Gregg's Rest Stop (The Removal of Masks)

Published: Mon, 07/16/12

Gregg's Rest Stop

July 16, 2012

Journey in Christ

The Removal of Masks

When I sensed God was calling me into discipleship ministry, it was out of a deep desire He gave me to simply be genuine in sharing His truths.

For you see, God had begun showing me masks I was hiding behind because I didn't know the truth of who He had made me to be in Christ. And I came to realize that masks are heavy burdens to try to keep up for so long.

I hope this encourages you. And I am delighted to share with you my first poem that I believe Christ wrote from my heart this past Saturday (see PS below).

THE WORD GENUINE IN THE BIBLE

There are three Greek words in New Testament manuscripts that provide wonderful insights into the word genuine.

Anuopkritos means "without hypocrisy" or "without masks." Romans 12:9 uses this word to describe a "genuine love" that is from God who is love.

Gnesios means "natural" or "legitimately born." Philippians 2:20 uses this word to describe Timothy's "genuine concern" for the Philippians because it was a natural expression of his heart that had been legitimately born by the Spirit.

Dokimos means "to be tested and proved to be true." This word is used in 1 Corinthians 11:19 to encourage the Corinthians that their faith will be proved genuine while the faith of factions among them would not.

THE FREEDOM OF NO MASKS

Being genuine means no masks for your words. You are free to speak from your heart while speaking with love and wisdom. You are free to grapple with finding the right words. You are even free to be misunderstood.

Being genuine means no masks for your feelings as a way to cope with pain. You are free to feel and heal in the presence of God. Through the genuine life of Christ in you, you are free to pour out your feelings to God in your personal Gardens of Gethsemane.

Being genuine means no masks for your identity. Receive God's words telling you who He has made you to be in Christ. Apart from your personal embrace of these truths, you will be tempted to identify yourself with a Christianized version of a mask. You are free to receive biblical truths by faith even when feelings don't line up.

THE REMOVER OF MASKS

It is not our responsibility to remove our masks! This is such a wonderful revelation to me because I have tried so long and hard to be genuine!

Think about the blind men Jesus healed. The faith of these men did not cause Jesus to come to heal them. The presence of Christ led to their faith. When they heard Jesus was in their presence, they cried out to him. Jesus then healed them of their blindness. Beautiful!

This blindness is a picture of masks. We cannot see truth with masks. Masks represent lies. However, whenever by God's grace we know the presence of Christ in us, we can call out to Him by faith, and He removes our masks!

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden (including being heavy-laden with masks), and I will give you rest (including taking away our masks).

CLOSING

Learning to rest in truth with you,

MASKS

by Gregg Gibbons

Honestly, I didn't know it was a mask.

I really thought it was just me.

But the more I tried on other masks,

I began to ask, "How could this be?"

Then one day by God's grace,

He touched my eyes so I could see.

He showed me His Son's genuine face,

And it was then God began introducing me to me.

For you see only God knows who I really am.

He united me with His Son so true.

Now it's from His life I am what I am,

And I'm growing in Him forever new.

Oh I still cling to some masks of old,

And they feel more unfitting as the days go by.

But it's not up to me to release their hold,

I just look to my Lord who sees me eye to eye.

There's power in His eyes, His loving gaze upon me,

That nurtures my new heart with a hope so sure,

And removes my masks to reveal I am free

To relate to Him, a life real and pure.

About

Discipleship through

Counseling

Teaching

Training

Gregg Gibbons

Pastoral Director

Michael Chalmers

Training Director

Kellie Boggs

Fellowship Director

Joy Gibbons

Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator

Carole Blyth

Board member and women's ministry coordinator

Randy Garrick

Board member and Elder Holly Ridge Baptist Church

Paul Crews

Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church

Journey in Christ website link

Personal website link

Partnership

I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).

YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.

3-minute discipleship video

Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!

Ministry News

Next 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training to start January 2013.

Gregg teaches freedom from anger through Christ at the Haven of Rest mission in Anderson, SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm. You are welcome to attend with Gregg anytime!

Gregg is mentoring men and couples in an office at Holly Ridge Baptist Church in Simpsonville SC and at an industrial plant in Duncan SC.

Michael is mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Pendleton Street Baptist Church,

and Earle Street Baptist Church

all in Greenville SC.

Carole and Joy, along with 8 ladies trained through Journey in Christ, to provide more discipleship training to female employees at an industrial plant in Aug 15 through Oct 3.

Michael taught the second session of our 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training July 12-14. Key topics were law and grace, guilt, and security..

Michael teaching a couples retreat for Mountain Creek Baptist Church this Fall.

Michael teaching a Grace Life Conference at Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville SC August 3-4. Click this link for more details!

Grace Life Conference brochure link