Godly Sincerity January 29, 2017
2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
This is a testimony of a life that follows Paul as he followed Christ.
Last week we rejoiced in the simplicity in Christ. Thank the Lord for the freedom He has given us. Today we move on to godly sincerity. It’s not hypocritical. It’s genuine, authentic, pure. It doesn’t behave one way in one environment and another way somewhere else. True love is faithful. Paul commended the Philippian saints.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
We are not always faithful but His love will never let me go. ‘Sincere’ comes from two words:
sine = “without”, and cera = honeycomb. Sincere is truth in love, in love with truth. Get sincere about the word of God. By the grace of God. He’s given it – take it. It’s all from above. Don’t get bogged down in your own efforts. Sincere worship, not in word only, in deed and truth. For me to live is Christ (Phil. 1:21). When you are in love, there is a joy. This only happens in your life when there is a bridal love. Your life will transform. Joy unspeakable and full of glory. There will be a humility in your life, you can admit when you are wrong, and be more tender. You become a spiritual one that can restore a brother. Sincerity endures chastening, ridicule, shame, and rejection. Knowing that whatever life throws at us, it’s not worthy to be compared to the glory (Romans 8:18).
Colossians 1:27 Christ in you, the hope of glory:
The pinnacle of all glory. Sincere means “clear to the light”, transparent, clear as crystal.
Revelation 21:9-11 . . . Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
If we are to be His bride, we need to live transparently here. All you see is Him. The bride filled with all the fullness of Him. Your life is not about you. You will realize how abundant life can be because it’s Him. This transparency is power in our life to rise up.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
The sincerity that I may be found only in His righteousness. This is your life, abundant because it’s all about Him. Praise and thank Him in all things. Do you praise the Lord in your failure? Whom He has made free is free indeed. You are lacking nothing. You’ve got Jesus, you’ve got everything. Getting ready for the exceeding riches of His grace. But if you stay stuck in the “it’s about me life” you will miss out. Fight the good fight of faith! You are His sons!
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Sermon Topics: Sincerity