Surviving the Storm, Part 4

David Uth
Feb 8, 2009

One of the top 5 reasons people ages 19-29 leave the church is because of hypocrisy. We all yearn for authenticity and integrity. Bad times tempt us to compromise and cut corners. Don't let circumstances determine who you are. Let God determine who you are.

Acts 5:1-11

1. "Keeping up with the Jones" Syndrome is Timeless
- Don't be like other people. Strive to be like Jesus.
- Reputation is what other think you are but character is what God thinks and knows about you.

2. Image is Not Everything
- You can fool some people but not God
- Man looks on the surface but God looks on the inside. We choose charisma over character, image over reality.
- You don't have to pretend or sell God on the idea of liking you - He loves you

3. The Sin is Lying to the Holy Spirit
- It is not the money it is the sin
- Psalm 32 - blessed is the man
- 1 John 1:8-10 - God just wants us to be honest
- Psalm 51:17 - Confess your sing and be honest

4. The Sin was Against God, Not the Church
- Sin is against God not people or things
- It is a sing against God to stop giving because you are upset with the preacher

5. Sin Always Has Consequences
- Joshua 7:19-26 - Achan stole and hid jewels and died similarly to Ananias and Sapphira
- Don't play with the things of the Lord
- Judgement is so quick and it sends a message that we should take God serious
- Numbers 2:2-3 - Sin will find you out
- Today people don't take sin seriously since there are not as many immediate consequences like the earth swallowing things or instant death
- God will forgive our sins but there are consequences to sin

Don't compromise - not matter how bad it gets.