Hey friends, thanks for tuning in to this LIFE ON MISSION with Tanner Klein podcast.
Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to expose the false gospel of Popularity and Influence to the light of God’s Word and truth and unveil the heart or motivation behind it. Then we’re going to look at Jesus, someone who knew how to handle crowds, and see His perspective on this. We’ll contrast the false hopes with The True Good News, see what Paul had to share on this topic, and share a practical application moment together, seeking the Lord’s perspective on a few questions. We’re going to get a Gospel Reality Check, fix our eyes back on Jesus: The Anti-Influencer (Yet Most Influential One of All), and get fired up to Live for an Audience of One, like Jesus. Finally, we’ll pray and finish with a Final Word of Hope.
This is the first deep dive in our new series called FALSE GOSPELS vs. THE TRUE GOOD NEWS of JESUS.
If this interests you, and you haven’t already, you can subscribe for free.
We’ve got a whole lot more we’re planning to uncover in the coming weeks, including topics like:
- Political Ideology
- Wealth and Comfort
- Life without Suffering
- Salvation without Lordship
- Self-Expression and Identity Autonomy
- Personal Happiness
- Romantic or Sexual Fulfillment
- Hustle and Achievement
- Escapism and Entertainment
- Religious Performance
- Self-Love and Self-Help
I introduced this series in our last post called, Which Gospel Are You Living By? Introducing a New Series: FALSE GOSPELS vs. THE TRUE GOOD NEWS of JESUS. It’s linked here if you’d like to check it out.
You can also share this podcast via Apple Podcasts and Spotify or share this LIFE ON MISSION publication with friends using the link attached or the QR code below.
I really believe that God really wants to restore HOPE in us as we turn our eyes toward Jesus and respond to the truth that sets us free.
My prayer is that God will refresh you in this series with the best news ever and inspire lasting, contagious hope within you that overflows from you.
Alright, are you ready? Let’s do this!
First things first, God’s Word
In Galatians 1:6-10, Paul writes to the churches in the region of Galatia,
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
What’s the False Gospel?
It can be packaged in various ways, but these statements will give the essence of the counterfeit gospel preached.
“If people like you and what you offer, then you add value to their lives, and if you add value, you are valuable.”
“Your worth is measured by your reach; if what you offer is worthwhile, then people, success, and influence will follow.”
“Go big or go home, whatever it takes. Build your brand. Be true to yourself. Be an influencer. Build a following. Go viral. Stay relevant.”
Welcome to the gospel of popularity and influence—preached daily by algorithms, celebrity culture, and carefully curated online personas of seemingly perfect people who have no issues, problems, or flaws in any part of their lives.
This messaging preaching popularity and influence is a bit like a modern golden calf. Remember that story from the Bible? If we’re honest, many of us are tempted to bow to it.
Let’s call it what it is: a false gospel contrary to the true Good News of Jesus.
It whispers: “If enough people approve of you, you’ll finally be secure. Seen. Significant.”
But it’s a trap. A moving target. A hamster wheel. And the finish line? Nowhere in sight.
The Heart Behind It
This lie preys on our God-given desire for belonging and significance—but offers a counterfeit version rooted in performance and public opinion.
Within every soul, there are deep longings to be seen, to be known, to be loved, and to be valued.
That makes sense considering God wired us for life in community.
You and I are intricately and beautifully crafted by the loving hand of the Creator, designed to depend on the Designer.
We are meant to know: God sees us, knows us, loves us, and treasures us.
But when we disconnect that need from God’s unshakable love and plug it into the crowd’s approval instead, we can become slaves to applause and opinions.
One moment, you're trending, you’re liked, you’re relevant.
The next?
You’re canceled, no longer necessary, or simply forgotten—old news.
Crowds are fickle, here for a minute, and gone the next.
Jesus isn’t.
Don’t put your hope in the opinions of others, put your hope in the One who never changes and never disappoints—the One who sees you, knows you, loves you, and values you.
