DISCLAIMER: This text is not a verbatim transcript. Communication Access Real Time Translation (CART) is provided in order to facilitate communication credibility and may not be a totally verbatim record of the proceedings. ? >> Thank you for joining us today. We want to let you know of a few items of interest. First, o.k. to our website, firstcolonychurch.org, and go there often. You'll find links to our worship services; Bible study options; online giving; and our podcast, Anchor Point. You can also download our church app. Just search for "First Colony Church of Christ" in the App Store or on Google Play. The app is a great resource where you can stay connected to First Colony Church. Thank you for joining us today. We're glad you're here. ? ? >> Thank you for joining us today. We want to let you know about a few items of interest. First, go to our website, firstcolonychurch.org, and go there often. You'll find links to our worship services; Bible study options; online give; and our podcast, Anchor Point. You can also download our church app. Just search for "First Colony Church of Christ" in the App Store or on Google Play. The app is a great resource where you can stay connected to First Colony Church. Thank you for joining us today. We're glad you're here. >> Kyle: Well, good morning! And welcome home, whether you are with us here in the house or online, welcome home! We are so glad that we are together this morning. It is the a good day to be here, and it is a good day to praise the Lord. So whether you're in the house or at home, let's stand together and let's worship the King of Kings! >> Richard: Amen! ("Raise a Hallelujah" playing) >> Richard: Sing it out! >> Richard: Yes! We raise a hallelujah today! Our King is alive! He did not stay in the grave! (" rescue Story" playing) >> Richard: Homophile can say that? God never gives up. Home of you can say that? God never gives up. >> Richard: Yes, Lord! Thank you! You may be seated! >> Corey: Amen, amen! Whoo! Love that song. He is our rescue story. Now, I want to tell you a story. A guy was walking through his house and he heard some arguments coming from the pack room. He heard his son say something to his daughter that made her cry; it was not right; and his son comes running out of the room. He runs smack dab into his dad's chest. Has that ever happened to you as a kid? That has happened to me. His dad said, "Come here." He took him into the bathroom. The boy is like "It's all over now." Dad said, "Pour this toothpaste out." Really? So he's pouring the toothpaste and is writing his name. He's having a great time. "I'll pour it all out. With All. Every drop." He pours it out. This is fun. Don't tell Mom I'm doing this. Having a great time. And then he said, "Now what can we do?" He said, you can put the toothpaste back in the tube. He said, I can't do that. It doesn't work that way. He's trying to shove it in. The dad told him, "That's just like your words. Once words come out of your mouth, you can never take them back again." The Bible tells us we will be held accountable for every empty word that we speak. Also it tells us that we ought to take our words and thoughts captive in how Jesus Christ has a plan for our speech and the tongue is powerful. The boy began to look at his dad, and his dad looked at him. He said, "Okay. I understand what you're saying." His dad said, "You need to use your words to encourage and not tear down; to speak life and not death; to bring hope into this world because our world needs the Hope of Jesus Christ." God bless you. >> Kyle: Amen. Thank you so much, Corey. This is Corey Water. He taught the adult class this morning and will be back next Sunday so if you're looking for a Bible class on Sundays, adults, he'll see you in the gym. This is time of communion. Rocky and Ginger will lead us. Let's hold this time as sacred and proclaim the Lord's death and Resurrection until He comes. Rocky and Ginger? >> Rocky: Good morning. My name is Rocky Hudson and my wife Ginger. We're glad to lead you in celebrating the Lord's Supper this morning. We remember as we prepare our heart and mind for communion that Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice for our sins to redeem us. Would you join me as we pray? Father, thank You for Your extravagant love and emergent favor You gave us. You have given us the greatest Gift, Your Son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins. In communion we honor Jesus with remembrance of His Sacrifice, this break of bread and the thanksgiving of this cup. Lord Jesus, as we take this bread and drink this cup, we remember You Are the Bread of Life. You nourish our hearts, and You feed our souls, giving us sustenance to run the race before us. In this cup we see Your Sacrifice was poured out for many. You brought forgiveness and light into a dark world. Thank You. Thank You for Your extravagant love and unmerited favor and pray this in the Precious Name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen. Will