Don’t Worship Your Pastor

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. (Revelation 22:8-10)
 
In verses 8-10, John is amazed as he comes to the end of the prophecy of the Book of Revelation. As he has seen everything that will happen in the future, he gets a glimpse of heaven. He is so overwhelmed that he falls at the feet of the angel, as though dead. The angel looks at him and says, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you.”
 
This is a glimpse of partnership. The angel is saying, “John, I am with you. I am not above you. We are in this together.” God wants you to understand how important that is. Therefore, it is critical that we are on the same page.
 
We are created equal on this earth. No one is above anyone else or holier than anyone else. We are all sinners, and we are all in need of a Savior. I want to remind you that whatever you do, don't worship a pastor! Don't idolize a pastor!
 
We are living in a day when too many pastors are acting like celebrities, trying to push for as many followers on social media as they can. This is a serious problem because the ground is level at the cross. Don't fall into the trap of worshiping a pastor and placing your pastor at the center of your faith. If your pastor is not pointing people to Jesus, find another church.
 
I have talked with people who said, “The reason I don't go to church anymore (when they have gotten a new pastor) is because he's not like the old guy.” They compare the new pastor with the old pastor. Don’t fall at the feet of another pastor. That’s what John is learning as he wraps up the Book of Revelation. Don't fall at the feet of anyone but Jesus. This is God's plan. Worship God and God alone!

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