The Bridge to Authenticity.

The Bridge

OUTWARDLY YOU LOOK LIKE RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE, BUT INWARDLY YOUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS.

OUTWARDLY YOU LOOK LIKE RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE, BUT INWARDLY YOUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS.MATT 23:28

Matthew 23:28 NIV

In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning Southpointe, We are in our three week now on the season of Hope. Last week we talked about how God had been building bridges of hope throughout history.

From Adam and Eve to Peter and Paul and to each one of us today. And how that we should be people who build bridges of hope because we are follower of Christ.

But this morning I want to talk for a few minutes about the bridge to be real.

1. Jesus is the bridge to being real.

Now understand this God knows we are a mess and will continue to make a mess.

However Jesus came and died on the cross in order to lead us into an authentic relationship with Him.

This is what I know that Jesus Christ the Son of the living God came to this earth and became flesh and laid Himself down on the Cross and took my place on the cross so that I would not have to suffer that death.

FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE FREE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

We must come to the understanding that Christ build the bridge to eternal life for us. And the good news is that Christ took our places and He took death and He gave us life, and life more abundantly.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

That my friend is the Good News!! Jesus build the bridge for us to have eternal life.

Here is a wonderful picture of what Jesus has done:

One time this preacher was in the State of Texas and he saw something that he just could not figure out. He was visiting a sheep ranch and saw something that looked like a deformity to him. It looked like a little lamb with four front feet, four back feet, and two heads.

He stood there marvelling at it. He said to the rancher, ‘Now there is a deformity if I ever saw one. I sure can’t figure that out. What kind of a monstrosity is that?’

He said, “One time he saw something in the State of Texas that he just could not figure out. He was visiting a sheep ranch and saw something that looked like a deformity to him. It looked like a little lamb with four front feet, four back feet, and two heads. He stood there marvelling at it. He said to the rancher, ‘Now there is a deformity if I ever saw one. I sure can’t figure that out. What kind of a monstrosity is that?’

“The rancher laughed and said, ‘That isn’t a deformity at all. Actually, preacher, that is one of the most wonderful things that ever happened on this, ranch. Let me tell you about it.

“There was a ewe lamb that had a little baby and her baby died. There was another ewe lamb that had a little baby and she died. We thought the thing to do was to give the lamb with no mother to the mother who had no baby.

We put the little lamb with no mother in with the ewe that lost her baby and she wouldn’t have a thing to do with it. She ducked her head, pushed it away and wanted no part of it.

One of my men went out to where the little lamb was that had died, and skinned it as best as he could. He brought it back and tied it around the little baby lamb. We put it back with the mother whose baby died. She thinks that little lamb is hers. She loves it, nurses it and is taking care of it.”

“Preacher said, ‘I never saw a more wonderful picture of what Jesus had done for me.’ ”

You take any man or woman and put them in the holy presence of an Almighty God, clothed in their own righteousness and no matter how good they are, God Almighty will say, “Out of my presence.”

But, thank God, the Bible says that Jesus, to the believer, has been made our righteousness.

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 COR. 5:21

If you are saved, you are clothed in the spotless righteousness of Jesus Christ and you are just as clean in the sight of God as if you had never committed a sin.

If you are saved, you are clothed in the spotless righteousness of Jesus Christ and you are just as clean in the sight of God as if you had never committed a sin. When God looks from Heaven, He sees me clothed in the righteousness of the Son of God.

2. When God looks from Heaven, He sees me clothed in the righteousness of the Son of God.

Can you say amen to that: But the problem we have is accepting the fact that God knows we are a mess.

And we try to put on a mask, in other words we become a religious hypocrite. The great pretender.

Song great pretender by the platters

3. Pretender - a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he does not hold.

So many people today are the great pretender instead living the life for God, we pretend too.

"Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank You, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector!

I fast twice a week, and I give You a tenth of my income.'

"But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.'

I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Recovering the True Intent of the Law (7:1–23)

The word “hypocrite,” accordingly, comes to mean someone who acts a role without sincerity, hence a pretender

The word hypocrite in web. definition: One who plays a part; especially, one who, for the purpose of winning favor, puts on a fair outside seeming; one who feigns to be other and better than he is; a false pretender to virtue or piety; one who simulates virtue or piety.

4. The word “hypocrite,” mean someone who acts a role without sincerity, a pretender.

Many people pretend to be standing on the rock but instead they are standing on sinking sand.

