Francis Chan: How To Be Fake

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message highlights the importance of authenticity and honesty in our relationship with God. We often struggle with hypocrisy, pretending to be something we're not, and this can lead us away from a genuine connection with Christ. The passage in Luke 20 shows Jesus confronting the Pharisees and Sadducees about their hypocrisy, using their own scriptures to expose their deceit. This teaching encourages us to examine our own hearts and lives, acknowledging that we all struggle with dishonesty and deception.

Key Scripture References

• Luke 20:41-44 - Jesus asks the Sadducees a question about how the Messiah can be both David's son and his Lord. This passage highlights the Pharisees' and Sadducees' misunderstanding of God's nature and their own hypocrisy.
• Psalms 110:1 - David refers to the Messiah as "my Lord" in this psalm, which Jesus uses to challenge the Sadducees' theology. This passage shows that Jesus is using the Pharisees' and Sadducees' own scriptures against them.
• Luke 20:45-47 - Jesus warns his disciples about the teachers of the law who are hypocrites, devouring widows' houses and making a show of their prayers. This passage exposes the corruption and greed that can exist within the church.
• Matthew 15:8-9 - Jesus says that the Pharisees "honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." This passage highlights the tension between outward appearance and inner sincerity.
• John 1:14 - Jesus is described as "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." This passage emphasizes that Jesus, as God incarnate, is both fully human and fully divine, which challenges the Pharisees' understanding of God's nature.

Application

This teaching encourages us to examine our own hearts and lives, acknowledging that we all struggle with dishonesty and deception. We must confront our own hypocrisy and pretend nothing if we want to be genuine in our relationship with Christ. Jesus hates hypocrisy and deception, and Satan loves it. As followers of Christ, we must strive for authenticity and honesty in all areas of life.

Reflection

This passage reminds us that true faith is not just about knowledge or intellectual understanding but also about the condition of our hearts. We can be like the Pharisees, who are expert in the law but lack genuine love for God. Or we can be like Jesus, who teaches with authority and power, yet also shows compassion and kindness. The choice is ours: will we follow the example of Christ or continue to struggle with hypocrisy?