Here’s a recap from Sunday’s beginning to the series “are you for real?” and attempting to answer the question of what authentic faith looks like. We’re using as our guide the book of 1 John.
John describes the real and authentic person as one who is honest about their sin. Everyone fails, sins, blows it. What you do with that failure defines your level of authenticity.
When the plastic person does wrong:
they deny it
they attempt to hide it
they shift the focus to others who’ve done wrong
they blame others for causing them to do wrong
they refuse to ask forgiveness
they never admit it to God and others
they continue to carry the guilt and shame
they are unable to forgive others who fail
When an authentic person does wrong:
they are honest with God about it and confess it
there is a consistency of words, actions, attitudes inwardly and outwardly
they admit their failures to others
they are honest with themselves
they seek forgiveness from God and others
they are free to be honest, clean, and enjoy open relationships with others
they are free to love God with a grateful heart
they are able to forgive others who fail
1 John 1:6-10If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Here’s today’s passage for our read through of 1 John during the “are you for Real?” series:
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
Telling others about Jesus Christ was a very real experience for the early disciples. He wasn’t just a concept or a spiritual thought, He was real. They heard Him,saw Him, touched Him. He was real. He was there with them and was the life that had come from God the Father. Their message was that the reality of God had appeared to them and had forever changed them. What has been your real experience with God?
Common Craft shares a great video highlighting the features of Rockwells Retro Encabulator.
Be sure you watch this one. The technology is amazing!
Ok… did you watch it? Truth be known, it’s a hoax.
Behind the announcer is simply a bank of large circuit breaker panels. You can find these in any large building. This is a hoax video produced by Rockwell for a sales meeting.
But it got me thinking – is this what we sound like when we talk Christianese to “non-believers?” Is this what I sound like when I talk government and history to my wife? Is this what I sound like when I talk about technology to my friends and family?
Consider the audience.
While terms like Son of God, kingdom, good news, Messiah, Parousia (or presence), Savior, faith, Lord and Emmanuel may have been familiar to Jews and Romans in the time of Christ (see “Jesus for President” p.67-69), they may not carry the same meaning or understanding for folks in our day.
While I’m not suggesting we change all our terminology, I think we need to be careful to explain and share our understanding of the terms and ideas that those outside (and maybe even inside) the church aren’t familiar with.
Otherwise, to them it may feel like standing in line at Starbucks for the first time, hearing folks in front of them rattle off, “Venti, skinny, 2 shots, no-whip, Cinnamon Dulce Latte.”
Well for those of you who listen to our podcasts on a regular basis, you’ve probably been wondering, “What the heck is going on?!”
What happened to all the podcasts since March 2nd?!
We ran into a couple technical issues with the March 9th and 16th podcasts, but those issues have been resolved and now our podcasts should be caught up to date.
You can (re)listen to all of the Inverted series, the Passion Groove, Chase the Lion, Storm Chasers and many more directly on your computer. Or, if you’re feeling tech-savy enough, you can copy the podcasts to CD or your favorite mp3 player and listen to them at the gym or on your way to work.
To find all the podcast “episodes” visit: www.encounterthis.com/podcast. Or if you prefer, iTune users can simply access the encounter page from the iTunes store (search for encounter Waxahachie or click the above link), click subscribe, and have the latest and greatest podcasts automatically downloaded to your computer.
For many years I was a fan of Ed Young. They have done so many creative and impacting things through the ministry of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX. Lately, I’ve began to wonder though. Sadly, this video didn’t help.
His impersonation of Joel Osteen is pretty funny.
After watching though, I found myself thinking, “Hey,its not the desire of every preacher to walk up on a stage like that.” I found myself wanting to apologize on behalf of all pastors. I found myself deeply disturbed about the state of the church in America.
There’s more to being the body of Christ and the church in this generation than owning and operating expansive business-like production-houses. That can’t be the pinnacle and measure of success. There’s more tohelping people become passionate follower of Christthan raising and spending millions on ourselves.
If the perception of church from those away from Christ today is that we seek a slick, media-driven, professionalism, and are consumed with raising money and looking successful, then it is no wonder more are not motivated to want seek after Christ.
I’m filled now with more questions than I ever have been. What are we doing to the hearts of people who need a touch from God? What message are we sending about what is most important to God? What are we doing to show that we are willing to lay down our lives for the sake of another?
” p.67-69), they may not carry the same meaning or understanding for folks in our day. 
