Authentic Devotion: Living for the Audience of One

Today’s focus is on the call to authentic, personal devotion to Jesus—a life lived for the “audience of one.” In a world where it’s increasingly difficult to distinguish what’s real from what’s artificial, even in our faith, the challenge is to move beyond simply belonging to a community or performing religious acts for others’ approval. Instead, the invitation is to cultivate a genuine relationship with Christ that overflows into every area of life. This is not about faking spirituality to fit in, but about seeking the living God with sincerity and depth.

The trend in our culture has shifted: people are no longer satisfied with mere religious institutions or inherited traditions. Many are searching for the real Jesus, often encountering Him before ever stepping into a church. The question then becomes: how do we ensure our faith is authentic, not just a performance for others? The answer is to prioritize intimacy with God above all else, letting our spiritual practices—like giving, prayer, and fasting—flow from that relationship, not as a means to gain status or affirmation from those around us.

Fasting, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6, is a powerful spiritual practice meant to deepen our connection with God. Throughout Scripture, fasting is seen in moments of transition, pain, seeking direction, or needing God’s favor. Yet, Jesus warns against making fasting (or any spiritual discipline) a public display for the sake of reputation. Instead, He calls us to “wash our face and anoint our head”—to go about our day normally, keeping our devotion between us and God. The reward for such secret devotion is not the fleeting praise of people, but the lasting transformation and blessing that comes from God Himself.

This principle applies to all spiritual practices: worship, prayer, generosity, and more. The heart of the matter is to live as if Jesus is the only one in the room, seeking His approval and presence above all else. When we do this, we create a “secret place” in our lives where God meets us, transforms us, and empowers us to live out our faith authentically in community. The invitation is open to all—to turn from old ways, invite Jesus in, and begin a journey of real, life-changing relationship with Him.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Authentic faith is not about performing for a community, but about cultivating a genuine relationship with Jesus. When spiritual practices become a means to gain approval or status, they lose their transformative power. True devotion is rooted in seeking God for Himself, not for what others might think of us. [61:51]
• 2. The trend of people leaving institutional religion is giving way to a hunger for the real Jesus. Many now encounter Christ outside traditional settings and come to church seeking authenticity, not ritual. This shift challenges us to ensure our own faith is real and not just inherited or performed. [64:29]
• 3. Fasting, prayer, and generosity are meant to be expressions of intimacy with God, not tools for public recognition. Jesus teaches that the reward for secret devotion is far greater than any human praise. The “secret place” is where God sees and rewards us, shaping us from the inside out. [69:48]
• 4. The danger of hypocrisy is ever-present when spiritual disciplines are practiced for show. Jesus calls out the tendency to act spiritual for the sake of community affirmation, reminding us that God is interested in wholehearted devotion, not outward appearances. Living for the audience of one means our faith is consistent both in public and in private. [81:14]
• 5. Every believer is invited to create a “secret place” with God—a space where spiritual practices are done for Him alone. Whether fasting, praying, or worshiping, the focus must remain on encountering and knowing Jesus. This private devotion fuels authentic community and empowers us to live transformed lives. [86:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Testimony: Liliana’s Vision and Equip Nights
• [03:30] - Announcements: Testimonies and Summer Events
• [07:40] - Coffee Break: Connecting and Giving
• [13:00] - Gathering Back: Preparing for the Word
• [14:00] - Introduction: The Power of Focused Devotion
• [15:06] - AI, Authenticity, and Real Faith
• [17:51] - Moralistic Deism vs. True Relationship
• [19:14] - The Shift: From Institution to Authentic Jesus
• [22:32] - Living for the Audience of One
• [25:17] - The Sermon on the Mount: Spiritual Practices
• [27:48] - Fasting in Scripture: Examples and Purpose
• [33:01] - Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting: Matthew 6
• [36:01] - Hypocrisy and the Danger of Performance
• [41:14] - The Secret Place: Cultivating Private Devotion
• [46:57] - Invitation to Authentic Relationship with Jesus
• [50:00] - Prayer, Response, and Closing Worship

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:16-18 — “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

- 2 Chronicles 16:9
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Matthew 6:16-18, what does Jesus say about how we should act when we fast? What does He warn against?
2. What are some of the reasons people in the Bible fasted, as mentioned in the sermon? (Moses, David, Esther, Jesus, early church) [01:13:01]
3. In the sermon, what does the phrase “audience of one” mean? [01:08:17]
4. What does Jesus promise as a reward for secret devotion, according to Matthew 6:18?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus is so concerned about people doing spiritual practices for public recognition instead of for God? [01:18:01]
2. The sermon mentions that spiritual practices like fasting, prayer, and giving can lose their power if done for the wrong reasons. Why is the motivation behind these practices so important? [01:21:14]
3. How does the idea of a “secret place” with God challenge the way we usually think about faith and community? [01:26:57]
4. The sermon talks about a shift in culture where people are looking for the “real Jesus” instead of just religious tradition. What might be some signs that someone’s faith is authentic and not just inherited or performed? [01:04:29]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to ask: “Am I actually cultivating a life of true, deep devotion to Jesus, or am I just faking a relationship to fit in?” How can you tell the difference in your own life? Are there areas where you feel tempted to “perform” spiritually for others? [01:01:51]
2. Think about your spiritual practices (prayer, giving, worship, fasting, etc.). Are there any you tend to do more for the approval of others than for God? What would it look like to shift your focus to the “audience of one”? [01:21:14]
3. The sermon says, “Live like Jesus is the only one in the room.” What is one practical way you can do this in your daily routine this week? [01:28:14]
4. Have you ever experienced the “secret place” with God—a time or space where it’s just you and Him? What was that like? If not, what’s one step you could take to create that space? [01:26:57]
5. Fasting was described as a way to seek God’s direction, favor, or help in times of transition or pain. Is there an area in your life right now where you need God’s guidance or breakthrough? Would you consider fasting or another spiritual practice to seek Him about it? [01:13:01]
6. The sermon warns about the danger of hypocrisy—acting spiritual for the sake of community affirmation. How can we encourage each other in our group to be real and honest about where we are with God, instead of pretending? [01:21:14]
7. The message ended with an invitation to turn from old ways and begin a real relationship with Jesus. If you feel like your faith has been more about tradition or community than about Jesus Himself, what is one thing you can do this week to invite Him in more personally? [01:30:07]