WEBVTT 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:03.680 What is real has been the theme for this month. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:04.959 What is real? 00:00:05.120 --> 00:00:10.960 And it didn't happen in that necessary way, that order, not R-E-A-L. 00:00:11.119 --> 00:00:12.960 It actually ended up being URL. 00:00:13.119 --> 00:00:17.199 And so what is URL is what we're saying this month. 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:19.280 However, we're saying the same thing. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:21.600 We've learned about relational community. 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:24.239 We've learned about evangelistic community. 00:00:24.399 --> 00:00:26.160 We've learned about loving community. 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:30.160 And today, we will learn about authentic community. 00:00:30.239 --> 00:00:33.759 I'm going to read this from our document here. 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:35.200 Authentic community. 00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:39.439 As Christians, we are called to reflect the light of Christ in the world. 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:44.799 A healthy Christian community confesses sin in relationship with God and one another. 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:55.920 The enemy seeks to destroy the loving witness of Christ within Christian communities, but confession reminds us of God's gracious love through Jesus Christ. 00:00:56.079 --> 00:01:00.799 It reminds us that we are children of the light, no longer under the bondage of sin. 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:11.599 Authenticity restores broken relationships and frees us by the Spirit's grace to love God and others in true community. 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:22.959 This document, after service today, if you want to pick up one that explains each part of real, in case you might have missed a week or you want to refresh yourself, is on the black table for everybody to have access to. 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:28.400 And so now I would like to invite up Tracy Hines, who will preach the word today. 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:35.519 Thank you, Pastor. 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:40.079 I'm gonna try to put the mic down. 00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:42.799 Um, how's everyone doing this morning? 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:45.040 Oh, come on. 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:47.680 This is the best sports game you will ever be at. 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:49.760 How are you doing this morning? 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:52.879 Y'all gonna make me pick this mic up. 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:55.840 The best sports game, and you already won. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:00.239 All right, that's more like it. 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:01.760 That is more like it. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:04.480 I like to think that this is a sport. 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:06.879 Sometimes I'm winning, sometimes I'm not. 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:15.199 Sometimes uh I just don't even know who the players are on my team, and sometimes I want some of the players that's on my team off my team. 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:17.199 Let's just be real. 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:20.080 All right, so good morning. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:24.400 For those of you who don't know me, my name is Tracy Hines. 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:32.240 I um right now sit on the LT board, so I am one of your leaders here. 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:34.960 I've enjoyed my journey doing that. 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:44.800 It's been it's given me an opportunity to get to know many of you in ways that I would not have gotten to know you and just the church as a whole. 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:54.400 So thank you for allowing me to serve in that way, and thank you for allowing me to stand here in this way a little bit about me. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:57.840 I learned this from a couple of my fellow sisters. 00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:04.159 They do such a beautiful job of introductions and my brains, I just want to get into the message, right? 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:16.319 And being real with who I am, I had to accept that in building relationships, people just need to know a little bit about you, right? 00:03:16.560 --> 00:03:18.000 Because I'm like the closer. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:21.680 Like, oh, you tell me your stuff, I'm like, oh, so what we gonna do? 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:22.639 Right? 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:28.000 So I missed a lot of the parts of like getting to know you and making you feel warm and comfortable. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:29.360 I'm like, I'm here, you're warm. 00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:30.319 Like, we're warm. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:31.680 Like, I take it for granted. 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:34.319 Like, if I'm here and you're here, we're good. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:36.000 Let's just move on, right? 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:38.479 But we all are at different places. 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:43.280 So I'm gonna slow it down and just give you a little bit about who I am. 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:51.039 Um, I've been in Marion, Indiana, the lovely city of Marion, Indiana, for five years now. 00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:53.120 Oh my goodness, Jesus. 00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:56.879 Just had a hot flash on that. 00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:06.240 For five years by way of North Carolina, by way of Brooklyn, New York, by way of Georgetown, Guyana. 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:12.639 Woo! Y'all know Guyana's on the map now because they're taking our oil, but that's not why I'm here today. 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:20.319 And I am the proud mother of two lovely children of whom I'm praying. 00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:23.040 Maybe one day you will lay eyes on them. 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:35.040 Um, Angelique and Trevon, and the proud dinosaur grandmother of one Asa, who will be four in November. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:41.680 Um, and I thank you for allowing me to be here today. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:43.199 Let's go in prayer. 00:04:44.319 --> 00:05:04.240 Heavenly Father, I do not take for granted this opportunity you have given me to bring forth your word and just a different part of who you are to your people. 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:16.879 I do not take it for granted that you have given us ears to hear, mouth to speak, hearts, Heavenly Father, to feel. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:32.000 I do not take it for granted that we are all here and we all come expecting something different, but leaning and depending that you, Lord, will show up in all of those differences. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:45.680 Lord, let the words of my mouth, the meditation of my heart, and everything that I have prepared by your spirit come forth in your spirit and through your spirit. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:50.959 Tracy Leslie Hines, decrease, Spirit of God, increase. 00:05:51.279 --> 00:05:53.439 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:05:54.639 --> 00:06:01.519 So I've been given the task of speaking to authentic, authentic. 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:03.519 Jack, thank you for that poem. 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:07.279 The first line of the poem, it started before Christmas. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:10.160 Now that confirmed that we're on one accord. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:15.120 As I preach, you're gonna um understand why I say that. 00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:20.560 Jack and I didn't, you know, speak about any of this, and the Christmas theme will come back. 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:22.480 So pay attention to that. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:25.839 So now we're at the end of our series for real. 00:06:26.399 --> 00:06:30.000 Relational, evangelic, authentic, loving. 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:33.040 Today we are going to discuss authentic. 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:35.199 And I will be honest with you. 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:50.000 I um I'm struggling this morning because we had a conversation in um our retreat. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:53.600 For those of you that attended the retreat this year, raise your hands. 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:54.639 Raise your hands. 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:55.759 Yes, thank you. 00:06:55.920 --> 00:06:56.399 How was it? 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:58.879 I'm I'm sorry, I'm putting you on the spot right now. 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:01.600 Um, how was the retreat? 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:14.959 I should see CJ's face. 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:16.399 Good, good. 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:20.399 CJ, would you like to say more? 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:25.920 One thing. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:53.439 Yes. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:55.600 Yes. 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:58.399 The differences bring us together. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:07:58.959 Okay. 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:06.720 Anyone else that was at the retreat want to share anything while we're here on retreat business? 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:08.079 Christy, where are you? 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:09.120 I know I saw you come. 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:10.319 Is she in chalk? 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:12.959 Is she Christy? 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:19.120 Christy alone prepared lunch. 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:22.800 Now y'all know y'all could do better than that. 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:27.040 Even if you weren't there, how many of you prepare lunch for others? 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:28.639 You know how it is, right? 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:31.120 And she did a phenomenal job. 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:33.519 So, Christy, thank you. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:34.320 Thank you. 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:35.679 Thank you very much. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:37.759 Okay, so challenge for you. 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:39.360 Next year, show up at retreat. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:40.000 We need you. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:44.240 We cannot discuss how to grow further if you are not in attendance. 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:55.120 We can't challenge you with your gifts, your we can't challenge you with your challenges and how you're seeing things if we're not together in community, just discussing things. 00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:59.360 So that brings me to our topic of authentic today. 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:03.840 Authentic for a purpose of this message. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:06.399 You know, this thing is kind of high. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:09.120 I need like a step stool or something. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:12.559 I'm on my tippy toes. 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:15.440 My calf's gonna be well and worked out today. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:22.080 The light's blocking me. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:23.759 We need to talk about some things. 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:26.240 Oh, there's lights up here. 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:41.279 Oh, light that might be telling of my age, but we won't talk about that today. 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:43.120 You have more light. 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:13.039 And it's actually very perfect. 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:22.000 I'm gonna try to get through this message, but yeah, no, I gotta be who I am, right? 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:27.600 So for today, authentic. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:34.240 When we're thinking about authentic, let's focus on showing up in truth, no pretense. 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:36.559 What does that mean for you? 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:44.639 It is something that if something is authentic, it is what it said that it is. 00:10:45.440 --> 00:10:50.320 Whatever it claims to be, that is what it is. 00:10:51.200 --> 00:11:00.000 If it's supposed to be silver, it's not silver-like, silver-ish, silver coated, silver dusted. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:02.960 It is what it is. 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:10.799 The same thing is what we are expecting from those that profess being children of God. 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:16.159 We all are looking for those that can be who they say they are. 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:22.879 And notice authentic doesn't require perfection, but just truth. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:30.240 Are you struggling with truth in some area of your life right now? 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:37.440 Yes. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:43.279 When truth and authentic meet each other, guess what? 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:46.000 We are in a place of freedom. 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:55.919 We are in a place where people can say, that person is this, and they're more consistent than they're not. 00:11:56.480 --> 00:12:06.080 That person is this, and I can trust and believe that they're habitually late, they're always early. 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:09.279 They're always gonna say something off the cuff. 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:13.679 They're gonna do something that no one else expects. 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:20.799 You don't know what it is, but you just know coming in with an expectant spirit that this person is gonna shake something up. 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:25.679 So that takes us to our scripture for today. 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:31.200 I have one main scripture, and then I'm going to sprinkle some others in there. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:39.360 Luke chapter 10, verses 36 through 42. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:46.159 Now, as they were traveling along, he entered a village. 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:49.759 A woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:56.080 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to his word. 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:57.360 Verse 40. 00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:10.559 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations, and she came up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all serving alone? 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:13.360 Then tell her to help me. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:31.519 But the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:44.159 Mary was not afraid to show up authentically, and because she was not doing what Martha expected, Martha was upset. 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:49.279 Jesus quickly reminded everyone we all have a purpose. 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:54.240 In this case, Martha was serving while Mary was listening. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:14:07.279 How often do we judge others' actions because it's not like ours and think they are fake, they are not helpful, they are causing chaos, they're not a team player, and so on and so on. 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:14.240 Instead of placing labels, ask what is your purpose? 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:17.039 What's your purpose for coming to church today? 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:19.919 What's your purpose for getting married? 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:21.679 What's your purpose for going to school? 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:24.879 What's your purpose for this relationship that we're in? 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:28.879 What is your purpose for this meeting that we're in? 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:37.360 A simple conversation like purpose, reasons, and expectations reduces labels. 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:44.960 Martha and Mary didn't have that conversation of expectations. 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:49.120 It was just assumed based on what they were doing. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:15:11.039 How many times do we try to sift someone's authentic expectations, personality, purposes because we didn't have a conversation about expectations, or we assumed that we all had the same expectations. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:59.759 And it's not just about this ministry, it's about your life. 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:13.039 When was the last time you told someone, I need you to do this, without asking them what their thoughts and feelings and expectations were. 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:18.639 As a parent, I was guilty of that. 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.960 They just had to do the thing. 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:21.679 I didn't have time. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:29.039 Like when you in survival, like you don't have time for those things, right? 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.720 I've learned. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:59.200 So what I've learned is through not allowing others to be engaged in the conversation with me in making decisions about how things will go, I am sifting their authentic personality through my strainer. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:04.079 How many of us are guilty of that? 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:11.039 We do it at work, we do it with our spouses. 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:15.359 We just do it naturally, right? 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:26.960 Being authentic requires each of us to be in places and spaces where we show up with audacity and tenacity. 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:30.400 Let me tell y'all, I love a spunky person. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:34.240 Like I just love it. 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:44.799 With no apologies, and yet still not infringing on the rights of others and not disrespecting them. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:48.720 Another thought. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.640 Next question to think about. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:14.559 Y'all notice I like thinking questions, right? 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:20.960 The question for us is how are we creating belonging in our lives and our ministries? 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:28.960 Can the people around us say they feel safe, seen, heard, and accepted? 