“Popularity Offers People United Leverage Always
Readily Inspiring Towards Yeshua! (P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y)”
Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher
SCRIPTURE:
"A few days later,
when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come
home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the
door, and he preached the word to them. (Mark 2:1-2, NIV)
Observations:
I asked myself what did Jesus do?
1.
A few days later, Jesus again entered
Capernaum.
2.
Jesus preached the Word to them.
I asked myself what do we learn about the
people?
1.
The people heard that he had come home.
2.
So many gathered that there was no room
left, not even outside the door.
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what is the significance of
the cause-effect relationships here?
It was the loving presence and power of Jesus that drew
people to Jesus making everyone want to see Jesus. After the people
gathered, Jesus could have done many things but Jesus takes it as a
witnessing opportunity to preach the Word to them. It is very
interesting that Jesus would spend time right away preaching the Word
right after He comes home, emphasizing the importance of the Word and
God's laws. Everyone there could have seen Jesus as their friend and
Jesus did not want to disappoint but give them the Good News.
Jesus used His popularity to speak the Word of God and the Truth the
people needed to hear. Jesus was about proclaiming God's Kingdom using
His popularity because Jesus knew the Word of God has the keys to
Eternal Life.
In the Word as we look back, we do learn about man's condition and
God's grace. When man was separated from God due to his sinful nature,
God in His love for humanity sent Jesus Christ into the world to preach
the Word to them. This was a stepping stone to what Jesus would
eventually do which is to die for the sins of humanity so that His
precious cleansing blood can redeem humanity from the bondage of sin to
those who turn to Him. Jesus became the Initiator on the cross to save
man by His grace and man can receive the free gift of grace God has to
offer.
If man rejects this grace then man continues to be condemned but when
man accepts the grace and forgiveness offered because of Jesus'
sacrificial death on the cross then man is set free and can use His life
now for the advancement for the Kingdom of God.
Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life.
If the Lord gives me popularity, I need to use my popularity to preach God's Word too so Jesus can be
known to whoever I come in contact with.When people
heard Jesus had come home, they gathered around Jesus and Jesus preached
to them the Word of God. Jesus used his popularity to preach God's Word.
I ask you now dear friend,
what do you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y
in life?
Dear friend, there are those that are popular who have used their popularity for selfish
reasons instead of for the good of others. Jesus used His popularity for
the good of mankind. Jesus could have done many good things when He came home
but He focused first on giving the crowds
gathered there God's Word, so they can be helped. We need to
do the same if we ever become popular.
Jesus did not use His popularity for selfish gain but for the
advancement of other people into His Kingdom so that they can be saved
from the clutches of Satan who comes as a roaring lion.
We should use our popularity to let others know about Jesus Christ and
point others to Jesus and not to ourselves.
The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, seek, and save
the lost.
That should be our main goal to serve, seek, and save the lost as our
Lord Jesus helps us.
If we are given the opportunity to preach,
we should take it depending on the Lord's guidance and help. If we are given other
opportunities because of our popularity, whatever opportunities they
are, they should be used for the advancement of the Gospel.
Friend, God places us in strategic locations at strategic times for His
Kingdom's sake.
For you were brought here for such a time as this.
Your popularity can
be used for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. I speak from
experience my friend.
You see friend, I was very popular for many years and have tried to use my popularity as a means to ministry in
the hopes of drawing people to Christ.
I joined facebook
on November 2006 so that I can use facebook as a tool to reach others
with the love of Jesus Christ. When I became really popular on facebook,
I took that more of an opportunity for Christ. Whatever I do on facebook
is a means to influence others on biblical truths, politically, or as a springboard in
the hopes others will come and check out the Bible verses pertaining to
Salvation, the devotionals I write pertaining to God's Word from the Gospel
according to Mark, etc. I thank the Lord Jesus that facebook has been
used as a means to ministry.
Friend, no matter where you are, you can use your popularity for the
furthering of God's Kingdom and His work.
If I have popularity, I intend to use any popularity I have to promote the Word of God and preach it
through spoken Word and written Word as opportunities arise.
May you use your popularity for the Kingdom of God to make Jesus known
and be known by Him in your words and deeds so God's Word can transform
and change lives! Amen!
"Popularity Offers People United Leverage Always
Readily Inspiring Towards Yeshua!" (P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y)/"What do
you do with your P.O.P.U.L.A.R.I.T.Y in life?"
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much when people heard that you had come
home, they all gathered to see you and you used your popularity to
preach the Word to them. Thank you Jesus for taking that opportunity and
reminding me and all of us when we are popular, we can use that
opportunity for advancing your Gospel so that people can be saved. Help
me to do that and others to do that. Oh Lord, I also pray right now for
those that are popular but have used their popularity for selfish
reasons. Please forgive them Oh Lord and bring them to you. Forgive me
Lord when I have gone my own way too. And Lord thank you for the
importance of your Word. Help us to dwell in your Word richly Lord so we
can be guided by you. Thanks so much Jesus. Thank you for hearing us and
answering us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Lord Jesus,
You are my all in
all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my
Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy
righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your
hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so
that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your
presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh
God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you.
When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you
Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is
available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering
us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a
vineyard song called “All in All”)
"May my spoken words and
unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my
Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in
and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with
the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend.
You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word
reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you
and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before
moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to
which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be
part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible
believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to
Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who
brings us hope, healing, and help!
May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and
forever! Amen!
Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you
are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and
everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t
base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of
our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!
Feel free to email
me at
reddy4hisglory@gmail.com
if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with,
talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is
412-641-9426
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
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