Every time I read in the Bible that Jesus walked away from the crowd, I was always confused on why He did such thing if His purpose on this earth was to attend to the crowd and teach them the love of God. I then began to think that God ran from the crowd so that He could find moments in isolation with only God and Himself. Ive never interpreted it in the way you preached it. Thank you, Alex!!! You have a gift of understanding and preaching Gods word with such a deep connection and meaning to the way God works.
I would add, although He was/is the only way to the Father, He still walked the earth to exalt doing and living the will of God. He also knew He would not walk the earth in the physical forever and the idea of that even caused Peter to open the door to satan. “Satan get the behind me!” His holy sacrifice on the cross is the only reason we have a way to be reconciled back to the Father by the shedding of His blood. He was the living word in the flesh. How can He teach and lead us to be reconciled to the Father if He knew the eternal word is that we must walk by faith and not by sight. The righteous are made righteous by faith in the holy will of God, in Christ Jesus, who no longer walks the earth Himself in the flesh. The glory of God is still reflected through His true sons and daughters, aside from His signs, wonders & miracles in the earth…1 Peter 1:7-25
That’s one reason. There are several reasons for it. Other times, He would leave because the crowd was about to try to arrest Him. Other times still, He would leave because if He stayed, they would try to make Him king and that would’ve prevented prophecy from playing out.
Not only did Jesus run from popularity, he ran from abundance of money too. I love the story of when the rich man asked Jesus what he had to do to enter the kingdom of heaven. He stated that he had kept all of the commandments since he was a child, but Jesus told him one thing that he hadn’t done: “Sell all of your possessions and give the money to the poor, then follow me.” Jesus could’ve easily made him a disciple and used his money to help support his ministry. Instead, Jesus told him to do the opposite!
Because it’s God who saves! He doesn’t want us to get blinded to thinking that we do anything to help save people. Thankfully he uses us, and that grows us, but He gives the produce!
He didn’t necessarily run away from it, he had a right relationship to money. After all, he had women supporting him financially. As his followers we also need to have a right relationship with money. Giving it all away isn’t always the right path.
This really showed me how far I've matured in my walk. I used to be an internal " look at me, look at me" person. "Pay attention to me", person. Now I want no parts of that. I've been blessed with the peace of Christ and now I'm so content. Pastor Alex I pray on Jesus' name that you triumph over this issue. Also just pull the band-aid of Instagram off. Jesus will make sure you will get the views you need. Peace Brother! Love you
Popularity destroyed and corrupted my family! My father chose to seek after it and was later lead astray by Lust. It invited chaos into our home. Who ever reads this please take this as a warning, Nothing that the Lord does not want for you is good. Have faith and listen to God even when you do not understand! God love you dearly!
Hey Alex, I wanted to give you a quick word of encouragement. I am a trying to be a professional musician. I currently live in Nashville and the Lord has been faithful and I am starting to see success. But I have always struggled with trying to be the best guy in the room and trying to make people think I am the best guy in the room. But recently I have trying to deny myself and glorify God in all things and you have been helping me through that. I realized that all of my successes were gifts from God and I don't deserve them so I have nothing to brag about. Thanks for the guidance bro!
Popularity has definitely shifted my focus. I felt the need to create content instead of living in the moment (still sometimes do.) I've been feeling convicted and deleted Instagram and Facebook. I never understood why Jesus would leave the crowds. Thank you for enlightening us with the knowledge the Holy Spirit has revealed in you. May God bless you and your family.
im getting baptised this week im really scared but also excited!!! ive been watching the podcast for a year now and boy has it changed me i never would touch the bible to almost reading it everyday!!!
Thank you brother! Ever since I watched the simple and quiet life video, it has really changed the way I look at social media. We see it all the time, “influencers” or musicians start off giving honor to God, but something changes over time that damages their relationship with him. Pride, money and lust are scary things, and God doesn’t want us to put ourselves in situations where they can overtake us.
