What does it mean to be a star in God’s Kingdom?
Does it mean I’m a preacher? Does it mean I’m well-liked? Does it mean I serve God overseas?
My church in southern California is in a very unique and famous part of the world. People around the world know about the area because southern California is the heart of the entertainment industry. That’s why a number of people migrate here every year hoping to be discovered, wanting to become a star and become famous.
There are earthly stars, but there are also “stars” in God’s Kingdom… those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus. Yes, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you can be a “star” in God’s Kingdom, shining brightly for Him. So today I want to share with you some characteristics of being a star in His Kingdom.
1. Stars in God’s Kingdom know that He knows them by name. Psalm 147:2-4 says, “The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.”
You are not unknown to God. You are not just some dot of light amidst countless others. He knows you personally. Sometimes when you have been wounded inwardly and that heart of yours has been broken, you can feel like an outcast. You can feel so isolated, and so alone, and so forgotten. But I want to tell you: you are not forgotten. You are not some faceless person in a sea of humanity to God. He knows you by name. He knows what’s going on in your life.
2. Stars in God’s Kingdom know that their highest calling is to worship their Creator. Psalm 148:1-3 says, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!”
Stars in God’s Kingdom are worshipers. They are not interested in being worshiped. They don’t want to be put on a pedestal. They want to see Jesus lifted up.
3. Stars in God’s Kingdom are servants. In Joseph’s dream, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him. His family, realizing it meant that they would one day serve him, didn’t like it at all. Yet, as stars for God we are called to serve. Jesus is our example of what it means to serve. As Philippians 2:5-9 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God didn’t consider it robbery to be equal with God, but He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of man. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.”
I think the message is pretty clear. The way up in God’s Kingdom is down. When we humble ourselves, God promotes us. Servants want to serve. They don’t want to rule and lord it over people. They don’t want to be fawned over. They are there to serve.
4. Stars in God’s Kingdom are fighters. Judges 5:20, “They fought from the heavens; The stars from their courses fought against Sisera.” Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith.”
There are times when, as a follower of Christ, you will have to fight. When it looks like nothing is going your way, you need to stand strong on the promises of God. You need to cling to His promises in the face of contradictory evidence because God’s Word, friend, can change things!
Whether you and I like it or not, some people in their search for God are going to get their bearings from us. We are the only Bible some people will ever read. And I think… like that star brought the wise men to Jesus… you and I need to be the “stars” in God’s Kingdom so that our lives bring people to Jesus!
