So You Want to Be Popular

Introduction:

Much of God’s covenant with Israel dealt with human relations. Ex. 23:2a is an important decree. The passage explicitly pointed out danger of being led astray by evil men. Everyone wants to be accepted by his or her peers. This is why passages such as 1 Cor. 15:33 are so important. Here, we are cautioned against the dangers of peer pressure being exerted by those who are void of spiritual convictions & virtues. The desire to be popular has robbed many a person of their spiritual vitality.

I. Some misconceptions on what it means to be popular.

A.         What does it mean to you to be popular?

B.         The Pressure to conform can be intense.

C.         Need to be prepared for it & have counter-measures ready.

II. Bible Characters who sought popularity and compromised spirituality.

A.         Rehoboam – 1 Kings 12

1.           12:6-7 – elders sought to persuade him to grant their petition.

2.          12:8-11 – listened to counsel of his peers. See 12:14.

3.          Rehoboam’s peers led him to a bad decision. Cost him greatly.

B.         Peter – Matthew 26

1.           Mt. 26:25; Lk. 22:33 – Peter had said…

2.          26:58 – Peter followed at a distance after Jesus’ arrest

3.          Enters courtyard. Stood with the wrong crowd; the enemies of Jesus.

                                                                                           a.         Mt. 26:69-74 – upon being asked about his allegiance to Jesus, he cursed, swore, and denied that he even knew him.

4.          Peter – alone in a crowd of unbelievers, enemies of Christ, relented to peer pressure.

C.         Is there a lesson here?

1.           When we are alone, with the wrong crowd, we are at the most vulnerable moment of our spiritual life.

D.        2 More examples:

1.           John 12:42-43 – pressure played a role in rejection of Jesus by those in the synagogue.

2.          Mt. 14:1-12; Mk. 6:23 – peer pressure was a factor in the murder of John the Baptist.

III. Bible Characters who Battled Peer Pressure and Won

A.         Not all characters of the bible collapsed under the pressure of their associates.

B.         Noah – Gen. 6:8-12 - We owe our existence to Noah.

C.         Moses – Heb. 11:24-27

D.        Elijah – 1 Kings 18 – Mt. Carmel victory

E.         Job - Job 1-2 - Talk about pressure – wife comment – 2:9 Response? 2:10

IV. How did these bible characters succeed?

A.         Undying loyalty to God and dedication to what is right. Consider Job. See 27:3-6

B.         An extreme faith & trust in God. Consider Elijah. 1 Kings 18:17-22

C.         A desire for the spiritual. Consider Moses.

1.           Heb. 11:25 – pleasures of this world are a passing thing.

2.          Heb. 11:26 – Moses looked for the reward.

3.          Heb. 11:27 – Moses endured, seeing him who is unseen.

D.        Uncompromising stance on morality. Consider Noah.

1.           Gen. 6:5, 12 – think things are bad now?  What about living back then?

2.          Some matters are not open to negotiation. Sexual purity; integrity; character; godliness

Conclusion:

A.         Ex. 23:2b; 1 Cor. 15:33. There is truth here.

B.         How strong is your walk in the Lord?