"Get Real" Series

GET REAL

Text: 2nd Chronicles 7:14

Introduction-

On the popular tv talk show, Oprah Winfrey,

Dr. Phil stresses confrontational counseling.

He urges people to "get real," and say what they

really need to say, and to not try to "con" him,

or avoid the real needs that they have. He has

been able to help some people see their hidden

problems and needs because of this honest approach.

As I viewed some of this show one day, I couldn’t

help but wonder, "What would happen if the church

’got real’ with God? We have a lot of hypocrisy

and dishonesty in worship and Christian service.

I believe that before true revival can come, or

salvation will ever be experienced, we must "get

real" with God. I believe that that is what God

desires and commands us to do.

Let’s see this stressed in 2nd Chronicles 7:14-

"If My people, which are called by My Name, shall

humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and

turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from

heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal

their land."

Many times we have prayed for revival, but revival

hasn’t come because we have not been honest with

God. We’ve asked Him to bless us, but we haven’t

been willing to turn from our sins and forsake

them. We’ve worn our masks, and put on our false

fronts, but He knows our hearts; therefore, He re-

fused to send revival when we were hypocritical.

I. If My people, which are called by My Name, shall

HUMBLE THEMSELVES.

Noting quite offends God like the manifestation of

a haughty, proud, arrogant spirit. God resists

the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Look at the attitude of the Pharisee who prayed in

the temple in Luke 18. He exemplifies the haughty,

arrogant, spirit. The Scripture says that Jesus

spoke this to certain ones who trusted in them-

selves, that they were righteous, and despised

others. Hear his prayer-

"God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are,

extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this

publican.

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all

that I possess.

And the publican would not lift up so much as his

eyes unto heaven, but somte upon his breast, say-

ing, God be merciful to me a sinner.

I tell you(said Jesus), this man went down to his

house justified rather than the other: for every-

one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he

that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

Folks, if we are honest with God, we’ll have to

confess that much in church life seeks to elevate

man instead of God. It seeks to exalt human pride

and human achievement. It’s "God, look how good

we are, Look how much we’ve done."

We’ll never get anywhere with God with an attitude

like that, nor will he bless with His Spirit that

which does not honor Him.

"Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty

spirit before a fall."

In 1st Peter 5:5 Christians are urged to be subject

to one another, and clothed with humility.

II.If My people, which are called by My Name shall

PRAY...

The Pharisees prayed, and prayed regularly and

loud and long, to be heard of others, but Jesus

said that they had all the reward they were going

to get when they sought only the praise of men.

Notice that the Pharisee in Luke 18 really wasn’t

praying to God-he was having a conversation with

himself-about himself, and how wonderful he was!

It was a totally selfish, self-centered prayer.

We need to "get real" with God in our prayer lives,

and pray earnestly, and fervantly, not for a show,

but for His glory and praise.

Matthew 6:5-"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not

be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray

standing in the synagogues and in the corners of

the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily,

I say unto you, thy have their reward."

Matthew 23:5-"But all their works they do for to

be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries

and enlarge the borders of their garments, and

love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief

seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the

markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi."

Sounds like some of those conventions you’ve been

too, doesn’t it?

We can understand, then, why Jesus was so critical

of the Scribes and Pharisees. They were fakes.

They were inwardly corrupt.

III.If My people, which are called by My Name, shall

SEEK MY FACE...

To seek God’s face is to seek fellowship with Him,

and conformity to His will.

The Pharisees wanted their own will to be done,

not God’s.

Matthew 7:10-"For Moses said, Honour thy father