Untitled Sermon (9)

Personal intro

I’m Glad to be back in China!

There are some many cool things to see here.

I’m Glad to be back in China!

There are some many cool things to see here.

One of my favorite things about China is how cheap stuff is!

There are some many cool things to see here.

One of my favorite things about China is how cheap stuff is!

Last time I was here I was able to get some Oakley Sunglasses--that would be like $150-$200 bucks in the states for only $15!

One of my favorite things about China is how cheap stuff is!

Last time I was here I was able to get some Oakley Sunglasses--that would be like $150-$200 bucks in the states for only $15!

I couldn’t believe how cheap it was!

So Awesome! I saved like 90%.

Except…

So Awesome! I saved like 90%.

Except…

What?

Except…

What?

Most of you are already in on the joke.

What?

Most of you are already in on the joke.

When I was here in China last time I DID get some sunglasses for $15.

They were cheap blue, plastic glasses. With a very distinctive “O” design on them.

When I was here in China last time I DID get some sunglasses for $15.

They were cheap blue, plastic glasses. With a very distinctive “O” design on them.

But they weren’t Oakleys.

They were counterfeit.

But they weren’t Oakleys.

They were counterfeit.

But man they looked real.

They were counterfeit.

But man they looked real.

In fact, when I got back to the states I saw a real pair of Oakleys that looked exactly them.

But man they looked real.

In fact, when I got back to the states I saw a real pair of Oakleys that looked exactly them.

I was very proud of them in fact.

In fact, when I got back to the states I saw a real pair of Oakleys that looked exactly them.

I was very proud of them in fact.

Now fortunately for me I knew what I was in for the whole time. Kenny had told us about this mall full of counterfeit goods, so we went to check it out.

I was very proud of them in fact.

But some of those counterfeits are really good.

Now fortunately for me I knew what I was in for the whole time. Kenny had told us about this mall full of counterfeit goods, so we went to check it out.

But some of those counterfeits are really good.

REALLY good.

In fact if someone showed you one. And you didn’t know it was from the counterfeit mall.

REALLY good.

In fact if someone showed you one. And you didn’t know it was from the counterfeit mall.

And you didn’t have a real one to compare it to.

In fact if someone showed you one. And you didn’t know it was from the counterfeit mall.

And you didn’t have a real one to compare it to.

If it was a good counterfeit, you might very likely believe it was authentic.

That’s the whole idea of a counterfeit.

Dictionary.com defines a counterfeit as “an imitation intended to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine; forgery.”

The whole point of a counterfeit is to fool you or others into thinking it’s the real thing.

And the better the counterfeit, the more closely it will resemble the genuine article.

The whole point of a counterfeit is to fool you or others into thinking it’s the real thing.

And the better the counterfeit, the more closely it will resemble the genuine article.

I actually had some friends come back from travelling around the world, and they had brought back with them some “authentic” merchandise. They were so stoked to have found Gucci or Kate Spade or whatever it was for so cheap.

And the better the counterfeit, the more closely it will resemble the genuine article.

I actually had some friends come back from travelling around the world, and they had brought back with them some “authentic” merchandise. They were so stoked to have found Gucci or Kate Spade or whatever it was for so cheap.

It was a good enough counterfeit that they were fooled into buying it.

I actually had some friends come back from travelling around the world, and they had brought back with them some “authentic” merchandise. They were so stoked to have found Gucci or Kate Spade or whatever it was for so cheap.

It was a good enough counterfeit that they were fooled into buying it.

And they were super happy with it until the super cheap zipper broke off. And the “genuine” leather suddenly started peeling.

And they finally came to realize they had been duped.

And they were super happy with it until the super cheap zipper broke off. And the “genuine” leather suddenly started peeling.

And they finally came to realize they had been duped.

They had been sold a counterfeit.

And they finally came to realize they had been duped.

They had been sold a counterfeit.

Transition: But it’s not just stuff. We can find counterfeits in other parts of our lives.

They had been sold a counterfeit.

Transition: But it’s not just stuff. We can find counterfeits in other parts of our lives.

We experience counterfeiting all the time in our relationships with other people.

