Home improvements 3
House Paint
(Home improvements 3)
Acts 4:32 The group of believers were united in their hearts and spirit (NCV)
House Paint is what covers up the old whacked out stuff on the outside of our homes in relationships we call these masks
1) The stronghold of House Paint (relational masks)-
Colossians 3:9-10 (NCV) Do not lie to each other. You have left your old sinful life and the things you did before. 10 You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God.
a) Most people care deeply about truth and would never want to lie. – But, what if lying was so tricky and so clever that you indulge in it all the time without even knowing it? What if you where falling into lying, would you want to know it? Could it be that we have blind spots?
Jeremiah 17:9 (NCV) “More than anything else, a person’s mind is evil and cannot be healed. No one truly understands it.
b) Strongholds keep us from seeing? – Strongholds are not about demons they are about us.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV)
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
c) The mighty castle of belief- Arguments & Thoughts; these are within us. God is always trying to move these out of our way. Our response determines how freely Jesus is allowed to interact within our hearts.
Talking About Death
Three buddies were talking about death and dying.
One asked, "When you're in your casket and friends and family are mourning you, what would you like to hear them say about you?"
The first guy says, "I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time and a great family man."
The second man says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow."
The last guy says, "I would like to hear them say LOOK, HE'S MOVING!!!"
d) False beliefs are the bricks of strongholds- If we attack our beliefs, then, we will be transformed.
A mechanic accidentally swallowed some brake fluid and really liked the taste. Before he knew it, he had finished off the whole bottle.
One of his co-workers caught him sneaking a swig the next day. "Man, that stuff will kill," said his friend, "you've got to give it up."
"Don't worry," the mechanic responded, "I can stop anytime I want."
Romans 12:2 (NKJV) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2) The core beliefs of relational masks-
Core belief #1: God Can’t Be Trusted
Psalm 50:21 (NKJV) These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes.
Numbers 23:19 (NKJV) “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
If your core belief is “God can’t be trusted” you will:
· Experience fear, panic, and worry
· Shame yourself often about your lack of trust
· Get angry or depressed when things don’t go your way
· Have a great need to control your life and the lives of others
We learn this behavior when we are young (during the first 15 years). Many think that we learn our view of God from the scriptures but, this is not all together true. Sin in our lives, which produces pain, distorts our view of God.
Core Belief #2: The Bible Doesn’t Apply To Me
2Tim 3:16
If your core belief is “The Bible doesn’t apply to me” you will:
- Read your Bible rarely or not at all
- Read and study diligently but not apply it
- See whole sections of scripture as irrelevant
- Delight in arguing theology but lack respect in your interactions with people
- Read lots of Christian books while your Bible gathers dust
There once was a man who said,” I am too busy at the shop when I get home I am too tired, I have things to do, there just isn’t any time. He had time to do the things he thought was important. His problem is he thinks the Bible doesn’t apply to him.
Core Belief #3: I Don’t Need Other People
1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
If your core belief is “I Don’t Need Other People” You will:
- Be offended every time someone points out one of your faults
- Be superficial in most of your relationships
- Never reveal anything about yourself that could get you into trouble
- Interact with Christians only around activities or theological discussions but never cut to the heart
- Rarely, if ever, ask anyone for help
- Feel guilty and weak when you do have to ask for help
When you avoid closeness with others through busyness or through isolation these behaviors attack the foundation of Christianity.
Matthew 22:34-40 (NKJV) But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
- How can you love the person next to you and not open yourself up to them? How can you open your heart up without being vulnerable?
We are to have fervent love for one another above everything-ministry- business-etc…
Q. Are you risking? Is there someone who deeply knows you?
If you say, ”There isn’t anybody I trust.” What that is really saying is you have chosen not to be honest with anyone until it is completely safe.
Sin tricks us into thinking that we are supposed to stand without assistance.
