Summary of Stop living like a hypocrite: part one
Preamble
Brent tells a humours story about his experience with his first time on a cruise. He tells a story of how he and his wife were seated at a table where strangers at the table asked Brent did for a living. It was the last dinner of the cruise and Brent had to answer the awkward question. But instead of answering the question he had the others at the table guess his profession and they did guess he was a minister.
How we are perceived
Are we viewed as being a hypocrite once our friends find out about our relationship with Jesus. But why does it matter? Should we care if we are perceived as a hypocrite? The answer is yes! Let’s investigate further.
Ephesians 4:25
Everyone should speak truthfully. We must put off falsehood. Brent stresses the word “everyone,” meaning all people and all white lies. We convince ourselves that white lies are good. We deceive ourselves into thinking that white lies protect people’s feelings. God hates deception. (Cross ref: Acts 5)
Why is being truthful important?
Paul, the writer of the book of Ephesians, explains that lies chips away at trust. If we, as the church (a collection of people), start lying to one another we will destroy the trust we have with one another.
A challenge: commit to tell the truth
Brent challenges the audience to commit to tell the truth and find people that will hold us accountable.
Ephesians 4:26-27
Righteous anger will mobilize us. There is nothing wrong with righteous anger, but Paul is talking about regular anger. Paul reminds us that anger should not lead us into sin. It is an anger that provokes us.
A challenge: Commit to focusing on forgiveness
Brent challenges us to remember that forgiveness will subdue our anger. Stop sinning when you get angry, commit to focusing on forgiveness. Instead of building a grudge: forgive! Instead of planning revenge: forgive!
Seek professional help for anger issues
Brent reminds us that we often can’t overcome anger issues alone. He tells the audience to stop being prideful and to get help from a counselor.
Stop stealing
Brent gives a great summary of many different ways of stealing. His summary included many examples of stealing that are socially acceptable: paying under the table to avoid taxes, downloading bootleg music, not working a full day and receiving the full day’s wage…etc.
Stealing and being greedy vs. working hard and being greedy
Brent reminds us that being greedy is the same across all spectrums. Greed is greed. Brent explains that we are called to be generous.
Why do we lie, steal, and act greedy
Brent explains that we do these things because they are so easy. Doing the opposite is hard: telling the truth, being content with your current possessions, and being generous.
We are fundamentally changed
It is so important to remember that we have been called to live to a higher standard. This isn’t because we are better than anyone else, but it is because we have been saved and God has called us to live a God-centred life. We have been called to live in community with one another and falsehood, stealing, and greed lead to the destruction to community. And we are called to turn outward to be a witness to our community without the hypocrisy.
About this Message Series
This is a message in a series called Ephesians. The goal of this series is to discuss the topics and themes that arise from the New Testament book Ephesians. The book of Ephesians is a letter that Paul wrote while in prison. Sometimes it is called a Prison Epistle. It was written to encourage believers. He was encouraging other faithful followers of Jesus to serve in unity and love in the midst of persecution. This series was started in January 2016.
About the Speaker
Brent is the lead pastor here at SouthRidge. He and his wife Pam were part of the original church plant.