Transition: But it’s not just stuff. We can find counterfeits in other parts of our lives.

We experience counterfeiting all the time in our relationships with other people.

People can be fake with us. People can Lie to us.

And if it’s a good enough lie, we’ll believe them

People can be fake with us. People can Lie to us.

And if it’s a good enough lie, we’ll believe them

Why? Because the mark of a good lie is the same as a counterfeit. Whatever the lie is has got to sound realistic. So if someone make up a realistic enough lie, it’s easy to be fooled.

And if it’s a good enough lie, we’ll believe them

Why? Because the mark of a good lie is the same as a counterfeit. Whatever the lie is has got to sound realistic. So if someone make up a realistic enough lie, it’s easy to be fooled.

A good counterfeiter knows how to make the fake look real.

Why? Because the mark of a good lie is the same as a counterfeit. Whatever the lie is has got to sound realistic. So if someone make up a realistic enough lie, it’s easy to be fooled.

A good counterfeiter knows how to make the fake look real.

And a good liar knows how to make the false look true.

A good counterfeiter knows how to make the fake look real.

And a good liar knows how to make the false look true.

And here’s the crazy thing: we don’t need somebody else to tell us something to believe a lie.

We can actually fool ourselves. Human Psychology is a fascinating thing.

And here’s the crazy thing: we don’t need somebody else to tell us something to believe a lie.

SLIDE

We can actually fool ourselves. Human Psychology is a fascinating thing.

SLIDE

It’s fascinating.

SLIDE

Consider this picture. This is taken across the Monterey Bay near San Francisco California.

And it goes deeper than just biases based on appearances.

Consider this picture. This is taken across the Monterey Bay near San Francisco California.

In the middle of the picture there is what looks like some tall cliffs stretching out over the beach on the far side of the water.

SLIDE

In the middle of the picture there is what looks like some tall cliffs stretching out over the beach on the far side of the water.

Consider this picture. This is taken across the Monterey Bay near San Francisco California.

In the middle of the picture there is what looks like some tall cliffs stretching out over the beach on the far side of the water.

But what you’re actually seeing is the mirror image of the beach and the low hills behind it flipped up on top of the actual beach and hills.

Consider this picture. This is taken across the Monterey Bay near San Francisco California.

But what you’re actually seeing is the mirror image of the beach and the low hills behind it flipped up on top of the actual beach and hills.

In the middle of the picture there is what looks like some tall cliffs stretching out over the beach on the far side of the water.

This is happening because light refraction --the bending of light, happens differently in different air temperatures.

But what you’re actually seeing is the mirror image of the beach and the low hills behind it flipped up on top of the actual beach and hills.

This is happening because light refraction --the bending of light, happens differently in different air temperatures.

So if you have a pocket of hot air sitting on a pocket of cold air, the light reflected off the same objects (in this case the beach and hill) hits your eyes from two different angles.

This is happening because light refraction --the bending of light, happens differently in different air temperatures.

But what you’re actually seeing is the mirror image of the beach and the low hills behind it flipped up on top of the actual beach and hills.

So if you have a pocket of hot air sitting on a pocket of cold air, the light reflected off the same objects (in this case the beach and hill) hits your eyes from two different angles.

Since your brain is used to interpretting light that comes straight, it doesn’t know how to deal with the second set of light rays.

Since your brain is used to interpreting light that comes straight, it doesn’t know how to deal with the second set of light rays.

Since your brain is used to interpretting light that comes straight, it doesn’t know how to deal with the second set of light rays.

This is happening because light refraction --the bending of light, happens differently in different air temperatures.

So if you have a pocket of hot air sitting on a pocket of cold air, the light reflected off the same objects (in this case the beach and hill) hits your eyes from two different angles.

Since your brain is used to interpreting light that comes straight, it doesn’t know how to deal with the second set of light rays.

So the light coming in from an angle gets superimposed over what you should actually see there. And it creates a mirage.

So if you have a pocket of hot air sitting on a pocket of cold air, the light reflected off the same objects (in this case the beach and hill) hits your eyes from two different angles.