The New International Version Chapter 7

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock. -25

Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock. -25

Anyone who hears my teachings and doesn't obey them is like a foolish person who built a house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Finally, it fell with a crash. -27

The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Finally, it fell with a crash. -27

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Jesus was teaching on the mountain side here the beatitudes and in the closing in chapter 7, Jesus talked to them about not criticizing others, ask, seek and knock then He begins to tell them about the way to Heaven, one narrow and the other is wide.

Jesus is getting real with them and He is wanting them to get real also.

Jesus tells them about these pretenders who will come in like sheep but they are just playing a role, pretending to be sheep when they are wolves.

Then Jesus tell them about a tree trying to pretend to be a good tree but the fruit will always come forth bad fruit not good. A good tree will produce good fruit and a bad tree will also produce bad fruit.

He tells them that the tree that is not producing good fruit will be cut down and throw into the fire.

The New International Version Chapter 7

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

The whole concept here the d

then He tells the disciples you will know the pretender.

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

The whole concept here the deals with a work obey not hear but obey.

Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds."

5. So to build on the rock means to be a hearing and responding disciple, not a phony, pretender.

Jesus was continue building bridges, A bridge to be real not a pretender.

you see, a bridge is not made for people to just go and stand on it, it purpose is to get you from point A to point B.

Many folks are building their entire life on sand and are not willing to be obeying to the direction and guide of God’s Holy Word. they are will to risk it all on the sand.

Jesus said if you are built your life on this sand, when storms come the rains pour down, and wind begins to blow, there will a flood that will take place and it will all come crashing down around you.

But if you will across over the bridge from being a pretender, Pretending that you life is all together and you are on solid rock but you have not obey, you will sink in sand of today’s trouble and hardship.

and you will become a not just a hearer but and obedience disciples then when the storm comes your house, Your life will stand.

If you will become a not just a hearer but an obedience disciples then when the storm comes your way, your house, your home, your life then You will stand.

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Psalm 118:22-24

22 The stone the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

23 the LORD has done this,

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 The LORD has done it this very day;

let us rejoice today and be glad.

Remember the story of the three little pigs: Bad wolf comes and he will huff and puff and try to blow your house down, and difference between surviving and be destroyed will be your foundation.

a. built your life on straws

Remember the story of the three little pigs: Bad wolf comes and he will huff and puff and try to blow your house down, and difference between surviving and be destroyed will be your foundation.

built your life on straws

b. built your life on sticks

c. built your life on the rock

6. A life that is built to last is built on a firm foundation.

A life that is built to last is tested during the storm.

A life that is built to last is delivered from disaster.

A life that is built to last is tested during the storm.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.

A life that is built to last is delivered from disaster.

A life that is built to last is delivered from disaster.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.

Let’s use our imagination for a few moments:

The children of Israel were taking step to be set free, Pharaoh had released them and God told Moses to take them through the desert toward the Red Sea. And we know the story how Pharaoh came after them he need his labor force back.

So Pharoah came with his military power, and the Israelites were trapped between Pharoah and the Red Sea.

you see, God had taken them to the bridge to cross over, no more pretending to love God and to trust God. It was time to quit complaining and start walking across the bridge.

But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."

The LORD Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.

Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.

Just like Moses was telling the children of Israel, i am telling you today, you do not need to be afraid, God has a bridge made for you to cross over from pretending to be real deal.

You don’t need to live this double life always looking over your shoulder wondering if you are going to get caught, the devil chasing you and i want to be the real deal but i am afraid that i will go back.

The Lord will fight for you, He will rescue you today, across the bridge. Moses cry out to them get moving, God is crying out to you GET MOVING!!!

But I keep praying to You, LORD, hoping this time You will show me favor. In Your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with Your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mud; don't let me sink any deeper! Save me from those who hate me, and pull me from these deep waters.

Rescue me from the mud; don't let me sink any deeper! Save me from those who hate me, and pull me from these deep waters.

Don't let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me. Answer my prayers, O LORD, for Your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for Your mercy is so plentiful.

now this is the kicker about the bridge, God build a bridge and made a way where there seems don’t to be way for the Israelites just like He had for you but you must cross it.

Answer my prayers, O LORD, for Your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for Your mercy is so plentiful.

7. You can’t stay on the edge or hang out in the middle are you will be cover with the water of the Red Sea of this world.

Your choice today is to be real and across over and stand on the Rock.

8. Christ is your cornerstone, stand on HIM.

Part 2