Embracing Authenticity: Building a Safe Church Community

Devotional

Day 1: Remove the Mask—Pursue Authenticity Over Image

Authenticity in our faith community begins when we intentionally set aside the masks we wear—those carefully crafted images we present to others and even to ourselves. It is easy to fall into the trap of managing our reputation, showing only the highlight reels of our lives, while hiding our struggles and brokenness. Yet, true spiritual growth and genuine connection with God and others require honesty about our inadequacies and vulnerabilities. When we choose to be real, we create space for others to do the same, fostering a church environment where people feel safe to be seen and known. Take time today to reflect on where you might be hiding behind a mask, and ask God to help you step into the freedom of authenticity. [01:05:12]

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (ESV)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Reflection: Who in your life knows the full, unfiltered version of you—and what is one step you can take this week to let someone trusted see a little more of your real self?

Day 2: Confess Before You Judge—Check Your Heart First

Before we are quick to point out the faults or shortcomings of others, Jesus calls us to examine our own hearts and motives. It is easy to fall into judgment, especially in a culture that thrives on opinions and division, but Jesus warns that judgment without self-reflection leads to hypocrisy and broken relationships. True community is built when we humbly confess our own struggles and shortcomings, seeking God’s grace for ourselves before we attempt to address the issues in others. This posture of humility not only protects us from pride but also opens the door for healing and reconciliation within the church. [01:01:46]

Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Reflection: Who do you need to apologize to for judging before listening, and how can you take a step toward humility and understanding with them this week?

Day 3: Share Your Struggles—Healing Through Confession and Prayer

God designed the church to be a place where we can share our struggles, confess our sins, and pray for one another, so that we may experience healing and wholeness. Too often, we keep our weaknesses hidden out of fear of judgment or rejection, but Scripture teaches that vulnerability and honest confession are the pathways to true spiritual health. When we open up to a trusted fellow believer, we break the cycle of performance and create safe spaces for others to do the same. This week, consider who you can trust with your struggles, and take the courageous step of inviting them to pray with you. [01:05:12]

James 5:16 (ESV)
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Reflection: Who is one trusted person you can share a real struggle with this week, inviting them to pray for you and walk with you toward healing?

Day 4: Seek Reconciliation—Take Steps Toward Peace

Jesus calls us to prioritize reconciliation in our relationships, especially when we are aware of unresolved conflict or hurt. Rather than ignoring brokenness or waiting for others to make the first move, we are invited to take responsibility for pursuing peace, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zone. The church is meant to be a greenhouse for spiritual growth, not a battlefield of unresolved tension. When we take Jesus’ words seriously and seek to make things right with others, we help create an environment where authenticity and healing can flourish. [01:11:47]

Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life that needs healing? What is one concrete step you can take this week to move toward reconciliation, even if it’s just reaching out or offering a word of peace?

Day 5: Be a Greenhouse, Not a Battlefield—Create Safe Spaces for Others

The church thrives when it becomes a safe, nurturing environment where people can be real, find hope, and experience restoration. Each of us has a role in shaping this environment—by welcoming others, listening without judgment, and actively choosing grace over criticism. Instead of waiting for the culture to change, we are called to be the change, building a community where no question is too scary and no struggle is too heavy to be carried together. Ask God to show you how you can help make your church and your relationships a greenhouse for spiritual growth this week. [01:14:42]

Romans 15:7 (ESV)
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Reflection: What is one specific way you can help make church feel safer and more welcoming for someone else this week—whether by listening, reaching out, or offering encouragement?

Sermon Summary

This morning, the focus is on the deep longing we all share to be truly seen, known, and accepted—especially within the church, which is meant to be a place of love, trust, and authenticity. Yet, many of us have felt that church is the last place we can be real, often because of the masks we wear and the judgments we fear. Jesus, in the heart of the Sermon on the Mount, warns us not to turn our faith into a performance. He calls us to examine our motives, to avoid practicing righteousness for the sake of image, and to resist the temptation to judge others while ignoring our own struggles.

The challenge is to move beyond the highlight reels of our lives—whether on social media or in our daily interactions—and to embrace honesty about our brokenness. When church becomes about image and polish, it becomes unsafe for vulnerability. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 and 7 are a roadmap for creating a community where people can be real: remove the masks, confess our own hypocrisy, share our struggles with one another, and seek reconciliation where relationships are broken.

Authenticity is not just about being honest with God, but also with ourselves and with trusted others. Healing and growth happen when we confess our sins to one another and pray together, as James 5:16 teaches. Reconciliation is not just a suggestion but a command from Jesus—if we remember a broken relationship while worshiping, we are to seek peace before continuing in worship. The church is meant to be a greenhouse, not a battlefield—a place where people thrive in the warmth of grace, not wither in the cold of judgment.

Practical steps include taking a personal inventory of where we wear masks, having at least one honest conversation this week, replacing judgment with grace, and actively working to make church a safe environment for others. The invitation is to choose authenticity, grace, and reconciliation, so that our community becomes a place where no question is too scary and no struggle too heavy to be carried together. The world does not need a perfect church, but an honest one—one that leads with the heart of Jesus, seeing and loving people as He does.

