Authentic Christianity
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· 4 viewsA message from Psalms exploring the Characteristics of Authentic Christianity.
Notes
Transcript
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Introduction
Introduction
What is Real?
The Velveteen Rabbit - “Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child love you for a long, long time. not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become real.’ ‘Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit. ‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin horse, for he was always truthful. ‘When you are real you don’t mind being hurt.’ ‘Does it happen all at once, like being wound up?’ he asked, “or bit by bit?’ ‘It doesn’t happen all at once.’ said the Skin Horse. ‘You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter all all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
Philip K. Dick writes, “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.”
Much of what we see in the mainline church today is not Real Christianity at all. It is a facsimile, it is Churchianity not Christianity. Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship.
How can we experience real authentic Christianity?
Our text today provides some direction
The title of the Psalm in the Hebrew is michtam ledavd
It translates “A straight sculpture of David.
In the Septuagint we read, “The inscription on a pillar to David.”
As if the Psalm is inscribed on a pillar for rememberance.
A significant passage of Scripture
For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
In this text we learn 3 vital truths about Authentic Christianity found in a intimate relationship with Jesus.
Body
Body
I. The Path of Authentic Christianity
I. The Path of Authentic Christianity
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
II. The presence of Authentic Christianity
II. The presence of Authentic Christianity
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: The upright shall dwell in thy presence.
III. The Pleasure of Authentic Christianity
III. The Pleasure of Authentic Christianity
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
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.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Much of what we see in the mainline church today is not Real Christianity at all. It is a facsimile, it is Churchianity not Christianity. Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship.
Authentic Christianity has a
Path
Presence
Pleasure
Are you enjoying an Authentic Relationship with God?