The recent barrage of celebrity deaths certainly has members of the media running around trying to find the latest rumors and celebrity gossip about what killed who... and how they lived their final moments...and who gets their stuff... custody of Jackson's children was even questioned... all of which is certain to lead to long, drawn out legal cases and bitter disputes between surviving family members over the estates of these celebrities. These are my thoughts on celebrities, the lives they live, the deaths they die and the celebration they receive.
According to www.dictionary.com (my preferred online dictionary), the word celebrity means famous one, fame, renown and derives from the word celebration, like a festival. We as a society have elevated these "celebrities" to lives that we feel should be celebrated. Many people grow up seeking the fame, fortune and star power of having their names flashing in lights outside theaters and stadiums. If you don't believe me, watch the next season of American Idol or most any other reality show. Hollywood has generated a lifestyle that many millions would love to live. It is this lifestyle, the lifestyle of the rich and famous, that many seek after in throngs on these TV shows which provide an opportunity, regardless of how slim a chance, to become the next big star, act, dancer, whatever. [Let the record be clear: I am an avid viewer of Idol & America's Got Talent and believe them to be wildly entertaining-my DVR doesn't miss an episode of either] That being said, I see the need to point out that while society idolizes, worships and celebrates these stars as some type of super human personalities, we must remember they are humans...Besides the lifestyle they live and the $$$ they have, they are just like each of us. They were born, they breathe the same air and as the last 2 weeks have served to remind us, they also die. All people will face death one day(Heb. 9:27).
The following question was posed by Jesus: For what shall it profit a man if He shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36, also ref. Matt. 16:26) So, while we may seek after the glamor and wealth that our celebrities have attained here on earth,-when life is over for us, does any of it even matter? I'm just like you and while I never thought about such a comparison before, I'm also like Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Ed McMahon and all human beings on this earth. None of us know the eternal destiny of any of these stars. However, one thing is sure: they are experiencing eternity right now (2 Cor. 5:8). Regardless of how Michael Jackson lived his life, he is in eternity and He knows the truth now. As someone said, "Even the 'King of Pop' must bow to the King of Kings" The Bible says that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father(Phil. 2:9-11). You see, Christ is higher than all, He is above all things and all people, including celebrities of this world.
Each of these celebrities was talented and entertaining. Truth is, if you were to break down their life into chapters, we'd find that their life was full of choices - just like ours. Due to the nature of their lives being followed by the media and paparazzi, their choices were on full display to the world, and the results of those choices were magnified. Sadly, some of their choices resulted in tragic chapters of their lives and in some instances, shorter lives. All people have many different choices to make in life. My daily choices may be different from yours and are certainly different from most Hollywood celebrities'. However, everyone, yes even Hollywood's celebrities, must make a choice about Christ in this life. The entire human race finds him or her self in one of two categories. While ethnically, culturally, geographically and religiously diverse in many different ways, scenarios, lifestyles and circumstances, we are each one of 2 kind of people: Believers or unbelievers in Christ. We've either accepted Christ as our Savior, or we haven't. That's it! If you haven't, your soul is lost and without Christ. If you die with your own soul lost, there is no profit. That's why Jesus asked rhetorically, For what shall it profit a man if He shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? He's basically saying when we go to the grave, we will take nothing with us from this earth. We will meet our Maker and only one thing will determine our destiny: What we chose to do with Christ! I know this much, I'd much rather miss out on the riches and profit of this world in exchange for the riches of Christ for all eternity. Choose today, right now, to settle your eternal destiny so you can know for sure that even after physical death you can have eternal life with God through Christ.
How can you know for sure that you have Eternal Life? By trusting in Christ today, you can rest secure in knowing that no matter what happens in this life, you will end up in Heaven with your Maker, and your Savior!
The central theme of the Bible is that we can know for certain no matter when death comes, we will live in the presence of God forever. How can we know this for sure?
It is as simple as A-B-C:
Admitting... You are a sinner.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."-Romans 3:23-
Believing...Jesus Christ died for your sins.
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."-Romans 5:6-
Confessing... Receiving Him into your life by faith and trusting Him as Savior.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." -Romans 10:9-
You can receive Christ as your Savior by praying something like this:
Dear God, Thank you for working in my life. I know that I have sinned and violated your law. I cannot deal with the consequences of my sin on my own. I believe that you sent your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to die on the cross and pay for my sins. I believe you rose Him from the dead. I repent of my sins and believe in my heart that you will save me. As best I know how, I am placing my faith in Jesus Christ and inviting you into my life as Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen!
In closing, society and this entire world system has things all backwards. We, like celebrities live and then die - the only things that matter are what we do with and for Christ. I submit to you that a life given to Christ is a greater cause for celebration. As a matter of fact, Luke 15:10 says, the angels rejoice when one repents. Truly, a celebrity is not one who gains much on this earth, but rather one who chose to make Christ Lord of his/her life!
