November 4, 2018

Masquerade : A Final Word
November 4, 2018
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

Can you be very vulnerable for a moment, and share an area in your life where you have a struggle being real—not wearing a mask to hide an insecurity? Will someone share?

Over the past weeks we’ve been given tools to remove those masks of pretense we tend to wear to show the world the person we would like to be. The person we really are, hopefully a follower of Christ, has now added deceit and dishonesty to continue the masquerade. This keeps us from being everything God created us to be. We have learned that freedom is available, hope that we can remove the mask and be ourselves, and find a freedom that is in Christ and Christ alone.

Focal Passages: Ephesians 6:10-20

 

Discuss:

A Final Word:

  • Read Eph. 6:10a. What does it really mean when you express thoughts, commands, or lessons, and end with “finally”?
  • How does this indicate the speaker or writer has given all the instructions necessary? Does anyone remember the meaning of “the rest of the whole”?

Be Strong:

  • Read 10b. How are we to be strong? Why does physical strength seldom get us through a heavy trial?
  • Read Psa. 20:7 and 103:14. Why is it not possible to be strong on our own?
  • Read 2 Cor. 6:14. Why is it not possible to keep a mask on while maintaining a close fellowship with our Father in heaven? Why can our human nature not handle trials without God’s help?

We Have Everything That We Need:

  • Read Eph. 6:11-13a. Where do you get your self-worth? Who does God say you are? What are some of the words He uses to describe you?
  • What would happen if our soldiers went to war in jeans, tee shirt and no weapon? (Ask yourself: Is that me daily?) How do we know God wants us to win the victory? What has He provided?
  • Read John 10:10. What is Satan’s first target? What does he want to steal? What does he want to kill? What does he want to destroy?
  • What is the only thing that keeps us from winning?

 

Stand Your Ground

  • Read Eph. 6:13b-14a. Do your children ever test you? What happens when you stand firm on the issue that is being challenged? What is the parallel?

Truth Matters

  • Read Eph. 6:14b. What is the belt of truth? Why did Paul use the picture of a warrior going into battle? How is that like us?

The Truth of the Truth

  • Why is it important that we acknowledge God? Does Truth ever change?
  • Read Proverbs 12:19. Why is it necessary we always act in Truth ?
  • Read John 8:32. How does Truth set us free? Free from what?
  • Read John 14:6 and Isaiah 61:1. Why is truth so important?

 

The End Game

  • What are some of the chains that bind us?
  • Read Eph. 6:19-20. Once we take off the mask(s) we wear, how can God use us? Why?

 

 

 

Close:

Perhaps, as you watch someone you love grow to adulthood, you see the characteristics and passions they have in a certain area and know that they would excel in a particular vocation. That is a close analogy of our life in Christ, created as a new being through salvation, with gifts and talents God can use. However, if we put on a mask to seem more than we are, our goals shift from pleasing God to pleasing men. This makes us a vessel unfit for the Master’s use, and we need to beg God to free us from that mindset, to one that pleases Him in all we do and say. Recently someone was overheard saying, “I can hardly carry this burden, but no one really wants to listen to me!” That is an indictment on the circle of friends this person has, but ask yourself “Do I cut off friends by passing by quickly, or replying ‘God has a purpose..’ or something else that would indicate I don’t have time to share their burden?” Don’t let a mask of lifestyle, religiosity, apparel or beauty be so important to you that you cannot fulfil the plans and purposes God had in mind when He made you! Beg Him to set you free, and then be available to say, “Here am I, Lord, use me!”

Key Verse: Ephesians 6:10: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

 

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