Core Belief #4: Intimate Relationships Bring Only Pain
If your core belief is “Intimate Relationships Bring Only Pain” then you will:
· Be friendly and social but nobody will really know you’
· Be addicted to work, hobbies, committees or ministries
· Talk in clichés but never reveal your soul
· Feel panic whenever emotions of loneliness or fear rise up
· Almost never take risks in your relationships
Those who fear intimacy with others do so because they are not intimate with the deeper issues of their own heart.
This is why so many Christians struggle with addictions: pornography, eating disorders etc…they are afraid of intimacy from a close relationship, yet since they long for one; they can not kill the desire completely.
Core Belief #5: Romance or Sex Will Meet My Deepest Need
If your core belief is “Romance or Sex Will Meet My Deepest Need” You will:
· Feel lots of anger towards your spouse
· Only feel loved if you are being romantic or sexual
· Work really hard to change your spouse
· Use pornography, be hooked on romance novels or be unfaithful
· Fight with incredible loneliness
· Believe (if you are single) that most of your problems will be solved if you where married
Romantic orthodoxy – it’s preached in almost every song.
Disappointments and struggles are what God uses to conform us to His Son.
Core Belief #6: “I Must Do Everything Perfectly Or I Am Worthless”
If your core belief is “I Must Do Everything Perfectly Or I Am Worthless” you will:
· Be obsessed with cleanliness, order, and perfection
· Be angry and depressed whenever you make a mistake or fail at something
· Judge others or yourself with an impossible standard
· Have a very rigid or legalistic Christianity
· Fight constant battles over your self worth
The Power of Shame -Genesis 2:25 (NKJV) And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
With sin; inner freedom and contentment where snuffed out.
Isaiah 54:4 (NKJV) “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.
Core Belief #7: If I Am Honest, I Will Be Abandoned
If your core belief is “If I Am Honest, I Will Be Abandoned” You will
· Be friendly and nice but not candid
· Blend in with whatever group or person you are with
· Not dare to have an unpopular opinion
· Believe that arguments or disagreements are always bad
· Use lots of “God-Talk” in prayer but never bare your soul
3) Are we held in slavery?
John 8:32
All of us have learned, in one form or another that lying is the best way to keep people on our side. How else do you explain our routine of deceitfulness?
· A friend asks, How are you?” and you say, “Fine,” even if depression is clawing at you.
· Your husband says, “is something wrong, honey?” and you say “No,” even though you’re mad enough to tear his head off.
· You are confronted about something you did but have an irrational fear of admitting that the other person is right. So you justify yourself or point out what he did wrong.
These are just a few ways we dodge the truth. In fact we are so accustomed to it that it would be almost impossible for us to imagine not doing them.
· We are held in slavery by our fear. Fear of what others think causes us to be captive.
Psalm 15:1-2 (NKJV) Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;
- When you speak truth, no matter how unnerving. It allows you to say how you are really feeling. Intimacy is something every one wants but, unless we walk in the light of honesty, we will never have it.
These core beliefs dictate our thoughts, feelings, and behavior, but often we don’t know this because our beliefs are outside our conscious realm. The Lord wants to demolish them so that we can have freedom and joy.
The Lord wants to tear away the old paint and give us a fresh coat. (lead paint)
If you were inside the cockpit of a departing airplane, just as it took off from the runway you would hear the copilot or captain call out, "V1." This phrase represents the "point of no return."
As the airplane accelerates toward the end of the runway, the pilot must decide if the plane is moving fast enough for a safe takeoff. This speed must be determined preflight based on several factors, including the air pressure, temperature, speed of the wind, and weight of the aircraft.
The pilot maintains a hold on the throttle as the plane approaches the V1 speed, so that he or she can abort the takeoff if something goes wrong. However, after V1, the plane must take off.
As Christians, we should have a V1 commitment to our walk with Christ. Once we have placed our faith in Christ alone, we have reached the point of no return. We need to adjust our "attitude," apply full throttle, and take off.