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:31.440 Can they show up authentically? 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:41.440 Can they know that it is okay to sit at Jesus' feet, have the conversation while you work because that is what you've chosen? 00:18:42.640 --> 00:19:10.240 Are they comfortable with knowing that you were so policy driven that you are going to dissect that policy in and out, and yet still someone else is still working on the first two sentences of the policy, and you can still coexist in the same place and complement each other without labeling people as lazy, as slow? 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:19.039 Are we creating the spaces where people are not walking on eggshells around us? 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:26.079 Because we're all different. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:38.480 Are our feelings more imprinted on relationships than the feelings we create in safety for embracing differences? 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:41.359 I'm gonna say that one again. 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:52.559 Are our feelings more imprinted on relationships than the feelings we create in safe in safe spaces for differences? 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:59.039 I care more about my feelings than you being different. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:01.839 How dare you sit at Jesus' feet? 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.920 We have things to do. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:10.720 How dare you not clean that kitchen before we go to bed at night? 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:19.039 How dare you not pay the bill on the first of the month when it's due on the 16th? 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:23.839 I know I'm talking to somebody up in here. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:28.480 The first monthers, y'all just gotta pay everything the first of the month. 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:34.160 You know, and the and and the other half of us, we're just like, but it's due the 16th. 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:51.759 Are we creating spaces like Jesus where people are climbing trees to see us, crawling underground to touch, to touch us, walking miles, sitting in deserts, hungry just to listen to us? 00:20:52.000 --> 00:21:03.200 Are we creating trust so that when we're asked to do the impossible according to the world, we still jump in that boat and cast our net in the midst of our tiredness? 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:15.119 Are we creating spaces where others will follow us when we have nothing to offer them and it takes us far away from our loved ones, our bloodline, and our homeland? 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:29.599 Are we creating spaces where we're so far from normal that people want to take us out, sell us out, before they even realize we're the real deal? 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:34.400 Because when you're authentic, you're gonna get sold out. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:39.440 Because you're threatening someone. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:59.759 Are we creating spaces where even on a wooden cross facing death, someone will know who we truly are and even ask us for forgiveness because they trust the relationship we have with? 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:00.960 God. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:07.759 Not even knowing you, they trust your relationship with God. 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:14.319 What is it about our presence that will tell someone else I can trust this person? 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:17.359 And are we creating those spaces? 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:30.319 If those spaces are not created, it's hindering someone from being authentic because we're probably casting judgment on the way things should be, should look, and should be said. 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:36.240 Yeah, there's nothing normal in routine about serving God. 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:38.640 Yeah, we come to church at 10, right? 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:40.240 Yeah, so we're here. 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.920 And then what? 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:46.720 We break up the routine and someone is panicking. 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:54.799 We throw something unexpected and it, you know, just like shakes the bolt. 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:58.799 But should that be if we're really serving God? 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:01.279 Going back to expectations. 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:06.799 What is your expectations in the relationship of the ministry that you're a part of? 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:15.680 One of the things we always have to talk about when we talk about authenticity is the cost. 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:26.079 Yes, we're struggling to create safe places, spaces, and even feel safe within ourselves, right? 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:29.920 But then there's a cost to all of this. 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:34.799 Being authentic may cause you to lose friends. 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:42.000 Being authentic may cause you to move far away from your home. 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:50.400 Being authentic may cost you those dinner invites because you're disrupting people's peace. 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:55.839 Actually, what you're disrupting is the form of peace. 00:23:57.119 --> 00:24:02.079 Actually, what you're disrupting is the form of godliness. 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:07.519 Actually, what you're disrupting is the form of community. 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:18.640 How many times have we sat in a place where we feel so uncomfortable, but we're obligated to do it? 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:30.400 Authenticity removes obligations and puts in expectations designed by community. 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:34.559 The community sets the expectation. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:40.640 But we can't have that if we're not having conversations. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:51.119 More often than not, people are struggling with being authentic because they want to fit in. 00:24:51.359 --> 00:25:01.839 They don't want to hurt, they don't want you to see that there's a weak part of them because what we have done in our culture is taken advantage of weakness. 