Date: Sunday (August 23rd, 2026)
Preacher: Pastor Adebayo Olugbenga (PICP)
Topic: Doing Good Vs. Looking Good
Scripture Text: Acts 10:38 (KJV)
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
Introduction
Brethren, today we shall consider a very important subject: “Doing Good Vs. Looking Good.”
We live in a generation where much emphasis is placed on appearances. People invest significant time, energy, and resources into looking good before others. There is nothing inherently wrong with being presentable. It is good to dress well, speak well, and carry ourselves with dignity. However, God’s concern goes far beyond our outward appearance. God is more interested in our character than our cosmetics, our service than our status, and our impact than our image.
The question before us today is this: Are we more concerned about looking good or doing good?
The life of Jesus Christ provides the perfect answer.
Jesus: The Perfect Example of Doing Good
Our anchor text says:
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good…” (Acts 10:38)
Notice that the Bible did not say Jesus went about looking good. It says He went about doing good.
Wherever Jesus went, lives were touched. The sick were healed, the broken-hearted were comforted, the hungry were fed, the oppressed were delivered, and sinners were reconciled to God. His life was dedicated to serving humanity and glorifying His Father.
Jesus was not restricted to one location. He moved from city to city, village to village, seeking opportunities to bless people. His ministry was marked by compassion, sacrifice, and service.
Brethren, this is God’s expectation for every believer. We are called not merely to impress people but to impact lives.
Relationships Are More Important Than Things
One of the greatest mistakes people make is placing possessions above relationships.
In life, relationships matter more than things. When people become obsessed with possessions, status, titles, and worldly achievements, they often neglect the relationships that truly matter.
Many conflicts, quarrels, and divisions arise because people value things more than people. Time, attention, and energy that should be invested in nurturing relationships are often wasted pursuing temporary gains.
The Bible teaches us in Romans 8:14:
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
When we are led by the Spirit, our priorities change. We no longer live merely for appearances or material pursuits. We begin to value people the way God values them.
Looking Good Is Not the Same as Doing Good
There is nothing wrong with looking good. Excellence, cleanliness, and proper appearance have their place.
However, looking good without doing good is a tragedy.
A person may be admired for appearance and achievements yet contribute little to the lives of others. God does not measure us primarily by how impressive we appear but by how faithfully we serve.
Doing good reflects the nature of God. Looking good may attract attention, but doing good transforms lives.
At the end of life, people will not remember us primarily for the clothes we wore, the titles we held, or the wealth we accumulated. They will remember the lives we touched and the difference we made.
The Lesson of the Good Samaritan
Jesus illustrated this truth in Luke 10:25–37.
A Jewish traveler was attacked by robbers, stripped, beaten, and left half dead on the roadside.
Several people saw him but passed by. They may have had important appointments, pressing engagements, or personal responsibilities. Whatever their reasons, they chose convenience over compassion.
Then a Samaritan came.
This was remarkable because Jews and Samaritans were longstanding enemies. Yet when the Samaritan saw the wounded man, he was moved with compassion.
He stopped.
He treated the man’s wounds.
He placed him on his animal.
He took him to an inn.
He paid for his care.
He interrupted his schedule to save a life.
The Samaritan understood a truth that many people miss: people are more important than appointments.
Compassion often requires inconvenience.
Love often requires sacrifice.
Doing good often demands that we place the needs of others above our own comfort.
Compassion Is Love in Action
The Samaritan did not merely feel sorry for the wounded man; he acted.
True compassion is not just an emotion. It is love expressed through practical action.
Many people speak about love but fail to demonstrate it. Jesus calls us beyond words to deeds.
When accidents occur, when people are hurting, when families are struggling, when souls are perishing, God expects His children to be moved with compassion.
The world needs more than observers; it needs people willing to help.
The Rising Generation
The Church also has a responsibility toward future generations.
Many nations and denominations have declined because they failed to invest in the younger generation.
Buildings remained.
Structures remained.
Traditions remained.
But spiritual vitality disappeared because the faith was not intentionally passed on.
The young people among us today are the leaders, pastors, workers, and elders of tomorrow.
We must mentor them, teach them, encourage them, and prepare them to carry the torch of the gospel.
Doing good includes investing in those who will come after us.
Trusting God’s Wisdom
Sometimes life presents situations we do not fully understand.
There are moments when circumstances appear contradictory, like seeing rain falling while fire continues to burn.
Yet God understands what we do not understand.
Nothing is beyond Him.
Nothing surprises Him.
Nothing is too difficult for Him.
God sees the end from the beginning. He knows what He is doing even when we cannot comprehend His methods.
Therefore, we must trust Him completely.
Faith allows us to believe that God is working behind the scenes even when His purposes are not immediately visible.
Knowing God Through Love
The greatest evidence of knowing God is not religious activity but genuine love.
The Bible says:
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:8)
God is love.
Therefore, anyone who claims to know God must reflect His love.
We cannot truly represent God while lacking compassion for people.
No matter how much knowledge we possess, how eloquently we preach, or how active we are in religious activities, if love is absent, something essential is missing.
The proof that we know God is seen in how we treat people.
The Greatest Commandments
When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He summarized the entire law in two statements.
Matthew 22:37–40 says:
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
And:
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
These two commandments form the foundation of Christian living.
If we truly love God, we will love people.
If we truly love people, we will seek their good.
If we seek their good, we will become known not merely for looking good but for doing good.
Wisdom Produces Fruit
The Bible says:
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)
True wisdom is demonstrated by a life that blesses others.
A wise person does not live for self alone.
A wise person influences lives for God’s glory.
A wise person seeks opportunities to serve, encourage, help, and lead others to Christ.
Conclusion
Brethren, the challenge before us today is simple but profound.
The world is full of people trying to look good.
God is looking for people who will do good and He calls us to follow His example.
Therefore, let us determine:
- To love God wholeheartedly.
- To love our neighbours sincerely.
- To value people above possessions.
- To choose compassion over convenience.
- To invest in future generations.
- To trust God’s wisdom in every circumstance.
- To become channels of God’s mercy and goodness.
May our lives be known not merely for appearance but for impact; not merely for image but for service; not merely for looking good but for doing good.
May God help us to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who went about doing good (Amen).
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