Authentic

Me and Emma with a "authentic" cannon from the civil war.........

Hey Guys....if there is one thing that is lacking in our life today, it would be authenticity. There are no authentic people anymore. So many of us live lies. So many believers live lies. This problem makes Christians look shallow and ignorant. We need authentic people. In Ephesians we truly see a picture of an Authentic Believer.

Characteristics of an Authentic Believer
Ephesians 5.3-8a
I. Purity of Life (vs3-4)

Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

In chapter five we see Paul making a move into the practical life of the believer. He tells the reader how to live. But as he goes through the chapter we see now some characteristics of a True Believer. The first characteristic is the Believers purity. We are called to live pure lives, not to impress others or even to make others feel uncomfortable. God gives us directions and boundaries for us. These directions found in His word help us to live, to have joy, and peace. Paul calls the Christian to have physical purity. He begins talking about sexual immorality and how it can affect our life. To be all that God wants us to be, we must seek purity. This is for our own good. Even secular studies have indicated that sexual immorality causes deep and emotional stress in people’s lives. Not only does Paul mention physical purity, he also talks about mental and speech purity. These issues that rise up in this text are no doubt problems we all are facing or are going to face. The cure is simple….flee. We are to flee impurity at what ever the cost. (Why do you think purity is such a big issue in the Christian’s life? Do you find it hard to think and talk about the “right” things? What are some ways that impurity can hurt us?)
II. Assured of Faith (5-8a)

Eph 5:5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord

(Why do you think God wants us to be sure of our salvation? Would it be hard to live for Christ if we doubted our salvation all the time? What are some ways we be sure that we won’t be deceived by false religions? Have you ever had a relationship that caused you to stumble in your Walk for Christ?)
Characteristics of a True Believer
Ephesians 5.3-8a
I. Purity of Life
a. Physical-
b. Mental-
c. Speech-
II. Assured of Faith
a. Salvation
b. Believe
c. Fellowship