Embracing Honesty: Trusting God with Our Hidden Selves
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of honesty and the human tendency to hide aspects of ourselves, both physically and emotionally. We began by acknowledging that everyone in our community is on a journey, taking steps toward a deeper relationship with Jesus. No one has it all figured out, and we are here to support each other in this journey. We also touched on the importance of generosity, not as a means to an end, but as a reflection of our hearts and a way to participate in what God is doing in our lives.
We delved into the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, a narrative that reveals the human inclination to hide when faced with shame and exposure. The serpent's deception led to a distortion of God's character, portraying Him as unreasonable and deceitful. This story illustrates how we often hide what we value, fearing it might be taken or harmed, yet in doing so, we risk losing it altogether. The act of hiding is a form of dishonesty, a way to avoid confronting the truth about ourselves.
The pivotal question God asks, "Where are you?" is not for His benefit but for ours. It invites us to reflect on our own state of being, to recognize where we have strayed or hidden from God. This question is a call to self-awareness and honesty, urging us to confront the areas of our lives that we have kept hidden. We discussed how our attempts to cover our shame with our own means are insufficient, and how God offers His own covering, a symbol of His grace and desire to restore us.
Ultimately, the message is about God's relentless pursuit of us, His desire to dwell among us, and His invitation to trust Him with the hidden parts of our lives. We are encouraged to consider what trusting God with our hidden aspects looks like, knowing that He moves toward us with the intent to heal and restore.
Key Takeaways:
- Community and Growth: Our church community is a place where everyone is on a journey toward Jesus. No one has arrived, and we all need each other to take the next steps in our faith. This journey is about supporting one another in our pursuit of a life with Jesus. [00:00]
- Generosity as a Heart Issue: Generosity is not about the amount given but about participating in what God is doing in our lives. It's a reflection of our hearts and a way to experience the joy of giving, as demonstrated by the story of a member who found joy in giving despite financial struggles. [28:21]
- The Nature of Hiding: We often hide what we value, fearing it might be taken or harmed. However, hiding is a form of dishonesty, and in our attempts to protect, we risk losing what we hide. This is illustrated in the story of Adam and Eve, where hiding led to a loss of innocence and trust. [29:34]
- God's Pursuit and Our Response: God's question, "Where are you?" invites us to self-reflection and honesty. It challenges us to confront the hidden areas of our lives and trust God with them. God's pursuit is about restoration and healing, offering His covering for our shame. [43:19]
- Trusting God with the Hidden: We are encouraged to consider what trusting God with the hidden parts of our lives looks like. This involves recognizing the ways we try to cover our shame and allowing God's grace to bring healing and restoration. [56:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction and Community
- [03:15] - Generosity and Heart
- [07:30] - Story of Generosity
- [12:00] - The Trip to Turkey and Greece
- [15:45] - Hiding and Protecting
- [20:00] - The Truth About Honesty
- [28:21] - The Nature of Hiding
- [29:34] - The Story of Adam and Eve
- [35:39] - The Serpent's Deception
- [38:59] - Nakedness and Shame
- [41:52] - God's Question: Where Are You?
- [43:19] - Our Response to God's Pursuit
- [48:27] - God's Covering for Our Shame
- [56:17] - Trusting God with the Hidden
- [59:09] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:1-21
2. Proverbs 12:22
3. Jeremiah 17:9
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 3, what was the serpent's initial question to the woman, and how did it lead to a distortion of God's character? [35:39]
2. How did Adam and Eve respond after realizing their nakedness, and what does this reveal about their understanding of shame and exposure? [38:59]
3. What was God's question to Adam and Eve after they hid, and why is this question significant for self-reflection? [43:19]
4. According to the sermon, what does the act of hiding reveal about our trust in God? [41:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Adam and Eve illustrate the human tendency to hide when faced with shame, and what does this suggest about our own inclinations to hide aspects of ourselves? [29:34]
2. In what ways does the serpent's deception in Genesis 3 reflect the broader theme of dishonesty and the distortion of truth? [35:39]
3. How does God's question, "Where are you?" serve as an invitation for self-awareness and honesty in our own lives? [43:19]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the insufficiency of our own attempts to cover our shame, and how does God's provision of garments for Adam and Eve symbolize His grace? [49:37]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to hide something about yourself. What was the outcome, and how might trusting God with that hidden aspect have changed the situation? [41:52]
2. Consider the ways you might be hiding aspects of your life from God or others. What steps can you take to bring these into the light and seek healing? [56:17]
3. How can you cultivate a spirit of generosity in your life, not just in terms of giving, but as a reflection of your heart and participation in what God is doing? [28:21]
4. What are some practical ways you can support others in your community who may be struggling with their own hidden aspects or shame? [00:00]
5. Identify one area of your life where you feel exposed or vulnerable. How can you invite God's grace to cover and restore that area? [49:37]
6. How can you use the question "Where are you?" as a tool for regular self-reflection and spiritual growth in your journey with God? [43:19]
7. What does trusting God with the hidden parts of your life look like for you personally, and how can you take a tangible step toward that trust this week? [56:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Journeying Together in Faith
In our spiritual journey, we are all at different stages, yet we share a common goal: to grow closer to Jesus. This journey is not one we undertake alone; it is a communal experience where we support and uplift each other. Recognizing that no one has it all figured out, we are called to be a community that encourages growth and transformation. This means being open about our struggles and victories, and being willing to walk alongside others in their faith journey. As we journey together, we create a space where everyone feels valued and supported, fostering an environment of mutual growth and understanding. [00:00]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to today to offer encouragement or support in their faith journey?
