THE HOAX OF AUTHENTICITY “Be real! No one’s doing it!”

The Hoax of Authenticity •  We all want authenticity: – We want to be real – We want others to be real – We want them to be real & honest with us – No one likes a “poser”

•  But, we often ironically fake “real-ness”

The Hoax of Authenticity •  HOAX: “an act intended to trick people into believing

something is real when it is not.” – We put up a guise of authenticity, hoping no one will notice. – We want to outwardly appear real, but we know we’re faking.

•  How does this struggle play out in our music? – Are music artists real? Do we want them to be?

The Hoax of Authenticity DRAKE •  “Started from the bottom, now we're here” – Canadian – He first garnered recognition for his role as Jimmy Brooks

on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation. (Canadian teen drama)

The Hoax of Authenticity 2 CHAINS •  2 Chainz is good friends with Justin Bieber •  2 Chainz graduated from Alabama State after 4 years

with a 4.0 GPA

The Hoax of Authenticity DAVID BANNER •  He graduated from Provine High School in Jackson in

1992 and then attended Southern University… At Southern, he served as president of the Student Government Association and received a bachelor's degree in business. He attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to pursue a master's degree in education …

KATY PERRY AND THE STRUGGLE WITH AUTHENTICITY

KATY PERRY AND THE STRUGGLE WITH AUTHENTICITY

•  Very successful, very quickly – First single, “I kissed a girl” launched quickly to #1 – 5 #1 singles off of one album

•  But, behind her music, has been an ongoing struggle

KATY PERRY AND THE STRUGGLE WITH AUTHENTICITY

•  Record Label vs. Katy Perry & Her Audience – She’s telling them she wants to be the “first Katy Perry”

–  There is a struggle between what is REAL & what will SELL

–  “Albums in my drawer…”

– She asks the question, “Who am I living for?”

– Does she sacrifice authenticity at the altar of consumerism?

THE INAUTHENTIC KATY PERRY

THE INAUTHENTIC KATY PERRY

•  This song describes the imaginary world we wish we were a part of.

•  These songs help us escape our depressing reality.

•  Most songs today, don’t describe the authentic life of the song-writer, but a dream. (“Teenage Dream”)

KATY PERRY IN TRANSITION TO AUTHENTICITY

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath Scared to rock the boat and make a mess So I sat quietly, agreed politely I guess that I forgot I had a choice I let you push me past the breaking point I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything (FROM ROAR)

•  We’ll return to Katy Perry…

KATY PERRY IN TRANSITION TO AUTHENTICITY

DAVID RAMIREZ LOOKING AUTHENTICITY IN THE FACE

DAVID RAMIREZ LOOKING AUTHENTICITY IN THE FACE

•  He is describing beautifully what Katy Perry is feeling

•  Entertainment vs. Authenticity –  “We came to mourn you, not to look in the mirror.” –  “We want you to be real, but not in a way that makes us

feel bad”

Anxiety & Authenticity •  We think we want authenticity, but it actually scares us – Not many, if any of us, are actually authentic.

•  “The average high school kid today has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the early 1950’s.” – Dr. Richard Leahy (prominent psychologist & anxiety specialist)

The Anxiety Epidemic

Anxiety & Authenticity •  Being fully known, is terrifying. –  It causes debilitating anxiety in most people.

•  This is why we are so busy “image-managing.” – Only the BEST pictures of yourself on Facebook – We are afraid we will be rejected if we are fully known.

“Cropping out all of the sadness”

“Cropping out all of the sadness” •  We don’t want anyone to know the “unplugged”

version of ourselves

•  What happens when you can’t use a filter on Instagram to make yourself or your life look better? –  Imagine all of life as #nofilter

•  Anxiety comes when I can’t control how I’m perceived by others.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH JESUS?

JESUS & THE REAL YOU The scariest news ever…

Jesus has fully exposed us & knows all of our secrets. (Psa. 90:8)

The best news ever… is that Jesus fully knows you & STILL fully accepts you.

JESUS & THE REAL YOU •  He can do this, because on the cross He wore all of your

insecurity, shame, anxiety & sin.

•  He didn’t image manage, but purposefully downgraded Himself.

JESUS & THE REAL YOU •  He who knew no sin, became sin… (2 Cor. 5:21)

•  He became the curse for us… (Gal. 3:13)

•  Jesus knows the real you & has paid for your sin! – He is now offering you his perfect record!

JESUS & THE REAL YOU •  He knows all of your dirt & yet still wants you.

•  Don’t try to pretty yourself up for Jesus, come raw.

•  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” -- (Matt 11:28)

JESUS & THE REAL YOU •  Take off the mask, stop posing & come to Jesus! – He welcomes us in all of our self-absorption!

•  TRUTH: – Jesus knows me better than I know myself. – And He loves me more than I love myself.

•  This is TRUE LOVE: Fully Known & Fully Accepted.

Katy Perry & Unconditional Love All your insecurities, All the dirty laundry Never made me blink one time Unconditional, unconditionally I will love you unconditionally There is no fear now, Let go and just be free I will love you unconditionally

Katy Perry & Unconditional Love Come just as you are to me Don't need apologies Know that you are worthy I'll take your bad days with your good Walk through the storm I would I do it all because I love you, I love you

APPLICATION & DISCUSSION •  Come to Jesus – He’ll accept you.

•  Discuss over flapjacks: – What would it feel like to be fully known and fully accepted?