Embracing Authenticity: Overcoming Hiding and Self-Righteousness

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound nature of God's presence and our human tendency to hide from Him. The story of Adam in the Garden of Eden serves as a powerful illustration of this dynamic. When God asked, "Where are you, Adam?" it wasn't because He didn't know Adam's location, but rather to highlight the human inclination to hide from God. This act of hiding is emblematic of the human condition, where we often conceal our true selves, even from God.

Children, in their innocence, have not yet learned to hide their souls. They live openly and authentically, unlike adults who often mask their true selves. This is evident in the way children tell jokes, without the pretense or timing that adults use to manage their expressions. This openness is a glimpse into the kingdom of God, where authenticity and truth reign.

The kingdom of God provides the framework to truly understand human life. Without it, people are like two dogs fighting over a bone, unaware of the deeper realities at play. Lust, in its many forms, is a destructive force that tears the soul apart, leaving individuals blind to their own faults while quick to judge others. This self-righteousness blinds us to the truth and keeps us from experiencing the fullness of life that God intends.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Omnipresence and Our Hiding: The question "Where are you, Adam?" is a reflection of our tendency to hide from God, despite His omnipresence. This hiding is not about physical location but about the state of our hearts and souls. We must strive to live openly before God, embracing His presence in every aspect of our lives. [00:43]

2. Childlike Openness: Children exemplify a natural openness and authenticity that adults often lose. Their inability to hide their souls is a reminder of the kingdom of God, where truth and authenticity are paramount. We are called to return to this childlike state, shedding the layers of pretense that we accumulate over time. [01:15]

3. The Kingdom's Insight into Human Life: Understanding the kingdom of God is essential to comprehending the complexities of human life. Without this perspective, we are like animals fighting over scraps, unaware of the greater truths that govern our existence. The kingdom offers clarity and purpose, guiding us to live in harmony with God's will. [02:13]

4. The Destructive Nature of Lust: Lust, in its various forms, is a force that destroys the soul and blinds us to our own faults. It creates a false sense of self-righteousness, leading us to judge others harshly while ignoring our own shortcomings. Recognizing and overcoming this destructive force is crucial for spiritual growth and genuine relationships. [02:30]

5. Self-Righteousness and Blindness: Our self-righteous attitudes often prevent us from seeing the truth about ourselves. We are quick to point out the faults in others while remaining blind to our own. True spiritual maturity involves humility and self-awareness, allowing us to see ourselves and others through God's eyes. [02:43]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - God's Omnipresence
[00:43] - The Question to Adam
[01:02] - Human Tendency to Hide
[01:15] - Childlike Openness
[01:38] - Innocence and Jokes
[01:55] - Timing and Authenticity
[02:13] - Kingdom's Insight
[02:30] - The Destructive Nature of Lust
[02:43] - Self-Righteousness and Blindness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:8-10 - The story of Adam hiding from God in the Garden of Eden.
2. Matthew 18:3 - Jesus speaks about becoming like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven.
3. James 4:1-3 - Discusses the destructive nature of desires and conflicts.

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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 3:8-10, what was Adam's response when he heard God in the garden, and why did he react this way?
2. How does the sermon describe the way children express themselves compared to adults? [01:15]
3. According to the sermon, what is the effect of lust on the human soul? [02:30]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of self-righteousness and its impact on our perception of others? [02:43]

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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the question "Where are you, Adam?" reveal about God's relationship with humanity and our tendency to hide from Him? [00:43]
2. How does childlike openness relate to the kingdom of God, and why is it important for spiritual growth? [01:15]
3. In what ways does understanding the kingdom of God provide insight into human life and its complexities? [02:13]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the destructive nature of lust, and what are the implications for personal and spiritual well-being? [02:30]

