Faith That’s More Than a Show

Opening & Intro

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to sound like a good person… and how hard it is to be one?

We all do it. We say one thing — and then reality shows up. We promise we’ll start eating healthier… as soon as the pizza’s gone. We tell our kids, “Do as I say, not as I do” — usually while yelling it from the couch. We post something inspirational online… and then immediately get mad at someone in the comment section.

We’ve all been there. There’s this constant tension between the person we say we are and the person we actually are. And nothing exposes it faster than when somebody’s watching.

You ever notice that? When someone cuts you off in traffic and you’re driving the church van — that’s the worst. Or when your kid repeats something you said in traffic — even worse. It’s funny… until it’s not.

Because somewhere deep down, we know that words without actions are empty. We can quote every right principle, believe every right thing, and still completely miss the point if we don’t live it out.

There’s a word for that gap between what we say and what we do — it’s called hypocrisy. And most of us don’t like that word. Not because we’ve never seen it… but because we’ve seen it in the mirror.

Today we’re talking about that — the danger of looking religious without living transformed. About what happens when our faith becomes more about appearance than obedience. Because sooner or later, every one of us has to face the question:

“Am I practicing what I preach — or just performing it?”

Main Point

Real faith is lived, not performed. Faith isn’t about looking good — it’s about living real.

Why Does it Matter

Because people don’t need a perfect version of us — they need a real version of Jesus. And they’ll only see Him when what we say lines up with how we live. When we perform, people see us. When we practice, people see Him.

Scripture

Matthew 23:1–12 NIV

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

1–2 — The Seat of Moses

Jesus begins by talking about the religious leaders — the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. He says they “sit in Moses’ seat,” meaning they hold authority to teach and to lead. They weren’t just meant to read Scripture aloud; they were meant to live it out.

The problem? They loved the seat more than the service. You ever met someone who loves the title but not the task? They’ll gladly chair the committee … but don’t ask them to stack the chairs.

3 — Talk Without Walk

Jesus says, “Do what they say, not what they do.” Their teaching might’ve been right, but their example wasn’t worth following.

It’s possible to say all the right words about faith and still miss the heart of it. It’s possible to look holy but live hollow.

It’s like a restaurant with beautiful photos on the menu but cold fries and no napkin — the picture promises more than the experience delivers.

4 — Heavy Loads, No Help

“They tie up heavy loads and put them on people’s shoulders, but they won’t lift a finger to help.”

They were quick to judge, slow to serve. They told people how to offend God but rarely how to please Him.

Can you imagine if I preached like that — all warning, no hope, no encouragement? Some of you would start sneaking coffee into church just to survive!

We’re not a death cult; we’re a fellowship. Yes, we warn when it’s needed, but we also build up and remind each other that grace is real.

The Pharisees made rules no one could keep, then crushed people for breaking them. It wasn’t about holiness — it was about control. They weren’t shepherds; they were supervisors with clipboards.

5–7 — For Show, Not Service

Everything they did was for show. They wanted people to see how spiritual they were — longer prayers, louder presence, bigger tassels.

You could spot a Pharisee from a mile away — they were walking billboards for their own righteousness. If Instagram existed back then, their bio would read: “Religious Influencer. Brand deals with tassel companies. #Blessed #TooHolyToHandle.”

They loved titles, attention, and the best seats at the banquet. It wasn’t about worship; it was about image. They wanted praise more than presence — the presence of God. And Jesus says their god wasn’t YHWH anymore — it was recognition.

8–10 — The Only One Worth Following

Then Jesus turns to His followers and says, “Don’t chase titles. Don’t call anyone ‘Rabbi,’ ‘Father,’ or ‘Instructor.’ You have one Teacher, one Father, and one Messiah.”

He’s not banning respect for leaders — He’s reminding us who’s really in charge.

No pastor, preacher, or leader — including me — is the centre of your faith. I’ll fail sometimes. I’ll frustrate you. I’ll probably forget an announcement slide again.

If your faith depends on me, it’s standing on shaky ground. If I ever had a major moral failure, who would walk away from Jesus because of it? That’s exactly what Jesus warns against.

My job isn’t to be Jesus for you. My job is to point you to Him — to introduce you to the living Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Application

1. Faith Is Not for Show — It’s for Service

The Pharisees wanted attention; Jesus calls us to servanthood. If you want to know who’s greatest in the kingdom, Jesus says, “Serve one another.”

Ask: Would I still do this if no one noticed? Find a quiet way to serve someone this week — no spotlight, no applause. The greatest followers of Jesus are rarely seen; they’re just faithful.

“The greatest among you will be your servant.” (v.11)

2. Don’t Make Faith Heavy — Help People Lift It

The Pharisees made religion a weight. Jesus makes faith a rest. If people leave your presence feeling condemned instead of encouraged, you might be carrying the wrong message.

Ask: Do people feel lighter or heavier after being with me? Let’s be the kind of church that lifts burdens, not piles them on.

3. Keep Jesus at the Centre

You have one Teacher, one Father, one Messiah — Jesus. Follow leaders as they follow Him, but never instead of Him.

Ask: Would my faith survive if my favourite preacher fell? If not, I’ve built it on the wrong foundation.

4. Humility Is the Measure of Greatness

The world says, “Climb higher.” Jesus says, “Go lower.”

Stop trying to prove yourself — start pouring yourself out. Serve where no one sees. Lead from the back row. The people who make the biggest impact in God’s kingdom are often holding mops, not microphones.

5. Close the Gap

The whole message of this passage is about closing the gap between what we say and what we do.

Ask: Where does my life not yet match my words? Invite someone you trust to speak truth into your blind spots. Don’t just be a teacher of truth — be a testimony of it.

Living It Out: Practicing What We Preach

1. Check Your Motives

When I serve, do I want to be noticed or to make Jesus known?

What’s one thing I could do this week to serve quietly, with no recognition?

2. Lift, Don’t Load

Am I helping people find freedom in Christ, or just giving them rules to follow?

Who around me needs encouragement instead of correction?

3. Keep Jesus at the Centre

Who do I tend to rely on more — a human leader, or Jesus Himself?

If that person failed tomorrow, would my faith remain strong?

How can I keep my eyes on the true Teacher this week?

4. Choose the Lower Seat

When was the last time I chose to go unnoticed for someone else’s sake?

How can I make humility my habit — in my home, church, or workplace?

5. Close the Gap

What’s one area of my life where my actions don’t yet match my beliefs?

Who can lovingly hold me accountable to grow there?

Closing

Before you go home today, find one way to serve someone else — no credit, no spotlight, no selfie.

Then this week, tell someone what God taught you through that moment of hidden obedience.

“The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” — Matthew 23:11–12