The Real Social Network series started the previous Sunday which I missed, but part two of three was on August 14th. "The Power of the Crowd" message was given by Kay DeBlance who is the Pastor of Discipleship at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. Below is her message from the notes I took that Sunday. Kay was definitely tuned in to what modern day Christians need to hear about modern day social networking.
As I began to take notes on this sermon that Sunday morning, I noticed that my pen was almost out of ink. It almost became a distraction to me as I was listening to Kay and then trying to concentrate on writing words. I bore down so at least an imprint was made for me to see it. I chuckled at the thought of Satan's poor attempt to have me give up and not take notes so I could not post this blog. He KNOWS the terrible memory that I have.
Kay started out her message with talking about the Power of Crowds in our history. The Nazi's, the Mob, and gangs just to name a few of those. The main "Crowd" she spoke about was the Israelites that were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years: 40,000 people waiting to go into the land God had promised them. God had called upon Joshua and gave him His plan on how to defeat Jericho and that if he would do exactly as God said, the "power of the crowd" would reign supreme! The crowd's power enabled them to succeed at what God wanted them to accomplish, and the walls of Jericho came down because the Israelites were in one accord with what God had asked them to do.
Kay brought up some great thoughts on how alot of us tend to not "engage" ourselves in person to person social contact on a regualr basis. Could it be because modern technology has made it easier to hide behind a so-called "screen"? Many of us spend so much time texting, tweeting, Facebooking, emailing, etc., that we forget about the real live person that sits next to us on the public transit, at a seminar, or even at church before and/or after service. She said that we sometimes can be present with people without being "present". We get so preoccupied with our "online" friends and networks that we tune out the people that are in our "presence".
Matthew 18:20 says "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them." Jesus knew that there is power in crowds. Many times He stayed among the crowds because He wanted to "engage" with as many people as He could. Jesus was put to death by a crowd. And then after His resurrection, He told His disciples to "get out of this little room" and go and preach the gospel to all nations, and make disciples. That there would be "power" where two or three were gathered together!
I'm not sure what your "social media" and personal social skills are, so maybe ask yourself these questions:
Do I tend to spend more time "hiding behind a screen" than being "present" with people face to face?
Am I aware that God needs me to be "present" with people because someone may need me?
Isolating ourselves from the "real" social network is not what God had in mind for us. Reach out in person and feel God's power and love in the midst.....
Lord God, thank you for this message from Kay, and teach us to be "present" with others in a way that will give glory to You. Help us to understand the power that You have given us as believers and as the body of Christ to help, serve, and love others that need more of You.
Amen
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