Morning Moments

A Celebrity Generation

1 Corinthians 1:12-13
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

My friend is a marvellous preacher. He doesn't always use proper grammar, but he says something when he preaches. He's an old man now, but he has probably never preached to more than a hundred. He never wrote a book, never was on TV, and never to my knowledge had a radio ministry, but as Shakespear put it, "He drank deep."

Sometimes I get deeply concerned that if a man is not a celebrity, although he may absolutely stir the hearts of those who hear him, nobody comes to his meetings.

The American Church is so conformed to the world that we would not even recognize God if He came to one of our meetings. I know that sounds critical, but please endulge me.

If God starts something somewhere, most of us are so skeptical that we want to find reason to discredit what is happening. I know there are nuts. I know there are those who are fakes. I know there are those who exploit the gospel for gain. I am not talking about them.

Paul had a problem with the Corinthians "celebrity syndrome." He said they were carnal because they were divided over personalities. Apollos was a silver tongued orator - "Oh, he is so well read and articulate." Others were wowed by Peter, the Pentecostal Preacher, and they were always looking for another pentecost from him. After all he was the famous Pentecostal Preacher. Still others would state, "We are followers of Paul, who may not be a great speaker, but just look at the books he has written."

Folks, PLEASE! Paul, Cephas, Apollos, Stanley, Smith, Jeremiah, and God knows who else are indeed men of God, but they want you following Jesus. If when they leave you only talk about them, YOU MISSED IT! Men of God don't wish to be idolized, but they do wish for you and me to be transformed into the likeness of CHRIST, by the Holy Spirit.

This silliness of autograph signing by celebrities is ridiculous (even if it is mine) - big smile. Seriously, it breaks my heart that some fancy evangelist can come into town and people can't wait to hear him, but where are the same people on Sunday and Wednesday?

It is hard for us to admit the truth about some things, and celebrity worship is one of them. Go see the man of God. Listen to the man of God. BUT support your pastor and love him and take care of him just as if he were a celebrity. A person is not an expert just because he lives in California or Timbucktwo. If he has been with God, then get with him, regardless of his name. If he is a teacher of the Word, he is worth double the support.

OOOOh, I had better stop meddling. But I love pastors! They are the ones who plow, plant, protect, and produce. The other guys just get in on the harvest.