Keep It 100: Authenticity
Sermon Notes
Welcome to On Brand! Terry Kasselman, our re:generation Director, begins our deep dive into our five core values, beginning with "Authenticity." He explains the difficulty of living authentically and its benefits (healing, mercy, prevention of heart hardening). Terry will also share a personal story of how authenticity transformed his life after years of hiding his sins.
All of us need encouragement to step into the light and embrace authenticity, and there is support for those struggling with secrets and sins. Come and find fellowship to overcome darkness and experience God's healing and mercy!
A church is living On Brand when it understands...
How To Define Authenticity
People often wear different masks in various life situations, concealing their true feelings and struggles, which goes against the call to authenticity as followers of Christ.
Authenticity is defined as being genuine, real, trustworthy, and aligned with biblical teaching. It involves championing honesty, transparency, and integrity in one's interactions and relationships.
In 1 John 1:5-10, authenticity is described as walking in the light, maintaining fellowship with God, and being truthful about one's sins and shortcomings. This contrasts with walking in darkness and deceiving oneself. While the term "one another" is often associated with fellowship among Christians, it can also refer to a believer's close connection with God, emphasizing the importance of honesty and transparency in maintaining that relationship.
The Difficulty of Authenticity
Authenticity is challenging because humans naturally tend to hide and conceal their true selves due to the influence of sin and our fleshly desires.
The biblical story of Adam and Eve highlights how sin led them from an open, shameless existence to hiding in the darkness, symbolizing the common scriptural contrast between light (representing God) and darkness (representing sin, separation from God, and chaos).
The internal battle between our sinful nature and the Holy Spirit, who dwells in believers, makes living authentically difficult. This struggle is described by the apostle Paul in Romans 7, emphasizing the need for support and guidance from fellow believers to stay in the light of authenticity.
The Blessing of Authenticity
The first blessing of authenticity is healing, specifically how confessing to the one you hurt begins the healing process of mending a fractured relationship (James 5:16).
The second blessing of authenticity is the mercy of God and the one that you have wronged (Proverbs 28:13).
The third blessing of authenticity is that confessing sin prevents your heart from hardening (Hebrews 3:12-13).The Bible serves as a loving correction and recalibration tool, like a plumb line, pointing us back to the right path. It trains us in righteousness, aiding our growth and maturity, not just in age but in character. The reliability of the Bible is well-established, and most issues arise from it contradicting personal desires rather than inconsistencies within the text.
The Cost of Not Living Authentically
The first great cost of living in darkness is that true fellowship with God is broken (Proverbs 28:14).
The second cost of living in the darkness is a complete inability to wrestle against sin.
Rejecting God's call to confession leads to a hardening of the heart, akin to a rock, fueled by buried secrets that remain concealed in the darkness.The third blessing of authenticity is that confessing sin prevents your heart from hardening (Hebrews 3:12-13).
Discussion Questions
How does the concept of authenticity, as discussed in this message, relate to your own life and experiences?
What are some common reasons people find it difficult to be fully authentic and transparent with others?
How can the blessings of authenticity, such as healing, mercy, and preventing heart hardening, impact one's spiritual growth and well-being?
Have you ever experienced the negative consequences of concealing transgressions and living in darkness? What lessons can be learned from such experiences?
In what ways can a community or support system help individuals in their journey toward living authentically and walking in the light, as discussed in the message?