1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Hero Worship and Living for the Glory of Christ
How do we navigate the world for the glory of Christ?
How do we spread the truth of the Gospel, deepen our faith and sacrifice for others?
Hero worship is when we admire someone for unholy reasons, their sin and all.
We can admire the gifts of people like Taylor Swift without worshipping her. This applies to politics as well.
We must shift our focus and admiration away from people to Christ.
Holy Emulation
Philippians 3:17
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
God wants us to emulate Christ first then those around us that have wisdom and humility.
Our modern value system of worshipping people who are famous or do something (good or bad) is of this world. It is shallow and harmful.
The pleasures and interests of the present are temporary and fleeting.
Christ Above All Else
We all admire other people for their God given talents and their God given abilities.
However we are all the worst of sinners and only our living Lord Jesus is without sin.
Our Lord is the smartest man alive. He has complete knowledge of all things.
Make Jesus your center of worship and admiration.
Puritan Thomas Brooks said the following: "Christ is a most precious commodity, he is better than rubies or the most costly pearls; and we must part with our old gold, with our shining gold, our old sins, our most shining sins, or we must perish forever. Christ is to be sought and bought with any pains, at any price; we can not buy this gold too dear. He is a jewel more worth than a thousand worlds, as all know who have him. Get him, and get all; miss him and miss all."
Taylor Swift vs. Jesus (she's not that important)
Video from Pastor Mark Driscoll
"Take us to church, Taylor!” was one of the many call-and-response rituals between Taylor Swift and the millions of fans who flocked to stadiums during the spring and summer of 2023 to gather around the music and persona of Taylor Swift.
It’s not the first time fans have gathered around the work of a legendary musician and referred to it as “church.”.." from the article: The Debate over Concert Worship Goes Back Eras