Tuesday, November 23, 2010
*.* MASQUERADE—4 *.*
FINANCIAL FAKERS
One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Proverbs 13:7
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Romans 1:25
MONEY AND THINGS PROMISE:
1) HAPPINESS
2) SIGNIFICANCE
3) SECURITY
DROP THE MASK AND EXPOSE THE TRUTH
WE TRUST MONEY FOR HAPPINESS BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST.
WE TRUST MONEY TO MAKE US SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST.
WE BELIEVE MONEY WILL MAKE US SECURE BECAUSE WE TRUST IN MONEY AND NOT IN CHRIST.
A BETTER WAY TO LIVE
TRUE HAPPINESS, SIGNIFICANCE AND SECURITY ARE FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE.
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8
…A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness… 2 Peter 1:3
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Proverbs 15:16
Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. Proverbs 15:17
Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. Proverbs 12:9
TALK IT OVER
What is some evidence that would indicate you’re looking to money or possessions for happiness, significance, or security?
What really stuck out the most to you in the message? What actions do you feel prompted to take?
What are some things you can do to help build your concept of who you are in Christ? Who will you ask to help you?
Find forgiveness and healing this week by talking it over with someone who will help you take your next step out of hiding. Find more at www.lifechurch.tv/talkitover.
Me blogged @ | 5:57 AM
Friday, November 19, 2010
*.* MASQUERADE—3 *.*
HIDING YOUR SIN
AFTER YOU SIN, YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES
CONCEAL YOUR SINS.
CONFESS YOUR SINS.
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army…But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her...Then she went back home. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, "I am pregnant." 2 Samuel 11:1-5
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17
… you may be sure that your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23
For the story of Nathan confronting David, see 2 Samuel 12:1-14
WHAT ARE YOU COVERING UP?
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TWO TYPES OF CONFESSION
1) CONFESS TO GOD FOR FORGIVENESS.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin...10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12
2) CONFESS TO PEOPLE FOR HEALING.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed… James 5:16
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
TALK IT OVER
Have you ever been caught in a lie? Share a story from the past that’s old enough not to hurt anymore.
So here you are at the crossroads with someone to confess to. What are you covering up?
Make a list together of the people you need to confess to. How will you take steps towards being free from the sin you’re sick and tired of hiding?
Find forgiveness and healing this week by talking it over with someone who will help you take your next step out of hiding. Find more at www.lifechurch.tv/talkitover.
Me blogged @ | 8:31 PM
*.* MASQUERADE—2 *.*
SELF DECEPTION
THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW, DON’T KNOW THEY DON’T KNOW.
TWO TRUTHS OF THE SELF DECEIVED
1) THE LONGER WE VIEW OURSELVES THROUGH A DISTORTED LENS THE MORE LIKELY WE ARE TO BELIEVE A DISTORTED TRUTH.
For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. 3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. Psalm 36:2-3
2) OFTEN THE MORE CONVINCED YOU ARE YOU’RE RIGHT THE MORE LIKELY YOU ARE WRONG.
Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." 34"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered," this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." 35But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you…" Matthew 26:33-35
THREE STEPS TO LIVE IN TRUTH
1) PRAY
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
2) LISTEN
He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. 32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. Proverbs 15:31-32
What is God or a loved one trying to tell you?
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3) CHANGE
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:3
TALK IT OVER
Who are some people you’re close to that have problems with self-deception? What responsibility do you feel to help them see the truth?
Ask those you’re talking with to help you see the masks you’re unaware of. Pray together first if you know that hearing the truth will be hard for you.
What steps will you take this week to address the changes you need to make?
Drop the mask this week by talking it over with someone who will help you take your next step out of hiding. Find more at www.lifechurch.tv/talkitover.
Me blogged @ | 1:21 AM
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
*.* MASQUERADE—1 *.*
HIDING FROM GOD
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 2:24
no shame: buwsh (boosh); to be ashamed; to be disappointed, to be confused, to become dry.
there was nothing that separated the people from God.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Genesis 3:7
hypocrite: hupokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace’); an actor playing a role, someone wearing a mask to misrepresent reality.
SATAN’S SHAME GAME
• You experience something deeply painful or sinful.
• You connect what happened with who you are.
• You believe the only way to be safe is to hide.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8
But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” Genesis 3:9-10
WHERE ARE YOU WITH GOD?
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The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3:21
TALK IT OVER
What kind of mask do you hide behind the most? Happy? Successful? Holy? Or something else?
What’s something that happened that you connected to who you are? After you share it, say out loud that you recognize that it’s a lie.
Where are you with God? Talk about your number. How did it feel to talk about that in church?
Drop the mask this week by talking it over with someone who will help you take your next step out of hiding. Find more at www.lifechurch.tv/talkitover.
Me blogged @ | 3:21 AM
