Embracing Authenticity: A Call to Messy Community
Summary
In today's world, social media has become a pervasive part of our lives, with billions of people spending hours daily on these platforms. While social media can connect us, it often presents a "polished illusion" of life, leading to feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness, especially among young people. This curated image problem is not just limited to social media; it also affects the church. Many people come to church with the weight of the world on their shoulders, only to see others who seem to have it all together, which can lead to the misconception that they must clean up their lives before they can belong.
The church, like social media, can sometimes present a manicured image, but we are called to be a "messy church for messy people." Authenticity is crucial, yet it must be balanced with social awareness. We need spaces where we can be real and grow, and this is best achieved in small groups. In these intimate settings, we can have honest conversations, support one another, and grow spiritually.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 provides a framework for how we should live in community: warn the lazy, encourage the timid, take care of the weak, and be patient with everyone. These actions are best carried out in small groups where relationships are built, and people can be real with one another. In these groups, we can address spiritual laziness, encourage those who are overwhelmed, support the spiritually immature, and practice patience.
The call to action is simple: pray about engaging in a small group where you can be real and grow. These groups are not just about Bible study; they are about building relationships that help us walk towards Jesus. Whether you are already in a small group or considering joining one, the goal is to find a community where you can be supported and support others in their spiritual journey.
Key Takeaways:
- Social media often presents a "polished illusion" of life, leading to feelings of inadequacy. Similarly, the church can sometimes present a manicured image, making people feel they must clean up their lives before belonging. We are called to be a "messy church for messy people," embracing authenticity while being socially aware. [01:57]
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 challenges us to warn the lazy, encourage the timid, take care of the weak, and be patient with everyone. These actions are best carried out in small groups where relationships are built, and people can be real with one another. [14:51]
- Spiritual laziness can occur when we become distracted by worldly concerns. In small groups, we can have honest conversations and encourage one another to use our gifts and talents for God's kingdom. [18:19]
- Encouraging those who are timid or "little-souled" requires recognizing their struggles and offering support. Small groups provide a space where people can share their burdens and receive encouragement and prayer. [23:04]
- Patience is developed through engaging with others, especially those who challenge us. Isolating ourselves prevents us from growing in love and patience. Small groups offer a setting where we can practice patience and love in community. [29:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:57] - The Polished Illusion of Social Media
- [05:10] - The Manicured Image in Church
- [07:54] - Authenticity and Social Awareness
- [09:29] - The Need for Realness in Church
- [12:57] - The Importance of Small Groups
- [14:51] - 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Explained
- [15:53] - Warning the Lazy
- [18:19] - Spiritual Laziness and Distraction
- [20:40] - Encouraging the Timid
- [23:04] - Supporting the Little-Souled
- [24:38] - Recognizing and Encouraging the Disappeared
- [26:11] - Taking Care of the Spiritually Weak
- [27:32] - The Impact of Spiritual Maturity
- [29:59] - Developing Patience in Community
- [31:23] - Next Steps: Engaging in Small Groups
- [34:29] - The Power of Community and Prayer
- [36:53] - The Promise of Redemption
- [38:14] - A Call to Community and Jesus
- [40:28] - Closing and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Observation Questions:
1. What are the four actions Paul urges the Thessalonians to take in 1 Thessalonians 5:14? How do these actions relate to living in community? [14:51]
2. How does the sermon describe the impact of social media on our perception of reality? What term is used to describe this phenomenon? [01:57]
3. What example does the pastor give to illustrate the tension between authenticity and social awareness in church settings? [05:10]
4. How does the sermon suggest small groups can help address spiritual laziness and encourage the use of gifts for God's kingdom? [18:19]
Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways might the "polished illusion" of social media be similar to the "manicured image" sometimes presented by the church? How can this affect individuals seeking community? [05:10]
2. How does the concept of being a "messy church for messy people" challenge traditional views of church community? What balance is needed between authenticity and social awareness? [09:29]