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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to hide from God. What was the situation, and how did it affect your relationship with Him? [00:43]
2. Consider the innocence and authenticity of children. How can you incorporate more of this openness in your daily interactions with others? [01:15]
3. Identify an area in your life where you might be fighting over "scraps" without recognizing the bigger picture. How can you shift your perspective to align with the kingdom of God? [02:13]
4. Lust can manifest in various forms beyond physical desire. What are some subtle ways it might be affecting your life, and how can you address them? [02:30]
5. Self-righteousness can blind us to our own faults. What steps can you take to cultivate humility and self-awareness in your spiritual journey? [02:43]
6. How can you create an environment in your small group or community that encourages authenticity and openness, similar to the kingdom of God? [01:15]
7. Think of a recent conflict or disagreement. How might understanding the kingdom of God have changed your approach or resolution to that situation? [02:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Omnipresence
In the story of Adam in the Garden of Eden, God asks, "Where are you, Adam?" not because He is unaware of Adam's location, but to highlight the human tendency to hide from God. This act of hiding is emblematic of the human condition, where we often conceal our true selves, even from God. Despite God's omnipresence, we may find ourselves hiding aspects of our lives, fearing judgment or rejection. However, God desires us to live openly before Him, embracing His presence in every aspect of our lives. By acknowledging His omnipresence, we can begin to live authentically, free from the burden of hiding. [00:43]

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself hiding from God? How can you begin to invite Him into that space today?


Day 2: Returning to Childlike Openness
Children, in their innocence, have not yet learned to hide their souls. They live openly and authentically, unlike adults who often mask their true selves. This openness is a glimpse into the kingdom of God, where authenticity and truth reign. As adults, we accumulate layers of pretense, often losing the childlike openness that allows us to connect deeply with God and others. We are called to return to this state, shedding the layers of pretense and embracing authenticity. By doing so, we align ourselves with the values of the kingdom of God, where truth and openness are paramount. [01:15]

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you lost your childlike openness? What steps can you take to embrace authenticity in your relationship with God and others?


Day 3: Gaining Insight from the Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God provides the framework to truly understand human life. Without it, people are like two dogs fighting over a bone, unaware of the deeper realities at play. The kingdom offers clarity and purpose, guiding us to live in harmony with God's will. By understanding the kingdom of God, we gain insight into the complexities of human life and the greater truths that govern our existence. This perspective allows us to live with purpose and direction, aligning our lives with God's will and experiencing the fullness of life He intends for us. [02:13]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17 ESV)

Reflection: How does your understanding of the kingdom of God influence your daily decisions and interactions? What changes can you make to align more closely with God's kingdom values?


Day 4: Recognizing the Destructive Nature of Lust
Lust, in its various forms, is a force that destroys the soul and blinds us to our own faults. It creates a false sense of self-righteousness, leading us to judge others harshly while ignoring our own shortcomings. Recognizing and overcoming this destructive force is crucial for spiritual growth and genuine relationships. By acknowledging the impact of lust on our lives, we can begin to address its root causes and seek healing and transformation through God's grace. This process requires humility and self-awareness, allowing us to see ourselves and others through God's eyes. [02:30]

"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." (James 1:14-15 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways has lust affected your relationships and spiritual growth? How can you seek God's help in overcoming this destructive force in your life?


Day 5: Overcoming Self-Righteousness and Blindness
Our self-righteous attitudes often prevent us from seeing the truth about ourselves. We are quick to point out the faults in others while remaining blind to our own. True spiritual maturity involves humility and self-awareness, allowing us to see ourselves and others through God's eyes. By overcoming self-righteousness, we open ourselves to genuine transformation and growth, fostering deeper connections with God and others. This journey requires a willingness to confront our own shortcomings and seek God's guidance in becoming more like Christ. [02:43]

"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3 ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you judged someone harshly. How can you approach similar situations with humility and self-awareness in the future?

Quotes

"One reason why we love children so much is because they haven't yet learned to hide their souls inside their bodies. Did you know that they can't do it? Our little Becky when she was little learned there were such things as jokes, but she didn't know how to tell them, and so she would tell something she thought was a joke and just fall in the floor laughing." [00:01:10]

"But to tell a joke you have to keep the cat in the bag. That's hiding right? You have to know when to let the cat out of the bag in order to do that you have to be able to manage your body in a certain way so timing is crucial. All of that goes into kingdom because the kingdom kingdom stuff is the only thing that allows you to understand human life." [00:01:44]

"And most people in their battles with one another just like two dogs fighting over a bone in an alley they have no idea what's going on. That's the effect of lust to use the colorful word in human life it destroys the soul it tears it apart and people have no idea what's going on and yet they're so self-righteous and full of themselves that they think they could tell you exactly what's wrong it's usually with you not them." [00:02:16]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?