Living Genuine Faith: Avoiding Hypocrisy in the Church

 

Summary

In reflecting on the words of Philippians 3:18-19, we are reminded of the profound responsibility that comes with professing faith in Christ. Paul, a vigilant shepherd, was deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of the churches he founded. His honesty and affection for the believers were evident as he warned them about those who were enemies of the Cross of Christ. These individuals, though outwardly part of the church, were inwardly driven by earthly desires, making a god of their own appetites and glorying in their shame.

The message is as relevant today as it was in Paul's time. The church is not immune to hypocrisy, and there are those within its walls whose lives contradict the teachings of Christ. These false professors are not only a personal tragedy but also a significant threat to the church's witness. They grieve the church, divide it, and provide ammunition for critics of the faith. Their inconsistent lives can lead others astray, causing seekers to stumble and giving the enemy cause to rejoice.

Paul's tears were not for his own suffering but for the guilt and doom of those who professed faith without living it. Their end, he warned, is destruction. This is a sobering reminder that the higher one climbs in the esteem of others, the greater the fall if their faith is not genuine. The call is for self-examination, to ensure that our profession of faith is not a mere facade but a true reflection of a life transformed by Christ.

The challenge is to live consistently with the faith we profess, to be genuine in our devotion, and to avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy. Let us strive to be true followers of Christ, not just in word but in deed, so that we may not only avoid the fate of the false professors but also be a light to those around us.

Key Takeaways:

- The Danger of Hypocrisy: Hypocrisy within the church is a grave danger, as it not only harms the individual but also the church's witness. Those who profess faith but live contrary to it are enemies of the Cross, causing division and giving critics reason to blaspheme. [20:45]

- The Importance of Genuine Faith: Genuine faith is marked by a life consistent with the teachings of Christ. It requires self-examination and humility, recognizing that true Christians are often the most aware of their shortcomings. [36:28]

- The Consequences of False Profession: The end of those who falsely profess faith is destruction. The higher the esteem they hold, the greater the fall if their faith is not genuine. This serves as a warning to ensure our faith is true. [31:46]

- The Impact on Seekers: The inconsistent lives of false professors can lead seekers astray, causing them to doubt the truth of the Gospel. It is crucial for believers to live in a way that reflects the love and truth of Christ. [22:58]

- The Call to Self-Examination: Believers are called to examine themselves, to ensure their faith is genuine and not a mere facade. This involves a continual process of reflection and repentance, seeking to align one's life with the teachings of Christ. [37:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Philippians 3:18-19
- [00:36] - Paul's Vigilance and Care
- [01:08] - The Honest and Affectionate Shepherd
- [02:07] - Warning Against Enemies of the Cross
- [03:26] - The Modern Church's Struggle
- [04:30] - The Apostle's Extraordinary Sorrow
- [05:36] - The Guilt of False Professors
- [06:40] - Earthly Desires and Idolatry
- [09:06] - Ambition and Covetousness in the Church
- [11:39] - Glorying in Shame
- [15:39] - The Mischief of False Professors
- [20:45] - The Greatest Enemies of the Church
- [31:46] - The Doom of Hypocrisy
- [37:34] - The Call to Self-Examination

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Philippians 3:18-19

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific behaviors does Paul identify as characteristic of the "enemies of the Cross of Christ" in Philippians 3:18-19?
2. According to the sermon, what was the Apostle Paul's emotional response to those who were enemies of the Cross, and why did he feel this way? [02:39]
3. How does the sermon describe the impact of false professors on the church and its witness? [20:45]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for someone to make a "god of their own appetites," and how does this relate to the concept of idolatry discussed in the sermon? [06:40]
2. How does the sermon interpret the consequences of false profession, and what does it suggest about the importance of genuine faith? [31:46]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the inconsistent lives of false professors can lead seekers astray, and how might this affect the church's mission? [22:58]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where your actions might not align with your profession of faith? How can you address these inconsistencies? [37:34]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of self-examination. What practical steps can you take to regularly examine your faith and ensure it is genuine? [37:34]
3. How can you actively work to be a light to those around you, ensuring that your life reflects the love and truth of Christ? [22:58]
4. Consider the impact of hypocrisy within the church. How can you contribute to a culture of authenticity and integrity in your faith community? [20:45]
5. The sermon warns against making a "god of our appetites." Are there desires or habits in your life that might be taking precedence over your relationship with Christ? How can you realign your priorities? [06:40]
6. How can you support others in your church who may be struggling with hypocrisy or inconsistency in their faith journey? What role can accountability play in this process? [21:52]
7. Reflect on a time when you may have been a stumbling block to someone seeking faith. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you prevent it from happening again? [22:58]

Devotional

Day 1: The Peril of Inconsistent Faith
In Philippians 3:18-19, Paul warns about the danger of hypocrisy within the church. Those who profess faith but live contrary to it are described as enemies of the Cross. Their actions not only harm themselves but also damage the church's witness, causing division and giving critics reason to blaspheme. This inconsistency can lead others astray, causing seekers to stumble and providing the enemy with cause to rejoice. The call is to live a life that aligns with the teachings of Christ, avoiding the pitfalls of hypocrisy and ensuring that our faith is genuine. [20:45]

Jeremiah 7:9-10 (ESV): "Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—only to go on doing all these abominations?"

