Misplaced Trust And The God Who Never Fails

Misplaced Trust and the God who Never Fails

Matthew 23:1-10; Acts 8:14-23; 3 John 1:9-10; 1 Samuel 8:1-7; Luke 22:31-34

To be “holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15) is no light command—it’s a high calling that reaches into every corner of our lives. In the Old Testament alone, Israel was given 613 laws, covering everything from worship and morality to food and clothing. It wasn’t just hard to interpret them—it was even harder to live them out. And if we think that holiness is easier on this side of the cross, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:17 that He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. Yes, through His sacrifice we are no longer under the ceremonial or sacrificial laws (Hebrews 10:1). But we now live under the law of Christ—not written on stone, but inscribed on hearts transformed by grace (1 Corinthians 9:21).

Obedience is no longer about boxes or cold compliance—it’s about knowing God's heart and responding in love. But make no mistake—this is not easier. In fact, it may be harder. Jesus didn’t lower the bar; He raised it. When He explained that “do not murder” means not harboring anger, and that “do not commit adultery” includes even a lustful glance (Matthew 5:21–30), He exposed the true weight of God’s holiness—not just in action, but in motive and desire. So how do we live holy lives in a world that constantly pulls us the other way? And how do we walk in obedience—not just in outward behavior, but from the heart?

And this is where many of us stumble—not in our desire to be holy, but in where we place our trust to become holy. Instead of looking directly to Christ, we often look sideways to others—faithful mentors, famous leaders, or spiritually mature friends—as our model. But even good examples can become dangerous when we treat them as ultimate. Even the most sincere, godly people can become stumbling blocks—not because of who they are, but because of where we place our trust. The daunting call to holiness has often led believers across generations to rely too heavily on others—mentors, teachers, and faithful examples—to learn from and emulate.

As we read the Gospel accounts and the writings of the early church, it’s natural to admire the disciples of Christ. Who wouldn't want the boldness and resolve of Peter, the quiet humility of Andrew, the zealous loyalty of James, the thoughtful discernment of Philip, the honest sincerity of Bartholomew, the grateful obedience of Matthew, or the tender love and spiritual depth of John? And who hasn’t been inspired by Paul’s theological brilliance and enduring faithfulness? Truly, we are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1)—those commended for their faith and devotion to the Lord. Their stories fill our hearts with hope. They were frail and flawed like us. Yet by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, they not only meditated on God’s Word—they lived it (James 1:22). They remind us that holiness is possible—not because of human strength, but through God's grace.

Yet, as we admire these faithful saints, we must also be cautious. There is a real danger in placing too much trust in fallible human examples. Even those created in God’s image—those who preach, perform miracles, or demonstrate strong leadership—are still susceptible to pride, error, and sin. And when we can’t find others who reflect Christ well, we may be tempted to trust in our own perceived righteousness and declare ourselves holy. But Scripture warns us not to measure ourselves by ourselves. As we explore today’s message, we’ll see that we are called to follow others only to the extent that they follow Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). While we should encourage, comfort, and learn from one another in the faith, our ultimate role model and guide into holiness is not Peter, Paul, or any other human leader—it is Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. In today’s message, we’ll be challenged to examine who we follow—and to realign our gaze where it belongs: on Christ alone. But what happens when we mistake visibility for virtue? When admiration turns into imitation—without discernment? Let’s look at three common ways trust can be misplaced.

Crumbled Trust: When Reputation Replaces Obedience

It’s easy to admire those who speak with theological precision or command large platforms. But Scripture is clear: it is not the hearers of the Word who are justified, but the doers (James 1:22). A reputation for spiritual insight means little if it is not matched by a life of obedience. Reputation without righteousness is not a sign of holiness—it’s a warning sign. The Pharisees, a respected sect within Judaism, held significant informal power because of their deep knowledge of Scripture.

Their desire to see Israel remain separate and holy was commendable. But Jesus condemned them—not for their knowledge, but for their motives and hypocrisy. In Matthew 23:1–3, He declares: