"It is not fame that I desire, or stature in my brother's eyes. I pray it's said about my life that I live more to build Your great Cause than mine, Lord Jesus." ~ Unknown Source
What about success too? What do you know of this? No life is without its share of problems. And people who are rich, poor, in-between need a Savior. Yes, busy or passive, those in the third world or in the first world..all sin and need the Lord Jesus.
"Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who always does good and who never sins." Ecclesiastes 7:20 amp
If you don’t have much wealth, you worry about how to get more. If you have a lot, you always find someone who has more. If you have the most, you worry about how to keep it. Wealth is a relative concept when you thkn about it.
"If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy." ~ Unknown Source
Even the most beautiful, famous, and wealthy people have their hurts and pains.
The sin today (with those of the world) is to call sin.. sin.
What's more important to you? Hey, there's a love that God hates, there's a system we are not to love.
As a young adult, Jesus went to be baptized by John the Baptizer. They were cousins (on their mother's side. Both men were obedient and faithful to God the Father, both were preachers of righteousness, both had followers who got baptized not to get saved, but to show their current faith in God). Then shortly thereafter Jesus became an itinerant preacher who taught and healed (Mark 1:2–28). In his 30s Jesus had a short public career. Yes, "..with authority commandeth he (Jesus) even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. 28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee."
Just think about...
1. The Character of the World (the term used is “cosmos”. There an order of things with this, a way of doing things with this system. We often think of the World of Sports, World of Education or finance, the Surfing World, the World of Hip Hop etc. Think of how a woman puts on her cosmetics – cosmos, same root. Some church folk have said that’s a sin, but I say it should be a sin when some of them don’t put it on.
This world has a purpose (to draw u away from God), a philosophy (that extends from the sch she to the state house. A networking of ideas to entrap ppl), a prince (Lucifer. Jn12:31, Eph2:2esv kill steal destroy)
2. The Corruption of the World-system (the world has its people--they want you conformed. Are you twice-born person in a world of once-born people pushin?)
3. The Condemnation of the World-system. What the worldly people live for won't always be there for them. This world is passing away. Madison Avenue and the moguls of Wall Street who live for stuff will be gone.
"And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever."1 Jn. 2:16-17
What are your real enemies while on this planet? These are your enemies:
A. The corrupt world system,
B. The old Adamic fleshly nature that the devils like to appeal to.
C. Satan and the fallen angels (devils) with him.
If you're living for this world and the things of this world guess what.. you're like busy paintin’ the decks of a quickly sinking ship, dude.
"For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." 1 John 2:16 nlt
- Lust of flesh, it’s about the prince of this world and his evil appeal toward your old Adamic nature inside.
This deals with our passions - it deals with “doing”. You’ve got a civil war inside, believer. The new nature inside is fighting against the old nature. Guess what, the one you feed the most will be having victory over the other.
- Lust of eyes deals with our possessions. It deals with “having” (Seems more sophisticated, or intellectual. It has to do with wanting more than God gives).
- The Pride of life, that deals with position. Yes, this deals with “being” (getting recognized).
“We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like.” ~ Dave Ramsey
Some strive and strive in workin’ to keep up with the Jones, but then when they sort of catch up, the Jones just refinance.
Giving into any temptation is just a perversion of properly addressing a real need in a good way. The devil is a religious pervert. I mean giving into temptation is about a human trying to meet a legitimate real need in an illegitimate wrong sort of way (that has neg ramifications and consequences). Have you tried to do that with Mr. Lu-Cifer's perv-way instead of God's good way for you, which is pure?
Q: What are your goals? What motivates you? What really melts your butter?
What did Jesus mean when He said the first will be last and the last will be first? What is the meaning of Matthew 19:27-30?
Are you starstruck or wanting stardom?
Does the glamor of fame or just fame attract you? Are you after people's applause instead of the applause of One from above?
Do you think that more money will satisfy you?
These things don't, can't and won't fill you up or satisfy that inner void. Is it wrong to want to be famous? No. Is a desire for fame sinful? Is it possible to be famous and humble and godly at the same time?
What's pastor worship?.. it's the mind-set of elevating a pastor or other spiritual leader to an unhealthy degree. Does it happen in some churches? Sadly yes -- let's praise, worship, and exalt the Lord alone.
There is a way to show proper appreciation to your Bible-loyal pastor?
The temptations accompanying fame are nothing new and can affect anyone. David, a man after God’s own heart, grew in power and authority and eventually found himself in the middle of a sex scandal with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11). Solomon, great in wisdom, grew in wealth and power and eventually worshiped idols with his 700 wives and 300 concubines (see 1 Kings 11). Despite being two of Israel’s most godly, well-known kings, neither fully followed God’s instructions. Even godly people can make sinful choices, and pastors who have reached celebrity status should heed the warning of 1 Corinthians 10:12, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
The greatest model of a celebrity pastor—for all preachers, pastors and Christians to follow and emulate—is Jesus Christ. In Mark 9, the disciples foolishly argue about which of them is the greatest.
