Christian Celebrity?

1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

He said you are so willing to be religious, but only when it is easy. They were envious of each other, arguing and debating over who is the best speaker, purely because certain speakers would appeal to their intellectual ideas and educated minds. Those who weren't as well educated as these former pagans, those who weren't as knowledgeable of the law, as were the Jewish converts, and those who had little philosophical understanding, as the Greek and Roman converts, well, you can begin to understand why they were having trouble getting along. There was so much quarreling and debating over ideas and man centered focus, when the main focus should have been the Word, and Christ Himself-not the minister. It's not the messenger that is to be glorified, and exalted, but the Message. The Christ, the Holy one of God who shed His blood for us that we might have life. This was all still desiring to please the flesh, certain speakers appealed to certain ideals and expectations they brought with them out of the world.

Paul said, you are acting like normal, earthly men, not sons and daughters of God who have eternal life living within them. You make too big of a deal about the things that don't really matter, in this temporary life. It's the world and day that is coming that matters. He reminded them, we are only ministers, teaching what we have learned from the Lord, by the power of the Holy Ghost, to you. We try to instill within you the seeds of truth, and doctrine, and we trust God to water what we've sowed, by building on it, truth, upon truth. But it's the life of God, the power of God that enlarges and causes the seed to grow.

1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

There should be no Christian celebrities. You might not like that statement, and you might not agree with it. Consider what the Word says. So much of the church copies the world. The world has their celebrities, so does Christianity. The movie stars and music stars are grossly overpaid, live in luxury, and have their award shows and pat each other on the back, and that is the world. The celebrity mentality is guilt over success and a need to feel like they are actually "making a difference" and they pass out awards to each other and praise each other. That is the way of the world, one can expect this kind of behavior. But, Christians are supposed to be different. Christ is supposed to be the focus and receive all the glory. It bothers me that the Christian singers and musicians have been tricked into following this same example. So much flesh being glorified, while God gets lip service. How much money is wasted to put on these 'awards shows' and hand out meaningless trophies for 'best song of the year' or best new vocalist, and how in the name of all that is holy does God get glory out of those who are supposed to be a separate, called out people, following the traditions of the world? If we are doing all we do for the glory and honor of God, as it is supposed to be, then why, oh why, do we give in to this need to be recognized, and honored by the public, for what we do? That need for self recognition must be crucified. People, those who walk this path have already received their reward in the public recognition and praise of men they have received. (See Matthew 6:2-5)

Can you imagine the Lord, and His disciples, the apostles, behaving in such a way? No. Flesh wants to stand in the spotlight, even if it's a religious spotlight and bask in adoration, compliments, and praise of men. Those who plant and sow the seed of the Word, the Gospel, whether in song, music, or ministry, should not think more highly of themselves than they should. Paul said I was with you, and I spoke to you the things of God, but I didn't use big fancy words, or flashy gimmicks, no, but there was a real demonstration of the Holy Spirit and the power of God because flesh did not try to touch the glory. Paul did not want to draw attention and build their faith up on the man speaking, but in the invisible, and almighty God. (1 Cor 2:3-5). That's the pattern, church. Self gets nothing and God gets everything. That's only fair, since HE alone brings life, deliverance, help and hope. He alone makes the difference. I love good Gospel music. I love Christian praise and worship music. But flesh is polluting so much of it. When the Holy Spirit is in charge, advertisement and marketing methods are not necessary. He draws, He provides, He moves, and Christ is glorified and people are truly delivered as HE breaks the yokes.