This week at Alive Church we are going to be talking about investing in others for the sake of something bigger, not just for us personally, but for them. I think many people are looking for authenticity in life.
People should experience authenticity in churches. Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It’s genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level, sharing.
It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer. They should feel a freedom to be able to do this because they should be loved and accepted, no matter what.
Unfortunately authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in many churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role-playing, politicking, superficial politeness, and shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. These attitudes are the death of real relationship. Those searching for authentic people can see through all that and they want no part of it and no part of that church.
It’s only as we become open about our lives that we experience authentic relationships. The Bible says, . . . If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves” - In other words, nobody is perfect, let’s just admit it!
Of course, being authentic requires both courage and humility. It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection, and being hurt again.
Why should anyone take such a risk?
Because it’s the only way to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy. And if you’re really serious about helping others in their spiritual journey, you, being authentic, will bring freedom to others too. The Scripture says, “Confess your faults to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed”
Do you think you are really authentic in your relationships? Why or why not?
It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer. They should feel a freedom to be able to do this because they should be loved and accepted, no matter what.
Unfortunately authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in many churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role-playing, politicking, superficial politeness, and shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. These attitudes are the death of real relationship. Those searching for authentic people can see through all that and they want no part of it and no part of that church.
It’s only as we become open about our lives that we experience authentic relationships. The Bible says, . . . If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves” - In other words, nobody is perfect, let’s just admit it!
Of course, being authentic requires both courage and humility. It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection, and being hurt again.
Why should anyone take such a risk?
Because it’s the only way to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy. And if you’re really serious about helping others in their spiritual journey, you, being authentic, will bring freedom to others too. The Scripture says, “Confess your faults to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed”
Do you think you are really authentic in your relationships? Why or why not?
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