Selfies in the End Times

[music] [music] >> You pull out your phone, you find the >> You pull out your phone, you find the >> You pull out your phone, you find the right angle, you spin to get the right right angle, you spin to get the right right angle, you spin to get the right lighting and just the right backdrop. lighting and just the right backdrop. lighting and just the right backdrop. You snap a picture of yourself and post You snap a picture of yourself and post You snap a picture of yourself and post it. it. it. Many do this. Selfies are a language of Many do this. Selfies are a language of Many do this. Selfies are a language of communication today. communication today. communication today. But underneath all these selfies and the But underneath all these selfies and the But underneath all these selfies and the hearts and the comments and the feeling hearts and the comments and the feeling hearts and the comments and the feeling of being seen by others, of being seen by others, of being seen by others, is there something darker going on? is there something darker going on? is there something darker going on? Are we feeding a bottomless hunger in Are we feeding a bottomless hunger in Are we feeding a bottomless hunger in seeing our own reflection like Narcissus seeing our own reflection like Narcissus seeing our own reflection like Narcissus staring down at his own reflection in a staring down at his own reflection in a staring down at his own reflection in a pool? pool? pool? Today on Ask Pastor John, selfies Today on Ask Pastor John, selfies Today on Ask Pastor John, selfies in the end times. in the end times. in the end times. Smartphones are the topic again. We Smartphones are the topic again. We Smartphones are the topic again. We looked at doom scrolling two weeks ago, looked at doom scrolling two weeks ago, looked at doom scrolling two weeks ago, doom scrolling done right. That was doom scrolling done right. That was doom scrolling done right. That was episode 2276. episode 2276. episode 2276. I hope you heard that. Don't miss that. I hope you heard that. Don't miss that. I hope you heard that. Don't miss that. Go back and listen to it. Today, Go back and listen to it. Today, Go back and listen to it. Today, selfies. Uh, the attention economy selfies. Uh, the attention economy selfies. Uh, the attention economy appears in Luke 17:26-33, appears in Luke 17:26-33, appears in Luke 17:26-33, which is our reading tomorrow. There which is our reading tomorrow. There which is our reading tomorrow. There Jesus describes people being so caught Jesus describes people being so caught Jesus describes people being so caught up in the daily things of food and up in the daily things of food and up in the daily things of food and buying and selling, the kinds of things buying and selling, the kinds of things buying and selling, the kinds of things that we snap on social media.

that we snap on social media. that we snap on social media. And then we read uh 2 Timothy 3:1-5 And then we read uh 2 Timothy 3:1-5 And then we read uh 2 Timothy 3:1-5 the day after that. the day after that. the day after that. Paul's warning that in the last days Paul's warning that in the last days Paul's warning that in the last days people will be lovers of self, people will be lovers of self, people will be lovers of self, which means to us in this modern digital which means to us in this modern digital which means to us in this modern digital culture discussing culture discussing culture discussing platform building. platform building. platform building. Today on Ask Pastor John, selfies Today on Ask Pastor John, selfies Today on Ask Pastor John, selfies at the dawn of eternity. at the dawn of eternity. at the dawn of eternity. This question just came in from a young This question just came in from a young This question just came in from a young man. Pastor John, it feels like we are man. Pastor John, it feels like we are man. Pastor John, it feels like we are living in the very final moments of the living in the very final moments of the living in the very final moments of the last days. When I look at 2 Timothy 3, last days. When I look at 2 Timothy 3, last days. When I look at 2 Timothy 3, it says the people will be lovers of it says the people will be lovers of it says the people will be lovers of self and I can't help but see that self and I can't help but see that self and I can't help but see that emerging right now in a way that's never emerging right now in a way that's never emerging right now in a way that's never happened before in history. I'm talking happened before in history. I'm talking happened before in history. I'm talking about digital media and selfies and the about digital media and selfies and the about digital media and selfies and the self-obsession of my generation on self-obsession of my generation on self-obsession of my generation on social media. It feels like these are social media. It feels like these are social media. It feels like these are final experiences of sin that signal the final experiences of sin that signal the final experiences of sin that signal the end. end. end. As someone who uses these platforms, I'm As someone who uses these platforms, I'm As someone who uses these platforms, I'm worried. Is my phone just a tool for worried. Is my phone just a tool for worried. Is my phone just a tool for self-exaltation? self-exaltation? self-exaltation? What would you say to my generation? What would you say to my generation? What would you say to my generation? Here's how Pastor John answered this Here's how Pastor John answered this Here's how Pastor John answered this very question in 2018. very question in 2018. very question in 2018. >> Let me answer with a double >> Let me answer with a double >> Let me answer with a double yes and no. Two yes and nos.

