Chasing Carrots: Fame 

April 7, 2024 

We are starting a brand-new sermon series called Chasing Carrots. Are you chasing things you can’t quite get enough of? We always want more. Maybe you find yourself believing the lie, if I can just get that, and I’m not sure what “that” is for you, if I can just get that, that’s all I need to be happy, fulfilled and satisfied in life! But then, when you get that little bit of something, you realize it didn’t satisfy the need you had. So, you decide you need more. And when you get that more, it isn’t delivering what you thought it would. So, we’re talking about the continual pursuit of more. Next week we’re going to talk about more money and stuff. If I could have more money and stuff, I would be happy. The third Sunday is about the pursuit of perfection. If you’re a perfectionist, this is for you. The fourth week is about the pursuit of approval. So many of us obsess about what others think of us. The final week is about our hunger for comfort! Society tells us comfort is what we need. But it’s hard to live for comfort and at the same time, live by faith.  

Today we are going to talk about something that’s maybe more relevant today than at any time in history: fame! I want to be known. I want to be admired. I want to be liked and followed. I want to be respected. I want to be FAMOUS! 

You may say, this is easy for me, because I am not pursuing fame. You might be surprised that in many ways we all are pursuing it. It might not be full blown pursuit, but you may have little cravings for fame. Like maybe you have a deep need to be liked by everybody. You over commit to things because you don’t want to let anyone down. Or maybe whenever you do something you want credit for it. I did the job at work, and I want everybody to know about it. I gave, and I want everyone to know I gave. If I’m showing up and doing something special, I want credit for it. Social media can be a breeding ground for the pursuit of fame. How many likes and followers do I have? For those of you that are above all this, your children or grandchildren might struggle with the pursuit of fame, or the people around you might. 

When I was a kid, I daydreamed that I was secretly royalty! I’m not just a newspaper deliverer, someday everyone will know I am a princess! Have you ever wished you were famous, so great you stood out, better than the rest? When I was young, I wasn’t pursuing financial stability, or success. I just wanted to be famous! 

Did you know in a survey done a few years ago, 55% of people thought a movie or book should be made about their life! It would be a great story of how they overcame challenges, or that they were an interesting character.  The survey asked which actor should play you in this movie? Many women answered Jennifer Lopez, Melissa McCarthy or Sandra Bullock. Or for the men, Al Pacino or Denzel Washington. 55% of us think our lives should be made into a movie! I’m thinking, if there had been a movie about my life, I hope my mom would watch. But I doubt anyone else would!  

Wouldn’t it be great though, to be famous? It’s not wrong to be famous. Fame can be something that comes from following God. In today’s reading from 1 Chronicles 14:13-17, David did what God commanded and struck down the Philistine army. And David’s fame grew. His fame meant the other nations respected Israel. That fame came from following God. If you work hard to benefit others, maybe you want to cure cancer. If you become famous for that, that’s great, you are helping others. 

You could say that Jesus was famous. He opened the eyes of the blind. healed the sick, and even raised the dead. He taught otherworldly ideas, and people followed him, crowds followed him. He was famous. So, there’s nothing wrong with being famous.  

But a pursuit of fame just to be famous can be very dangerous to your faith! Jesus said there are two commandments: love God and love other people. A chase after fame takes your heart away from God, away from other people, and moves it toward yourself. If you pursue fame, you are more likely to be anxious or depressed. What makes us happy in life is friendship with others, finding meaning by making the world a better place, and a deeper relationship with God. Loving God and others makes life worth living. Fame is a vapor! It’s hard to catch, and doesn’t fulfill. But God is a solid rock. 

There’s a celebrity, actor: Jim Carrey, who said this: “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” 

What’s the answer? There’s a guy who, compared to everyone in Scripture, really got it right as far as fame: John the Baptist. He was different! He lived out in the wilderness, ate locusts and wild honey, and wore scratchy animal skins. He created a following and would draw a crowd. So John had some fame. But he wasn’t interested in it. He told the people you have to turn to God. There’s One, who is coming, I’m not worthy of him. He’s the one you should follow.  

In today’s world, we could imagine what John the Baptist might say, “I can point to Jesus, and use all the attention I get to build my brand. Maybe I can get an income stream for myself, while I still point to Jesus.” But John the Baptist did not do that. 

John 3:22-30, says once Jesus was in the countryside, baptizing people, and John was baptizing nearby. Some of John the Baptist’s followers came and said, That Jesus guy you were with and testified about, well he is baptizing! And everyone is going to him! John’s followers are worried that Jesus is stealing John’s fame! 

John replied, I’ve been telling you, “I am not the Messiah, but am sent ahead of him.” I’m the best man at the wedding, but he’s the groom. I’m happy to be his sidekick! I’m full of joy to help him. Then John says these words, “He must become greater; I must become less.” That’s amazing! I’ll admit I like fame and attention. But I want to be like John! 

John was the first to point to Jesus, the first witness to him. John the Baptist didn’t let his followers put ideas of fame and jealousy in his head. He was on team Jesus. John the Baptist was happy to help, ready to decrease as Jesus increased. Less of me, more of him! Because fame is a vapor, but God is a solid rock. 

People who really strive to be famous are trying to fill a hole. Maybe they didn’t get attention or weren’t told they were worthy. I think we’re all a little damaged that way. The cure is to get on team Jesus! The mission is more of Jesus, less of me. You get support from other people on team Jesus, the church. You love God and serve. Jesus said the greatest among you is one who serves! Not for fame, the one who serves to follow Jesus. 

My homework for you this week is to compliment someone. That’s a way of saying “Less of me.” Let’s practice this. Tell someone near you: You are really great!    

How did that feel? You’re on team Jesus, and you just supported a member or the team! 

Sometimes we want some fame. We want to stand out from the crowd. Making fame your goal is a bad idea because it leaves you empty and alone. John the Baptist showed us how to take the opposite path: Jesus must become greater; I must become less. Fame is a vapor, it doesn’t satisfy, but God is a solid rock. When you give someone a cup of water, visit the sick or those in prison, or feed the hungry, God knows the sacrifices you make, he knows you serve. When you give, pray, and honor God, when you turn the other check, God notices, loves you and says, well done thou good and faithful servant! So less of us, and more of Him! Amen.