When things aren’t what they seem.

1.  People aren’t always what they seem.

o      I’m living for God. - Things aren’t what they seem.

o      Our marriage is great and things are only getting better. - Things aren’t what they seem.

o      I’m doing great things for God. – Things aren’t what they seem.

o      I’m full of love. - Things aren’t what they seem.

o      Who me? No I’m not struggling at all. - Things aren’t what they seem.

o      I’m full of the power and Spirit of God. - Things aren’t what they seem.

o      I’m victorious. I’m full of potential. I’m powerful.

o      I’m deep in understanding.

o      My relationship with my kids is great. We are so tight. My kids ask me for guidance. They ask me for advice about everything. They trust me fully. - Things aren’t what they seem.

o      I walk in the blessings of God. - Things aren’t what they seem.

o      My job is awesome. Everyone loves me there. I’ll definitely get the promotion. - Things aren’t what they seem.

o      I am strong in mind. I am Christ like. I am whole.

Fake, phony, counterfeit, bogus, imitation, false, bankrupt, lie, sham, not genuine, con, make off, deception, rip off, fraud, trick, hoax or a mirage.

2. God wants us to walk in freedom and be occupied of truth.

3 John “1:9 I sent a brief letter to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the wicked things he is saying about us. He not only refuses to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church. 11 Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.”

Diotrephes was corrected by men of God with truth in their lives who were ever-growing the Kingdom of God. We must confront sin in the church; if we try to avoid it, it will continue to grow.

o      Many, many times we find ourselves magnifying other’s faults while excusing our own.

o      Then there are other times we in the church use flattery instead of correction. We tell people what they want to hear instead of the truth.

Proverbs 28:23 “In the end people appreciate honesty more than flattery.” 

Proverbs 26:28 “A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattery causes ruin.”            

o      Flattery- insincere or excessive praise.

o      Are you the kind of person who uses flattery to let people hear what they want to hear or to get what you want or do you display honesty and truthfulness like Jesus?

 Luke 20:20 “Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent secret agents pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. 21They said, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You sincerely teach the ways of God. 22Now tell us--is it right to pay taxes to the Roman government or not?" 23He saw through their trickery and said, 24"Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” Caesar’s," they replied. 25"Well then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God." 26So they failed to trap him in the presence of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they were silenced.”

Proverbs 12:19 “Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed.”

3. God made you for greatness.

James 4:10 “When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him, He will lift you up and give you honor.”

God works best through humble people. When we admit we are helpless and hopeless without him, God can use us to do great things for his kingdom.

We should know by now that Jesus’ deep craving is to love people who offer him nothing.

o      The disciples watched Jesus spend time with despised women, lepers, the blind, the lame, the oppressed, and the demon-possessed, and they still didn’t get it.

o      They didn’t understand that those who matter to Jesus are completely different from those who matter to the rest of the world. Jesus never elevated people or Himself to get where He wanted to go.

o      “He was made for greatness, as are we.”

Altar Response: Illustrate apple and a knife

Is this an apple?  Does it look like an apple?

Does it smell like an apple?

Does it feel like an apple?

Does it sound like an apple sounds?

Does it taste like an apple?

o      You can’t answer this question.

o      You can’t respond to this statement because you have to taste it. I could tell you and you can choose to believe it but if you want real solid proof you have to taste it for yourself.

o      Psalms 34:8 “Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!”

Is your relationship with God a mirage?

Is it not what is seems?

Or can you say:

Psalms 119:45 “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.”

I want my life to be solid – structured – concrete – unyielding to 

                                this world!

Your relationship with God can be real, solid, structured,  concrete, disciplined, and unyielding to this world!