3. How does the sermon suggest small groups can provide support for those who are "little-souled" or overwhelmed? What role does encouragement play in this context? [23:04]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of patience in community, and how can small groups help develop this trait? [29:59]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own social media usage. How might it be contributing to feelings of inadequacy or a "polished illusion" in your life? What steps can you take to be more authentic both online and in person? [01:57]
2. Consider the idea of being part of a "messy church for messy people." How comfortable are you with sharing your own struggles in a church setting? What might help you embrace authenticity more fully? [09:29]
3. Think about a time when you felt spiritually lazy or distracted. How did you overcome it, and how might a small group have supported you during that time? [18:19]
4. Identify someone in your life who might be "little-souled" or overwhelmed. How can you offer encouragement and support to them this week? [23:04]
5. Patience is often tested in community settings. Who in your life challenges your patience, and what practical steps can you take to grow in patience with them? [29:59]
6. If you are not currently part of a small group, what are some barriers preventing you from joining one? How can you address these barriers and take a step towards finding a supportive community? [31:23]
7. Reflect on the pastor's call to pray about engaging in a small group. What specific prayer can you commit to this week regarding your involvement in community and spiritual growth? [34:29]
Devotional
Day 1: The Illusion of Perfection
In today's digital age, social media often presents a "polished illusion" of life, leading many to feel inadequate or hopeless. This curated image problem is not limited to social media; it also affects the church. People may come to church burdened by life's challenges, only to see others who appear to have it all together. This can create a misconception that one must clean up their life before they can truly belong. However, the church is called to be a "messy church for messy people," embracing authenticity while being socially aware. We must create spaces where people can be real and grow, fostering genuine connections and spiritual growth. [01:57]
"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24, ESV)
Reflection: Consider how social media influences your perception of others. How can you practice authenticity in your interactions this week, both online and in person?
Day 2: Building Real Community
1 Thessalonians 5:14 provides a framework for living in community: warn the lazy, encourage the timid, take care of the weak, and be patient with everyone. These actions are best carried out in small groups where relationships are built, and people can be real with one another. In these intimate settings, we can address spiritual laziness, encourage those who are overwhelmed, support the spiritually immature, and practice patience. Small groups offer a space for honest conversations and mutual support, helping us grow spiritually and relationally. [14:51]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Think about your current community. How can you contribute to creating a space where others feel safe to be real and grow?
Day 3: Overcoming Spiritual Laziness
Spiritual laziness can occur when we become distracted by worldly concerns. In small groups, we can have honest conversations and encourage one another to use our gifts and talents for God's kingdom. These groups are not just about Bible study; they are about building relationships that help us walk towards Jesus. By engaging in these communities, we can overcome distractions and focus on our spiritual growth and service. [18:19]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." (Colossians 3:23, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel spiritually lazy. What steps can you take this week to re-engage and use your gifts for God's kingdom?
Day 4: Encouraging the Timid
Encouraging those who are timid or "little-souled" requires recognizing their struggles and offering support. Small groups provide a space where people can share their burdens and receive encouragement and prayer. By being attentive to the needs of others, we can help them find strength and courage in their spiritual journey. This support is crucial for building a community where everyone feels valued and empowered. [23:04]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might need encouragement today? How can you offer them support and prayer in a meaningful way?
Day 5: Developing Patience in Community
Patience is developed through engaging with others, especially those who challenge us. Isolating ourselves prevents us from growing in love and patience. Small groups offer a setting where we can practice patience and love in community. By interacting with diverse individuals, we learn to appreciate different perspectives and grow in our ability to love others as Christ loves us. [29:59]
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction that tested your patience. How can you approach similar situations with more love and understanding in the future?
