COMPELLED BY AUTHENTIC LOVE

INTRO

Adam found a “Rolex” watch a while back. It looked legitimate, but it wasn’t working correctly. We took it to a jeweler and discovered it was a fake. Really? If the watch actually worked, he could have worn it, giving people the impression he had a real Rolex. If he did that, not only would the Rolex be fake…so would he.

When someone intentionally buys and wears “knock-off” Rolex’s, Nike’s, and other name-brand stuff, does that make them fake people? Yes…if they attempt to make people believe they are actually wearing the real deal. When we visited Korea, they had so many Nike, Reebok, Rolex, and other name brand shops — except they were all knock offs…and everyone knew they were fake.

Nobody appreciates fake stuff, when it is being sold as the real deal.

People complain about fake news — fake news seems to be a real thing. If it is not real thing then there is a lot of fake complaining going on. Are you tracking with me?

This world desperately needs something authentic…something we can take to the bank.

God is, by His very nature, truth — He is the definition of authenticity.

The words and actions of Jesus force us to look within…at the condition of our hearts. Are we authentic…is our love authentic?

Luke 4:16–19 NIV

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

PRAYER

When Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah in Luke 4, He concluded by saying “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

They may have heard that passage a hundred times before, but on that day Jesus brought authenticity to the message

Jesus is all about authenticity — nothing fake. As we grow in Him, feeding and caring for our soul…our love for Him becomes ever more authentic…

Humbly allow Jesus to mold you into a servant compelled by authentic love

Transitional: This passage takes places at a dinner party (gathering) — Everything Jesus did and said here was a call to humility…to authentic faith vs. fake faith

AUTHENTIC ACTIONS

Luke 14:1–6 NIV

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing to say.

Your actions are being watched

“…he was being carefully watched.”

Read through the Gospels and you will find the Pharisees watching Jesus a lot…always trying to find a way to trip Him up or accuse Him…but nothing stuck.

On an earlier Sabbath, something similar happened. In Luke 13, Jesus healed a disabled woman. The Pharisees were indignant and angry because it was the Sabbath

Luke 13:15–17 NIV

The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

…people are watching…are you authentic?

Some look for your faults

They were looking for ways to accuse Him —

There are people watching you that you might not even know.

Some will jump on any mistake you make in order to ridicule your faith — “I thought you were a Christian! That wasn’t a very Christian thing to do!”

If you are pursuing the Lord and growing in Him…just let Him defend you

But, what if their criticism is legitimate and your words and actions do not match up? What if you go through the motions but your heart is not right?

Some are seeking your help

The disabled woman in chapter 13 and the sick man in chapter 14 needed help

Jesus saw their need and healed them

He didn’t wait until the next day — He was moved with compassion — His authentic love compelled Him to act — there was a sense of urgency — if your son fell into a ditch you would do anything to save him…even if it meant losing your job or damaging your reputation…even if it meant breaking the law.

What compels your actions?

What people think…or what they need?

What people think...or your love for God?

Transitional: Pray that God would give you a pure heart - so that your actions are compelled by what moves God.

AUTHENTIC POSITIONING

Luke 14:7–11 NIV

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Do you fight to get to the front of the line?

Are you a stage-hogger…seeking to be seen by others

When you are compelled by God’s love, you don’t care who sees you or doesn’t see you

When you authentically love with the love of God…you put others above yourself

Would you rather be humiliated because of your selfish pride or simply walk humbly before God and others, out of a grateful heart?

Why do you do what you do?

Transitional: Authentic actions — for the right reasons. Authentic positioning — putting others first because of God’s love and authentic generosity

AUTHENTIC GENEROSITY

Luke 14:12–14 NIV

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Search your heart —

Share with others out of authentic generosity born out of a thankful heart

Do not worry about whether or not you get recognition or get something in return for your generosity — if you have that kind of attitude, your generosity will become strained, maybe even fake.

Transitional: Let us learn to serve, love, and give because of the love of God flowing through us.

AUTHENTIC WORDS AND BELIEFS

Luke 14:15–24 NIV

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ “ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ”

“Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of god”

A lot of people say things that sound right…but their words and actions reveal what they really believe and what they really care about

Excuses

I just bought a field - maybe next time

I just got married - let me get settled into my new life and then I will come

I just bought some oxen — I need try them out - I’ll catch you next time

“Really?” They were invited long ago…they should have been ready to come. I have a beautiful party planned…go out and invite people in the neighborhood and I will bless them.”

“There is still room? I want to bless as many as possible…go out to the surrounding area and let people know! I want my house to be full!”

When the man said to Jesus that day “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God,” Jesus responded by saying, in essence, words are cheap.

CHALLENGE

It is hard to imagine how our missionaries do what they do. Their lives are not easy — Picking up and leaving everything they know to do what they do is, in logical terms, a recipe for heartache, failure, illness, even the loss of their own lives, but they go because they are compelled by the same love that compels Jesus

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…because He has anointed me to (proclaim good news to the poor, bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom to the captives, release prisoners from darkness)

Humbly allow Jesus to mold you into a servant compelled by authentic love

Authentic actions

Authentic positioning

Authentic generosity

Authentic words and beliefs

Authentic actions…for the right reasons

compelled by love…not law, tradition, or to impress anyone

Positioning…those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted

Generosity…expect nothing in return (God will reward us)

The poor, crippled, lame, blind…we are all in this condition without Christ

Words and beliefs

Don’t say you will be there…be there

God will fill His house