Craig Smith * Barriers to Authenticity • February 18, 2024

“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” (Prov. 27:19)

The most common barrier to authenticity is

…

We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. (2 Cor. 3:13)

A veil that first covers the

Reveal Answer

eventually covers the

Reveal Answer

– “Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.” (2 Cor. 3:15)

💣 Why we

Reveal Answer

instead of

Reveal Answer

…

• The fear of

Reveal Answer

– “…for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica…” (2 Timothy 4:10)

• The fear of

Reveal Answer

– “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long… Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:3, 5)

• The fear of

Reveal Answer

– “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it – I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while – yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance.” (2 Cor. 7:8-9a)

We may

Reveal Answer

people with our

Reveal Answer

, but we

Reveal Answer

through our

Reveal Answer

…

“For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn – conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.”
(2 Cor. 7:5-7)

Ultimately, authenticity means we must confront our

Reveal Answer

with

Reveal Answer

– “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We were not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange – I speak as to my children – open wide your hearts also.” (2 Cor. 6:11-13)

Ultimately, true authenticity is possible when we make a critical turn…

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (2 Cor. 3:16)