Authentic Christianity!!

Authentic: 

Of undisputed origin; genuine: "authentic 14th-century furniture". Made or done in the traditional or original way: "authentic Italian meals". Sincere: Free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings. (of a person) Saying what they genuinely feel or believe; not dishonest or hypocritical. Consistent: (of a person, behavior, or process) Unchanging in achievement or effect over a period of time. Compatible or in agreement with something: "injuries consistent with falling".

What is a consistent, authentic, sincere person look like?

It is a person who has the same character in every situation.  The sincere comes from the Latin "sin cera" meaning "without wax".  In ancient times, pottery was a very big business.  Pots were used to carry water or hold food.  True pottery was very important and very valuable.  Fraudulent pottery sellers would take wax and fill in cracked pottery before painting over it to cover the wax.  Signs would be posted next to the pottery that would say "Sin Cera" to inform potential buyers that the pottery was genuine, uncracked and whole.  The word has come to mean truthful, having integrity or forthright.  Are we sincere in our life?  Are our dealings honest?  Are we a consistent person of character in all situations?

God expects His people to be people of integrity, sincerity and consistency.  That is what we need this week in order to continue on in the playoffs.  We need authentic work, sincere preparation and consistent character to continue to be what God calls us to be!

Titus 2:6-8 - ⁶ Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. ⁷ Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching showintegrity, dignity, ⁸ and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

This verse teaches us that a man's character needs to be sincere.  The reason we are to be authentic is so that our opponents (unbelievers) will be put to shame by our honest conduct and have nothing bad to say about us while proving our obedience and faith in God!