Living for God: Embracing Authenticity Over Approval

Devotional

Day 1: Beware the Leaven of Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy, like leaven, starts small but spreads throughout our lives, distorting our authenticity and relationship with God and others. Jesus warns us to beware of the subtle ways pride and self-serving motives can take root, leading us to present a false image for the approval of others. Just as a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough, even a small compromise in integrity can permeate every area of our character. The call is to examine our hearts and motives, seeking to be genuine before God rather than performing for the crowds. [08:15]

Luke 12:1 (ESV)
“In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.’”

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to put on a mask for others’ approval, and how can you invite God to help you live more authentically today?

Day 2: God Sees and Knows Everything

God’s omniscience means that nothing about us is hidden—our thoughts, motives, and actions are fully known to Him. This truth can be sobering, but it is also deeply comforting: even our most secret struggles and deepest shames are not barriers to His love. Instead, God’s knowledge of us draws Him closer, offering grace and help in our weakness. We are invited to bring our true selves before Him, trusting that He already knows and still loves us completely. [18:09]

Luke 12:2-3 (ESV)
“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.”

Reflection: What is one hidden thought or struggle you need to bring honestly before God in prayer today, trusting that He already knows and loves you?

Day 3: Do Not Fear the Crowds—Trust in God’s Care

The world’s approval is fleeting and unreliable, but God’s care for us is constant and personal. Jesus reminds us not to fear those who can only harm the body or seek to tear us down, but to trust in the One who values us deeply and holds our eternity. Even the smallest details of our lives matter to God—He knows the number of hairs on our heads and values us far above sparrows. In a world obsessed with public opinion, we are called to rest in the security of God’s love and attention. [27:45]

Luke 12:6-7 (ESV)
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel pressure to please others, and how can you shift your focus to trusting in God’s care and approval today?

Day 4: Confess Jesus Boldly—He Confesses You

To confess Jesus is to acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior, trusting in His love and valuing His opinion above all others. Jesus promises that when we stand for Him before others, He will stand for us before the Father and the angels. Our worth is not determined by our achievements or the world’s recognition, but by our relationship with Christ, who claims us as His own. Even when we fail, His forgiveness is available if we return to Him, as seen in the stories of Peter and Paul. [32:50]

Luke 12:8-9 (ESV)
“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”

Reflection: Is there a situation today where you are tempted to hide your faith or downplay your relationship with Jesus? How can you courageously confess Him in that moment?

Day 5: Do It for Him, Not for the Crowds

Our motivation for living and serving should not be the shifting approval of people, but the steadfast love of God who is infatuated with us. God’s love is not based on our performance or reputation, but on His unchanging character and delight in us as His creation. When we live for Him, we find peace, completeness, and true purpose, regardless of what others think. Let gratitude for His love be the foundation of your actions and identity today. [42:05]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to shift your motivation from pleasing people to honoring God, and what practical step can you take today to make that change?

Sermon Summary

In the journey of Jesus toward Jerusalem, both physically and metaphorically, the crowds began to swell, drawn by his authority, miracles, and especially his confrontations with the religious elite. The fascination of the masses, however, was not always rooted in a desire for truth, but often in the spectacle—who would Jesus “take down” next? This dynamic is not new; humanity has always been drawn to drama, to the rise and fall of public figures, and to the allure of being part of the crowd. Yet, Jesus’ focus was never for the crowds. He continually pointed his disciples—and us—away from the applause and scrutiny of the masses and toward the heart of God.

Jesus warned his disciples to beware the “leaven of the Pharisees,” which is hypocrisy. Like leaven, hypocrisy starts small but spreads throughout a person’s life, creating a disconnect between outward appearance and inward reality. The temptation to perform for others, to put on a mask for the sake of acceptance or admiration, is powerful. But Jesus reminds us that nothing is hidden from God. Every secret, every whispered word, every hidden motive is fully known to him. This is not meant to terrify, but to liberate. God’s omniscience is paired with his love; he knows us completely, even our most shameful thoughts, and yet he draws near, not away.

The crowds can only offer fleeting approval and, just as quickly, harsh critique. Their favor is fickle, and their judgment is relentless. But God’s love is steadfast. Jesus calls us to live for an audience of One, to find our worth not in the shifting opinions of others but in the unwavering affection of our Creator. He values us more than many sparrows, knows the number of hairs on our heads, and delights in every detail of our lives.

