Sermon Framework | Not the Mask, But the Man
- Herbert Berkley
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
Title: Not the Mask, But the Man
Theme: Our false identities must be stripped away so we can live honestly, deeply, and freely in Christ Primary Texts:
Psalm 139:1–4 (NIV) – God knows us completely
Luke 22:31–34; 54–62 (NIV) – Peter’s false boldness and denial
John 21:15–17 (NIV) – Peter’s restoration Structure: Elimination Sermon – Common Ground → Pose Question → Eliminate Wrong Answers → Reveal the Right One
1. Introduction – The Question Behind the Smile
Are you really who you let me know you are?Or have you learned—like so many of us—to wear a version of yourself that’s safer, shinier, and more controlled?
Most of us would admit:
“People know a version of me. But not all of me.”
In fact, we all wrestle with the gap between:
Who I am privately
Who I pretend to be publicly
Who I fear I really am
Let’s name that dissonance: duplicity—a divided soul.
But how do we fix it?
Let’s walk through what you are not, and let Scripture help us uncover who you truly are in Christ.
2. False Identity #1 : I Am Who I Appear to Be
Peter was confident. Outspoken. Ready.
“Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33)
But later that night, when a servant girl asked him if he was with Jesus…
“Woman, I don’t know Him.” (v.57)
Peter appeared bold—but collapsed under pressure.
Truth: You are not who you appear to be in moments of performance.Your curated strength may be real—but untested.God sees beyond the moment.
3. False Identity #2: I Am Who Others Think I Am
We get good at managing perception:
A social media presence
A kingdom reputation
A consistent “church self”
But Psalm 139 pierces through every crafted identity:
Psalm 139:1–2 (NIV)
“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.”
You are not who your audience sees. God knows you—not the caption, not the quote, not the ministry résumé.
If you’ve built your identity on applause, it will collapse under silence.
4. False Identity #3: I Am Who I Used to Be
Maybe your image isn’t fake—it’s just outdated.
You’re still riding on who you were five years ago:
When you were more faithful
More passionate
More disciplined
But now you’re drifting. And no one knows. Because you’ve held onto a version of you that no longer exists.
“Peter followed at a distance…” (Luke 22:54)
Distance becomes dangerous when you pretend you're still close.
You are not your past obedience. You are your present surrender.
5. False Identity #4: I Am Who I Fear I Am
Some of you have flipped to the other extreme:
“I’m not the strong one. I’m the failure. I’m the fraud.”
Like Peter, after the rooster crowed, you weep bitterly and hide.
You carry your sin like a name tag. You assume your failure is your truest identity.
But that’s not what Jesus does.
In John 21, He calls Peter—not “denier”…But “Simon, son of John…”—his God-given name.
Then He asks:
“Do you love Me?”
Because your identity is not in what you’ve done—It’s in who Jesus is restoring you to become.
6. True Identity – I Am Who God Says I Am
Only One voice cuts through the noise:
“Before a word is on my tongue, you, LORD, know it completely.” (Psalm 139:4)
God knows the real you:
The one that doubts
The one that pretends
The one that wants to be healed
And He still calls you by name.
In Christ, your identity is not:
Performer
Pretender
Poser
Failure
It’s:
Beloved (Romans 5:8)
Forgiven (1 John 1:9)
Called (2 Timothy 1:9)
Known and still chosen (John 15:16)
7. Illustration – The Mirror with Fog
A man looked in the mirror every morning, but never wiped away the fog.
He saw a version of himself—but never clearly.
One day, he wiped it clean.
What stared back wasn’t ugly—it was honest.
And with honesty came healing.
Wipe the mirror. Let Jesus show you who you really are.
8. Application – How to Dismantle False Selves
Ask yourself:
What part of me am I managing for appearance?
What truth am I hiding from even God in prayer?
What version of myself have I outgrown but still wear?
What would it look like to be fully known and fully loved?
Then confess. Replace the lie with Scripture. Name what’s true.
9. Grace Echo – Restoration Is Waiting
Peter’s failure was real. But Jesus’ restoration was louder.
He didn’t just forgive Peter—He recalled him to purpose.
“Feed My sheep… Follow Me.” (John 21:17,19)
Jesus doesn’t eliminate you—He eliminates the lie you’ve been living.
And He rebuilds you as a disciple who no longer hides.
10. Final Invitation – Step Out from the Version and Into the Truth
Jesus is not asking you to be impressive.
He’s asking you to be honest.
The invitation is simple:
Drop the false name. Lay down the old role. Let go of the mask. Come back to Jesus.
You are not who you let others think you are.
You are who He already knows you to be—and loves anyway.
Come. Let’s walk in the truth.