you join us as we partake in the communion? >> Ginger: Today I will be reading from James 1:5-7. The Scripture will be on the screen if you would like to follow along. (reading) ("I Will Look Up" playing) >> Richard: Why don't we all stand together and worship the Lord? ? You ? >> Richard: He is Lord of All, amen? You may be seated. >> Kyle: I want to invite Greg Stirman to the stage. Greg will lead us in a time of prayer over our offering. Come on up, my friend. We should be ready to go. >> Greg: We want you to know that your offerings and gifts are greatly appreciated. They fuel the ministry of this church, both locally, through Second Mile Mission center; Life Line chaplain I, impact Church in Houston; and many other ministry efforts here. They also are the fuel for our efforts globally in our mission points in Nepal, Honduras, and many other places. So thank you for your generous offerings. Your online offerings are safe and secure. You can find that link on our website, and for those of you who are in person, there are giving boxes as you exit the sanctuary. Thank you again for your faithful giving. Let's pray over our offering. Father, You have been gracious and generous to us. You have provide for our needs, most especially Your provision to bridge the gulf between Your majesty and Your holiness and our sin through the Gift of Your Son. Father, we are so grateful for that Sacrifice, for the great love You have shown for us. Bless these offerings; give us wisdom as we steward them for fuel for our ministry efforts to glorify Your Name. We give You thanks and pray in the Wonderful Name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen. >> Kyle: Amen. Thank you, Gregg. Let me say again, good morning to all of you. Hey, it's okay to talk back to me. >> Good morning! >> Kyle: It's so good to see all of you be. We will have a fellowship greeting in a moment; but first for the kiddos up to fifth grade, look in the back and see Mr. Joel. We've got Main Street Live in a minute. You can go now, man. It's like pied pipers in here. If you don't want to dismiss now, you can do it in a minute when we stand, but this is our children's worship that happens during the rest of our service this morning. A couple of other item for you. If you're a guest here this morning, we want to invite you to walk across our lobby at the end of service to our New Here Start Here room. Our team will take care of you and answer all of your questions and a new feature this morning -- you'll see on the seat back in front of you a QR code. If you have been to a restaurant, you know what this is for. You can simply open up the camera app on your phone and point it at that QR code, and you will -- it will open to a Connection card. There are all kind of things there that if you have some questions for us about our church; some things that you want to know about us; or you want us to get to know you, simply fill it out right there. You can do it right now if you want. That QR code is there. You can do that at any point in our service. It's our fellowship greeting, everybody! All right? Hey, let's stand and tell somebody good morning and tell them how glad you are to see them this morning. And if you are online, we want you to log in on the chat and say hello. We are so glad that you're with us, too! ("Victory in Jesus" playing) >> Richard: Thank you for your worship today! You may be seated! >> Ronnie: Fantastic! Richard and team, thank you so very, very much. And good morning, everyone. See glad to see you right here in the room. To those of you watching us online, we welcome you as well. Again, just great, great to see you all here or online. You know, next Sunday is Mother's Day, and we want to celebrate the ministry of motherhood. Joel Smith, our Children's Minister, will bring the message next week and will have a fun little visual illustration for everybody -- exactly what, I'm not sure -- but it will be memorable, I know that. Didn't Corey have a FABULOUS, great message earlier today? We are in a message series -- we'll take a little break after today -- but a message series called When in Doubt, looking at some various questions related to our Christian faith. The title of today's message is: Is the church full of hypocrites? As one smart aleck said, no, it's not; we always have room for one more. (Laughter) Come on in! Right? If you've ever brought up to someone that you are believer -- at times someone may say, "Christians are just hypocrites; the church is full of hypocrisy." in the art worlds it's called forgery. In the business world, it's called fraud. In the financial world, counterfeit. Talking goods, it's a cheap imitation. People who are hypocrites are said to be living a lie, and quite honestly -- very, very seriously -- all of us as Christians have to take a look and say, "Am I legit? Do I really believe this?" I'm not saying I don't have questions. You know, a few week ago we talked about "I believe but help my unbelief." It's. Said hypocrisy