Reflecting Christ Through Social Media: A Mission
Summary
God is indeed good, and today we celebrate His goodness through the lens of social media and our lives. As we gather here, I am reminded of the incredible journey of parenthood and marriage, which has taught me so much about God's patient love. Today, I want to share a message about how we can use social media to reflect Christ in us, rather than just promoting ourselves. In a world that often encourages self-promotion, we are called to be different, to be on God's own flow, not the world's.
Social media is a powerful tool, and with it comes the responsibility to use it mindfully, intentionally, and missionally. The world tells us to platform ourselves, to promote our own agendas, and to promise more of the same. But as followers of Christ, we are called to platform what God is doing in us, to promote His agenda, and to promise to point others to Him. This is the essence of our series, "Hashtag Selfie," where we aim to show Christ in us through our online presence.
In Matthew 4, we see Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Each temptation was an opportunity for Jesus to promote Himself, but He chose to point to God instead. This is our model. We must be on mission, even in the digital wilderness of social media. We must ask ourselves, "Who is providing this platform? Who is being promoted? What is being promised? And to whom are we pointing?" These questions help us stay focused on our mission to reflect Christ.
1 John 2 warns us about loving the world and its desires, which can lead us away from God. Social media can be a place of comparison and covetousness, but it can also be a place where we make Christ known. We are called to be light, not just to be liked. Our posts should reflect our identity in Christ: saved, evangelistic, loved, fearless, innovative, and empowered.
As we navigate social media, let's remember that God wants to platform us for His purposes. He wants us to promote His kingdom and promise to point others to Him. So, when we say, "Look at me," let's finish the statement with, "and see Christ in me." This is our mission, both online and offline, to make Him known in all we do.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Character in Parenthood: Becoming a parent reveals God's patient love in profound ways. As we navigate the challenges of parenting, we learn to lean on God's patience and grace, reflecting His character in our daily lives. This journey is a reminder of the depth of God's love for us. [02:00]
2. Social Media as a Mission Field: Social media is not just a platform for self-promotion but a mission field where we can reflect Christ. By being mindful, intentional, and missional, we can use our online presence to point others to Jesus, rather than ourselves. [13:59]
3. Temptation and Provision: In Matthew 4, Jesus shows us how to navigate temptation by focusing on God's provision rather than the world's offerings. We must trust God to provide and not act independently of Him, especially in the digital wilderness. [27:59]
4. Loving the World vs. Loving God: 1 John 2 warns us about the dangers of loving the world, which can lead us away from intimacy with God. We must include God in our social media journey, ensuring that our affections and choices reflect His love and will. [32:35]
5. Identity in Christ: Our identity in Christ should shape our online presence. We are saved, evangelistic, loved, fearless, innovative, and empowered. By embracing these truths, we can use social media to make an impact for God's kingdom. [50:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - God's Character in Parenthood
- [06:26] - Reflecting on Past Opportunities
- [13:59] - Social Media as a Mission Field
- [22:27] - Personal Journey with Social Media
- [27:59] - Temptation and Provision
- [32:35] - Loving the World vs. Loving God
- [39:06] - The Dangers of Comparison
- [47:44] - God's Purpose for Our Platform
- [50:04] - Identity in Christ
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 4:1-11
- 1 John 2:15-17
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 4:1-11, how does Jesus respond to each of Satan's temptations, and what does this reveal about His priorities? [27:59]
2. According to 1 John 2:15-17, what are the three things in the world that can draw us away from God, and how are they described? [32:35]
3. What are the four key questions the sermon suggests we ask ourselves when using social media? [13:59]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between the world's flow and God's flow in the context of social media? [22:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' refusal to turn stones into bread in Matthew 4:1-11 teach us about reliance on God's provision versus self-reliance? [27:59]
2. How can the warnings in 1 John 2:15-17 about loving the world apply to our use of social media today? [32:35]
3. The sermon mentions that social media can be a mission field. How can believers intentionally use their online presence to reflect Christ? [13:59]
4. What does it mean to be "hidden in the mission," as described in the sermon, and how can this concept influence our daily lives? [22:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current social media habits. Are there ways you can be more mindful and intentional in how you use these platforms to reflect Christ? [13:59]
2. Consider a recent time when you felt tempted to promote yourself rather than Christ. How can you prepare to respond differently in the future? [27:59]
3. The sermon encourages us to ask, "Who is being promoted?" when we post online. How can you ensure that your posts point to God rather than yourself? [13:59]
4. In what ways can you incorporate the truths of your identity in Christ (saved, evangelistic, loved, fearless, innovative, empowered) into your online interactions? [50:04]
5. Think about a specific area of your life where you struggle with the "lust of the eyes" or "pride in one's possessions." How can you address this struggle with God's help? [39:06]
6. How can you use your social media presence to engage with and support others in their faith journey, especially those who might be struggling? [50:04]
7. Identify one practical step you can take this week to be on "God's own flow" rather than the world's flow in your digital interactions. [22:27]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Patient Love in Parenthood
Parenthood is a profound journey that reveals the depth of God's patient love. As parents navigate the challenges and joys of raising children, they are constantly reminded of the grace and patience God extends to His children. This journey is not just about guiding young lives but also about being transformed by the experience, learning to lean on God's patience and grace. It is a reflection of God's character, teaching us to love unconditionally and to grow in our understanding of His love for us. [02:00]
"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." (Hebrews 12:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate God's patient love in your interactions with your children or those you mentor today?