So the light coming in from an angle gets superimposed over what you should actually see there. And it creates a mirage.

Transition: So why does this matter?

Since your brain is used to interpretting light that comes straight, it doesn’t know how to deal with the second set of light rays.

Transition: So why does this matter?

It matters because what you believe about the world around you changes how you perceive that world.

And it creates a mirage.

It matters because what you believe about the world around you changes how you perceive that world.

Just like your eyes and brain will interpret conflicting light waves and interpret it in a deceptive but convincing way,

Transition: So why does this matter?

Just like your eyes and brain will interpret conflicting light waves and interpret it in a deceptive but convincing way,

The things we believe about how the world works change how we perceive, experience, and live in the world.

Just like your eyes and brain will interpret conflicting light waves and interpret it in a deceptive but convincing way,

Because in the world we live in, everything is not as it seems.

The things we believe about how the world works change how we perceive, experience, and live in the world.

For example, they have done studies surrounding criminal cases, that show that if the focus group thinks the defendant is attractive, they are more likely to think that the person is innocent. But if they find the person on trial scary-looking, ugly or unattractive, they are more likely to think the defendant is guilty.

The things we believe about how the world works change how we perceive, experience, and live in the world.

For example, they have done studies surrounding criminal cases, that show that if the focus group thinks the defendant is attractive, they are more likely to think that the person is innocent. But if they find the person on trial scary-looking, ugly or unattractive, they are more likely to think the defendant is guilty.

And what you believe about the world around you changes how you perceive that world.

Why? Because we see attractiveness as a positive trait, so our minds are more willing to associate other positive traits with that person, and the reverse is true with the “scary” looking or unattractive person.

For example, they have done studies surrounding criminal cases, that show that if the focus group thinks the defendant is attractive, they are more likely to think that the person is innocent. But if they find the person on trial scary-looking, ugly or unattractive, they are more likely to think the defendant is guilty.

Why? Because we see attractiveness as a positive trait, so our minds are more willing to associate other positive traits with that person, and the reverse is true with the “scary” looking or unattractive person.

For example, they have done studies surrounding criminal cases, that show that if the focus group thinks the defendant is attractive, they are more likely to think that the person is innocent. But if they find the person on trial ugly or unattractive, they are more likely to think the defendant is guilty.

Why? Because we see attractiveness as a positive trait, so our minds are more willing to associate other positive traits with that person, and the reverse is true with the “scary” looking or unattractive person.

SLIDE What we believe about the world and how it works creates filters that end up impacting how we see and interact with the world.

What we believe about the world and how it works creates filters that end up impacting how we see and interact with the world.

Why? Because we see attractiveness as a positive trait, so our minds are more willing to associate other positive traits with that person, and the reverse is true with the “scary” looking or unattractive person.

What we believe about the world and how it works creates filters that end up impacting how we see and interact with the world.

SLIDE What we believe about the world and how it works creates filters that end up impacting how we see and interact with the world.

And that brings us to our theme for the weekend.

TRANSITION: And that brings us to our theme for the weekend.

Augmented Reality: what if we are already living in augmented reality

REALITY CHECK.

TRANSITION: And that brings us to our theme for the weekend.

REALITY CHECK.

In the last few years technology has made some insane leaps forward. Some of the most noticeable advances have been made in the area of virtual reality.

REALITY CHECK.

This is something people have been trying to create for over 20 years. But there was a major obstacle.

In the last few years technology has made some insane leaps forward. Some of the most noticeable advances have been made in the area of virtual reality.

This is something people have been trying to create for over 20 years. But there was a major obstacle.

And that problem is latency or visual lag.

This is something people have been trying to create for over 20 years. But there was a major obstacle.

The trick with VR headsets is that even the slightest delay between the user moving, and the image on the screen, your brain and equilibrium (what gives you balance) will detect that discrepancy and result in slight to severe nausea.

And that problem is latency or visual lag.

The trick with VR headsets is that even the slightest delay between the user moving, and the image on the screen, your brain and equilibrium (what gives you balance) will detect that discrepancy and result in slight to severe nausea.

