Standing Out in a Crowded World

A Christian Perspective

An Excerpt from Dr. Nix’s Program:

Rev. Sheldon Nix, Ph.D., M.S.W. Pastor, Life Worth Living Fellowship

Life, Career & Business Coach

www.change-your-life-forever.com

The New Brand World

“I’ve been in thousands of meetings in which somebody’s future was being decided. And it may shock you to learn that in these meetings…decisions about your future are likely to be made in the most casual way, after [somebody]...expresses an opinion about you.

An instant assessment of you in one of these moments means more to your career than a foot-high stack of performance appraisals in your personnel file.” – David D’Alessandro

The Short Definition:

Your BRAND is what people think of you

when they think of you.

Brand Identification: What Is a Brand?

© 2010 Sheldon Nix. All rights reserved.

Matt. 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his

disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Brand Identification: What’s My Brand?

Brand Attributes: Are You a Match?

The Jesus Brand: ThemeGallery is a Design

Digital Content & Contents

mall developed by Guild

Design Inc.

Your Brand: ThemeGallery is a Design Digital Content & Contents mall developed by Guild Design Inc.

• Loving • Powerful • Committed • Etc.

• Loving • Powerful • Committed • Etc.

2 Things to Look for in Your Brand

Not Relevant Not Different

Different

RELEVANT

2 Things to Look for in Your Brand

Relevant Not Different

Not Relevant Different

Not Relevant Not Different

Different

RELEVANT

2 Things to Look for in Your Personal Brand © 2012 Dr. Sheldon Nix. www.change-your-life-forever.com

Relevant Not Different

Not Relevant Different

Very Relevant Very Different

Not Relevant Not Different

Different

RELEVANT

So How Did Jesus Make His Brand Stand Out?

Look at the Following Texts

First, Let’s Understand How HARD It Was In the World Jesus Lived In to Be

Different

It Was a Highly-Structured World that Limited Moving Out of Your Category

The World of Jesus: A Peasant Society

Dr. Marcus Borg, “A Portrait of Jesus”. Found on the web 11/6/2010 http://www.aportraitofjesus.org/social.shtml

If you were a peasant, it was very hard to become an elite. Middle class (entrepreneurs) very, very small at that point.

The World of Jesus: A Purity Society

Rich

Righteous

Male

Poor

Sinners, Outcasts

Female

Pure Impure

VS.

Dr. Marcus Borg, “A Portrait of Jesus”.

The World of Jesus: A Patriarchal & Hierarchical Society

Rulers

Romans

Government

Army

Citizens

Priests

High Council

Temple

Synagogues

Fathers

Farmers

Fishermen

Craftsmen

“Prophets” Rebels Criminals

The World of Jesus: A Patriarchal & Hierarchical Society

Rulers

Romans

Government

Army

Citizens

Priests

High Council

Temple

Synagogues

Fathers

Farmers

Fishermen

Craftsmen

“Prophets” Rebels Criminals

Very Hard to “Move Up” the Ladder in These Hierarchies!

Now, Let’s Look at How Often Jesus Stood Out Despite These Strict Barriers

to Moving Out of Your “Station”

Mark 6:1 He…came to his hometown...2 …and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this?... 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

4 Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house."

Mark 6:1 He…came to his hometown...2 …and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this?... 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

4 Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house."

See how they couldn’t accept the idea that Jesus was different?

Mark 6:1 He…came to his hometown...2 …and

many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands!

They were astounded because of where he came from as well as the depth of his teachings.

Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them…the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place…”

16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

Mark 5:35 …some people came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead….“ 36 But…Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe."

38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping."

Mark 5:40 And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and…went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cum," which means, "Little girl, get up!" 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to

walk about... At this they were overcome with amazement.

Luke 9:37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son…a spirit seizes him…It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not."

Luke 9:41 Jesus answered “…Bring your son here." 42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

43 And all were astounded at the greatness of God. While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing…

Mark 1:22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority… 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out…

25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!“

26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.

Mark 1:26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.

27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."

28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Mark 1:29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon….

30 Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32 That evening…they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.

32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.

33 And the whole city was gathered around the door.

34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons….

32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.

33 And the whole city was gathered around the door.

34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons….

This is what happens when Brand You stands out. It drives people to your door!

The Other Key to Jesus’ Brand Power: Relevance: His Brand Met the Needs

So Does the Bible Teach that Our “Brand” Should

Stand Out?

Look at the Following Texts

The of Being a Brand

1 Peter 2:9 (AMP) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people,

1 Peter 2:9 (AMP) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people,

that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

The of Being a Brand

Matthew 5:13-15

13 You are the salt of the earth...

14 You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and

it gives light to all in the house.

The of Being a Brand

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world.

A city built on a hill cannot be hid…. 15and it gives light to all in the house.

The of Being a Brand

Next Steps: 1. Decide what employers want. 2. Determine what you bring. 3. Identify how different you

are. 4. Look at your total package.

The of Being a Brand

An Excerpt from Dr. Nix’s Program:

Rev. Sheldon Nix, Ph.D., M.S.W. Pastor, Life Worth Living Fellowship

Life, Career & Business Coach

www.change-your-life-forever.com