with comfort and assurance in similar situations? [15:01]
3. Romans 8:28 states that all things work together for good for those who love God. Can you identify a challenging situation in your life where you saw God's sovereign plan at work? How did it change your perspective on trusting God? [27:28]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing counterfeit beliefs. What are some practical steps you can take to deepen your knowledge of God and discern false teachings? [06:13]
5. God's love includes both affection and correction. Can you recall a time when you experienced God's corrective love? How did it contribute to your growth and well-being? [30:03]
6. The sermon invites us to embrace an authentic relationship with God through Jesus Christ. What steps can you take this week to strengthen your relationship with Jesus and experience His perfect love? [35:33]
7. How can you apply the principle of doing a "legit check" in your spiritual life to ensure that your faith and practices align with the authentic teachings of the Bible? [00:32]
Devotional
Day 1: The Uniqueness of the One True God
There is a common misconception that all gods are the same, but this belief is fundamentally flawed. Different gods have contradictory teachings, which means they cannot all be true. For instance, the God of the Bible teaches monogamy and loving one's enemies, while other gods may permit polygamy and violence. Understanding that there is only one true God is essential for authentic faith. This foundational truth helps us to discern the authenticity of our spiritual beliefs and ensures that we are worshipping the true God, not a counterfeit. [08:49]
Isaiah 45:5-6 (ESV): "I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other."
Reflection: Think about the different beliefs you have encountered in your life. How do they compare to the teachings of the God of the Bible? What steps can you take to ensure that your faith is rooted in the truth of the one true God?
Day 2: The Immutability of God
Just as we trust brands that are consistent, we can trust God because He is immutable. His principles, promises, and character remain constant. This immutability provides us with assurance and stability in our faith, knowing that God's love and righteousness do not waver. In a world that is constantly changing, the unchanging nature of God is a source of comfort and strength. We can rely on His steadfastness and trust that His word and promises will always hold true. [15:01]
James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced change or uncertainty in your life. How did the unchanging nature of God provide you with comfort and stability? How can you remind yourself of God's immutability in your daily walk with Him?
Day 3: God's Sovereign Plan and Purpose
Unlike brands that may operate without a clear design, God is purposeful and intentional. He has a sovereign plan for our lives, and His actions are always aimed at our ultimate good. This understanding helps us trust Him even when we don't get what we want, knowing that His plans are better than our desires. Recognizing God's sovereignty allows us to surrender our own plans and trust in His perfect will, even when it is difficult to understand. [21:39]
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Reflection: Think about a situation where your plans did not go as expected. How did you see God's hand at work in that situation? What can you do to trust in God's sovereign plan for your life, even when it differs from your own desires?
Day 4: The Perfect Love of God
God's love is balanced, encompassing both affection and correction. This perfect love is not about giving us everything we want but about what is ultimately good for us. It involves grace and mercy, as well as discipline and correction, aimed at our growth and well-being. Understanding the nature of God's love helps us to accept His discipline and trust that His actions are always motivated by His perfect love for us. [30:03]
Hebrews 12:6 (ESV): "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's discipline. How did it help you grow in your faith and character? How can you embrace God's perfect love, including His correction, in your daily life?
Day 5: Discerning Counterfeit Beliefs
Just as bank tellers identify counterfeit money by knowing the real thing intimately, we must know God deeply to discern false teachings. The world is full of spiritual counterfeits that look and feel like the real thing but are not. Knowing the authentic God helps us avoid being duped by these counterfeits. By deepening our relationship with God and immersing ourselves in His word, we can develop the discernment needed to recognize and reject false beliefs. [06:13]
1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: Consider the spiritual beliefs and practices you encounter daily. How can you deepen your knowledge of God to better discern what is true and what is false? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your faith remains authentic and rooted in the truth of God's word?
Quotes
1. "If you want to know who really God is, you need to understand who is the authentic God. Because not all gods that the world will tell you is the authentic one, even if they are also called God. Correct? It's like this. Someone can claim that they have a Louis Vuitton bag. You know how much a Louis Vuitton bag is, right? A million could be. Right? But what will make you sure that that is actually an authentic Louis Vuitton or that it's actually from Divisoria?" [02:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Knowing our authentic God is what will lead to authentic lives. Knowing our authentic God is what will lead to authentic lives. Knowing our authentic God is what will lead to authentic spiritual lives. Ang ganda nung activity ninyo a while ago, right? You learned about using spaghetti things to have something stabilized. In the same way, if you want to have a stable faith, you have to have an authentic faith. Correct?" [04:04] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you want to have an authentic faith, you need to realize and be able to identify what is real first. And when you know what is real, you will realize which ones are fake. Right? It's like when you want to be sure about a brand. What you look for or learn, is what makes the brand original. And when you know what is original, then you know any deviation from it or any change from it, any difference from it, speaks something else." [06:13] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "To believe that all gods are the same is not possible. Why? Because believing that all gods are possible, knowing that different gods, contradict each other, they both cannot be true. It's like I'm telling myself, I'm a boy and I'm a girl also. Can it be true at the same time? No, because they contradict." [08:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Consistency is often a basis for authenticity. And look at what the Bible tells us about God. For I am the Lord, I do not change. If I will ask you, is it okay for you to put your trust and belief in a God that is fickle-minded? You know what is fickle-minded? You know what? You understand what is fickle-minded? The idea is, it always changes his mind. Trip coin today, ganito. Tas bukas, ayoko na. Bukas, gusto ko ulit. Like that." [14:12] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "In the world that we live in, many people believe or make us believe that if you want a God, don't ask a God that will just give you whatever you ask for. Okay? And if I would ask you, would you entrust and rely your life to a God whom you can manipulate? A God that you can trust and you can actually bribe to appease you just to make you happy for the moment?" [25:38] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The authentic God that we have is an authentic God because He is purposeful. He knows what will be best for you and sometimes He can choose not to give you what will make you happy because He knows that it will harm you rather than make you happy in the long run. See, like a trustworthy doctor, I hope that you and I will understand that if we would like to trust an authentic God, you and I need to realize this authentic God is not a control freak." [26:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "To mean that God is love is that love is the very nature of God. And when we say that God is the very nature of God, to love, it means that He loves perfectly. What does it mean to love perfectly? To love perfectly simply means that the motive or the intention of the love is for the good of someone. Many times when we talk of love, we are talking about emotion. We are talking about something that I can feel. Something that someone would do for me." [28:57] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "In God's economy, God accepts you for who you are, but He never wants you to stay as you are. Correct? Because God wants you to be better. God wants you to change. That's love. Correct? Can you imagine your parents until now letting you wear diaper? Because He thinks that that's going to, you like it, right? And that's not love. You get my point? I think you get what I'm trying to say, no?" [32:11] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I hope there is something that as they plan about it, we are prepared for it. That you and I would realize this life is living an authentic life for an authentic God. And He deserves my commitment. He deserves me committed to Him and following Him all throughout my life. And I will not be duped. I don't want to be a dupe. Because I love and serve an authentic God." [43:42] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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