6 Reasons why I’ve been preaching about Authenticity more than anything else for 2 years…
I’ve heard myself, while talking or preaching these last few years, using this word ‘Authentic’ more than almost any word in my Christian vocabulary. I know I’ve been doing it, it’s not been an accident…
I’m sure as many people have loved hearing me talk about authenticity there are people who have wished I’d just get on and talk about something else…pentecostal fire…mission strategy…something!
I’ve stuck with it, somewhat consciously, somewhat subconsciously because the more I have been immersed in Christian culture, church culture, the more I have become convinced that being real before God and man is the only true way to live in ‘The Way’.
Jesus’ followers were known for how different they were from just about everyone else.
They stood out.
Peter preaching with no formal rabbinical training. Stephen preaching boldly before the entire Jewish council of elders. Saul giving up everything he had to grow the very movement he had been trying to stamp out. The list goes on.
Real people, caught up in God’s redemption story, playing their part with great passion and great humility.
This is a beautiful heritage and example for us. This is the lane we should all be in as followers of Jesus.
If I’m honest though, initially, when I started writing this post wanted to vent.
I didn’t want to talk about the Acts church model that we all want to be living, I wanted to push back at some of the frustrating cultural trends I see online and on the stage in churches and leaders the Christian culture around us.
Like Switchfoot sang all those years ago “we were meant for so much more but we lost ourselves”. I wanted to put my boot in and if I’m honest, share some of my annoyance with elements of it all.
I’m glad that I never finished that post. Those words are deleted and gone because they were simply my flesh stirring up, not the Spirit of God bubbling up within me.
God Decides How Big Our Ministry is…We Decide How We’re Going to Approach That Ministry
It’s totally up to God what size my ministry, or yours, is.
His blessing may not lead to it growing in numbers or influence. His blessing may bring in crowds like you’ve never seen before or influence beyond your wildest dreams. It’s entirely up to Him what His blessings causes to happen in our lives as He grows His kingdom.
I have seen in my own life and in observing others, we so easily get caught up with building something some future version of ‘our ministry’ rather than living in the moment where God has placed us, among the people He has put us with.
So as you and I try to live out of where God has us right now - how will choose to approach our ministry, wherever that ministry is found? What will be our posture, our starting point and our foundation?
Will we work hard to build our own platforms?
Will social media be awash with pictures of ourselves preaching, leading, doing our thing?
Will we be bragging on our achievements to anyone who will listen?
Will we align ourselves with movements, churches or jobs that seem like they’ve got ‘momentum’ or opportunities for us and our agenda?
Will we play the part in public, even if behind the scenes we’re hanging on by a thread?
Will we compete with other leaders, friends, brothers and sisters in the body of Christ for the limelight?
One of the lesser reasons been preaching, talking and posting ‘authenticity’ for 2 years is because these questions and so many others really concern me. I have seen them in my own life, I see them in posts all over social media, and I hear them in conversations. I want our churches to be free of these things. I want to see Jesus glorified first before a church, a movement or leader is.
I want to be free of those things and I’m preaching to me…because I am as susceptible to doing and thinking all these things as anyone else. Thats the lesser reason for writing this post.
The greater reason though for preaching ‘authenticity’ however is this:
When we live that way it brings us into a pure, humble and true relationship with God and those around us…that is so much better than ‘playing the game’ and ‘fighting our corner’ so we’re seen in the crowd. It’s the best kind of way to live before God and among others. It’s Christ like living.
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Here are 6 reasons why I think ‘Authenticity’ should be our posture for all life and ministry:
1- With authenticity leading…your worship will be real and from your heart
You won’t worship won’t be because of how it looks, or because you’re the leader and you need to set an example…
…you will worship because Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, captured your heart and you can do nothing more but pour our grateful thanks to Him.
You’ll never worship because you should…you’ll do it because you get to.
2- With authenticity leading…you will only be satisfied with real moves of God
You wont waste your time on fake, empty, disingenuous or hyped Christian activity - no matter how good it looks, how impressive it sounds, or how professionally it’s done.
You will only want the real presence of God, the pearl of great price. You’ll only want to partner and co-labour with people who want that same thing.
3- With authenticity leading…your relationships will be based on people knowing the real you, the you God made you to be
People will only have the opportunity to and love you for who God made you to be.
Your ability to influence or to further people’s agenda will be more or less irrelevant to them, for they will want to know your heart not your spiritual CV.
This doesn’t mean hiding your giftings or playing your abilities down. It doesn’t mean wearing your heart on your sleeve for everyone to see.
It simply means people won’t love the mask we put on, they’ll love the person underneath it. On your best, and worst, day.
4- With authenticity leading…your love for Jesus will compel your ministry more than the rewards of a successful ministry or notoriety
You may love the church or love seeing the fruit of your ministry in people’s lives, but those things won’t ever be the primary reason you do any of it.
Your love for God will drive you harder and faster than any earthly things you could gain for doing it. Your motivation for doing it all won’t be tied to the role or to the success of it all. That doesn’t mean you don’t share it or testify to what God did at last night”s meeting…it just means you’re sharing it to give Him glory, and Him alone.
You’ll be free.
Jesus, I think, has given a lot of heartfelt ‘well done good and faith servant(s)’ to people you and I will never had heard of. They did it for Him alone. They got it right.
5- With authenticity leading…you will invite others alongside you and lean on their strength when you’re weak, without an ounce of shame
Those who aren’t in ministry and calling to make themselves look good have no problem leaning on the strength of another. They don’t mind admitting that they don’t have an answer for everything or that they need the strength of others where they are weak.
What are we talking about here?
Humility.
Paul was able to say he was a sent one appointed by God, an apostle, and also, the worst of all sinners and the least of all saints. He didn’t lose his identity and calling in God as he recognised his need for others strength where he was lacking.
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6- With authenticity leading…you won't need success for identity
Knowing you are a son or daughter of God means you can let go of the desire to be seen as ‘someone special’ by others.
God Himself, sees you as special.
He doesn't need you to put on a show or set off fireworks to get His attention.
He loves you and will use you as you are, where you are.
Today.
Becoming comfortable in the skin and the identity God has given you means you could be content with having a small ministry that is never globally recognised, but has heaven's eyes fixed on it.
You can be trusted with millions of people before your influence because you have chosen to be real before God and others, doing it all for Him before anything else.
From this posture you can be secure as a humble child of God, obeying their Father, doing His will, not needing the fame of the glory given by people one bit. You wont need to fake it to keep up with your public image. You wont need 100 likes for a post of your wisdom or latest photo to be able to sleep soundly at night.
You’re God’s favourite already.
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Closing Thoughts
Authentic people look to live in a way where they are real before God and others. They seek to do what Jesus asked us to do; minister to God and serve others.
They pray from that posture. They worship from starting point. The dream from that launching pad. They work from that foundation. They build relationships on it. They speak through it. They live and love from it.
That’s why I think I’ve been preaching and talking about this for 2 years straight. I think I’ll keep going.
What do you think?
Is there a posture more important than authenticity? Am I too harsh or too negative on the social media thoughts? Share your thoughts below. We’re all learning.
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The Road to the Father's House can be purchased on Amazon and Waterstones and on this website