The Celebrity is Jesus, not the Pastor.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

 

John 12:32

And I, if I am ^[a]lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

(NKJV)

 

Back in 1 Corinthians 1:11-13, Paul expressed his concern regarding divisions in the Church with some claiming to be of Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ. Even in the time of the Corinthians when there was no media, internet, or social media for promotion, some had achieved celebrity status in the Church. With the addition of electronic media tools today, the problem of celebrity pastors is even more prevalent, and something all ministers of the Gospel must guard against. We must remember that the only celebrity in the Church is Jesus Christ with all glory going to Him.

 

The text begins with Paul asking that the Corinthians not think of him as a fool as he boasts a little (2 Corinthians 11:16). He then tells them that what he is about to say is not according to the Lord but foolish in the confidence of boasting (2 Corinthians 11:17). Paul joins the many who boast according to the flesh because the Corinthians gladly put up with fools since they believe they are so wise (2 Corinthians 11:18-19). The Corinthians have gladly put up with fools bringing them into bondage, devouring them, stealing from them, and exalting themselves while striking them in the face (2 Corinthians 11:20). To Paul’s shame, he and those with him were too weak for that (2 Corinthians 11:21).

 

Paul then moves from boasting to his suffering for Christ. Those boasting to the Corinthians are Hebrews, Israelites, and of the seed of Abraham like Paul (2 Corinthians 11:22). Paul asks if the boasters are ministers of Christ, speaking as a fool for he is more in labors, stripes, with frequent imprisonments, often in death, and receiving scourging from the Jews (2 Corinthians 11:23-24). Paul has suffered beating with rods, been stoned, shipwrecked (2 Corinthians 11:25). Paul has suffered perils in water, from robbers, from his countrymen, from Gentiles, in the city, in the wilderness, at sea, and from false brethren (2 Corinthians 11:26). Paul has been weary, sleepless, hungry, thirsty, fasting often, suffering cold and nakedness (2 Corinthians 11:27). Despite all this, Paul’s main concern is for all the churches burning with indignation for the weak who stumble under the foolish teaching of those boasting in the flesh (2 Corinthians 11:28-29).

 

If Paul must boast, he will boast in the things which concern his infirmity, with God the Father aware he is not lying (2 Corinthians 11:30-31, 12:7). Paul gives the example of when the governor of Damascus guarded the city, seeking to arrest Paul (2 Corinthians 11:32). Paul escaped in a basket that was let down through a window in the wall (2 Corinthians 11:33).

 

Paul is reluctant in his boasting because he does not want to boast about his knowledge and abilities but about what the Lord has done through him. His boasting of the Lord has come with much suffering, but he presses on for the Lord. Paul mentions how the Corinthians have put up with foolish teaching even though it brought them into bondage, spiritually devoured them, and took from them to exalt the foolish teacher (2 Corinthians 11:19). Paul’s ministering for the Lord has brought suffering and not glory to himself, illustrating Paul is not interested in glorifying himself but the Lord (2 Corinthians 11:22-27). This also illustrates the transformation of Christ in Paul’s life as one who previously persecuted the Church to gain notoriety among his peers (Galatians 1:11-14) and now offers himself up as a sacrifice serving to glorify God and not himself (Romans 12:1). Paul’s boasting is in the transformation that occurred in his life when he encountered Christ (Acts 9:1-9).

 

Ministers and leaders in the Church must continually ask themselves if they are ministering to receive accolades for themselves or to bring glory to God. The pastor of a Church can quickly achieve celebrity status in the world through media, social media, or writing a best-selling book. The devil tempted Jesus to become the leader of the world, bypassing the suffering of the cross, if he would bow down and worship Satan (Luke 4:5-7). Fortunately for all humanity, Jesus chose the path of suffering by going to the cross to provide salvation for our sins and will become the leader of the World when he returns to defeat, not worship, Satan.

 

Ministers in Churches can achieve great fame and wealth through achieving celebrity status in the world, but this comes through the glorification of self and not the glorification of God. Uncompromisingly ministering the truth of God’s Word brings glory to God, at the expense of persecution to self but glorifies the one who overcame the world through His resurrection (John 16:33). I urge those called to minister God’s Word to continually check to ensure they do it to bring glory to God and not self.

 

If you are reading this post and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.