Day 2: Generosity Reflects the Heart
Generosity is more than just giving; it is a reflection of our hearts and our willingness to participate in God's work. It is not measured by the amount we give but by the spirit in which we give. True generosity comes from a place of gratitude and trust in God's provision. It is an opportunity to experience the joy of giving, even in times of personal financial struggle. By being generous, we align ourselves with God's purposes and open ourselves to the blessings that come from being a part of His work in the world. [28:21]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a way you can be generous today, not just financially, but with your time or talents. How can this act of generosity reflect your heart and trust in God?
Day 3: The Cost of Hiding
Hiding is a natural human response to fear and shame, yet it often leads to greater loss. We hide what we value, fearing it might be taken or harmed, but in doing so, we risk losing it altogether. The story of Adam and Eve illustrates this truth, as their attempt to hide from God led to a loss of innocence and trust. Hiding is a form of dishonesty, a way to avoid confronting the truth about ourselves. By bringing our hidden parts into the light, we can begin to experience healing and restoration. [29:34]
"For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light." (Luke 8:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing you have been hiding out of fear or shame? How can you bring it into the light and begin to address it honestly?
Day 4: God's Pursuit of Restoration
God's question, "Where are you?" is an invitation to self-reflection and honesty. It is not for His benefit but for ours, urging us to confront the hidden areas of our lives. God's pursuit is relentless; He desires to restore and heal us, offering His covering for our shame. This pursuit is an expression of His grace and love, inviting us to trust Him with our vulnerabilities. By responding to His call, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His presence in our lives. [43:19]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel distant from God? How can you respond to His invitation to draw near and experience His restoration?
Day 5: Trusting God with the Hidden
Trusting God with the hidden parts of our lives involves recognizing the ways we try to cover our shame and allowing His grace to bring healing. It means surrendering our fears and vulnerabilities to Him, knowing that He moves toward us with the intent to heal and restore. This trust is not passive; it requires active engagement and a willingness to let go of our own means of protection. By trusting God with our hidden aspects, we invite His transformative power into our lives, leading to greater freedom and wholeness. [56:17]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one hidden aspect of your life that you need to trust God with today? What steps can you take to actively surrender this area to Him?
Quotes
"All of us fudge the the truth a little bit. We all kind of find a way to shade it a little bit, gain a little. We kind of, of course we do. We all kind of tell, we all kind of in some way know there's a part of us that isn't exactly detesting ourselves for lying. We all sort of do this a little bit. In fact, the Bible will say it in some really harsh language. I think it's actually, it's true, but it's really harsh to see it. That somewhere inside of us, this is what we do. Look what it says in Jeremiah 17. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Our sweet little heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure, which means there's a part of us that's going to be kind of okay with lying. And we lie for lots of different reasons, and all of us do it. We lie to kind of, you know, hide our own weakness." [00:29:34] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Now, it turns out that hiding something, hiding itself, is a form of dishonesty. It actually is. It's a kind of misdirection and secrecy and deception. In some way, truth and honesty is about taking things that have been hidden that are in the dark and bringing them into the light." [00:31:16] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Now, you have to imagine a couple of things. First of all, if the people can acknowledge that this is God who's walking in the garden, then when God asks the question, where are you, it isn't because God doesn't know. He is not like, I don't know where they went. They were here a second. It's like, he doesn't know this. Okay, we can assume this. Which means the question is for the person who is doing the hiding. Where are you? Do you know where you are? Do you realize where, do you know where you have gone? Where are you?" [00:43:19] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"People are moving away, God's moving toward. The whole arc of the Bible, from the very beginning, you have God in the cool of the garden, walking in the beginning, to the very end of the Bible itself is that God's intent is always to move toward people, to dwell, or to be among them." [00:50:06] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Let me ask it this way. Think about this during this week. What does trusting God with what's hidden in my life, even if you can't yet identify, what does trusting God with what's hidden look like? What does that mean? If there's no threat of shame, because God covers us with his covering, not with our own, but he covers us, then that gives us a lot of freedom to deal with what's hidden in us that needs healing." [00:56:56] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"It's God who moves towards, and it's people who move far from him. God moves towards us to restore us because he intends to be with us. Let's pray together." [00:57:27] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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