Quotes
"There's some people that are concerned because social media creates this manicured image of what life is, right? You log on and you see your friends, and they're at a nice fancy restaurant on a date in Austin. And you see it while you're cooking macaroni and cheese for your four kids, right? And you're like, well, my life is terrible, right? You see someone and they've got the brand new boat and they're out on the lake and they're living the dream. And you think the closest I get to that, it's like a bathtub. That's the, I don't have a leg. And so people have this struggle because these manicured images." [00:01:48] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Not necessarily us, maybe us, not any church in particular, but the church in general, where we are accustomed to coming to church and we present that manicured image, right? You've had the experience. Like, you got up Sunday morning. If you got kids, they were already fighting. They were already creating some tension in the house, and then you got a little frustrated at that, and you said something, and your spouse responded. Now you're kind of in a little bit of fight. Everybody's just kind of... In that tense world, and as you're coming to church, one of the kids is complaining about how they don't want to go to church this morning, and so that turns into a fight, and so you pull into the parking lot, and you turn around, and you look at your kids, and you go, you get it together now, and you get in the car, and you're like, hey, everybody. Good to see you. Good to see you." [00:05:02] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"So she tells, and I'll tell her the things that I know. So we're in the middle of a fight and she'll say something like, you know, nobody's like this. And I'm like, well, actually, I know a couple that I've talked to this week that would like, they would love to be fighting about this rather than that. And she just doesn't know because she sees the curated image of marriage, right? I get to see the, because the ministry, I get to see the mess. I get to see the struggles. And so I could, I actually look at it and go, yes, we're fighting over this, but like, we're actually in a pretty good spot. This is, this isn't that bad. Um, but that's what people do. So they come to church and they've got the weight of the world on them. They feel broken and they've got to the point in their life where they're like, I have no other options. I'm going to go check out a church. Maybe this God thing will, will, will solve all of my struggles. And they show up to church and what they see is everyone who has it all together." [00:08:23] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Yet we also need to live authentically. I've got an oldest brother. I have an older brother who's here. My oldest brother, he was born without a filter in his life. He is authentic. He's real. He'll tell you like what he thinks. And many times we're like, no, no, no, just like we told him he got, he actually got married yesterday. And we told him at the rehearsal, we said, when you get nervous, you start saying things that are highly inappropriate, trying to be funny. So just stop talking now. Like say, I do, when you're asked to say I do and repeat anything the pastor says, don't say anything else." [00:10:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We need that group of people that we can be our true selves. That we need that group of people that we can share our hurts with because we can't always share it in the big group. So I want you to go to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. If you don't have a Bible with you today, don't worry. We're going to put the verse up on the screen. We're just looking at one verse. Chapter 5, verse 14." [00:14:13] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care for those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. We have four challenges, four challenges to live out. First one is this. He says, warn those who are lazy. So in that time, when Paul's writing, you got to understand there's some people who are alive during that time who actually saw or knew of Jesus dying on the cross and they actually witnessed his resurrected body." [00:15:32] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because we have a relationship. And I can ask that because we're in the small group. Hey, what are you doing? The person goes, man, yeah, I know I need to serve. I need to get more involved. But I'm busy. I've got this and this and that. And you have somebody who loves you. Hey, let me help you. Let me come alongside you because God has something better for you. And you need to experience, like, your gifts and talents being used for the kingdom of God. See how that conversation works inside a relationship with a small group. Small group of people who you can be known with. And you can have real conversations and intimacy and connection rather than just a stranger coming to you and going, hey." [00:20:55] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus, when he went into the garden of Gethsemane, if you know the story, if not, it's in the gospels, right before his crucifixion, he takes his small group. It's a bunch of disciples, 12 of them. He takes his small group and he takes his little group and he takes his small group and they go up into a garden. It's called the garden of Gethsemane. And he asked those guys, he actually says this. He says, my soul, same word, my soul is very sorrowful." [00:23:17] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Philip Yancey is a Christian author, a pretty famous one. And he tells a story about his small group. He says, there's a guy in my small group. He doesn't name him. He says, he's a well -known Christian leader. And if I named him, you'd know who he was, which really makes me want to know who it is. He says, you'd know him. He said he was going through a time in his life, it was over the course of a year or so, he had some adult children who really went off the path. And they'd actually gotten into some trouble. And he was dealing with all of that. He was paying attorney fees for his kids because it was that kind of trouble. And so those bills were stacking up pretty high. In the midst of all of that struggle, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer." [00:34:41] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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