is not practicing what you preach. Peter Kraft, a great scholar, said, it's more like you don't actually believe what you say you believe. But we have to look inside and say, you know, do I contribute to the narrative that Christians are phony? And quite honestly, I have to look first and foremost at my family. No one knows me like my wife. No one knows me like my children. Do I contribute to them a picture that I really believe this and that the Christian faith is worth loving the Lord, your God with all of your heart; soul; mind; and strength? Let me put a statement on the screen: Genuine articles always have cheap imitations. They just do. That's just the way it is. The pop music world has given us Paul McCartney. It's also given us Milli Vanill linch. (Laughter) who lip-synched their way to Grammy awards before it was uncover. I have great respect for law enforcement officers and our women and men who serve in that role. I have served as a chaplain to our constable's office and served as a chaplain to the Fort Bend Sheriff's Department in past years. I appreciate the men and women who serve this church every Sunday. Now, does that mean that there will not be, you know, some bad apples in law enforcement and that you will not find power abusers along the way? Of course not. Anything of real value has its cheap counterfeit. I have great respect for people who serve in the medical profession. Are there some quack doctors? Yes. will you judge the entire medical profession by a few quack? People love to tell lawyer jokes. I know of no -- I don't personally know a shady lawyer. This church is filled with attorneys. I like them all and respect them all. Does that mean there aren't some shysters out there? Of course! I have wonderful preacher friends all around the globe, great people. Now, have I been disappointed along the way? Of course. Sure. Other hypocrites associated with Christianity? Does the name Judas ring a bell to anybody? And yet do you judge ALL the apostles by Judas? Do you evaluate the entire Christian message and drive by Judas? And listen carefully: Sometimes we think hypocrisy de-legitimizes something. No. The hypocrisy of Judas does not make the truthfulness of Jesus any less. The hypocrisy of Judas does not de-legitimize Jesus, and no amount of hypocrisy can make something that is TRUE, untrue. If you're listening to this in the room or you're watching online, yes, you will encounter some fakes. You will encounter hypocrites. Does that make the Christian message untrue? And conversely, no amount of sincerity can make something that is untrue, true. So in the arena will be some hypocrites. That's possible in religion. You know, if you follow religious news, you're familiar of the story of Ravi Zacharias and his ministries and for years the guy was a formidable voice in the Christian world. Lo and behold, it's been revealed that he was a serial sexual predator and his own ministry conducted an evaluation and they just said, "Sorry. These allegations are true, and they have merit." Don't be shocked and surprised. There was a Judas. There was a demas. There was an Ananias, Sapphira, posers. Religious hypocrisy is real, and Jesus condemns it. And so if religious fakery upsets you, you're in good company. Jesus felt the same way. If hypocrisy troubles you, you're on the side of Jesus. Jesus was not pleased when folks gave a good God a bad reputation. Let me put a definition of hypocrisy on here. Hypocrisy is deliberate pretending for personal advantage. It's not inconsistencies or imperfection. I'll get to that later. It's intentional, deliberate pretend for some sort of personal advantage, posing for some sort of profit. Matthew 6. Be careful -- this is Jesus -- not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. And now Jesus will continue on and get real specific and talk about hypocrisy. He will use the word "Hypocrite." Some of you when you hear that word think it's a religious word. It actually comes for the world of drama and theatre to where ancient actors would be hypocrite. They would take masks and might be a particular actor is performing several roles -- sad; younger; older; happy. You put on the mask. Jesus said a hypocrite is someone who wears a mask, plays a role, pretending to be something they're not; and it's sad, actually because what motivates it is a lack of dignity and acceptance and security before God. When I am so hungry for approval and applause -- "Do you like me? Do you like me? Do I fit in?" When we're so hungry for approval and applause and to be a part of a particular group that we're willing to put on mask; and whomever I'm with, whatever the environment, whatever I need to do to fit in, I put on that mask. I'm willing to get real dramatic if I have to. Hmm. So when you give to the needy, says Jesus, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honor by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. Later He says, and when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogue and on the street corners -- notice this -- to be seen -- what's the motivation? To be seen by others. In other words, if I don't post it on Facebook, it never happened. Right? If everybody -- if I'm not doing this for an audience, it doesn't really count, right? And there's nothing wrong with social immediate, nothing wrong. I'll come back to this in a moment. And when you fast -- verse 16 -- do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces -- notice the motivation -- to show others they are fasting. Hey, Ronnie, how you doing? Hmm. Fasting. (Laughter) "Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." And your Father, your Heavenly Father, with whom you can be so secure, and He sees what is done in secret -- just the two of you -- and He will reward you. Now, some people read this and they come up with a mistaken solution for hypocrisy. The mistaken solution for hypocrisy is "I should never do anything public, and no one should ever know anything I might do in service to the Lord." No. Jesus prayed in public. Jesus did good things in public. It's okay to do things publicly that other people know and see and actually -- get this -- they're blessed by it; they're encouraged by it; they're inspired by it; but that's not the reason you do it. If it's done just to be seen and applauded, it's not a good thing, and sometimes a good test is follows. How do you respond when nobody notices? How do you respond if no one sees? What if your name is omitted from the thank you list? Here's another Scripture. It talks about another side, another "Face" if you will of hypocrisy. It's a Scripture we read a few week ago when we were going through our series of one-chapter books in the Bible. Jude 1:3-4. "I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people." Now, listen to this: "For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago -- listen -- they secretly slipped in among you." Here's another side to hypocrisy. The writer here says, you cannot be naive; there will be situations where someone will intentionally be disingenuous, intentionally be misleading. They will put on a mask until it is assumed they're part of the group, and then the color become more clear. I wish I could tell you hypocrisy is something that is just relegated to the Pharisees of the first century; that's not true. It happens here, now. It's an ongoing temptation in my life and yours, to put on the mask rather than to pull it off. Let me put some statement status up here. Let's move through them very quickly. First of all, a Christian is not a hypocrite just because someone says so. People love to throw out that accusation. There's a great book by Greg Kukkel and the title of the book is "Relativism" -- I love this title. "Relativism: Feet firmly planted in midair." He say, whenever someone likes to throw out the accusation of hypocrisy -- "Oh, you're just a hypocrite. Those are hypocrites." He says, "Well, maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. It sort of depends on your definition of what a hypocrite is." Then he says, "I can ask, what are you seeing in my life that you think is an example of hypocrisy?" So what is your definition of hypocrisy, -- and maybe I am one of those. The author was ask, "Do you think the shoe really fits, that there is wide spread hypocrisy in the church?" And he said, "I actually don't think so. And the reason I can say that is because I know a lot of Christians and when someone makes the charge the church is filled with hypocrites, I ask: When was the last time you spent significantly time with those people, interacting the very once you're accusing of hypocrisy?" He says, just because you make the accusation doesn't mean it's true. It doesn't mean it's not true. People love to throw out the accusations. Here's something else: A Christian is not a hypocrite just because they differ from you. Just because they're at a different maybe stage of growth than you are. My friend, when you are part of any church or group of people -- listen carefully -- you will at times see the WORST side of some of the FINEST people you will ever know in your life. When you marry someone who is a Christian, you will sometimes see the WORST side of that person. You will sometimes see the, um, most frustrating side; the most grating side; the most disappointing side of some of the finest people you will ever know. Now, the Bible teaches, yeah, there are certain times that we have to say, "Look, we're not on the same page here at all." There are other times the Bible says, you want to, as much as possible with you, you lean into the Spirit of grace that say, "Look, I remember God's grace to me, and I want to apply it as much as possible with you." Here's another statement: A Christian is not a hypocrite just because they have sinned. Back to that book I mentioned -- the author said most of the Christians I know are very real human beings deeply committed to their value, and they are not fakeers. Are they -- listen carefully -- are they perfect Christians? no! Nobody is. You're not; I'm not. The only perfect "Christian" was Jesus. The rest of us are struggling. He goes on and he says, "I think it's fair to make a distinction between someone who's inconsistent and someone who is a hypocrite." let me put three statements on the screen. Hypocrisy is sin. Yeah. All hypocrites are sinners. But not all sinners are hypocriters. Most Christians are not as great as they want to be and should be but not as bad as they would be without Jesus in their life. You know, what does the Bible say? God has started a work in you, and you're not just zap with immediate Christian maturity. He starts a work in you, and then people develop and grow over time and mature. There's a vital distinction between a hypocrite and a Christian who stumbles and falters. It's all about direction, not perfection. None of us achieve perfection, but what about direction? And most of the Christians that I know are serious about wanting to be transformed by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. But listen, Christians are very, very capable of being imperfect; and real Christians slip into sin; but they do not want to stay there. What does the apostle John say in 1 John 1:8? If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is just not in us. But if we confess our sins -- here's what we do and here's the wonderful -- see, as believers, we pay attention. We want to lead a penitent; humble; confessional life; even the sin of hypocrisy. Our God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Let me put another statement here on the screen: A Christian is not a hypocrite because they act differently than they feel. You know, somewhere over the last few years it's become popular to say "My heart's just not in it." "I feel like a hypocrite because my heart just isn't in it." "I took food to that sick family but felt like a hypocrite because I just wasn't feeling it." Some of you beat yourself up WAY too much, thinking that you should be able to control all of your feelings. You can't control all of your feelings. You can make choices concerning your behaviors and you should make choices concerning your behaviors -- because if you don't choose wisely, your behaviors can lead to divorce. It can lead to losing your job. It can lead to an arrest. But you can't be in charge of everything you feel. Hypocrisy is not going against your feelings. Hypocrisy is acting against your stated beliefs. Hypocrisy is acting against your stated convictions. Acting against your feelings, that's not hypocrisy. Actually, that's maturity. That's maturity. Ask any parent if they're feeling it when they get a 3:00 a.m. wake-up call. Ask any parent if they're feeling it when they've got one more diaper appointment. Actually, when you take that food to a sick family and part of you is like, "My heart is just not into this, but, you know, I don't necessarily want to, but I ought to." But here's what you're gonna do: Afterwards -- it might not be immediately afterwards -- you're gonna look back and be glad you did and the fact you're the kind of person who can live by your values and not your moods, THAT is powerful. And influential. But a Christian is hypocritical without personal repentance, without humility, the ability to treat another person who may differ with you at least -- I don't have to approve, endorse. I can treat with respect. A Christian is hypocritical without personal repentance, humility, and grace. Jesus said it like this in Matthew 7: Why to you look at the Speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" "How can you say to your appreciation let me take that speck out of your eye" when all the time there's this telephone pole protruding out of your own eye? You hypocrite. First take the telephone pole out of your own eye; then you'll see clearly to remove the Speck from your brother or your sister's eye. The hypocrite is what -- more concerned with correcting YOU than correcting themselves. The hypocrite is willing to hold OTHERS to a standard they don't even hold themselves to. Romans 2. "You, therefore, have no excuse you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you're condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the very same things." One more statement: I urge all of you to evaluate Christianity by the genuine articles. Christianity does not stand or fall on the way Christians behave. Christianity but not stand or fall on the way Christians have behaved through the ages. You want to pick up the crew saids or the Inquisition, whatever -- the truthfulness of Christianity but not depend on the way it's adherents always behaved. Christianity stands or falls on the Person of Jesus Christ. Is He for real? And please never let the shortcoming of His followers -- either in the past or now -- discredit Jesus. Hypocrisy of His believers does not mean the ton truthfulness of Jesus Himself. When you're so quick to THROW that accusation of hypocrisy, ask: Is that person