When Religion Looks Good… but Leaves You Empty

“People must not place their hope in religious activities or people—rather, it is vital that individuals come to see Jesus as the Christ so we can praise Him!”

Matthew 23 – “When Religion Looks Good… but Leaves You Empty”

Matthew 23:1–7 KJV 1900

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Matthew 23:39 KJV 1900

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Have you ever bought something looked perfect from the outside… but the moment you opened it, something wasn’t right?

Like that time I bought a “fresh” box of donuts for the kids at Walmart—beautiful, glossy frosting… only to open it and find out they were yesterday’s leftovers. Hard. Dry. Hollow.

They looked right. They weren’t.

Jesus is talking to a whole crowd of people living off spiritual donuts. Religion that looks good. Leaders who speak well. Systems that promise life… but leave you hollow inside.

And Matthew 23—this isn’t Jesus “losing His temper.”

This is Jesus, the Shepherd, turning toward the crowd and warning them—with tears behind every word:

“Don’t mistake religious performance for relationship. Don’t confuse the appearance of godliness with the substance of finding God.”

Today’s message is not about Pharisees two thousand years ago.

It’s about the temptation we all face today:

To settle for a faith you can see instead of a Savior you can trust.

To put hope in people instead of the Christ who came to save us.

Let’s walk with Jesus through this text and let Him speak—clearly, lovingly, boldly—to us.

Trust The One Who Created The Position

Jesus desires people to have a faith-based relationship with God—not a sight-based religious system.

Jesus starts by acknowledging something shocking:

“Honor the scribes and Pharisees—because of their seat.”

Not because of their heart.

He’s teaching something deeply relational:

Position deserves respect. But only Jesus deserves imitation.

These leaders had exchanged a vibrant, God-centered relationship for an external, measurable, pride-driven religion.

They looked holy… but Jesus says:

“They don’t practice what they preach.”

“They tie up heavy burdens.”

“They make everything about being seen.”

Religion always becomes about me:

my effort, my performance, my image, my spiritual résumé.

Matthew 23:8–12 KJV 1900

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Jesus says:

“You have one Teacher—Me.

You have one Father—My Father.

You have one Leader—your Messiah.”

He is inviting them—and us—back to relationship.

Biblical Support

John 1:14 — God came near.

Colossians 2:9 — The fullness of God is in Christ.

1 Timothy 2:3–4 — God desires relationship, not religious achievement.

God Did Not Save You To Live A Check-List Life

It’s like having a spouse you only communicate with through checklists:

“Did the chores. Paid the bills. Took out trash.”

But no conversation. No affection. No heart.

Checklist-relationship is no relationship.

Religion provides a checklist.

Jesus provides Himself.

Application

Religion will always pull you back to self-centered activity.

Jesus pulls you into God-centered intimacy.

If you feel far from God, you’re not one “performance” away—

you’re one step of faith toward a Person who already stepped toward you.

The Incoming Travesty For Self-kingdom People

Self-kingdom religion looks authoritative—but it only creates bondage, insecurity, and hypocrisy.

Matthew 23:13–28

Matthew 23:13–28 KJV 1900

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Explanation

Jesus pronounces seven woes

—not because He hates the Pharisees, but because He loves the people being crushed under them.

These leaders had absorbed the Greco-Roman concept of power:

“The more people I can get under me, the more godlike I become.”

So they created rules. Layers of rules.

Rules that made people dependent on them instead of God.

They didn’t enter the Kingdom—and they shut the door on anyone who tried.

They looked clean on the outside—but inside were full of greed, pride, self-indulgence, death.

Here’s the painful truth:

Religion can clean up your schedule, your habits, your image—

but only Jesus can cleanse your heart.

Biblical Support

Romans 10:3 — Establishing their own righteousness.

Luke 11:44 — Hidden corruption.

Acts 23:3 — Outward righteousness, inward lawlessness.

Illustration

It’s like someone washing the outside of a coffee mug—while ignoring the mold on the inside.

It’ll look great on the shelf… but don’t drink from it.

This is why people who grow up around religion often become the most wounded—

because religion cleans the outside, but it never heals the inside.

No leader—not even a great pastor—is your final authority.

Not tradition.

Not denominational culture.

Not spiritual celebrities.

Not systems built on guilt.

The world doesn’t need another moral revolution.

The world needs a revival—a movement of hearts reconciled to God through faith in Christ.

Protection From The Storm

Real transformation comes through humble submission to Jesus, who longs to gather, forgive, and restore us.

(Matthew 23:29–39)

Explanation

Jesus ends this chapter not with anger—but with heartbreak.

Matthew 23:37 KJV 1900

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

“O Jerusalem… how often I wanted to gather you under My wings—but you were not willing.”

This is one of the most tender images in Scripture:

Jesus—stretching out His wings—protecting us from the wrath of God,

shielding us from judgment,

covering us in mercy.

Humility says:

“I am insufficient. I need You.”

Religion says:

“I’ll do better next time.”

Only one of those leads to freedom.

Illustration

Have you ever watched a mother bird gather her chicks during a storm?

Wings spread.

Body trembling under the rain.

Taking the beating so the little ones stay safe.

That’s Jesus on the cross.

He took the storm so we could have shelter.

Application

Real boldness is born from humility.

Real confidence flows from surrender.

Jesus is not waiting for you to clean up.

He is inviting you to come under the wings that were already spread for you.

THE GOSPEL PRESENTATION

In a world of religious expectations,

Jesus loves you without conditions.

Religious systems will always say, “Do more.”

Jesus says, “It is finished.”

Only the perfect One can save imperfect people.

So He stretches out His arms—like a hen extending her wings—

and He invites you to run for refuge.

Don’t hide behind religion.

Run under His wings.

DECISION TIME

Obey the conviction of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus as your Savior.Not religion. Not tradition. Not performance.A Person—the Christ—who gave His life for you.

Stop trying to “dress yourself up” for God.Live in the truth that when you receive Christ by faith, you are clothed—fully, permanently, beautifully—in His righteousness.

Stop putting faith in people and start praising the Christ.

Matthew 23:39 KJV 1900

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

As You Go

“May you leave today not bound by religion, but covered by grace.

May you walk not in the pressure of performance, but in the freedom of Christ’s righteousness.

And may the wings of the Savior shelter you, strengthen you, and send you into a world that desperately needs His love.

Go in the protection, the peace, and the presence of Jesus Christ.”