Embracing Authenticity and Grace in Faith

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound significance of authenticity in our spiritual lives, drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus Christ. Authenticity, as exemplified by Jesus, is about being real and genuine, not perfect. Jesus' authenticity was so powerful that even His adversaries recognized it. This authenticity is crucial for us as believers, as it helps us connect more deeply with God and with each other. We delved into Philippians 2:9-10, which highlights how God exalted Jesus and bestowed upon Him a name above every name. This exaltation is a result of Jesus' humility and obedience, particularly His obedience to the cross. Jesus' name is not just an earthly name but a divine appointment, signifying His role as Savior and God with us.

We also discussed the concept of the church as the body of Christ, with Jesus as the head. Each believer is a part of this body, contributing uniquely to its function. The church is a family, and our gathering together is essential. We are reminded that Jesus is the firstborn from the dead, signifying His authority over death and His role in our future resurrection. Our hope is not limited to this world but extends to the eternal life promised through Jesus' resurrection.

The message emphasized the importance of grace in our lives. Grace is not an extra but an essential gift from God, revealed to us rather than discovered by our efforts. It is through grace that we are saved, not by our works or merits. This grace is powerful, calling us, keeping us, and completing us in our journey of faith. It is a certainty, not just an opportunity, for those who are chosen by God. We are encouraged to trust in this grace and to live with the assurance of our salvation, knowing that it is secured by God's power and not our own.

Key Takeaways:

1. Authenticity in Faith: Authenticity is about being real and genuine, not perfect. Jesus exemplified this authenticity, which allowed Him to connect deeply with others and with God. As believers, embracing authenticity helps us love God and each other more fully. [01:12]

2. The Exaltation of Jesus: Jesus' name is above every name because of His humility and obedience to the cross. This divine appointment signifies His role as Savior and God with us, offering salvation to all who believe. [03:26]

3. The Church as the Body of Christ: Each believer is a unique part of the body of Christ, with Jesus as the head. Our gathering as a church is essential, as it strengthens our connection to God and each other. [05:07]

4. Grace as a Gift: Grace is essential, not extra, and it is revealed to us by God. It is through grace that we are saved, not by our works or merits. This grace is powerful, calling us, keeping us, and completing us in our faith journey. [12:49]

5. Certainty of Salvation: Our salvation is a certainty, not just an opportunity, for those chosen by God. This assurance is based on God's power and grace, not our own efforts, prompting us to live with confidence in our eternal hope. [41:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:12] - The Importance of Authenticity
- [02:31] - Jesus' Spiritual Authenticity
- [03:26] - Exaltation of Jesus
- [05:07] - The Church as the Body of Christ
- [08:27] - Preeminence of Jesus
- [09:19] - Why Jesus is Worship-Worthy
- [11:00] - The World of Do-It-Yourself
- [12:49] - Grace and Living Hope
- [14:20] - Preservation of Faith
- [16:04] - The Mercy Call
- [19:20] - Grace is Essential
- [23:11] - The Gift of Grace
- [25:44] - Revelation of Grace
- [31:47] - Special Revelation
- [36:04] - Grace's Power to Call and Keep
- [41:12] - Certainty of Salvation
- [44:46] - Alistair Begg's Illustration
- [49:20] - Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Philippians 2:9-10: "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth."
- Colossians 1:18-20: "And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
- 1 Peter 1:3-5: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Philippians 2:9-10 say about the significance of Jesus' name and His exaltation? How does this relate to His humility and obedience? [03:26]
2. According to Colossians 1:18-20, what role does Jesus play in the church and in the reconciliation of all things? [05:07]
3. In 1 Peter 1:3-5, what is described as the source of our living hope, and how is this hope secured for believers? [12:49]
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of authenticity in relation to Jesus and our spiritual lives? [01:12]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the exaltation of Jesus in Philippians 2:9-10 demonstrate the importance of humility and obedience in the Christian life? [03:26]
2. What does it mean for Jesus to be the "firstborn from the dead" in Colossians 1:18-20, and how does this impact our understanding of resurrection and eternal life? [05:07]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of grace in our salvation, and why is it considered essential rather than extra? [12:49]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that authenticity can deepen our connection with God and others? [01:12]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with being authentic in your faith. What steps can you take to embrace authenticity in your spiritual journey? [01:12]
2. How can you practice humility and obedience in your daily life, following the example of Jesus' exaltation as described in Philippians 2:9-10? [03:26]
3. In what ways can you contribute to the church as the body of Christ, recognizing your unique role and gifts? [05:07]
4. How does understanding grace as a gift, not earned, change your perspective on your relationship with God? [12:49]
5. Consider the certainty of salvation discussed in the sermon. How does this assurance affect your confidence in living out your faith? [41:12]
6. Identify one area in your life where you rely on a "do-it-yourself" mentality. How can you shift towards relying on God's grace instead? [11:00]
7. How can you actively remind yourself of the living hope you have through Jesus' resurrection, especially during challenging times? [12:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Authenticity in Faith: Embracing Imperfection
Authenticity in faith is about being real and genuine, not striving for perfection. Jesus Christ exemplified this authenticity, which allowed Him to connect deeply with others and with God. His life was a testament to the power of being true to oneself, even in the face of adversity. As believers, embracing authenticity helps us love God and each other more fully. It encourages us to drop the masks we often wear and to engage with our faith and community in a more meaningful way. Authenticity is not about having all the answers or being flawless; it's about being honest with ourselves and others about our journey. [01:12]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel the need to present a perfect image? How can you begin to embrace authenticity in those areas today?


