Westside Community Church

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WE REFUSE TO PRETEND

StevenJBarker

WE REFUSE TO PRETEND

This Beautiful Mess - Part 1 of 6 | July 17, 2022

Gabe Kolstad | @gabekolstad

Westside Value #1: We Refuse to Pretend

We aim to be real & honest, to be people who don’t fake it just to save face or to impress others. We want to know that we can come openly and honestly before a loving God and bring the real issues of our lives to Him in a safe and non-judgemental community.

A Tale of Two Hypocrites…

9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”    -Luke 18:9-14

1. OUTSIDE doesn’t always reflect INSIDE

Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.  - John 7:24

2. COMPARISON kills

Don't think you are better than you really are.  - Romans 12:3

3. HONESTY invites MERCY

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.     -James 5:16

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.    -1 John 1:9

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