Are You For Real?

Are You For Real?

Luke 12:1-12

-Counterfeiting and façades are unfortunately woven into the grain of humanity and the results can be devastating.

4 evidences of real Christianity—not things that make us Christian, but proof that we really ARE in Christ: 

I. (Luke 12:1-3)

–In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another (a lot of people!), he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

-Jesus’ point: Just like yeast infects the whole lump of dough, hypocrisy is same way in a person’s life.

-You see, if a person is simply about outward appearances, they’ve missed the point and cannot be rightly related to God!

-It is from God that we need transformation of our sinful soul and until we can be honest before God a/b our sin and our need of His cleansing, we will not be transformed!

–Psalm 51:1-4a, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight…

II. (Luke 12:4-7)

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

-Remember our definition for “fearing God”?

-To live in a constant awareness of the existence, attributes, and glories of God (His sovereignty, His goodness, His wisdom, and His holiness, etc.) to the point that His reality controls and directs my actions, words, thoughts, and motives in all of my circumstances, responsibilities, and relationships. (T. Bryant)

-To be rightly related to God by faith in Jesus Christ as one’s Savior is be infinitely secure.

-The more we spend time getting to know this Savior we entrust our souls to, more we realize how much we can trust Him on a moment by moment basis!

*If He cares for the cheap sparrows and cares enough to know how many hairs on your head, you can rest assured that He cares for you and your needs!

-No matter what is going on in life around a true believer in Christ, they have the privilege to trusting that life and those details to their caring Heavenly Father!

III. -Proclamation (Luke 12:8-9)

–Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

-The person who realizes all that Christ has done for them in His sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection from the power of sin and death—that person will recognize how valuable a relationship with God through Christ really is to a person and will do all they can to invite others to that kind of hope too!

-To know Christ is to share Christ!

-(hymn), Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, And love that soul through me; And may I bravely do my part To win that soul for Thee.

IV. (Luke 12:10-12)

-And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

-A life that is without Christ is also without regard for the Holy Spirit of God.

-The unpardonable sin is rejecting / blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

-However, a believer in Christ submits to God’s plan for reconciliation to Himself and that leads to a life of submission to God’s working through His Spirit along this journey of life.

-If you are “For Real,” submission to God’s Leading, God’s Word, God’s Comfort are all a part of your practice in life.

*Bottom Line: Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the LORD, so walk ye in him:

1. To know Christ is to be HONEST before Christ & others a/b sin.

2. To know Christ is to REST in Christ no matter the circumstances.

3. To know Christ is to SHARE Christ w/ others.

4. To know Christ is to SUBMIT to Him in every way.