CONNECT MESSAGE, Atmosphere - Authentic in Our Lifestyle

6 April 2024 by Ps. David Storer

Authenticity does not mean :

1.     That you are free to do whatever you feel like.

2.     Living without boundaries.

Gal 5:13

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Jesus was pointing towards living authentically when He told us to obey the two great commandments.

Matt 22:37-40
³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 

³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. 

³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 
⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Being authentic is being yourself but not in a selfish way.
Being authentic is being yourself but not in a selfish way (oversharing).

Being authentic is allowing people to meet who you genuinely are, and not a person you’re pretending to be.

Being authentic is :

1. Healthy for our soul.

Ps. 32:3-4
³ When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.
⁴ For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah

2. Triggers a personal transformation.
Woman at well
Tax collector; Luke 18

 

3. Gives us access to God’s grace. 
James 4:6

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Without authentic

Þ   People feel the need to hide their struggles.

Þ   Spiritual growth is restricted.

Þ   People give up in discouragement.

Þ   Others join in on an inauthentic lifestyle.

A church without authenticity is a church that struggles to be a true community because the love and acceptance of Christ is being overshadowed by comparing and pretending.

A healthy church : HEALING – GROWTH – TRUE FRIENDSHIP

Authentic in our lifestyle

1.     Being real before God and each other.

2.     Admitting our imperfections and relying on God’s grace to help us.

3.     Creating an atmosphere that welcomes others into a space of connection and spiritual growth.

 

Discussion

1.     How can we identify and overcome barriers to living authentic lives?

2.     Share personal experience where being authentic brought positive change in your spiritual journey or relationships within the church.