Wowed by pastors…numb to God – Discerning Dad

In Episode 103 of the Eyes on Jesus Podcast, Tim and Drew have a much-needed conversation about a growing trend in modern Christianity: the temptation to be wowed by personalities rather than drawn into the presence of God. With social media feeds filled with charismatic pastors, quick soundbites, and trendy sermon titles, many believers are becoming spiritual consumers instead of Spirit-led followers of Jesus.

Listen on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/eyesonjesus/episodes/Wowed-by-pastors—-numb-to-God-e348pqk

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dKXb3NCmC9A

Below is an AI generated blog post based on the episode

In our pursuit of deeper spiritual truth, we often find ourselves entangled in a culture that seems more captivated by personalities and platforms than truly experiencing the presence of God. Welcome to the “Eyes on Jesus Podcast” conversation, where Drew and Tim dive deep into this timely topic, sharing personal experiences and insights on rekindling a sincere passion for Christ.

Chasing the Right Things

Tim sets the stage by pointing out a common issue: people often share a pastor’s poignant quote over a powerful scripture passage. This pattern reflects a culture more enamored with punchy statements than the profound and transforming presence of the Divine. Drew adds to this by revealing a personal sermon anecdote where the congregation reacted more to his removing a jacket rather than the vital message of Christ’s resurrecting power. This incident highlights the misplaced excitement in today’s church dynamics.

The Cult of Personality

We live in times where name-brand preachers and viral clips often overshadow the simple, profound truths of scripture. Drew reflects on moments when catchy sermon titles received more applause than the words of Jesus. This trend raises an important question: Have we become numb to the profound and ever-present truths of God while being dazzled by the charisma of human figures?

A Call to Reflection

Both hosts urge churchgoers and leaders alike to engage in self-reflection. They challenge pastors to reconsider their intentions—is it to glorify themselves or Christ? For listeners, the challenge is to rediscover the presence of God independently, without relying on the intermediary of a dynamic pastor.

Overcoming Spiritual Numbness

Tim recalls a frustration with lower attendance at encounter nights, events designed for deeper worship and presence-seeking. This anecdote parallels the need for congregants to prioritize their relationship with God beyond weekly services. Drew emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in spiritual growth, pointing to our tendencies to pass the responsibility of spiritual education to institutions rather than ourselves.

Practical Steps

Practicing presence is crucial. Tim advises setting practical goals such as dedicating morning time to scripture before engaging with the digital world. He recommends apps like John Eldredge’s Pause to enhance moments of silence and contemplation.

Moving Forward

The call to action is clear: to restore our awe for God and let it outweigh the allure of human eloquence and performance. Drew encapsulates this mission by encouraging believers to “run after this person named Jesus,” ensuring He remains the central focus of our spiritual journey.

The full episode of “Eyes on Jesus Podcast” is a vibrant discussion that explores the nuances of this topic deeply. Listeners can cultivate a life where the presence of God becomes the central source of their spiritual nourishment, beyond the earthly influences that often captivate our attention.

Join us on this journey of rediscovery, and let’s reignite a genuine passion for God in our hearts and communities. To explore more on this and related topics, connect with the Eyes on Jesus Podcast community on Facebook, follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and dive deeper into the conversation.