In today's world, we use terms like fake news and virtue signaling to expose deceitful behavior.

Our generation has become intensely aware of phonies.

But what applies to our culture also applies to the church. And today on

Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall describes what it means to be truly authentic in a counterfeit

world. He's teaching from Acts 13 and 14, where we read the unfolding story about Paul and

Barnabas, who brought the gospel to skeptical outsiders. Chuck

titled his message, The Jagged Edge of Authentic Ministry. And we begin with prayer.

Thank you, Father, for the honor you give to your word and for the way you bless its proclamation,

whether in the first or 21st century, whether from someone as gifted and capable as Paul

or someone as needy and in deep dependence on you as I.

Thank you, Father, for the way you honor the proclamation of truth.

We pray that if we gain nothing more today than a reminder of the value of the word of God.

We pray that that will be cemented into our hearts,

that we will hear of the hope it offers,

that we will gain courage from its truths,

that we will be lifted above the drag of grudges and offenses and disappointments

and misrepresentations of this day, and we will be able to see clearly how precious your word is

and how appropriate and relevant it is for the times in which we live.

And we as a church, our Father, find ourselves again dependent upon you for blessing and for provision.

And we wait upon you for that. Our Father, you have begun this ministry. You are

sustaining it by the gifts of your people. And even today, we pray that you will cause us to be

generous in our response as we give out of the abundance of your many provisions. Thank you for the privilege of hearing the preached

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