Scripture:

John 7:

16Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

Observation:

Jesus knew that he did nothing on his own…but rather everything the Father asked of him.  He also knew that meant that all that he did was meant to honor the Father…not himself.  The same is true for anyone who speaks for God…the honor is not meant for the speaker…but rather for God alone!

Application:

I’m not a Rock Star.  Never will be.  Not just because I can’t play a chord on the guitar or sing a note that would be considered pleasing to the ear but because in whatever I do I try my best to not make it about me.  I know not all Rock Stars are self important but there does seem to be a trend. 

I attended a conference where some of the best “christian speakers” in the country were invited to share with us their insights on ministry.  If you were to ask them they would say that they were not Rock Stars.  I actually believe them.  Well…most of them.  It’s their “followers” that I don’t trust.  At times you could almost sense a “groupie” type of atmosphere.

One successful pastor put it really well.  When asked about how he deals with the “Rock Star / Celebrity” status that some perceive of him he said…”The truth is we don’t know what we are doing”.  It was about God for this pastor.  Not about “honor for himself”.  He’s not a Rock Star…and we need to stop treating him and others like him that way. 

Jesus even says that the honor was not for him but for the Father.

Be sure to only lift up the one who is truly worthy to be worshiped.

Prayer:

All honor is due to you God.  I pray I never take any of it for myself or bestow it upon anyone else except you!  I pray in Jesus name, Amen.