(Kids and Youth work still running as normal) Summer 2018 One meeting at 10am Sunday 15th July to Sunday 2nd September (Kids and Youth work still running as normal)

…About Popularity

It has leaked into church culture too! The desire to be popular is as old as humanity, but we do face new pressures today: Social Media The desire to be famous It has leaked into church culture too!

Jesus on ‘popularity’: Luke 6v22-23: “Blessed are you when people hate you,  when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.” v26: “Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.”

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. Jesus on ‘popularity’: John 15v18-20: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.”

Jesus on ‘popularity’: John 6v60-62: “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before …” v66-68: “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You don’t want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Four questions: Why is Christianity sometimes unpopular? What are the dangers of desiring popularity? Why do people crave popularity? What should we do about it?

1. Why is Christianity sometimes unpopular? It tells people that they are sinners It tells people to repent of their sin It tells people that God is holy and will judge them It requires people to use their mind It is an exclusive faith It is a call to sacrifice and submission The world is not a neutral playing field

2. What are the dangers of desiring popularity? It makes us quick to compromise on truth It makes us quick to compromise on morality It makes us quick to be unkind to others It puts us under pressure to maintain it It leads to ongoing insecurity It is a form of idolatry It has the potential to damage our walk with God

3. Why do people crave popularity? Significance: To know our life matters and has purpose Security: Safety; food, shelter, companionship Acceptance: Belonging; intimacy and relationship

Significance: Performance and accomplishments Security: Status and recognition Acceptance: Appearance and admiration

Jesus gives us significance: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life” John 3 v 16

Jesus gives us security: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” Hebrews 13 v 5

Jesus gives us acceptance: “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never turn away.” John 6 v 37

4. What should we do about it?

…About Popularity