St. Luke Church Lexington - Sermons & Teachings

The Real Thing // Matt Penny

Play Episode Pause Episode

1x

00:00 / 29:20

Apple Podcasts Spotify

RSS Feed

Share

Link

Embed

<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="bLCgDCujwa"><a href="https://stlukelex.com/teaching/the-real-thing-matt-penny/">The Real Thing // Matt Penny</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://stlukelex.com/teaching/the-real-thing-matt-penny/embed/#?secret=bLCgDCujwa" width="500" height="350" title="&#8220;The Real Thing // Matt Penny&#8221; &#8212; St. Luke Church | Lexington, KY" data-secret="bLCgDCujwa" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://stlukelex.com/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js </script>

It is possible to look like we have faith without ever experiencing its transforming power. In Acts 19, the sons of Sceva attempt to use the name of Jesus without truly knowing Him. They have the right words and appearance, but when their faith is tested, it is revealed to have no substance. Paul’s life offers a different picture: everything begins with what God has given, and the power belongs entirely to Him.

Real faith is not built around appearances, personal benefits, or the easiest path. It carries a cost, transforms our hearts, and sends us into the world on mission. When the people of Ephesus encounter the real thing, they confess their sins, leave their former lives behind, and publicly surrender what once held them captive. The question for us is this: do we simply have the appearance of faith, or is our faith truly transforming the way we live?