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:07.200 We've taken advantage of people that are different. 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.720 We've labeled them. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.640 What do we do about that? 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:18.559 We become audacious, we become bold, we become tenacious. 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:22.480 Leave the Christmas lights up till February. 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:24.480 Jack, there it is. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:30.160 There's some kind of rule, and I don't know what it is. 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:32.079 Someone told me, and I love Christmas. 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:34.240 It's probably why Christmas is in here. 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:39.920 There's some kind of rule that you're supposed to put up Christmas lights at a certain time of the year. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:45.599 Y'all know the rule, y'all follow the rule, and then you take it down a certain time of the year? 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.880 Oh, y'all my people. 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:48.720 Y'all like, no, no. 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.519 They stay up. 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:56.880 They all right. 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:59.519 So I'm gonna skip a couple of sentences then. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.400 All right. 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:04.319 So then we don't need to talk about the Christmas lights then. 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:08.720 Or people who knew they're not speaking the truth right now. 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.960 This is interactive preaching. 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.680 I like this. 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.720 I like this. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:20.400 All right, all right. 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:25.680 So, what are we suggesting here? 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:29.519 What we're suggesting is that we push. 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:38.559 We push past norms and we push past expectations that's not written in relationships by God. 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:41.440 How do we do that? 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:44.400 It is a very difficult thing, right? 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:46.319 So, how do we do that? 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:48.880 One, we develop boldness. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.839 How do you do that? 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.400 Y'all are looking at me. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:58.720 Y'all waiting for me to tell you, right? 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.960 I can't. 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:05.519 Because for each of you, that boldness is different. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:11.920 For each of you, your audacity and your tenacity is different. 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:21.519 Not many people can wear flip-flops in the winter time, authenticity. 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.519 Right? 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:28.880 Not many people can wear purple hair, authenticity. 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:33.759 Do your thing, right? 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:58.319 Not many people can have difficult conversations with others, and yet still, we need to allow those people that are not like us to be exactly who they are, but challenge them with love and grace to grow beyond and live beyond. 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:01.599 Not many of us can be John the Baptist. 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:06.319 Y'all remember John the Baptist? 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.960 He was out there. 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:15.279 He was out there, authentic, true to who he is, and it came at a cost. 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:18.480 He was alone many times. 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:24.000 It came at a cost, his head. 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:33.920 I'm not saying go out there and tell people, chop my head off. 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:37.039 I'm not saying that. 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:58.799 But what I am suggesting is that we develop a lifestyle where sitting at Jesus' feet or living in the wilderness, eating locusts and honey is your peace, is your norm, and you embrace it. 00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:00.880 And what does that look like? 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.559 For you. 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.359 Okay? 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:05.839 No cookie cutters for you. 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:19.279 Another example I want to give you about authenticity and twofold the dangers as well as just the prose about it. 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:22.559 King David and King Saul. 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:27.359 King David was anointed as a young boy. 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:33.839 He was very anointed in music, and as he grew up in war and all of that, right? 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:38.240 But what happened in the middle of the story is King Saul just got jealous. 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:44.319 He just had some ills going on within his emotional realm of regulation, right? 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:46.880 He just didn't know what to do with himself. 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:50.720 And here King David is, not King at the time, David is. 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:58.000 And he is trying to be true to who he is for something that was asked of him to do. 00:29:58.240 --> 00:30:04.319 Play this musical instrument for me when I am vexed in my soul. 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:22.160 And yet still living in his authentic self also got him thrown, got darts thrown at him because someone else wasn't able to emotionally regulate and submit to God. 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:40.799 So twofold, are you brave enough to still sit under someone that you know is not sitting right with God and still show up in your authentic gifts and talents? 