HALLOWEEN IS OVER Removing the Masks

Silly Joke from school days The day after Halloween – we would tell someone that “Halloween is over. You should take your mask off.” “Oh. You’re not wearing a mask. Sorry.” Hypocrite Hypocrite – is a word that means – an actor, one who plays a part, one who pretends to be someone they are not, one who acts out a part in a play.

Masks We use masks at Halloween to hide who we really are. Beside Halloween, we wear masks to hide, pretend, make people think we are something we are not Jesus’ harshest words were “Woe unto you, Scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites” in Matthew 23.

TONGUE James 3: But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

TONGUE Can the same tongue bless and curse? Can a drinking fountain produce both sweet water and bitter? Can a fig tree have olive berries? Can a well have both fresh water and salt water? Each of these describes a mask.

TONGUE James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Are you pretending (wearing a mask) to sound religious?

ALCOHOL Romans 13: The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

ALCOHOL It is time to cast away the works of darkness (drunkenness) Drunkenness is a matter of degree. MADD says, “When you have drunk one drink, you are one drink drunk.” Some wear the mask – Social drinking is OK, being drunk is sinful Take the mask off of social drinking and see it for what it really is.

Worldly Cares Money, Things, Pleasures 1 John 2:15, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Worldly Cares Money, Things, Pleasures Parable of the Sower – Luke 8:14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. Choked by the cares of this world Take the mask off things and see that they are temporary, not eternal.

False Teachers 2 Corinthians 11: For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

False Teachers There are many false teachers They have great personalities, good speakers, charming, pleasant, appear to be humble Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. Mask = doctrine is not important; all that we talk about are matters of opinion

Faith James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (KJV)

Faith Our faith must be “unfeigned” – without hypocrisy Mask = Show up at church, but not have a real living, active, obedient faith

Love 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 2 Corinthians 6:6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,

Love Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Take off the mask of hypocrisy. Let your love be real, genuine, not pretend. Mask = Making people think you care or are concerned – when you really could care less.

REMOVE THE MASKS Hypocrisy = pretend, fake, not real The BIGGEST obstacle to many becoming Christians is when they see our HYPOCRISY.

REMOVE THE MASKS HALLOWEEN IS OVER! TAKE THE MASK OFF. In the judgment, our hypocrisy will be exposed. Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.