Day 2: The Exaltation of Jesus: Humility and Obedience
The exaltation of Jesus is a profound testament to His humility and obedience, particularly His obedience to the cross. Jesus' name is above every name because of His willingness to humble Himself and fulfill His divine role as Savior and God with us. This divine appointment signifies His authority and the salvation He offers to all who believe. As believers, we are called to reflect on the humility and obedience of Jesus, understanding that true greatness in the kingdom of God is found in serving others and submitting to God's will. [03:26]

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:5-7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice humility and obedience in your daily life, following the example of Jesus? What specific actions can you take this week to serve others?


Day 3: The Church as the Body of Christ: Unity in Diversity
The church is described as the body of Christ, with Jesus as the head. Each believer is a unique part of this body, contributing to its function and purpose. Our gathering as a church is essential, as it strengthens our connection to God and each other. The diversity within the body of Christ is a strength, not a weakness, as each member brings unique gifts and perspectives. Embracing this diversity allows the church to function effectively and fulfill its mission in the world. [05:07]

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gifts or perspectives do you bring to your church community? How can you use these to strengthen the body of Christ?


Day 4: Grace as a Gift: The Foundation of Our Faith
Grace is not an extra but an essential gift from God, revealed to us rather than discovered by our efforts. It is through grace that we are saved, not by our works or merits. This grace is powerful, calling us, keeping us, and completing us in our journey of faith. It is a certainty, not just an opportunity, for those who are chosen by God. We are encouraged to trust in this grace and to live with the assurance of our salvation, knowing that it is secured by God's power and not our own. [12:49]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding grace as a gift change your perspective on your faith journey? In what ways can you rely more on God's grace rather than your own efforts?


Day 5: Certainty of Salvation: Living with Assurance
Our salvation is a certainty, not just an opportunity, for those chosen by God. This assurance is based on God's power and grace, not our own efforts. As believers, we are called to live with confidence in our eternal hope, knowing that our salvation is secure. This certainty should inspire us to live boldly and faithfully, trusting in God's promises and sharing the hope we have with others. [41:12]

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with doubt about your salvation? How can you remind yourself of the certainty of God's promises today?

