Likeable, “Be Real”
February 12, 2023

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Message Review

People who were nothing like Jesus liked Jesus, and He like them too, but do people like his followers? The way many people who would say they’re not followers of Christ perceive those of us who are is making us UNLIKABLE One perception that non followers of Christ have is that Followers of Christ are hypocrites. A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another and acts like they aren’t. The best way to change the perception of being a hypocrite is by not being one.   

Main Point | The best way to change the perception of being a hypocrite is by not being one. 

Scripture References | Matthew 23:1-36 

Questions      

  • Why do you think people get offended when we discuss the way that they are perceived?  

  • Pastor Ronnie used a stat that said: “85% of people outside the church describes ‘Christians’ as hypocrites.” Why are followers of Christ perceived like this?  

  • Followers of Christ will say it is not fair we get judged differently about being hypocrites. Pastor said that one reason is because our lives don’t portray what we say we believe. How does this make you feel and want to react?  

  • Read Matthew 23:13. What does it mean when it says, “you shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.”  

  • Pastor Ronnie used this quote: “The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today are Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” – Brennan Manning. When you hear this quote what thoughts come to mind? How do er change this?  

  • Transparency is the anecdote to hypocrisy. Why is being real the way to counteract being hypocritical? 

  • Another way to not being seen as hypocritical is by doing what you ought to. What are ways that you know what you “ought to do”?  

  • When other followers of Christ own their issues and are transparent why is it important to show grace as fellow Followers of Christ?  

Challenge Question | How are you being a hypocrite? What’s the “ought” you know you “ought to do”? 

Application

This week take time to assess where you are being a hypocrite, own it and then find the ought you ought to do and take next steps to do it.  

Verse to Remember: Matthew 23:13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

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