Confessing Jesus is not merely a public declaration but an embrace of his love and acceptance, even in our brokenness. Denial, on the other hand, is not just a rejection of doctrine but a refusal to believe that we are loved and valued by God. The stories of Peter and Judas remind us that failure is not the end—what matters is whether we return to the One who loves us. Ultimately, the call is clear: do not live for the crowds. Live for the God who knows you, loves you, and draws near to you.

Key Takeaways

1. Beware the Subtle Spread of Hypocrisy Hypocrisy, like leaven, begins in small, almost imperceptible ways—perhaps a little pretense here, a small compromise there. But left unchecked, it permeates every area of life, creating a false self that seeks approval from others rather than authenticity before God. The danger is not just in being “caught” but in losing touch with who we truly are and who God calls us to be. True spiritual health requires ruthless honesty with ourselves and with God, who already knows the truth. [08:15]
2. God’s Omniscience Is Paired with His Compassion The fact that God knows everything about us—our thoughts, motives, and secret struggles—can be intimidating. Yet, this knowledge does not repel him; it draws him closer. Our deepest failures and hidden shames are not barriers to his love but invitations for his grace to meet us where we are. The omniscient God is also the God who is “infatuated” with his creation, longing to heal and restore us. [19:21]
3. Living for the Crowd Leads to Emptiness and Critique Seeking the approval of the crowd is a never-ending cycle of performance and anxiety. The same crowd that cheers today may condemn tomorrow, and their attention is always conditional. When we live for the crowd, we become vulnerable to pride, hypocrisy, and ultimately, disappointment. Jesus calls us to step away from this exhausting pursuit and to anchor our identity in his unwavering love. [15:25]
4. Confession Is Embracing God’s Love, Not Just Admitting Belief To confess Jesus is more than reciting a creed; it is to accept that we are fully known and fully loved by him. It means acknowledging our worth in his eyes, even when we feel unworthy or broken. Denial, conversely, is not just intellectual rejection but a refusal to believe that God’s love is enough for us. The stories of Peter and Judas illustrate that restoration is always possible if we turn back to God, but self-condemnation and pride can keep us from receiving forgiveness. [34:08]
5. God’s Love Is Relentless and Personal God’s love is not generic or distant; it is deeply personal and attentive. He delights in every detail of our lives, celebrates our growth, and mourns our pain. Even when we fail, his love remains constant, inviting us back into relationship. Our response is not to perform for others but to rest in the security of being known and loved by the One who matters most.

** [28:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:18] - Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem: Crowds and Confrontation
[03:02] - The Viral Fascination with Jesus
[04:27] - The Press of the Crowd and the Desire to Hear
[06:29] - Clickbait, Crowds, and the Allure of Drama
[08:15] - The Leaven of Hypocrisy
[10:44] - The Nature of Authenticity and Fakes
[12:11] - Jesus’ Rebuke of the Pharisees’ Hypocrisy
[13:51] - Nothing Hidden: God’s Omniscience
[15:25] - Performing for the Crowd vs. Living for God
[17:01] - The Omniscience and Nearness of God
[19:21] - God Draws Near to Our Brokenness
[22:01] - Praying for Deliverance from Temptation
[24:24] - Fearing God, Not the Crowd
[27:03] - The Value God Places on Each of Us
[28:42] - God’s Delight in His Creation
[31:13] - Confessing and Denying Jesus
[34:08] - The Forgiveness of Peter and the Tragedy of Judas
[40:06] - God’s Love: Constant and Unchanging
[42:05] - Responding in Prayer: Living for Him Alone

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 11:53–12:12 — (Main text: Jesus warns about the leaven of the Pharisees, the danger of hypocrisy, God’s knowledge of all things, and the call to confess Christ before others.)

Observation Questions

In Luke 12:1, what does Jesus mean by “the leaven of the Pharisees,” and why does he warn his disciples about it?
According to verses 2–3, what does Jesus say will happen to things that are hidden or spoken in secret?
How does Jesus describe God’s care for his creation, especially in verses 6–7, when he talks about sparrows and the hairs on our heads?
What does Jesus promise to those who confess him before others, and what warning does he give about denying him? (verses 8–9)

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus compare hypocrisy to leaven? What does this metaphor suggest about how hypocrisy can affect a person’s life over time?
The sermon says that God’s omniscience is paired with his compassion. How does knowing that God sees everything about us—good and bad—change the way we approach him?
The crowd’s approval is described as “fickle” and “relentless” in its critique. Why do you think people are so tempted to seek the approval of others, even when it leads to anxiety or disappointment?
The stories of Peter and Judas are both mentioned as examples of failure. According to the sermon, what is the difference in how they responded to their failure, and what does this teach us about God’s forgiveness?