But a couple years ago, some tech guys figured out that if they got the latency below 20 milliseconds, the user’s brain would no longer be able to detect the difference, and the nausea and discomfort caused by latency could be avoided completely.

Now let me say that in a different way:

The programmers figured out how to counterfeit reality well enough to fool our brains into thinking something fake is real.

Isn’t that a crazy thought?

The programmers figured out how to counterfeit reality well enough to fool our brains into thinking something fake is real.

Isn’t that a crazy thought?

So if the things we believe about the world create filters that end up impacting how we see and interact with the world,

And it is possible for us to be mistaken about how we see the world

And furthermore, it is possible for us to be deceived about how the world works.

We need to be careful!

And furthermore, it is possible for us to be deceived about how the world works.

We need to be careful!

We need to check and see if the way we think about and interact with the world we live in, the way we interact with people, the way we see and think about ourselves, is right. Does it correspond to how things really are?

Or have we been sold counterfeit goods?

We need to check and see if the way we think about and interact with the world we live in, the way we interact with people, the way we see and think about ourselves, is right. Does it correspond to how things really are?

Or have we been sold counterfeit goods?

In the Book of Colossians, the apostle Paul, one of the earliest missionaries for Jesus warns us:

Are we living in a false reality? One that looks real and feels real.

In the Book of Colossians, the apostle Paul, one of the earliest missionaries for Jesus warns us:

SLIDE: ESV 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

NLT

SLIDE: ESV 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

In the Book of Colossians, the apostle Paul, one of the earliest missionaries for Jesus warns us:

SLIDE: ESV 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

NLT

8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

NLT

We’re living in what some call the “Information Age”. We have social media, tv, all kinds of media that bombard us with information.

8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

Now perhaps more than ever we are being bombarded by explanations of how the world should work, and social pressures that tell us how we should live as a result.

We’re living in what some call the “Information Age”. We have social media, tv, all kinds of media that bombard us with information.

But what Paul is warning us here is that there are spiritual counterfeiters in the world.

Now perhaps more than ever we are being bombarded by explanations of how the world should work, and social pressures that tell us how we should live as a result.

But what Paul is warning us here is that there are spiritual counterfeiters in the world.

And just because something seems right, just because in our day and age it is considered an unquestionable fact. Something “everybody knows is true”

Doesn’t mean it is true.

But what Paul is warning us here is that there are spiritual counterfeiters in the world.

And just because something seems right, just because in our day and age it is considered an unquestionable fact. Something “everybody knows is true”

Think about this. For the entirety of human history, if you go to any given time, in any given culture, there have been things “everyone knew to be true.” That have since been proven wrong.

Doesn’t mean it is true.

For example, if you lived in the West hemisphere during the 17-1800s, there was an actual movement called “Scientific Racism”

Think about this. For the entirety of human history, if you go to any given time, in any given culture, there have been things “everyone knew to be true.” That have since been proven wrong.

And it taught that Africans were a sub-species of human that were less intelligent, less sophisticated, and therefore less valuable.

For example, if you lived in the West hemisphere during the 17-1800s, there was an actual movement called “Scientific Racism”

And it taught that Africans were a sub-species of human that were less intelligent, less sophisticated, and therefore less valuable.

So not only was it ok to treat them like cattle and own them as slaves,

For example, if you lived in the West hemisphere during the 17-1800s, there was an actual movement called “Scientific Racism”

People from this movement actually taught that it was the rest of humanity’s Duty to enslave and “civilize” them.

And it taught that Africans were a sub-species of human that were less intelligent, less sophisticated, and therefore less valuable.

So not only was it ok to treat them like cattle and own them as slaves,

People from this movement actually taught that it was the rest of humanity’s Duty to enslave and “civilize” them.

Before the globe was fully explored,

People from this movement actually taught that it was the rest of humanity’s Duty to enslave and “civilize” them.

Everybody knew that the world was flat. You didn’t question it.

Before the globe was fully explored,

Scientists who suggested otherwise were actually excommunicated from polite society.

Everybody knew that the world was flat. You didn’t question it.

See just because everybody buys into a lie doesn’t make it true.

Scientists who suggested otherwise were actually excommunicated from polite society.