really a hypocrite or just like me? A stumbling, tumbling, inconsistent but engaged in the journey follower of Jesus Christ? Because if we say we have no sin, the truth is just not in us; but as we live confessionally, ah, that's a beautiful way to keep making progress in the Christian life. It's all about direction, not perfection. So are all Christians hypocrites? Again, I would say evaluate the church, even; but some of the best, sometimes people will say to me, "Ronnie, I would never want your job because I think you just see everybody at their worst." That's not true! I've. Privileged and honored and invited at times to be, to step in, to sad, disappointing, heartbreaking situations. I've seen that. I've seen some of the FINEST people in their worst moments. I have. And by the way, if you ever need to invite me into your world, you need to know, I live by the vow of confession. Unless you're in danger or someone else is in danger, we can talk confidentially. But yes, I have seen some of the finest people at their worst or sad moments, but I have also seen people over the years in situations that are absolutely inspirational. In their worst moments and heartbreaking moments, just be inspirational. I've seen one person after another just do something and I think, "Oh, my goodness! I wish everybody could see this! I wish everybody could know this! I wish everybody could hear about this!" But it's just this person in this moment with an absolutely inspirational testimony. Anybody want to say to me, you know, the church is just full of hypocrites -- people will say what they're going to say. The ninth commandment doesn't exist anymore. You know what that is, isn't it? You shall not pear false witness? People don't care about that anymore. People will say what they're going to say. Here's my come back: If you want to say the church is full of sinners, I would agree with that, and it's full mostly of people -- at least many my experience -- with people who know that are fighting against it. They're not feeding but fighting the dark side under the umbrella of grace and truth and the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ Himself has zero tolerance for hypocrisy, but He has endless grace for sinners in need of forgiveness. Gregg, would you make your way up here, please? Everybody, thank you for being with us here today. May the Lord bless you and keep you. You know, everybody has -- we have said this for years -- everybody has a next step as a man or woman of God. What's your next step? How can we help? The Lord is good. He will be with you; He'll help you His people are not perfect, but I'm grateful for the body of believers that surrounded me and my family over the years and is still true to this day. All right, Greg, lead us in prayer. >> Greg: Thank you for joining us today. Will you join me in prayer? Father, Your steadfast love endures forever. May we be Your faithful children and bold ambassadors for Christ. As our great Physician, will You heal those in need? Grant wisdom to those who are searching according to Your promise, comfort those who mourn with Your Presence. Thank You for the Wonderful Gift of Your Holy Son, Jesus, who has redeemed us and saved us with His blood. We thank You and pray in His Name. Amen. >> Kyle: Amen. Thank you, Greg; and thank you all for joining us today here in the house and online. I got a couple of comments for you as we close our service today. Don't forget that with every Bible classes between our two services every Sunday morning. We have in-person Bible classes for tall ages at 9:45, and I'm teaching online at 10:00 a.m. so if you're joining us, however you're getting to us online, you'll seal me here again at the same place next Sunday at 10:00. By the way, we've got some good news: VBS is back. It's been a couple of years since we have had VPS. You can register your kiddo and if you want to volunteer, you can do that and if you want to donate some snacks, you can do that. You can do all of that online at firstcolonychurch.org/V focus. Firstcolonychurch.org/focus. Space is limit. For those of you who are in our church here or online, we have a New Member Info Session this Wednesday night -- two or three day from now -- at 8:00 at night on Zoom. You will join Ryan bien and he will introduce you to the First Colony Church. You can ask some questions and will be a great experience but need to register for that. You can do that on kingdom zoom. We have women in apoll jet jibs, a Zoom meeting every Monday. You can register for that. There are tons of good things, tons of good stories from that so ladies, this is for you on Monday afternoons. And we want to extend our condolences and sympathy to the Marut family. Steve Marut passed away Thursday. We hold his wife Cindy and Hannah and Leah, in prayers. Let's stand and close out with one more song. It's been so good to worship with you today. ("Victory in Jesus" playing) >> Richard: Thank you for worshiping with us today! You are dismissed!