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:45.519 I'm still struggling in that area. 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:50.079 Like sometimes it just looks like this. 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:51.680 I don't know if I like them. 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:58.240 Like emotions take a take control, right? 00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:11.839 And yet, still we have these unique gifts and unique talents that we should be pouring into to minister not just to that one person, but the community as a whole. 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:26.720 And yet, one person may be targeting us, talking about us, telling our business, maybe giving our eyes, like whatever it is, because they are not able to emotionally regulate. 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:30.079 And the beautiful thing about King David, he says, I don't care about that. 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:31.759 I'm gonna do what I have to do. 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:36.880 And he did it, not saying it was easy, right? 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:51.680 Authenticity will challenge us to sit in places where we're more uncomfortable than comfortable for the sake of building God's ministry. 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:57.759 But what often happens is we give up. 00:31:58.079 --> 00:32:07.759 We give up too soon, and we miss the opportunity for God to mature us in everything that God wants to mature us. 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:19.920 You see, Martha and Mary were two different people, and yet still they held dear to what their truth was. 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:27.119 John the Baptist was so different, and yet he held true to what his truth was? 00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:32.640 Are you holding true to what your truth is? 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:35.839 How dear is your truth to you? 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:42.319 Is there an area in your life where you're struggling to show up authentically? 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:50.640 Is there a relationship in your life that hinders your authenticity? 00:32:57.920 --> 00:33:06.160 We here at Real would hope that we're not hindering your authenticity. 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:11.359 And the truth is there might be some incidences where we are. 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:19.759 And are you having those conversations with people that might be doing that? 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:30.799 There are people in here that is hurting because they don't know how to show up in their true selves. 00:33:33.359 --> 00:33:40.880 We're hurting because there's so many things that's going on in life that we don't even know who we are. 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:49.359 I was reading the prayer board, and there's so much addiction, so much abuse. 00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:56.559 You know, we often talk about how relationship marriages are in trouble. 00:33:58.880 --> 00:34:05.279 People can't afford food, can't afford to pay bills. 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:11.519 How do we live into our true selves when our basic needs are not even met? 00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:25.280 And how are we in this ministry living into supporting people who are struggling? 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:33.519 That was the hardest part about preaching this message. 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:45.599 We are in a community where people are hurting, and to be authentic, you have to be bold. 00:34:46.559 --> 00:35:01.119 And to be bold and live in audacity and tenacity, it means sometimes you don't have people around you because people don't understand you, and yet still I need people. 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:19.199 But because I'm so different, you judge me and you label me, so then I don't get the help that I want, so then I give in to being like everyone else. 00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:44.480 I don't know about you, but it is harder on my heart and my blood pressure to be anyone else but Tracy Leslan Hines. 00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:58.079 I don't know how to be you, and the truth is most of us don't even know how to be us. 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:02.559 I have this gift, God. 00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:09.119 You've given me this gift, and it's so different from the place that I'm in, and I don't know how to use it, God. 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:15.440 I don't even have a mentor to guide me in how to use this gift. 00:36:15.599 --> 00:36:22.079 I have this vision, God, for this business, and I don't even have someone that can mentor me. 00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:35.280 I have this vision for whatever it is, God, and it's so different and it's so unique, and there's no one out there, so I'm struggling, God. 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:44.320 And this should be the space that you bring that all, that we can bring that all. 00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:49.360 So, what are we doing? 00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:58.400 We're hurting, that's what we're doing. 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:04.719 We're hurting and we're making poor decisions. 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:09.840 Because we don't know how to live into our true selves. 00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:17.119 So, how do we create safe places? 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:20.960 One, state your expectations. 00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:29.519 Two, develop a relationship with God. 00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:37.199 Three, set clear boundaries. 00:37:41.039 --> 00:37:46.960 Four, be open that others will have expectations that are different than yours. 00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:51.840 I expect you to wear blue at my wedding. 00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:55.840 I don't have money for a blue dress. 00:37:56.000 --> 00:37:58.960 Do you care more about the blue or my presence? 00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:05.440 I don't know what number I'm on, but don't compare. 00:38:07.360 --> 00:38:08.880 Don't compare. 00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:14.000 And finally, don't conform. 00:38:18.719 --> 00:38:22.880 The most important is develop a relationship with God. 00:38:24.079 --> 00:38:26.320 That's where you get your boldness from. 00:38:26.719 --> 00:38:30.800 And for each of us, that's different, and it's a beautiful thing.