The True Vine (5 of 5)
Series: Perfect Portraits
Bob Ingle
John 15:1-8
(Turn to John 15) Have you ever heard someone say that the reason they don't attend church is because of all the hypocrites that are there? You know, I'd almost get angry with that statement if it weren't so true! Because no one is perfect, we all play the hypocrite at times. But there's no doubt spiritual hypocrisy runs rampant. There are loads of people who pretend to be fervent Christ followers while here in church, but the rest of the week they live anything but a God honoring life. We get that; we know that. Many of you know that the word 'hypocrite' means to put on a mask. It's play-acting. It's intentionally acting like you're one thing outwardly, but inwardly you know you're something else.
It's like the story I told you a few years ago, about a zoo that was going through some financially desperate times advertised that they needed some help. A well-built man came in to apply for a job but was disappointed to find that the only job left was that of impersonating a gorilla. The gorilla had died, and the zoo was expecting a bunch of visitors, so they needed an imposter. Money was tight, so he took the job. All went well for the first few hours but then the heat and bananas started taking their toll. As he tried to swing from one tree to another, he lost his grip and went flying into the lion's den. He immediately started shouting, ''Help! Help!'' The lion then leaned over and said, ''If you don't stop screaming we'll both lose our jobs!''
When it comes to the New Testament who's the supreme example of the ultimate hypocrite? Judas, right? Judas was in the inner circle with Jesus, went on all the mission trips, heard all the sermons of Jesus, hung out with the greatest small group ever, was sent out to preach and perform miracles with the other 11 disciples. For all intents and purposes, he looked like, sounded like, and acted like the other guys, but it was a facade. It was ...
Series: Perfect Portraits
Bob Ingle
John 15:1-8
(Turn to John 15) Have you ever heard someone say that the reason they don't attend church is because of all the hypocrites that are there? You know, I'd almost get angry with that statement if it weren't so true! Because no one is perfect, we all play the hypocrite at times. But there's no doubt spiritual hypocrisy runs rampant. There are loads of people who pretend to be fervent Christ followers while here in church, but the rest of the week they live anything but a God honoring life. We get that; we know that. Many of you know that the word 'hypocrite' means to put on a mask. It's play-acting. It's intentionally acting like you're one thing outwardly, but inwardly you know you're something else.
It's like the story I told you a few years ago, about a zoo that was going through some financially desperate times advertised that they needed some help. A well-built man came in to apply for a job but was disappointed to find that the only job left was that of impersonating a gorilla. The gorilla had died, and the zoo was expecting a bunch of visitors, so they needed an imposter. Money was tight, so he took the job. All went well for the first few hours but then the heat and bananas started taking their toll. As he tried to swing from one tree to another, he lost his grip and went flying into the lion's den. He immediately started shouting, ''Help! Help!'' The lion then leaned over and said, ''If you don't stop screaming we'll both lose our jobs!''
When it comes to the New Testament who's the supreme example of the ultimate hypocrite? Judas, right? Judas was in the inner circle with Jesus, went on all the mission trips, heard all the sermons of Jesus, hung out with the greatest small group ever, was sent out to preach and perform miracles with the other 11 disciples. For all intents and purposes, he looked like, sounded like, and acted like the other guys, but it was a facade. It was ...
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