And we all have lies that we have bought into. Lies that now color our daily experience.

Scientists who suggested otherwise were actually excommunicated from polite society.

See just because everybody buys into a lie doesn’t make it true.

And we all have lies that we have bought into. Lies that now color our daily experience.

This is something that humanity has had to deal with from the moment the first lie was spoken.

And part of the problem is that counterfeit truths can come from honest mistakes, AND from intentional deception.

This is something that humanity has had to deal with from the moment the first lie was spoken.

And we all have lies that we have bought into. Lies that now color our daily experience.

And part of the problem is that counterfeit truths can come from honest mistakes, AND from intentional deception.

This is something that humanity has had to deal with from the moment the first lie was spoken.

Look at how describes humanity’s refusal to honor the truth:

And part of the problem is that counterfeit truths can come from honest mistakes, AND from intentional deception.

SLIDE says that

Look at how describes humanity’s refusal to honor the truth:

SLIDE says that

In sin, people “suppress the truth by their unrighteousness.”

SLIDE says that

Verse 21 says that instead of acknowledging God and honoring him as they should, people instead have become “futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools….”

In sin, people “suppress the truth by their unrighteousness.”

All of this sin has a root. And all the counterfeits in this world can be traced back to one, chief counterfeiter.

Verse 21 says that instead of acknowledging God and honoring him as they should, people instead have become “futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools….”

The Bible calls him “the Adversary: Satan”

All of this sin has a root. And all the counterfeits in this world can be traced back to one, chief counterfeiter.

See one of the lies we can fall for, the counterfeits that we can buy, is that because we cannot see the spiritual dimension with our eyes, that it doesn’t exist.

We just think we’re here on the earth trying to figure stuff out. And some people figure out that God exists, and some don’t, for some reason.

And that lie is one of Satan’s greatest deceptions, and weapons.

Because people think the world is simpler than it is.

Transition: So How do you catch a counterfeiter?

The Bible calls him “the Adversary: Satan”

All of this sin has a root. And all the counterfeits in this world can be traced back to one, chief counterfeiter.

But the Bible tells us that Satan is the “Father of Lies.”

And that He and his servants are constantly at work to deceive people.

And He’s really good at it.

And his goal is to twist the truths that are intended to point us to God, and to get them to point anywhere else.

Transition: So How do you catch a counterfeiter?

The best way to catch a counterfeit is to compare it to the real thing.

See one of the lies we can fall for, the counterfeits that we can buy, is that because we cannot see the spiritual dimension with our eyes, that it doesn’t exist.

The Bible calls him “the Adversary: Satan”

There are actually some principles that the authorities and business owners use to prevent money counterfeiting that provide helpful insight for us.

The tips they give consumers to protect themselves against counterfeit money is first

To compare the bill you suspect against the real thing.

And second, to hold the bill up to the light.

Conclusion: Let’s play “Real or Not Real --Hunger Games” this weekend

See one of the lies we can fall for, the counterfeits that we can buy, is that because we cannot see the spiritual dimension with our eyes, that it doesn’t exist.

We just think we’re here on the earth trying to figure stuff out. And some people figure out that God exists, and some don’t, for some reason.

And that lie is one of Satan’s greatest deceptions, and weapons.

We just think we’re here on the earth trying to figure stuff out. And some people figure out that God exists, and some don’t, for some reason.

Eyes to see, ears to hear.

Because people think the world is simpler than it is.

And that lie is one of Satan’s greatest deceptions, and weapons.

Because people think the world is simpler than it is.

But the Bible tells us that Satan is the “Father of Lies.”

And that He and his servants are constantly at work to deceive people.

But the Bible tells us that Satan is the “Father of Lies.”

And that He and his servants are constantly at work to deceive people.

And He’s really good at it.

And his goal is to twist the truths that are intended to point us to God, and to get them to point anywhere else.

Transition: So How do you catch a counterfeiter?

There are actually some principles that the authorities and business owners use to prevent money counterfeiting that provide helpful insight for us.

The tips they give consumers to protect themselves against counterfeit money is first

To hold the bill up to the light.