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where your actions do not align with your professed faith? How can you begin to address this inconsistency today?


Day 2: The Call for Authentic Devotion
Genuine faith is characterized by a life that is consistent with the teachings of Christ. It requires self-examination and humility, recognizing that true Christians are often the most aware of their shortcomings. This authenticity in faith is crucial for personal spiritual growth and for being a true witness to others. The challenge is to live out our faith in both word and deed, ensuring that our devotion is not just a facade but a true reflection of a life transformed by Christ. [36:28]

James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively live out your faith today, ensuring that your actions reflect your beliefs?


Day 3: The Warning of False Profession
The end of those who falsely profess faith is destruction. Paul warns that the higher the esteem they hold, the greater the fall if their faith is not genuine. This serves as a sobering reminder to ensure that our faith is true and not just a facade. The call is for self-examination, to ensure that our profession of faith is a true reflection of a life transformed by Christ. [31:46]

Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV): "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

Reflection: Reflect on your own faith journey. Are there areas where you might be relying on outward appearances rather than genuine faith? How can you address this today?


Day 4: The Influence on Seekers
The inconsistent lives of false professors can lead seekers astray, causing them to doubt the truth of the Gospel. It is crucial for believers to live in a way that reflects the love and truth of Christ, serving as a light to those around them. By living authentically, believers can help guide seekers towards a genuine understanding of the Gospel, rather than causing them to stumble. [22:58]

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is seeking or questioning faith. How can your actions and words today positively influence their journey towards Christ?


Day 5: The Necessity of Self-Examination
Believers are called to examine themselves, to ensure their faith is genuine and not a mere facade. This involves a continual process of reflection and repentance, seeking to align one's life with the teachings of Christ. By regularly engaging in self-examination, believers can ensure that their faith is authentic and that they are living in a way that honors God. [37:34]

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"

Reflection: Set aside time today to reflect on your spiritual journey. What areas of your life need realignment with the teachings of Christ, and how can you begin this process?

Quotes

Paul was the very model of what a Christian minister should be he was a watchful Shepherd over the flock he did not simply preach to them and consider that he had done all his duty when he had delivered his message but his eyes were always upon the churches marking their spiritual welfare their growth in Grace or their declension in God. [00:36:52]

Paul was very honest he did not flinch from telling the whole truth and telling it often, too though some might think that once from the lip of Paul would be of more effect than a hundred times from anyone else I have told you often says he and I tell you yet again there are some who are enemies of the Cross of Christ. [00:31:36]

I do fear that the evil instead of having decreased has multiplied and grown in danger we have more profession now than there was in the age of Paul and consequently we have more hypocrisy it is a crying sin with our churches that there are many in their midst who never ought to be there who would be fit members of an ale house or any favorite Resort of the gay and frivolous. [00:37:13]

Paul wept on account of the guilt of those persons who having a name to live were dead and while uniting themselves with a Christian Church were not walking as they should do among men and before god notice the sin with which he charges them he says their God was their belly by this this I understand that they were sensual persons. [00:56:00]

The church is not pure the church is not perfect we have scabbed sheep in the flock in our own little communion now and then we find them out and then comes the dread sentence of excommunication by which they are cut off from our fellowship but there are many of whom we are not aware who creep like snakes along the grass. [01:22:40]

The greatest Sorrows of the church have been brought upon her not by the arrows shot by her foes not by the discharge of the artillery of hell but by fires lit in her own midst by those who have crept into her in the guise of good men and true but who was spies in the camp and traitors to the cause. [01:30:51]

Many a careful Seeker has been prejudiced against sound Doctrine by the evil lives of its professors ah ye scribes and Pharisees ye enter not in yourselves and them that would enter in ye hinder you take the key of knowledge lock up the door by your inconsistencies and drive men Away by your Unholy living. [01:48:38]

The devil gets much advantage over the church by the inconsistency of professors it is when Satan makes Hypocrites that he brings the great battering ram against the wall your lives are not consistent ah that is the greatest battering ram that Satan can use against the cause of Christ. [01:55:27]

Paul wept because he knew their Doom their end is destruction Mark you the end of a professing man who has been a hypocrite will be emphatically destruction if there be chains in Hell more heavy than others if there be dungeons in Hell more dark than others if there be racks that shall more fearfully torment the frame. [02:06:32]

The higher the soore the greater the fall this man has soared high how low must he tumble when he finds himself mistaken he who thought to put to his mouth the nected cup of Heaven finds when he quaffs the bowl that it is the very draft of hell he he who hoped to enter through the gates into the city. [02:10:48]

I recommend you to examine yourselves whether you be in the faith less being puffed up by your carnal fleshly mind you fall into the snare of the wicked one not too sure is a very good motto for the Christian make your calling and election sure if you like but do not make your opinion of yourself so sure. [02:27:11]

Let us then try ourselves let us say search us oh God and try our hearts see if there be any wicked way in us and lead us in the way Everlasting if you shall be sent home with such a thought I shall bless God that the sermon was not altogether in vain. [02:37:54]

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Transcript
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