yes and no. Two yes and nos. yes and no. Two yes and nos. First, First, First, yes, yes, yes, vlogs and selfies and self-focused vlogs and selfies and self-focused vlogs and selfies and self-focused social media are often, not always, social media are often, not always, social media are often, not always, an expression of the self-exaltation an expression of the self-exaltation an expression of the self-exaltation and self-preoccupation and self-preoccupation and self-preoccupation and self-fascination and self-fascination and self-fascination of the last days. of the last days. of the last days. But, no, But, no, But, no, these new technologies are not the, these new technologies are not the, these new technologies are not the, quote, this is to quote him, to quote quote, this is to quote him, to quote quote, this is to quote him, to quote Ed, they are not the emerging Ed, they are not the emerging Ed, they are not the emerging of such of such of such final experiences of sin. final experiences of sin. final experiences of sin. Because they've always been there. Because they've always been there. Because they've always been there. The The new technologies are giving The The new technologies are giving The The new technologies are giving new ways to express old sins. So, that's new ways to express old sins. So, that's new ways to express old sins. So, that's my first yes and no. Yes, these are the my first yes and no. Yes, these are the my first yes and no. Yes, these are the manifestations of the end times, manifestations of the end times, manifestations of the end times, self-love, and no, they're not just now self-love, and no, they're not just now self-love, and no, they're not just now emerging.

emerging. emerging. Here's the second yes and no. Here's the second yes and no. Here's the second yes and no. Yes, these are Yes, these are Yes, these are the last days, the last days, the last days, and we should be looking keenly and and we should be looking keenly and and we should be looking keenly and expectantly and hopefully and joyfully expectantly and hopefully and joyfully expectantly and hopefully and joyfully for the coming of our precious, for the coming of our precious, for the coming of our precious, longed-for, all-satisfying Lord Jesus. longed-for, all-satisfying Lord Jesus. longed-for, all-satisfying Lord Jesus. But, no, these are not yet the very last But, no, these are not yet the very last But, no, these are not yet the very last days, but are very much like the last days, but are very much like the last days, but are very much like the last days that began 2,000 years ago in the days that began 2,000 years ago in the days that began 2,000 years ago in the first century. first century. first century. Now, let me try to explain. When Jesus Now, let me try to explain. When Jesus Now, let me try to explain. When Jesus came into the world as the long-expected came into the world as the long-expected came into the world as the long-expected Messiah, he declared the arrival of the Messiah, he declared the arrival of the Messiah, he declared the arrival of the kingdom of God, which the Old Testament kingdom of God, which the Old Testament kingdom of God, which the Old Testament anticipated as part of the last days. anticipated as part of the last days. anticipated as part of the last days. So, when Peter stood up on the day of So, when Peter stood up on the day of So, when Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost and tried to explain the Pentecost and tried to explain the Pentecost and tried to explain the extraordinary events of the outpouring extraordinary events of the outpouring extraordinary events of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, he said, of the Holy Spirit, he said, of the Holy Spirit, he said, "This is what was uttered through the "This is what was uttered through the "This is what was uttered through the prophet Joel, and in the last days it prophet Joel, and in the last days it prophet Joel, and in the last days it shall be, declares the Lord, I will pour shall be, declares the Lord, I will pour shall be, declares the Lord, I will pour out my spirit on all flesh."

out my spirit on all flesh." out my spirit on all flesh." In other words, these events that you're In other words, these events that you're In other words, these events that you're looking at right now, looking at right now, looking at right now, what, 33 AD, what, 33 AD, what, 33 AD, are the fulfillment of promises made for are the fulfillment of promises made for are the fulfillment of promises made for the last days. So, the last days were the last days. So, the last days were the last days. So, the last days were there in the first century, right after there in the first century, right after there in the first century, right after Jesus had come. Jesus had come. Jesus had come. Or, Hebrews chapter 1, verse 1 and 2, Or, Hebrews chapter 1, verse 1 and 2, Or, Hebrews chapter 1, verse 1 and 2, "Long ago, "Long ago, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways God spoke at many times and in many ways God spoke at many times and in many ways God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in to our fathers by the prophets, but in to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by these last days he has spoken to us by these last days he has spoken to us by his son." So, the coming of Jesus is the his son." So, the coming of Jesus is the his son." So, the coming of Jesus is the beginning of the last days. Or, Peter, 1 beginning of the last days. Or, Peter, 1 beginning of the last days. Or, Peter, 1 Peter, chapter 1, verse 20, "Christ was Peter, chapter 1, verse 20, "Christ was Peter, chapter 1, verse 20, "Christ was foreknown before the foundation of the foreknown before the foundation of the foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last world, but was made manifest in the last world, but was made manifest in the last times for your sake." times for your sake." times for your sake." So, ever since the time of Jesus, 2,000 So, ever since the time of Jesus, 2,000 So, ever since the time of Jesus, 2,000 years ago, years ago, years ago, we have been living in the last days, we have been living in the last days, we have been living in the last days, looking expectantly looking expectantly looking expectantly to Jesus, who stands at the door. We to Jesus, who stands at the door. We to Jesus, who stands at the door. We know this is the way that Paul was know this is the way that Paul was know this is the way that Paul was thinking, even in the very text that Ed thinking, even in the very text that Ed thinking, even in the very text that Ed quoted about self-love.

quoted about self-love. quoted about self-love. Because Paul says, "Understand this, Because Paul says, "Understand this, Because Paul says, "Understand this, that in the last days there will come that in the last days there will come that in the last days there will come times of difficulty, for people will be times of difficulty, for people will be times of difficulty, for people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, etc." lovers of self, lovers of money, etc." lovers of self, lovers of money, etc." And then he says to to Timothy, And then he says to to Timothy, And then he says to to Timothy, "Avoid such people." I guess they're "Avoid such people." I guess they're "Avoid such people." I guess they're here and not just come in 2,000 years here and not just come in 2,000 years here and not just come in 2,000 years later. later. later. In other words, Paul is talking about In other words, Paul is talking about In other words, Paul is talking about Timothy's own situation. Timothy's own situation. Timothy's own situation. So, this kind of person So, this kind of person So, this kind of person comes in the last days and now Timothy's comes in the last days and now Timothy's comes in the last days and now Timothy's to avoid them because these are the last to avoid them because these are the last to avoid them because these are the last days and there they are and you days and there they are and you days and there they are and you shouldn't be surprised or swayed by shouldn't be surprised or swayed by shouldn't be surprised or swayed by them. them. them. Well, besides saying that the judge is Well, besides saying that the judge is Well, besides saying that the judge is at the door, we should be always alert at the door, we should be always alert at the door, we should be always alert and ready to give an account to the Lord and ready to give an account to the Lord and ready to give an account to the Lord Jesus when he comes. Ed asked me what I Jesus when he comes. Ed asked me what I Jesus when he comes. Ed asked me what I would say to people on vlogs. That's would say to people on vlogs. That's would say to people on vlogs. That's what I want to say. The judge is what I want to say. The judge is what I want to say. The judge is standing at the door. Be ready. Be standing at the door. Be ready. Be standing at the door. Be ready. Be alert. You're going to be called to alert. You're going to be called to alert. You're going to be called to account. That's the first thing I'd say.

account. That's the first thing I'd say. account. That's the first thing I'd say. And then here's the last thing I'd say. And then here's the last thing I'd say. And then here's the last thing I'd say. God gave us a self. God gave us a self. God gave us a self. Not so that we would have something to Not so that we would have something to Not so that we would have something to exalt in, exalt in, exalt in, but something to exalt with. but something to exalt with. but something to exalt with. He [snorts] gave us a self not to be the He [snorts] gave us a self not to be the He [snorts] gave us a self not to be the object of our joy, but the subject object of our joy, but the subject object of our joy, but the subject of joy. That is, of joy. That is, of joy. That is, not to be the focus of happiness in not to be the focus of happiness in not to be the focus of happiness in front of the mirror or the selfie, front of the mirror or the selfie, front of the mirror or the selfie, but the furnace of happiness in front of but the furnace of happiness in front of but the furnace of happiness in front of Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. He gave us a self He gave us a self He gave us a self not as an instrument of self-worth, but not as an instrument of self-worth, but not as an instrument of self-worth, but as an instrument of worship. as an instrument of worship. as an instrument of worship. The self is and is meant to be meant to The self is and is meant to be meant to The self is and is meant to be meant to be a desire factory. be a desire factory. be a desire factory. And the point of all those desires And the point of all those desires And the point of all those desires is that there is a joy outside ourselves is that there is a joy outside ourselves is that there is a joy outside ourselves that they point that they point that they point to the endless manufacture of desires to the endless manufacture of desires to the endless manufacture of desires for something beyond the self. This this for something beyond the self. This this for something beyond the self. This this factory factory factory of desires is not the dream. This of desires is not the dream. This of desires is not the dream. This factory has a dream.

factory has a dream. factory has a dream. It isn't the dream. It It is producing It isn't the dream. It It is producing It isn't the dream. It It is producing all these desires because out there all these desires because out there all these desires because out there somewhere there's a dream. They're all somewhere there's a dream. They're all somewhere there's a dream. They're all meant to lead us outside ourselves. meant to lead us outside ourselves. meant to lead us outside ourselves. Indeed, outside the world because Indeed, outside the world because Indeed, outside the world because nothing in this world finally satisfies. nothing in this world finally satisfies. nothing in this world finally satisfies. The desires of the human self are meant The desires of the human self are meant The desires of the human self are meant to lead us to God. In whose presence is to lead us to God. In whose presence is to lead us to God. In whose presence is fullness of joy, at whose right hand are fullness of joy, at whose right hand are fullness of joy, at whose right hand are pleasures forever more. That's what I'd pleasures forever more. That's what I'd pleasures forever more. That's what I'd say to the self-absorbed user of social say to the self-absorbed user of social say to the self-absorbed user of social media. The self was never meant to media. The self was never meant to media. The self was never meant to satisfy satisfy satisfy us. The self was never meant to find us. The self was never meant to find us. The self was never meant to find satisfaction in the perception or satisfaction in the perception or satisfaction in the perception or promotion of self. The self was made for promotion of self. The self was made for promotion of self. The self was made for God. God. God. >> Amen. Man, one of my all-time favorite >> Amen. Man, one of my all-time favorite >> Amen. Man, one of my all-time favorite lines in the history of this podcast. lines in the history of this podcast. lines in the history of this podcast. God gave us a self God gave us a self God gave us a self not so that we would have something to not so that we would have something to not so that we would have something to exalt in exalt in exalt in but something to exalt with.

but something to exalt with. but something to exalt with. Yeah, it's not about looking in the Yeah, it's not about looking in the Yeah, it's not about looking in the mirror, it's about using your life to mirror, it's about using your life to mirror, it's about using your life to reflect something greater, imaging God reflect something greater, imaging God reflect something greater, imaging God in our lives to the world. in our lives to the world. in our lives to the world. Because at the end of the day, the self Because at the end of the day, the self Because at the end of the day, the self was never meant to satisfy us. was never meant to satisfy us. was never meant to satisfy us. Yes, amen. When it comes to social Yes, amen. When it comes to social Yes, amen. When it comes to social media, we've covered a lot of ground on media, we've covered a lot of ground on media, we've covered a lot of ground on the podcast when it comes to the worst the podcast when it comes to the worst the podcast when it comes to the worst of our compulsive phone habits, see my of our compulsive phone habits, see my of our compulsive phone habits, see my summary digest of all those many summary digest of all those many summary digest of all those many episodes over the years in the Ask episodes over the years in the Ask episodes over the years in the Ask Pastor John book on pages 277 to 290 Pastor John book on pages 277 to 290 Pastor John book on pages 277 to 290 on smartphones, social media, and selfie on smartphones, social media, and selfie on smartphones, social media, and selfie sticks. sticks. sticks. I've heard from a number of you who find I've heard from a number of you who find I've heard from a number of you who find that section really helpful. that section really helpful. that section really helpful. And just getting a And just getting a And just getting a a lot of things are just reminders, just a lot of things are just reminders, just a lot of things are just reminders, just reminders about smartphones and social reminders about smartphones and social reminders about smartphones and social media. What's good, what's bad, what's media. What's good, what's bad, what's media. What's good, what's bad, what's ugly, and how to use those gifts ugly, and how to use those gifts ugly, and how to use those gifts in a godly way. in a godly way. in a godly way. Pastor Don rejoins us in the studio on Pastor Don rejoins us in the studio on Pastor Don rejoins us in the studio on Monday. Monday. Monday. We will both see you then. Thanks for We will both see you then. Thanks for We will both see you then. Thanks for listening.