In the world we live in, it is often said that we should “fake it until we make it.” This expression, implying that we should act as though we are confident or skilled in something, even if we aren’t, has a way of creeping into every area of our lives. It is something that many can relate to, especially in moments when we feel ill-equipped or unsure. But when this attitude becomes a way of life, it shifts from helpful self-encouragement to a lifestyle of pretense, eventually making us seem more like impostors than authentic individuals.
The phrase “faking it until you make it” can be especially challenging in the context of faith and service. As a parent of two young children, I can’t help but identify with the sense of being unprepared or inadequate in the face of responsibility. I’ve often found myself struggling to meet the needs of my kids, feeling as if I am “faking” my way through. But faith and service are different—if we live a life of “faking it,” we create a false front, which erodes the authenticity of our relationship with God and others. The truth is, God does not call us to live a life of pretense but one of genuine engagement.
The Pharisees: Hypocrisy and Apathy
The sermon begins with a shift toward the Pharisees, religious leaders who were notorious for their hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a subject often discussed in Scripture, but there is another aspect of their behavior that needs attention: their apathy. The Pharisees are frequently portrayed as people who were more concerned with their status and outward appearances than with the genuine growth of God’s kingdom. The problem of apathy, though humorous when viewed through the lens of comedy, is a much darker issue when viewed in real life. Apathy, unlike a humorous lack of motivation seen in fictional characters like Red Green, is dangerous. It can kill freedom, faith, and future opportunities, both in the biblical context and in our everyday lives.
In Hebrews 10:24-25, we are urged to stay committed to one another, encouraging each other to love and good works. However, apathy in faith can prevent us from gathering with the community and serving one another. Apathy can stunt spiritual growth, rendering believers complacent, indifferent to God’s call, and disengaged from the mission He has set before us.
Apathy vs. “Whatever It Takes”
The church theme for this year, “Whatever It Takes,” stands in stark contrast to the mindset of apathy. To have a “whatever it takes” attitude means to approach life with determination and commitment, willing to do whatever is necessary for the sake of growth and service. Apathy, on the other hand, represents the opposite mindset: “Whatever.” This passive, indifferent attitude has no drive or commitment, and it stands as a barrier to spiritual vitality.
The Bible speaks to this in the story of the Israelites, who repeatedly turned away from God’s commands, wandered after idols, and allowed their relationship with God to wither. In the New Testament, the church at Laodicea also exemplifies spiritual apathy. In Revelation 3, the believers there are described as lukewarm, neither hot nor cold in their faith. Similarly, in Matthew 23, the Pharisees are rebuked for their apathy toward both their own spiritual growth and the growth of the kingdom of God. Their concern for outward appearances overshadowed any real desire to honor God with their hearts or actions.
The Pharisees’ Indifference to Kingdom Growth
Matthew 23 provides a sharp critique of the Pharisees. Jesus pronounces a series of woes upon them for their hypocrisy, but one of the most revealing aspects of their behavior is their apathy toward kingdom growth. In verse 4, Jesus condemns them for placing heavy burdens on people without lifting a finger to help. Rather than guiding people toward spiritual maturity, they hindered them. In verse 5, we see that their religious deeds were done not for the glory of God, but for the glory of themselves. They were more concerned with appearances than with true service to God.
The first woe in Matthew 23:13 condemns the Pharisees for shutting the doors to the kingdom of heaven, preventing others from entering while keeping themselves out as well. This is a powerful warning to leaders in the church today. When we fail to engage meaningfully with God’s purposes, we not only harm ourselves but also those we lead. Apathy in leadership creates an environment where the kingdom of God is stifled, and people’s spiritual lives are hindered.
Apathy in Leadership
Apathy in leadership is a dangerous force. Leaders are meant to guide, nurture, and equip those they lead. In the church, this responsibility is critical. Leaders are tasked with creating environments that foster spiritual growth, and when apathy sets in, it undermines this mission. Just as the Pharisees’ lack of concern for others’ spiritual lives prevented the growth of God’s kingdom, so too can a leader’s indifference block the work of the Holy Spirit in the church today.
Apathy does not just affect leaders—it spreads throughout the community. When individuals become complacent in their spiritual journey, it can infect the entire body of Christ. Consider the consequences of a father who becomes apathetic in his faith. His spiritual indifference can influence his children, his spouse, and his entire family. Similarly, the apathy of one person in the church can prevent others from growing in their faith and reaching their full potential.
The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees
The hypocrisy of the Pharisees was not only seen in their lack of compassion for others but also in their desire for external perfection. In Matthew 23:16, Jesus condemns them as “blind guides,” criticizing their manipulative interpretation of oaths. They sought to maintain an appearance of righteousness while cleverly circumventing the truth. The focus was always on external actions rather than internal purity.
Jesus highlights this problem in Matthew 23:25, comparing the Pharisees to cups that are clean on the outside but dirty on the inside. This visual serves as a warning to all of us: we may look good on the outside, but if our hearts are filled with greed and indulgence, we are nothing more than whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside, but filled with death inside (Matthew 23:27).
Humility and Repentance: The Antidote to Apathy
The ultimate solution to apathy is humility and repentance. The Pharisees’ downfall was rooted in their pride. They could not see themselves for who they truly were, blinded by their own self-righteousness. Jesus warns against this attitude, calling His followers to humble themselves before God and others.
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14) provides a striking contrast between self-righteous pride and true repentance. The Pharisee, confident in his own goodness, stood before God with pride, while the tax collector, recognizing his sinfulness, humbly asked for mercy. Jesus teaches that it is the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who goes home justified.
This is the heart of the Christian faith: to recognize our unworthiness and rely on God’s mercy. When we acknowledge our need for God, we are positioned to grow in our faith and service. We are no longer focused on outward appearances or the approval of others, but on God’s grace and His work in our lives.
The “Whatever It Takes” Mindset: A Call to Action
To live a life of “whatever it takes” is to embrace a mindset of radical commitment to God and His purposes. This mindset is not passive; it is active and driven by love and sacrifice. The story of Joe Delaney, the Kansas City Chiefs player who died trying to save children from drowning, exemplifies this mindset. He did not let his own fear or inability to swim stop him from doing what was necessary to save others.
In our own lives, the call to “do whatever it takes” is a call to selflessness, to sacrifice, and to put the kingdom of God above our own comfort and convenience. Apathy, on the other hand, hinders this mindset, keeping us focused on ourselves instead of on the mission God has given us.
Conclusion: Living Authentically in Faith
In conclusion, we must examine our own lives for the presence of apathy and hypocrisy. We are called to live authentically in our faith, engaging fully with God’s purposes for our lives. The Pharisees’ indifference and self-righteousness serve as a warning to us all. Instead of pretending to have it all together, we are invited to come before God in humility, acknowledging our need for His grace and committing ourselves to His mission.
The challenge before us is clear: reject the apathy that plagues both our individual lives and the church, and instead embrace a mindset of “whatever it takes” for the sake of God’s kingdom. Through humility, repentance, and active engagement, we can live lives that are not characterized by pretense but by genuine faith, love, and service to God and others.