It really is up to us to keep our relationship with God a two-way street, even with our careers. Just yesterday, I heard a quote from the Girls Gone Bible podcast that went something like “God will never want us to sin to sustain ourselves financially.” This video about popularity has definitely confirmed what God’s been telling me about lately :)
"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." James 4:17. That doesn't mean sitting on your hands and allowing depravity to take over this or any other country. It means loving your neighbor by trying to keep them safe from their own destruction. Being educated and ready for any good work. Not being lazy and making it your duty to know what the spirit of God say's by his sword, which is His word. That means telling people the truth and helping them understand why God's way is the way of peace. Understanding how to apply the word to every situation. The question has been answered. It is in His word!
One thing i've learned the past few months. Sometimes God will put you in the darkness so you can look up and see the stars. Hopefully this helps someone.
I have a ministry at my school and it's been hard for the past few weeks, I have been tempted to give up and be like the world and do everything that they are doing but I'm still going strong because of Jesus
I’ve been in ministry for 30 years, and the need for approval from others is real and brutal, especially with the way we measure success today. But where the Spirit of the Lord is there there is liberty. Sometimes we need to ask not “where there is success?” but “where is the Spirit?”
Just earlier today I was on Pinterest searching Purpose over Popularity quotes 🥺 now I jump on RU-vid and this the first video that popped up…just wow! 😅 Holy Spirit, I’m listening. 🙌🏾
A thought that came to me is that the devil was thrown out of heaven because he wanted to be praised. And when someone becomes popular, not only does that mean that they are going with the world’s waters but also that means that they are being praised. But praise should only be reserved for our Heavenly Father!!
Alex I really love your podcast with Lokelani and these videos you post yourself. I get a sudden urge to be with the lord when I watch your videos and listen to your preaching. Thank you for your good work. Love you and all the others watching.
I’m absolutely blessed to have found your RU-vid. I’m a little older than you but your message resonate in spirit. I’ve shared your videos with my 20-something year old niece and kids so they can see spirituality in a different and more relatable perspective. God bless you 👏🏿
Thank you Alex for this powerful and convicting message. Thank you for encouraging us your brothers and sisters in Christ. God bless your family, Amen. 😇🙏🏻❤️✝️
Dear brother Alex, Are you and your family safe? The Lahaina fires on Maui have been so devastating. I don't know where in the Hawaiian islands you live, but I'm praying for y'all as well as Maui and all of the Hawaiian Islanders. Please check in, even for a brief statement if you're able to and tell us mainlander brethren how we can help Love and concern! - Jenna
Aloha Alex. I hope you and your family are safe from the wildfires. I know yall haven't been on in awhile. I have thought about yall and pray you guys are safe.
I think being a Christian and varsity athlete this is something we wrestle with subconsciously without even realizing until we’ve quit the team or gotten injured for a long period of time. Especially when you’re turning away from what’s deemed “popular”, and trying to show God’s beauty through that it can be hard to stay consistent and find joy in doing so. But this video really reassured me that if Jesus can do it, then whos to say we can’t? Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”!!!
I loved this video. Running away from popularity is a great thing to do. Don't feel bad about the # of views you get or the amount of reposts though! The Word will always pierce the hearts of many bc it is God's Word and you're walking in your destiny that God gave you so all of Heaven is backing you! Jesus wants us to spread the gospel which is what you're doing! i hope your videos reaches and convicts the hearts of millions🙏🏽🤍
I really listened and wrote down notes watching this video. The way you found the message from this verse just opened my eyes immediately. I need help to understand Gods Word the way its intended. Thank you for these videos that really help and push me towards improving that.
Dear Brother in Christ, I deeply appreciate your humility and today's message. So insightful and valuable treasure is this word of God explained. Between this message and the "Be still and know that I'm God" message, I am quite equipped to face my day through Christ who strengthens me. Know that you are covered in prayer dear brother- you and your precious family. - Jenna 💦🔥🙏🙌
so good man I needed this is so true seeing that popularity always drags you back in sin and I'm seeing this recently with wanting to make more friends at nineteen. I've slowly but surely stepped away from what I know is right and have been doing so by trying to fit in but the more I have the more I saw the new me go away and wait for me to come back to God and his word/way. i deleted social media for a while and was able to really connect with go but when I downloaded those apps Agin I went back to looking at sin and becoming a part of the crowd it's a scary thing I want God to save us from.