Key Takeaways

1. Authenticity Over Image: Jesus warns against practicing righteousness for the sake of being seen by others. When faith becomes a performance, it kills authenticity and creates an environment where people feel unsafe to be real. True spiritual growth begins when we are honest about our struggles, both with God and with ourselves, rather than managing our image for others. [54:20]
2. The Danger of Judgment: Jesus’ teaching on judgment in Matthew 7 is not a prohibition against discernment, but a call to examine our own hearts and motives before addressing the faults of others. Healing and reconciliation are only possible when we replace a spirit of judgment with humility and grace, recognizing our own need for mercy. [61:46]
3. Confession and Community: James 5:16 reminds us that healing comes through confessing our sins to one another and praying together. Vulnerability breaks the cycle of performance and creates safe spaces for others to be real. The church thrives when we move beyond surface-level interactions and share our true selves in trusted relationships. [65:12]
4. The Call to Reconciliation: Jesus commands us to seek reconciliation before continuing in worship. This is not just about resolving conflict, but about removing barriers that hinder authentic community. Taking responsibility for peace, even when it is difficult, is a mark of spiritual maturity and a step toward creating a greenhouse environment where people can flourish. [69:45]
5. Building a Greenhouse, Not a Battlefield: The church is called to be a place where people thrive in the warmth of grace, not wither in the cold of judgment. Creating a safe environment requires intentional action—welcoming others, listening deeply, and choosing grace over criticism. Environments of authenticity and safety are built actively, not passively, and each of us has a role in shaping the culture of our community. [71:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:54] - Opening Prayer: Setting Aside Distractions
[41:40] - Series Introduction: Asking for a Friend
[43:35] - The Question: Why Can’t I Be Real at Church?
[44:24] - The Reality of Feeling Unseen
[48:49] - Jesus’ Warnings in Matthew 6
[51:51] - Don’t Turn Faith into a Performance
[54:20] - Image vs. Authenticity in Church
[57:37] - Social Media and the Highlight Reel
[59:57] - The Cost of Hiding Brokenness
[61:46] - The Danger of Judgment and Hypocrisy
[65:12] - Removing Masks and Confessing Struggles
[69:45] - The Call to Reconciliation
[71:47] - Church as a Greenhouse, Not a Battlefield
[72:16] - Practical Next Steps for Authentic Community
[76:06] - Final Challenge: Creating a Safe Church

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (ESV) — > “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
> Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
> But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
> And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
> But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
> ...
> And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
> But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV) — > “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
> Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
> Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?
> You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

James 5:16 (ESV) — > “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 6, what specific actions does Jesus warn us not to do “for show,” and what does he say about the reward for those who do? ([48:49])
According to Matthew 7, what is the danger of focusing on the “speck” in someone else’s eye while ignoring the “log” in our own? ([01:01:46])
What does James 5:16 say is the result of confessing our sins to one another and praying together? ([01:05:12])
In the sermon, what are some examples given of how people “wear masks” or manage their image, both in church and on social media? ([54:20])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus care so much about our motives when we do good things like giving, praying, or fasting? How does this relate to authenticity in our faith? ([54:20])
What does it look like for a church to become a place where people feel unsafe to be real? How does judgment or image management contribute to this? ([01:00:43])
According to the sermon, why is confession to one another (not just to God) important for healing and growth in the church? ([01:05:12])
The pastor described the church as a “greenhouse, not a battlefield.” What does this metaphor mean for how we treat each other and handle broken relationships? ([01:11:47])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to take a personal inventory: Where in your life are you “wearing a mask” or hiding your struggles, especially at church? What would it look like to take that mask off this week? ([01:12:16])
Think of a time when you judged someone else at church or online. What would it look like to replace that judgment with grace, as the sermon suggests? Is there someone you need to apologize to or see differently? ([01:13:37])
Who in your life knows the “full, unfiltered version” of you? If no one does, what is one step you could take to build a relationship of trust and honesty with another believer? ([01:05:12])
The sermon says that healing comes when we confess our sins and struggles to one another and pray together. Is there a struggle or sin you need to share with a trusted friend this week? What’s holding you back? ([01:05:12])
Jesus commands us to seek reconciliation before continuing in worship. Is there a relationship in your life that needs peace or healing? What practical step could you take this week to move toward reconciliation? ([01:09:45])
The pastor said, “The world doesn’t need a perfect church, but an honest one.” What is one way you can help make our church a safer place for people to be real and share their struggles? ([01:11:47])
The sermon suggests having at least one honest conversation this week. Who could you reach out to for a real, vulnerable conversation? What might you share, and how could you invite them to be real with you? ([01:12:45])

Sermon Clips

Church isn't unsafe because of Jesus. Church often feels unsafe because of us. It is a sad reality that anyone would ever feel unsafe, unseen, or unheard in the church, but an honest look in the mirror shows that we as God's people, as his church, could absolutely be doing better when it comes to reflecting the character and the love of Jesus to those around us. [00:47:04] (28 seconds) #ReflectJesusLove

Don't turn my Father's house into a stage. Three times, we've just looked at it. Three times he says, don't give for show. Don't pray for show. Don't fast for show. Now, he's not saying don't give or pray or fast. Those are obviously good things. Those are obviously things throughout the scripture, throughout his journey with his disciples and those following him. He taught them to do these things. But here he says, don't do them for show. [00:53:41] (39 seconds) #FaithWithoutShow

We live in a culture that thrives on judgment where everyone has an opinion and we don't just disagree with people, we dismiss them, we block them, and we delete them. We don't just call out what's wrong, we cancel them and we separate ourselves from them. Too often the church doesn't look any different. [01:02:52] (23 seconds) #GraceNotJudgment

Can I tell you this morning, the world doesn't need a perfect church. The world needs an honest church. The world needs a church that's willing to be honest with themselves as well as those around them—a church that prioritizes healthy and honest relationships with one another by putting others first. [01:04:15] (20 seconds) #HonestChurchNeeded

Church feels unsafe when judgment replaces grace, when hypocrisy replaces humility, when image management replaces authenticity. Maybe instead of assuming the problem was with the one asking the question, "Why don't I feel comfortable sharing my struggles and asking for help?" what if instead we, the church, took the first step and looked to change the narrative? [01:05:12] (28 seconds) #ChangeTheNarrative

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