It says in Hebrews 13:8,
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Jesus and the Crowd
Let’s take a look at how Jesus handled popularity:
“Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He was doing.
But Jesus on His part did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people, and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.”
Jesus was not intoxicated by fame.
He didn’t build His identity on who liked Him—even when the crowds were impressed.
Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father alone.
He lived, worked, served, and did all that He did for an audience of one.
Remember, the same crowd that shouted “Hosanna!” turned on Him just days later, crying out, “Crucify Him!”
As for Jesus, neither the crowd’s approval nor their mocking and reviling caused Him to stumble off track from the Father’s will and purpose for His life.
With resolve, Jesus pressed on faithfully.
He didn’t perform for approval.
He lived to please the Father.
Here’s Some Good News
In Christ, we’re not loved because we’re liked.
We’re loved because we belong to God, because we are His.
In God’s great love for us and by His unmerited grace, God draws us near to Himself and blesses us with faith as a gift.
Through Jesus, we’ve been adopted into God’s own covenant family.
It says in 1 John 3:1,
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
It says in Proverbs 29:25,
“The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”
It’s by grace that we can now stand before God by faith, not as outsiders, but as a beloved son or daughter.
You and I don’t need to build a personal brand or gain others’ approval to belong in the Kingdom of God.
You don’t need to go viral to be valuable to God.
Hallelujah!
Paul Had Something to Say About This
Let’s go back to Paul’s mic drop statement in Galatians 1:10:
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Here we see Paul confronting the temptation to soften the message of the Gospel for the sake of public approval.
He knew well that the truth isn’t always popular.
Our Savior and Lord Jesus was crucified, not crowned and adored by the masses.
So Paul says, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
That is sobering.
But also freeing.
Because it means we don’t have to pretend.
We don’t need to please people.
We don’t have to seek out the attention and affection of others.
We can simply seek to be faithful to the One who fights for us, stands with us, and laid down His life for us.
A Practical Application
Invite the Lord into a time of praying and listening.
Imagine the Lord Jesus, with love in His eyes, asking you these questions:
Who are you trying to impress?
What do you care about more, what people think of you or what I say about you?
If no one ever notices you except Me, and I am pleased with you, would that be enough for you?
What is your response?
Consider writing down your answers. If you’re like me, that might help you process these questions with the Lord.
(If you're not sure how to answer, consider how you feel when your post gets only three likes… or consider how you feel when a boss or coach or family member doesn’t recognize your efforts… or consider how you feel when someone you love disregards what you're thinking or feeling…)
How you react or respond might help reveal what’s going on inside you.
Take some time to wait and listen. See what the Lord brings up in your heart or mind.
Remember Jesus’ words recorded in the book of John 16:33,
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Gospel Reality Check
Here’s some more good news:
You don’t have to strive to be seen, because you’re already fully seen and known by God.
You don’t have to prove yourself to be loved, because you’re already fully loved in Christ.
You don’t have to chase likes or people’s approval, because you’ve already been chosen by the King of Glory.You are already treasured by God.
Feel free to read that again.
I need God’s to help to receive and believe this—not just in my head, but in my heart.
You can join me in asking God for His help:
“Awesome God,
You see all and know all things, and I believe You really do love me.
Help me to accept this as the truth, as the reality You secured for me through Christ.
Thank You for seeing me.
Thank You for knowing me.
Thank You for choosing to love me.
Thank You for choosing me.
Help me to believe that I am who you say I am, not who I think I am and not what others say about who I am.
Move this life-changing knowledge from my head to my heart.
Teach me to live like it’s true.
I ask and pray in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Thank You, God!”
How was that? God is good right?! He is moving, even now, shifting our perspectives, aligning our beliefs with truth, answering our prayers. I believe it! Do you believe it?
Let’s trust our trustworthy God by faith and keep turning our eyes to the Source of Truth.