According to www.dictionary.com (my preferred online dictionary), the word celebrity means famous one, fame, renown and derives from the word celebration, like a festival. We as a society have elevated these "celebrities" to lives that we feel should be celebrated. Many people grow up seeking the fame, fortune and star power of having their names flashing in lights outside theaters and stadiums. If you don't believe me, watch the next season of American Idol or most any other reality show. Hollywood has generated a lifestyle that many millions would love to live. It is this lifestyle, the lifestyle of the rich and famous, that many seek after in throngs on these TV shows which provide an opportunity, regardless of how slim a chance, to become the next big star, act, dancer, whatever. [Let the record be clear: I am an avid viewer of Idol & America's Got Talent and believe them to be wildly entertaining-my DVR doesn't miss an episode of either] That being said, I see the need to point out that while society idolizes, worships and celebrates these stars as some type of super human personalities, we must remember they are humans...Besides the lifestyle they live and the $$$ they have, they are just like each of us. They were born, they breathe the same air and as the last 2 weeks have served to remind us, they also die. All people will face death one day(Heb. 9:27).
The following question was posed by Jesus: For what shall it profit a man if He shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36, also ref. Matt. 16:26) So, while we may seek after the glamor and wealth that our celebrities have attained here on earth,-when life is over for us, does any of it even matter? I'm just like you and while I never thought about such a comparison before, I'm also like Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Ed McMahon and all human beings on this earth. None of us know the eternal destiny of any of these stars. However, one thing is sure: they are experiencing eternity right now (2 Cor. 5:8). Regardless of how Michael Jackson lived his life, he is in eternity and He knows the truth now. As someone said, "Even the 'King of Pop' must bow to the King of Kings" The Bible says that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father(Phil. 2:9-11). You see, Christ is higher than all, He is above all things and all people, including celebrities of this world.
Each of these celebrities was talented and entertaining. Truth is, if you were to break down their life into chapters, we'd find that their life was full of choices - just like ours. Due to the nature of their lives being followed by the media and paparazzi, their choices were on full display to the world, and the results of those choices were magnified. Sadly, some of their choices resulted in tragic chapters of their lives and in some instances, shorter lives. All people have many different choices to make in life. My daily choices may be different from yours and are certainly different from most Hollywood celebrities'. However, everyone, yes even Hollywood's celebrities, must make a choice about Christ in this life. The entire human race finds him or her self in one of two categories. While ethnically, culturally, geographically and religiously diverse in many different ways, scenarios, lifestyles and circumstances, we are each one of 2 kind of people: Believers or unbelievers in Christ. We've either accepted Christ as our Savior, or we haven't. That's it! If you haven't, your soul is lost and without Christ. If you die with your own soul lost, there is no profit. That's why Jesus asked rhetorically, For what shall it profit a man if He shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? He's basically saying when we go to the grave, we will take nothing with us from this earth. We will meet our Maker and only one thing will determine our destiny: What we chose to do with Christ! I know this much, I'd much rather miss out on the riches and profit of this world in exchange for the riches of Christ for all eternity. Choose today, right now, to settle your eternal destiny so you can know for sure that even after physical death you can have eternal life with God through Christ.
How can you know for sure that you have Eternal Life? By trusting in Christ today, you can rest secure in knowing that no matter what happens in this life, you will end up in Heaven with your Maker, and your Savior!
The central theme of the Bible is that we can know for certain no matter when death comes, we will live in the presence of God forever. How can we know this for sure?
It is as simple as A-B-C:
Admitting... You are a sinner.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."-Romans 3:23-
Believing...Jesus Christ died for your sins.
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."-Romans 5:6-
Confessing... Receiving Him into your life by faith and trusting Him as Savior.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." -Romans 10:9-
You can receive Christ as your Savior by praying something like this:
Dear God, Thank you for working in my life. I know that I have sinned and violated your law. I cannot deal with the consequences of my sin on my own. I believe that you sent your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to die on the cross and pay for my sins. I believe you rose Him from the dead. I repent of my sins and believe in my heart that you will save me. As best I know how, I am placing my faith in Jesus Christ and inviting you into my life as Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen!
In closing, society and this entire world system has things all backwards. We, like celebrities live and then die - the only things that matter are what we do with and for Christ. I submit to you that a life given to Christ is a greater cause for celebration. As a matter of fact, Luke 15:10 says, the angels rejoice when one repents. Truly, a celebrity is not one who gains much on this earth, but rather one who chose to make Christ Lord of his/her life!
Be a celebrity for Christ!
This is reason to celebrate in life and in death!
Click to check out this music video of "Lose My Soul" by Toby Mac, featuring Kirk Franklin & Mandisa
Click to check out this music video of "Lose My Soul" by Toby Mac, featuring Kirk Franklin & Mandisa
