Remove the Mask… Acknowledge the Need

“Remove the Mask… Acknowledge the Need”

Message by Tim Perkins | 5/24/2020

(Hebrews 12:2-3 MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

(John 19:28 NIV) Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Big Idea: Be human enough to your need.

Roadblocks to Removing the Mask

1. Our fallen nature wants to ! (Genesis 2:25; Genesis 3:7-10)
2. The fear of being .

What’s a solution?

1. Create Circles of . (Matthew 4:25; Luke 10:1-24; Proverbs 28:13)
2. Anchor your and in God… not people. (Psalms 139:14; 1 Samuel 17:38-39)
   • The key to being vulnerable and transparent with people is to have another source that provides your value and self-worth.

Liberating Truth: God’s love is based on your in Christ not your in life.

Think About it…

This week, we learned another way to live through a bad day by observing how Jesus handled His worst day. After hours of suffering on the cross, Jesus showed His humanity by addressing His need for help with the words, “I am thirsty.” The fact that He, as the Son of God, asked for a drink demonstrates that none of us are so self-sufficient that we can survive a bad day without the help of those around us. We need to acknowledge our needs. Asking for help doesn’t make us weak; it makes us human. While it is natural for us to try to hide our needs to avoid being hurt, rejected, or exposed, we need to remove our masks and simply be ourselves. The church is the best place for people to grow, heal, and change. Here, we can find support through Godly friends, grow as part of the body of Christ, gain protection by being a part of the flock, and embrace the love of our church family. When we are connected with people who love and believe in us, we are free to be ourselves and confront challenges head-on, knowing we are supported by others.

Talk about it…

• Is it difficult for you to admit when something in your life is not going well? Discuss reasons why we may put on masks and refrain from asking for help when we need it. What role does fear play in keeping you from being real and transparent with others?
• Discuss the importance of being connected in a church family. What is the value of having a group of friends to help you make it through difficult situations?
• Share an experience you’ve had where you opened up with a friend about a difficult situation. How did being transparent help, you overcome the challenge you faced? How does this experience motivate you to offer support to someone else?

Pray about it…

• Thank God for helping you realize that you can’t do things on your own and for carrying your burdens. Ask Him to help you overcome your fears and admit that you have needs. Go to God with both your major problems and your daily challenges. If you don’t have a friend with whom you can be transparent, pray for authentic friendships. Thank God in advance for placing supportive people in your life.

Act on it…

• Reading Plan: Join us this week in our church-wide reading plan as we continue the conversation & explore ways we can remove the mask. Click here.
  • We’d love to hear your voice in this conversation or simply just read along with us!
• Acknowledge your need by filling out a prayer request.
• Invite someone to join you for church online next week. Here are some tools to help.