Jesus responds, saying that “anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35b). "And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with man." 1 Samuel 2:26
"Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man." Proverbs 3:4
"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." Luke 2:40
"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel." Luke 1:80
People in the crowds were very curious, desperate, hopeful, and amazed. It appears that #JesusMeetings were trending back in the day.
The masses were on foot to get there. Some were on rooftops, or on donkeys. They were seeking out this Jesus with the unique healing powers and words of truth -- some just liked his free lunch. They traveled and gathered to listen to his teachings and they'd bring him their sick friends too.. their demon-possessed, their lame, their blind folk. He cared–He healed and met needs. They listened in astonishment when Jesus told em that the kingdom of God belongs to them (Luke 6:20), the common folk.
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to distribute and that’s what they did. The disciples gave the grub out to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of broken pieces that were left over.
On two separate occasions in the gospels, (in the four gospels), there's six biblical accounts. Two in Matthew, two in Mark, and then one each in Luke and John. Six times the Father gives the same lesson repeated for us--Christ feeds empty stomachs unto satisfaction. He can meet any need! Jag can't get no.. satisfaction.
Today is a different day. What are the potential issues with today's celebrity pastors? What even is a celebrity pastor? Actually, there have been several in our world for a really long time.
So what are some temptations that come alongside celebrity pastors?
Are some so-called celebrity pastors still sound and spiritually healthy? Sure, some are really gifted communicators, balanced, and just good at what they do in leading people in the right direction. Many people recognize this.
A celebrity pastor is one who, in addition to shepherding a local congregation, has attained a certain amount of celebrity—that is, he is famous and known far and wide. Celebrity pastors usually maintain a national or even international teaching platform. They typically use mass media to expand their reach and influence a multitude of hearts and minds from a distance. Podcasts, book deals, large social media followings, and large-venue speaking engagements are often part of a celebrity pastor’s experience. Being a celebrity pastor like BG, DavidJ, JnMaC, GL is not a sin. However, there are some potential issue/dangers (pride & lack of accountability.
First Timothy 3:1–7 defines the characteristics and qualifications of a pastor:
"Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap."
What's not wrong can become wrong for you depending on your thoughts and heart condition. Got any warnings regarding the Gold, the Glory, the Girls. Wine, Women, Wealth. becoming conceited -- especially apropos for a modern celebrity pastor.
Shepherding (with too much travel out) beyond one’s local congregation can be exhausting--it could lead to burnout. Nothin' wrong with wanting to reach and bless more sinners and saints globally. Focus your attention and energy on prayer/getting close to Jesus, on His local congregation (that when you think about it produces resources vid/audio/bks benefitting both the local church and the masses).
Selfie culture and Bible? Is taking a selfie narcissistic? Is it always vain to take a selfie?
So what does it mean that the Word of God will not return void? Isaiah 55:10–11 says, “As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, ..So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void” (KJV).
The word void means “empty.” The remainder of verse 11 explains what it means to “not return void,” saying that God’s Word “will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
When God says that His Word will not return to Him void, we can know that He has an intention for His Word. God’s Word is from above. He “breathed out” His words to us, and they were recorded in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16).
The word diva is the feminine form of the Latin term divus, which meant “god.” In English, diva came to refer to any popular female performer, especially a singer, but has also come to mean “a vain, temperamental, and demanding person who has difficulty working well with others.” Christians, who are not to be vain, temperamental, or demanding, should not be divas in the latter sense.
In our self-absorbed culture, diva attitudes are almost encouraged.
Genesis 45:16
Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.
Numbers 14:15
Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say,
Ezekiel 16:14
Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you,” declares the Lord God.
Joshua 6:27
So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land.
Joshua 9:9
They said to him, “Your servants have come from a very far country because of the fame of the Lord your God; for we have heard the report of Him and all that He did in Egypt,
1 Chronicles 14:17
Then the fame of David went out into all the lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him on all the nations.
1 Chronicles 22:5
David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore now I will make preparation for it.” So David made ample preparations before his death.
Isaiah 66:19
I will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have neither heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations.
Esther 9:4
Indeed, Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai became greater and greater.
1 Kings 4:31
For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations.
1 Kings 10:1
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with difficult questions.
1 Chronicles 12:30
Of the sons of Ephraim 20,800, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers’ households.
2 Chronicles 26:15
In Jerusalem he made engines of war invented by skillful men to be on the towers and on the corners for the purpose of shooting arrows and great stones. Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.
Matthew 4:24
The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.
Matthew 9:31
But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout all that land.
Luke 5:15
But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
Matthew 4:24
The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.
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