Sincerity   Wednesday Night Bible Study    5/05/04

  Sincerity is being as genuine on the inside as we seem to be on the outside. Bill Gothard – sincerity is letting God shine thru our lives rather than covering them us.

I. Definition of Sincerity

  A. Sincere comes from the Latin word “sincerus”

    1. sine - without

    2. cere – wax

      a. Old world potters made clay pots that were inferior because the rocks were not sifted out. They filled holes with wax. Later over heat the wax would melt and fell out causing a hole.

      b. The good pots had written on them “sine cera” (without wax).

  B. Hebrew word for sincerity is “tamiyum”. It means without blemish, full, sound. Perfect.

  C. Greek word is “eilikrines”. “heile” the sun’s rays, “krino” – to judge

    1. Phil. 1:9-11 -

II. The Heart of Sincerity

  A. 1 Kings 8:61 -

  B. 2 Chron. 25:1-2 – we can make right decisions but not have a perfect heart towards God.

    1. Are we allowing things to interfere with our relationship with God? Are we putting things in front of our worship of Him?

III. The Reward of Sincerity

  A. 2 Chron. 16:9 – this is spoken to King Asa

    1. God looks for sincere and perfect hearts thru which to demonstrate his wisdom and power.

  B. 2 Cor. 12:9 –

  C. 1 Peter 4:12-13 –

    1. God takes us thru fiery trials, which expose our blemishes and defects.

    2. God wants us to thank him during these trials because he wants to show us our weakness.

IV. The Opposite of Sincerity – Hypocrisy

  Hypocrisy turns many from the Lord – Matt. 23:13

  A. “Hupokrites” an actor or pretender

    1. Matt. 23:27 – Hypocrites performed religious religious acts to get the praise of men

  B. Root problem – whole heart is not devoted to the Lord

    1. Matt. 15:7-8 -

    2. Matt. 23:23-

Evaluation – are we the same on the outside as inside? Do we hide secret sins? Do we seek the Lord with our whole heart? Do others see Christ in us?