Sermon for 12th after Pentecost, 16th August 2026

The media has been full of images of President Donald Trump over recent years and he always looks impeccable. Well pressed and tailored suit, immaculate shirt and tie, polished shoes, immaculate hair cut, expensive watch. Looking at him, he appears to portray the very image of success.

As I have watched the man recently I don’t quite think that things are going quite the way that the image he is trying to portray would wish.

You see, God and the world are not interested in appearances. Instead, God and the world ask questions about honesty, teamwork, integrity, and how he treats people who don’t agree with him and\or when he is under pressure.

It’s become clear to me that beneath the polished exterior is someone who often blames others, exaggerates the truth, and takes credit for work he hasn’t actually done.

Matthew’s gospel, 15:10-20, reinforces for me that looking good on the outside can never compensate for what is missing on the inside. <PAUSE>

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were experts at appearing holy. They carefully washed their hands before meals, observed countless traditions, and made sure everyone knew how religious they were. They believed that ceremonial cleanliness made them acceptable to God.

Jesus shocked them. He called the crowd together and said:

“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth.”

The disciples were nervous knowing the Pharisees were offended but Jesus knew exactly what He was saying. He wasn’t condemning good hygiene or healthy habits. He wasn’t saying that what we eat doesn’t matter physically.

He was making a far deeper point. Spiritual uncleanness isn’t caused by food, dirt, or unwashed hands. It comes from the human heart. That was revolutionary then. It’s still revolutionary today. <PAUSE>

Many of our modern cultures are fascinated with appearances. We spend billions on clothes, cosmetics, fitness programmes, diets, and social media images. We carefully edit photographs before posting them. We create versions of ourselves that look successful, happy, confident, and popular.

Now - there’s nothing wrong with taking care of ourselves BUT Jesus asks us a harder question … “What does your heart look like?”No filter can hide bitterness.
No expensive clothing can cover jealousy.
No perfect smile can disguise hatred.
No carefully crafted social media profile can conceal pride.

God sees beneath the surface and Jesus explains:

“Out of the heart comes evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.”

Jesus says these things begin, not in our circumstances; not in our politics; not in other people; not in bad luck … They begin in our heart. <PAUSE>

Life has a way of create storms in our lives - - - stress, disappointment, criticism, illness, family disagreements, financial pressure etc. When those moments come, what spills out of our hearts? Anger? Harsh words? Bitterness? Or kindness? Patience? Grace?

The pressures of life don’t create what’s inside us. It simply reveals it AND THAT IS Jesus’ point. The heart is the source.

The wonderful news of Christianity is that Jesus didn’t come merely to improve our behaviour. He came to transform our hearts.

The prophet Ezekiel had already promised God’s people, “I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

It is that promise from God that finds its fulfilment in Christ.

When we come to Him in faith, He begins an inside-out transformation. Yes, it’s often slow, sometimes painful BUT IT IS REAL.

As we spend time with Christ through prayer, Scripture, worship, and serving others, His Spirit reshapes our hearts. Gradually our words become gentler. Our forgiveness becomes deeper. Our compassion becomes stronger.

Not because we’re trying harder to appear religious - but because Christ is changing us from within.

The Pharisees focused on outward rules. Jesus focused on inward renewal.

The Pharisees asked “Have you washed your hands?” Jesus asked, “Have you surrendered your heart?”

That’s the question for each of us today. <PAUSE>

Remember, a doctor cannot treat an illness that remains hidden. Neither can Christ heal the parts of our hearts that we refuse to bring into His light.

King David understood this after his own failures.

He prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Not, “Give me a better reputation.”

Not, “Help me look more spiritual.”

But, “Create in me a clean heart.” And I believe that is a prayer God delights to answer.

As we continue our journeys of faith and worship, perhaps that can become our own prayer.

“Lord, search my heart.”

“Lord, show me what needs changing.”

“Lord, fill me with Your love.”

“Lord let my words reflect Your grace.”

Because when Christ transforms the heart, everything else begins to change.

May our lives not simply look good on the outside, may they shine with the love, mercy, truth, and holiness that only Jesus can place within.

I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMEN