(Clip) Do You Use Facebook to Platform Yourself as an Authority
Tim Conway challenges believers to move beyond social media debates and self-platforming to genuine self-examination and repentance before God.
This sermon emphasizes the tendency to engage in debates and express opinions easily, especially in the age of the Internet, while neglecting the importance of self-reflection and facing personal shortcomings. It highlights the challenge of confronting one's own faults and sins, urging individuals to prioritize self-examination and repentance before trying to fix others.
Full Transcript
It is so easy to debate theories and opinions. You just look at the Internet. Quite honestly, I don't even know what the proper adjective would be to look for as to how I feel every time I hear about all the stuff that even some of the people from our own church are involved with on Facebook.
Everyone vents. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone's an authority.
And it's all so easy. Social justice. We're going to be the authority.
Election. Calvinism. Miracles.
Cessationism. Eschatology. We're going to be the authorities.
And everybody wants to fix everyone else. And you know this. And how easy it is for people to spew forth their opinions on all sides of the matter.
But it's much more difficult to face yourself. Oh, God, give us some people on Facebook who say, I'm not here to banter about this thing or that thing or the other. I was in prayer the other day and God showed me I'm not a good wife.
I failed as a mother. The Lord showed me I'm not so honest as I thought. He's convicted me of anger or resentment.
You see, you don't see that, do you? That's not what people want to talk about. But that's what God would have us do. Face ourselves.
Adam, where are you? How'd you get there? What have you done? This excerpt is from the full sermon, Where is Adam?
Sermon Outline
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I
- The prevalence of opinions and debates on social media
- The temptation to become self-appointed authorities
- The superficiality of online discourse
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II
- The difficulty of true self-examination
- God’s call to face our own shortcomings
- Examples of personal conviction and repentance
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III
- The biblical example of Adam’s confrontation with God
- The importance of honest self-reflection
- Moving from external judgment to internal transformation
Key Quotes
“Everyone vents. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone's an authority.” — Tim Conway
“But it's much more difficult to face yourself.” — Tim Conway
“Oh, God, give us some people on Facebook who say, I'm not here to banter about this thing or that thing or the other.” — Tim Conway
Application Points
- Resist the urge to use social media as a platform to assert authority over others.
- Engage in honest self-reflection and invite God’s conviction in your life.
- Prioritize personal spiritual growth over debating opinions online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main problem Tim Conway addresses about social media?
He highlights how social media encourages everyone to become self-appointed authorities, often leading to shallow debates rather than genuine spiritual growth.
Why does Tim emphasize self-examination?
Because true spiritual maturity requires facing our own faults and allowing God to convict us rather than focusing on judging others.
How does the sermon relate to the story of Adam?
It references Adam’s encounter with God as a model for honest self-reflection and accountability.
What does Tim suggest is missing from many online Christian conversations?
A humble acknowledgment of personal sin and a heart open to God’s correction.