The tips they give consumers to protect themselves against counterfeit money is first

To hold the bill up to the light.

And Second, To compare the bill you suspect against the real thing.

I love this because this applies to the realm of truth as well.

Because the enemy has sold us lies. And they are counterfeits that are DESIGNED to fool us.

They are so close to the truth.

Because the enemy has sold us lies. And they are counterfeits that are DESIGNED to fool us.

They are 90% true.

They are so close to the truth.

They are 90% true.

With a switch at the end that leads to slavery instead of to freedom.

So what we want to do this weekend is take some of the lies that are generally accepted by our world. And hold them up to the light.

With a switch at the end that leads to slavery instead of to freedom.

Because a good counterfeit will look good at a distance.

So what we want to do this weekend is take some of the lies that are generally accepted by our world. And hold them up to the light.

You need to pick it up. And Look at it. And feel it.

Because a good counterfeit will look good at a distance.

You need to pick it up. And Look at it. And feel it.

And test it.

Because it is not made of the same stuff as the truth. And as you handle it. As you test it.

You can start to see the places where it can’t hold up to the test of time.

Because it is not made of the same stuff as the truth. And as you handle it. As you test it.

You can start to see the cracking, the flimsiness.

You can start to see the places where it can’t hold up to the test of time.

So we want to hold these ideas up to the light. And see where they are genuine and where they are fake.

You can start to see the cracking, the flimsiness.

So we want to hold these ideas up to the light. And see where they are genuine and where they are fake.

And that will help us get back to the truths that they are based on, which is the second part of detecting counterfeits.

You want to compare the fakes to the genuine article.

And that will help us get back to the truths that they are based on, which is the second part of detecting counterfeits.

And that’s going to take us to the word of God.

You want to compare the fakes to the genuine article.

And that’s going to take us to the word of God.

And we’re going to hold these lies up against the truth.

And we’ll see what holds up to the test, and what doesn’t.

And we’re going to hold these lies up against the truth.

And we’ll see what holds up to the test, and what doesn’t.

Now really quick, before we close,

I want to address those of you who do not identify as Christians.

Maybe you’re curious, and wanted to check out this whole “Jesus thing”

Maybe your friend tricked you into coming.

Maybe you’re curious, and wanted to check out this whole “Jesus thing”

Maybe you already are sure: You don’t believe in all this stuff.

Maybe your friend tricked you into coming.

Here is what I would ask of you:

Maybe you already are sure: You don’t believe in all this stuff.

Here is what I would ask of you:

Do exactly what we’re talking about here with counterfeits. Test these things we’re going to be talking about.

Try to approach this conversation with an open mind.

Do exactly what we’re talking about here with counterfeits. Test these things we’re going to be talking about.

Try to approach this conversation with an open mind.

Because here is what is cool about the real thing.

It can pass all the tests.

Because here is what is cool about the real thing.

It can pass all the tests.

One of the things that I think show that the Bible is true, is that it invites us to test it.

says “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

One of the things that I think show that the Bible is true, is that it invites us to test it.

says “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Most religions are very strict about not challenging that religions own doctrine. You aren’t allowed to ask a lot of questions. You aren’t allowed to probe and push to see if its real.

This weekend I want to invite you to ask those questions! Ask me, ask Kenny.

Come see this.

Come experience this.

Ask your counselor.

Don’t take my word for it.

If it’s the real thing--put it to the test!

Most religions are very strict about not challenging that religions own doctrine. You aren’t allowed to ask a lot of questions. You aren’t allowed to probe and push to see if its real.

This weekend I want to invite you to ask those questions! Ask me, ask Kenny.

Ask your counselor.

If it’s the real thing--put it to the test!

In Jesus said “If you remain--abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

What you believe about the world around you changes how you perceive that world, and how you live in that world.

And we have an enemy who has been counterfeiting the truth to lead us into slavery.

He has done everything he can to trap us in a world that looks real and feels real, but is not real.

And when we buy those lies, it might feel right at first. It might look good and sound good, and even feel good. But in the end it brings nothing but pain, and slavery, and death to our lives.

We need a reality check.

Let’s pray.