Quotes

To me, authenticity is the key to communication of any sort, music or preaching. That's why I don't use much notes. That's why I don't do a manuscript. That's why I stand. Really, that's why I don't wear my glasses. No, really, this is weird. I feel like my glasses are a barrier in some way between me and you. [00:00:48] (24 seconds)

Authenticity is just real, being real. Very important. And it helps us to feel God and to love God and love each other better. There was no one more authentic than the Lord Jesus. His name is above every name, and we've been working for two weeks so far. Today's the third week. About what it is about Jesus who was so authentic, why is it that even His enemies said, truly, we don't like you, but surely they were afraid of Him because of His spiritual authenticity. He was genuine. [00:01:33] (42 seconds)

God has exalted Him and bestowed upon Him the name that is above every name. Now this name is an earthly name, Jesus, Yeshua, Savior, Emmanuel, God with us. This is an earthly name. Jesus was God incarnate. There was never a time when Jesus was not, but because of His humility and obedience, it says that Jesus became obedient to the work of the cross. He became obedient to the Father's will, and because of this, God has positioned and exalted Him among men with a name above every name. [00:03:26] (42 seconds)

The firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. The word preeminent has been, the last two sermons, a focus a bit. Preeminent means first. God has made Jesus preeminent because he was a birth of Jesus. He was a birth of Jesus. He was a birth of Jesus. He was a birth of Jesus. He was a birth of Jesus. Preeminent to werden und und esüt, to be obedient, to death on the cross, to build a body of believers, that's us. [00:08:27] (21 seconds)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, God's great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I underlined a few things. I found myself, when I was underlining, I just wanted to underline them all, which defeats the purpose, Kenyatta. It's no good. [00:12:49] (29 seconds)

How do you know that you're born again today? How do you know that you've been born again to a living hope? It's not that you're always hopeful. It's not that you're always perfectly spiritually in tune. I am not and I've never met any parishioner who was. It's not that. It is that... Because of mercy, we continue in faith. [00:15:02] (24 seconds)

Grace is essential, not extra. Grace is revealed, not discovered. Grace is gifted, not earned. Grace is powerful to call, keep, and complete. Not based on man, but God. So, that's where we're going today. Number one. Grace is essential, not extra. If we think that the world around us can be... [00:19:20] (24 seconds)

Grace is essential, not extra. In Ephesians 2, 4 and 5. But God... Now, verses 1, 2, and 3 have just described in Ephesians that we're sinners. We're really a man. And then verse 4. But God, being rich in mercy. Rich. The word really, rich, is a good English translation. But I want you to imagine. [00:19:46] (28 seconds)

Grace is revealed. And so God, according to His own purposes, and before the... Before the foundation of the world, it says that some people's names were written in the Lamb's book of life. And this is just how it is. You say, well, this is curious and difficult to comprehend. And yes, it is difficult, but scriptural. And so therefore, if we believe the gospel today, then we credit God for revealing it. [00:32:42] (29 seconds)

Jesus' work on the cross did not give you an opportunity. It gave you a certainty. If you're one of His chosen people. You say, oh, pastor, I don't like it when you say things like that. But you think about what I'm telling you. you what would the alternative be did Jesus death on the cross provide you an opportunity or certainty the Bible says it's a certainty for all his sheep who hear his voice they will follow him a certainty not an opportunity a certainty in order that you might be the firstborn among many brothers and those whom he predestined he called what's the flow of this he knew them chose them he predestined predetermined that they would be like Jesus and to those he predestined he called the call is what you may be experiencing when you're thinking about God and you're new to the you're new and thinking of all these things and you're feeling like oh I think I want to believe in Jesus I think I do believe in Jesus you're experiencing God's movement in your life and so don't discount that you're not coming to your senses you're coming into contact with the Holy Spirit's call don't discount that the the the full power of that and [00:38:34] (90 seconds)

Without the preaching of the cross, without preaching the cross to ourselves all day and every day, we will very, very quickly revert to faith plus works. And we'll do that as the base or the ground of our salvation. So to go to the old question that some evangelists have asked, if you were to die tonight and you were going to go into heaven and they would ask you the question, the angel would ask you perhaps, why are you here? [00:44:46] (36 seconds)

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Transcript
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