I want you to keep growing in your platforms, so that the message god has put in you to share reaches more people, because this blessed me and i pray you continue to put god first in your ministry brother, god bless you
I love your honestly in this, in your own sin struggles with popularity. Personally, I struggle with doing things out of people pleasing in a way and doubting myself when there's so many people around me saying so many different things. I love that the more I slow down and look at how Jesus lived I see how he rejected that way of living, he lived in freedom and his primary concern was God and I should live the same way.
Your channel is so spirit filled and I'm often led to the channel over others when I'm in need of encouragement. I'm always edified and learning from your podcasts. Thanks brother!
Amen! Amen! I love your heart! I appreciate your rawness and vulnerability. Thank you for showing us Jesus. Praying for you, your family, and your ministry.
I believe you Alex, you're true. This really got me thinking. I'm learning to dance myself, and sometimes I feel like He wants me to dance just for Him, to live simply, and let popularity be
This made me feel better, I could feel within my spirit that it was good. I’ll admit that I don’t chase crowds, popularity or even wanting to be noticed. However, I do try and uplift others with my speaking and/or commenting. I don’t take any credit for myself when I know that it is He that is in me, and oftentimes I’d rather go another way.
Thank you for your transparency Alex. Very straight forward and honestly what many of us need to hear. My prayers are with you and your family as you continue to move in the likeness of Jesus.
I’ve always have dreams of making art, having a lot of people see it. And up until now I liked the idea of being widely known. But after the video I released that, popularity should never be the end goal in my life, It should be to glorify God.
Thanks for the message brother!! So good man. Thanks for all the help in our walks with Christ man. Thank you. I pray the Heavenly Father would rebuke any evil spirit and that He would bless you in every way so the Heavenly Father’s will shall be done and no one else’s! I pray the Lord would move in all ways because the Lord is all in all and all that we need and have! We pray this all in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!!✝️❤️👊
This was an amazing video. I gained so much respect for you after this because of your heart posture. This is the heart God looks for when He elevates people. I pray the Lord sustains you in the spot light.
I used to watch your videos and then I got out of the habit for a while, but I am still subscribed. This one caught my attention and so I watched it. You’re right about the need to run away from popularity. I just noticed that your wife was not in it with you, but she always was before. Is this a permanent change or one time thing? I may get back into the habit of watching your videos. I’ve been watching a couple other pastors lately, but I really appreciate your honesty about your own struggles and your humility. Don’t ever change that! God bless you and your ministry, brother! Amen!
Glad you touched on this topic, this is how the enemy creeps in with some pride and hunger for power to be worshiped. The devil is a liar we worship the most high God.
Love how you break the scriptures down so that we can really understand the word. Alex I have gained peace of mind through your channel and living in simplicity. I just want to say keep making the videos on here as well as the podcasts. Please keep them coming alex, provides me with relaxation when i am at work dealing with spirits of the world. Love you man 🙏
Thanks for being so open Alex! A couple of things thagt might be helpful to mention: 1. This seems like something that many pastors of local churches struggle with too, particularly with regards to the numbers in their congregation being a marker for christian vs secular 'success'. There might be some wisdom to gain from pastors who have gone through similar situations. 2. An older christian friend once said to me that it's wierd how sometimes we want a heavier cross to bear. He said what if God just wants me to live a normal life, being a teacher for the rest of my working life. He said that at times he almost wanted to suffer more for the gospel. I found this eye opening and see a similar situation with your struggle with popularity... what if God does want you to have a large audience on social media/ podcasts etc. These things aren't clear cut of course and you are clearly going about this the right way. Keep reading and praying, but also count on the wisdom of those who have gone before you and that you trust.