Day 2: Social Media as a Mission Field
Social media is more than a platform for self-promotion; it is a mission field where believers can reflect Christ. In a world that often encourages self-centeredness, Christians are called to be mindful, intentional, and missional in their online presence. By using social media to point others to Jesus, rather than themselves, they can make a significant impact for God's kingdom. This requires a shift in perspective, seeing social media as an opportunity to share the love and truth of Christ with a broader audience. [13:59]
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can use your social media presence today to reflect Christ and share His love with others?
Day 3: Trusting God's Provision in Temptation
In Matthew 4, Jesus demonstrates how to navigate temptation by focusing on God's provision rather than the world's offerings. Each temptation was an opportunity for Jesus to promote Himself, but He chose to point to God instead. This serves as a model for believers, especially in the digital wilderness of social media, where the temptation to self-promote is strong. Trusting in God's provision means relying on Him to meet our needs and resisting the urge to act independently of His will. [27:59]
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength rather than trusting in God's provision?
Day 4: Loving God Over the World
1 John 2 warns believers about the dangers of loving the world, which can lead them away from intimacy with God. Social media can be a place of comparison and covetousness, but it can also be a place where Christ is made known. By including God in their social media journey, believers can ensure that their affections and choices reflect His love and will. This involves a conscious decision to prioritize God's kingdom over worldly desires and to use social media as a tool for His glory. [32:35]
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you ensure that your social media habits reflect a love for God rather than a love for the world?
Day 5: Embracing Identity in Christ
A believer's identity in Christ should shape their online presence. They are saved, evangelistic, loved, fearless, innovative, and empowered. By embracing these truths, they can use social media to make an impact for God's kingdom. This involves being intentional about the content they share and ensuring that it aligns with their identity in Christ. It is a call to be light in the digital world, using their platform to reflect the love and truth of Jesus. [50:04]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What aspect of your identity in Christ do you need to embrace more fully in your online interactions today?
Quotes
"Because my goodness, the word about his love being patient and him being patient becomes so alive as you're wrestling with your own impatience with your child. So, please keep me in prayer with that, all right? We're learning that on a daily basis. But it is truly a blessing and a high honor to be trusted with this pulpit by Pastor Wendell, the elders here at the church, the senior leaders. I know he's not trusting me, but rather the spirit of God alive inside of me, right? And my choice. And y 'all are here for that, right? And my choice and resolve to lean into him." [00:04:40] (39 seconds)
"I was given that opportunity because I believe those two leaders put me on this platform because I promoted the idea of teenagers pursuing God in innovative and new ways, right? Come on. Amen. Amen. For real. And I believe by doing so, they promised that this would be something that Mount Olivet would be known for doing and that we would do it on a consistent basis. And that's because those actions point to the one who is the way, the truth, and the life." [00:05:56] (36 seconds)
"So we will accomplish this by establishing and maintaining a mindful, intentional, and missional approach to social media. I want to talk about hashtags for just a brief second. Here's a definition on hashtags. We're getting to the scripture, I promise. A hashtag is a combination of letters, numbers, and or emojis preceded by the pound symbol, right? Pound symbol. They are used to categorize content and make it more discoverable as you're scrolling on social media." [00:13:42] (33 seconds)
"Now, what do I mean? I mean that a man or woman is platforming themselves. And they are promoting either their looks, their health, wellness, their bodies, the vacation spots, pleasures that their accomplishments have afforded them, possessions that their accomplishments have afforded them. And they are promising, yo, I'm going to keep doing this. I'm going to keep posting this type of stuff. So you want to keep seeing this type of stuff? Go ahead and hit that follow button. Right?" [00:15:34] (27 seconds)
"Verse 4, he answered, it is written, man must not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. What Jesus is saying there is talking about who's providing. Who's providing this bread? Come on, right? So that's kind of what the problem is. And the point here is let's not stop short at what's being provided. Rather, we need to remember and point to the one who is providing it." [00:28:12] (35 seconds)
"Having all the kingdoms isn't a problem. Experiencing all of that isn't a problem. Accomplishments, right? The vacations that you've experienced, that have gotten via your accomplishments, having all that isn't a problem. The question is, like we talked about, who's providing it? Who's making it available to you? Whose hand is it in? Is it in the enemies or is it in yours?" [00:32:08] (27 seconds)
"You love the world when it owns your affections and governs your choices by getting you to exclude God. Y 'all. As we're navigating social media, we want to include. We want to include God on that journey. Let's invite him in to that space, right? Because like I said, like we've established, social media is just the world online. Okay? That means there's an organized system headed by Satan that wants to draw us away from God's love and his will." [00:37:09] (34 seconds)
"so the ultimate point that i want us also to be mindful of is man the world wants you to platform you that's what the world wants you to do right the world wants you to platform you so that you will promote yourself because you have promised yourself the lust of the eyes the lust of the flesh and the pride of life if you accomplish this then you will be pointing to yourself as the way the truth and the life which would mean death for you and everyone that follows you" [00:46:23] (42 seconds)
"God wants to platform you. But for what? For what? Right? For his purposes. So that you will promote his agenda. You will leverage every gift you have to advance his kingdom. He wants to put you on to promote what he's done in your life. And then he wants you to promise, hey, bro, I'm going to be out here doing this. I'm going to be out here doing this on a consistent, faithful basis. On a consistent, faithful clip. Right? So that." [00:47:51] (41 seconds)
"So Father God, Lord, man, let's just pray. Let's pray right now as we close. Listen, with all heads bowed and eyes closed, if you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then you can't walk in this freedom, right? This authority and this power. God wants to empower you. He wants you to discover a newfound freedom in him. He wants you to live in intentional, mindful, and mission." [00:54:01] (32 seconds)
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