Jesus: The Anti-Influencer (Yet Most Influential One of All)
Jesus didn’t post selfies with sinners to build clout, or a following, or a reputation.
He loved those who seemed unloveable, healed the broken, called out and forgave sin, washed His disciples feet, and took up a cross to die for a world that didn’t want Him as their one, true King.
Jesus didn’t follow trends—He confronted them.
He flipped tables in the temple courts when others had made a habit of using them for their own gain.
And yet—Jesus set an unprecedented example for all humanity then and His impact continues to this day.
No one has shaped history more than this man who died on a cross, rejected and despised by the crowds that acclaimed His name just days before.
Why?
Jesus was driven by love—love for the Father and love for us.
He wasn’t driven by popularity or worldly influence.
In the book of Matthew 20:28, Jesus said of Himself,
“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Hallelujah!
And the story doesn’t end there!
Jesus didn’t stay in that grave.
He rose from the grave as He said He would and validated every word He declared from the Father.
Death couldn’t hold Him down.
And Jesus is alive today, moving and working in and through His sons and daughters through the Holy Spirit.
Now we, redeemed children of God, can live as more than overcomers through Him who loves us.
Now we can let Christ’s fiery light shine to the world that they may see the good that our God does through us and give glory to our Father in heaven.
Hallelujah!
JESUS REIGNS!
Now what?
Let’s Live for an Audience of One, like Jesus
You have nothing left to prove, because God has already proven His love for you on the cross.
You have nothing left to hide, because your identity is hidden with Christ in God.
You have nothing left to promote, except the good news of Jesus, crucified, risen, and reigning from heaven with justice, grace, mercy, and love.
We have every reason to respond to God’s love and walk with Him all our days.
All glory to the Lamb who was slain, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Let’s Pray
Glorious God,
You are a good and gracious King.
I confess I’ve often chased the approval of others instead of trusting Your love.
Forgive me for seeking others’ approval, putting people and their opinions on a pedestal, and acting in the fear of man rather than fearing the LORD alone.
Thank You for Your forgiveness, Father.
Thank You for calling us into something better—into the freedom of knowing Your soul-satisfying love and our identity as Your beloved child.
Lord, thank You for Your example.
You didn’t live for popularity, but lived to please the Father—and You died to redeem us.
Hallelujah! You are so worthy to be praised. You alone are worthy of my life, of all I am and have to give.
Teach us to live for You alone, for Your glory, knowing that You are Emmanuel—God with us.
I want to hear, “Well done,” not from the crowd—but from You, everlasting King.
Father, teach us to walk humbly, boldly, and joyfully in the Holy Spirit as chosen sons and daughters,
no longer slaves to fear or people’s approval.
May our lives make Your Name known—not our own.
May our lives of faith-in-action reveal how beautiful, matchless, and glorious You are, Lord our God.
We pray all these things by faith in the name of Jesus.
Amen!
Thank You, LORD!
A Final Word of Hope
You don’t need to be famous, or popular, or influential in the world’s eyes.
You can be free of these heavy burdens you were never meant to carry.
Reckon with the fact that you are fully seen, known, and deeply loved by God.
Simply respond to God’s steadfast love.
If you’re in Christ and He’s in you through His Spirit, You have God in you, guiding you into all truth, empowering you to abide in Him, know His love, and live like Jesus—full of grace and truth, faithful and diligent, attentive and responsive to God.
And when you know you are fully seen, known, and deeply loved by the God who is for you, with you, and in you,
you are free—truly free to walk with God in fullness of joy.
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
God is good. I hope that you feel infused with HOPE as we’ve turned our eyes toward Jesus and the realities of His truth that sets us free.
May God continue to refresh you with the best news ever and inspire lasting, contagious hope within you that overflows from you. Feel free to share this podcast-post or the link to this LIFE ON MISSION publication. You can click the share buttons below or subscribe for free. May God bless you with hope in the Good News of Jesus!
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