Application Questions

Jesus warns about the subtle spread of hypocrisy. Are there areas in your life where you feel tempted to “put on a mask” or act differently for the sake of others’ approval? What would it look like to be ruthlessly honest with God about these areas?
The sermon says that God knows even our most shameful thoughts and still draws near to us. Is there something you’ve been hiding from God or others out of fear or shame? How might you bring this into the light in prayer or with a trusted friend?
Think about a recent time when you felt pressure to “perform” for the crowd—whether at work, church, or online. How did that affect your sense of identity or peace? What would it look like to live for an “audience of One” in that situation?
The sermon says that confessing Jesus is not just about words, but about embracing his love and acceptance, even in our brokenness. Is there a part of your life where you struggle to believe that God’s love is enough for you? What step could you take this week to receive his love more fully?
The difference between Peter and Judas was not in the seriousness of their failure, but in their response—one returned to Jesus, the other did not. When you fail or fall short, do you tend to run from God or toward him? What helps you choose to return to him?
Jesus says that God delights in every detail of our lives. Can you name a specific way you’ve seen God’s care or delight in your life recently? How does remembering this help you resist the need for the crowd’s approval?
The sermon ends with a call to pray and thank God for his love. What is one thing you can thank God for today, specifically related to his personal knowledge and love for you?

Sermon Clips

There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light. And whatever you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. [00:13:57] (18 seconds)

Because he knows you. He knows everything. He is omniscient. He knows everything. And even though he does, it's those very thoughts, they draw him to you. That's a God of love. That's a God who has created you. and knows that you are broken. [00:19:21] (27 seconds)

So when we think about the omniscience of God, we cannot be a hypocrite towards God. He knows. But we can be for the crowds. Don't live for the crowd. It's not for the crowd. It's for him. It's not for the crowd. It's for him. [00:20:36] (20 seconds)

God is infatuated with his creation. Don't forget he created you. He formed you. He loves you. Don't fear the crowds. They don't care. They are going to dig up what they can. They're going to figure out what they can. They're going to try and find a way for you to say something that they can use to pin you to a cross. Exactly like what they were doing here. Don't worry about them. It's not for the crowd. It's all for him. It's all for him. He loves you. He is your biggest fan. He is your number one motivator. He is your heavenly father. He loves you more than anything else or anyone else ever, ever could. [00:29:20] (47 seconds)

So to confess Jesus really means to acknowledge him as God, but also as your Savior who's died for you. It's to acknowledge that what Jesus just said is true. That when Jesus said, hey, I'm infatuated with you. I know the hairs on your head. You're more value than a thousand sparrows. I know you. I love you. It draws me closer to you. When Jesus, that's what that means when it says confess him. It's to acknowledge that and to acknowledge I am of worth. I am valuable. [00:32:10] (39 seconds)

To acknowledge and confess Jesus as your savior means to acknowledge that he loves you. Regardless of how broken you are or how broken the crowd tells you you are. That he loves you and that he's drawing close to you. That's what that means. [00:33:32] (28 seconds)

Consistent rejection is the definition of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. as to say, you do not have power to save me. And when you say you don't have power to save me, it won't happen. And so it, that won't be forgiven. It can't be overcome because ultimately it's your choice. It's our choice. Will we follow or will we not? Will we accept the love of God or will we not? [00:35:48] (39 seconds)

``The beautiful thing about what Jesus does is when he saves us, he doesn't just move on to the next one. It's a constant relationship. He's loved you from when you were formed and made in your mother's womb. He has tracked and known everything about your life through growing up, childhood, adolescence, teenage years, early adulthood. Every part of your life, he has seen and watched it all. and he loves you. And because he loves you, he knows you. He doesn't know you and then decide to love you or not. But because he loves you, he knows you. And he still draws closer to you and that will never change. Ever. [00:40:41] (61 seconds)

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