Following or Believing

Are we Following Jesus or are we merely just believing in Him?

· John 2:23–25

· Luke 9:23

· James 2:19

· Matthew 7:21–27

· John 6:66–69

Introduction

Many of us know that there is a difference between simply believing in Jesus and walking with Jesus, but how do we determine whether we are just believers or followers?

In our modern churches the pews or seats are filled with people who believe in Jesus, but Jesus did not call us to just simply believe facts about Him. He called us to follow Him.

Many people in society today believe that Jesus was real. They believe that He died on a cross. They believe that He rose again. They believe that the Bible contains truth.

They may even attend church regularly, sing worship songs, give offerings, and volunteer in the church.

Yet belief alone does not always transform them into followers.

The bible repeatedly teaches us in the scriptures that there are people who believe in Jesus intellectually but never truly surrender themselves to Him completely.

There is a difference between admiring Christ and obeying Christ.

There is a difference between believing Jesus exists and surrendering our lives to Him.

If you have your bibles, please open them up to the book of John chapter 2 we will be reading verses 23–25. If you do not have your bibles, it should be on the screens to the right and left.

Please stand with me as we read.

John 2:23–25

“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.”

This is the word of the Lord

Let us pray.

As we can see many believed in Him. Yet Jesus did not entrust Himself to them.

Why?

Because He knew their hearts. He knew their belief was shallow, that it was emotional and that their belief was connected to the miracles they had seen or heard about, rather than surrendering themselves to Him.

As followers of Christ, we are not merely just to be those who acknowledge the existence of Jesus. As followers of Christ, we are to be those who deny ourselves, take up our cross, and seek after Him day-in and day-out, night after night for eternity.

Today we need to ask ourselves:

Are we simply believers in Christ? Or are we true followers of Christ?

You may be asking yourselves what’s the difference?

Well let’s dive deeper into what the difference is between just believing in and following Jesus.

A Believer Acknowledges the existence of Jesus — A Follower Submits to Jesus

The Bible says in James 2:19:

19 You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.

This is one of the most sobering verses in all of Scripture.

Demons believe in Jesus, they know Jesus is the Son of God, they recognize His authority, they fear His power, but they do not follow Him.

Having biblical faith is meant to be more than just believing in Jesus.

It is surrender.

It is obedience.

It is submission.

There are many people in churches across America and all over the world who know the language of Christianity but never truly yield their hearts to Christ.

They know the songs.

They know the sermons.

They know the traditions.

They even know the doctrine.

But yet, Jesus is not truly Lord of their lives.

If we truly look around us, we will see many whom claim to believe in Jesus.

How many remember the bumper stickers on cars that just had John 3:16 on them, or even the ones with the fish symbol with 3:16 in the center?

I believe that it was in the 80’and early 90’s, and was the predecessor to the WWJD movement. Let me get back on track.

Everyone read aloud with me John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

In my opinion this is one of the most mis-used verses in the bible. People read this and go I’m good.

Throughout my life I have met and talked to people who have told me that they believe in Jesus and that since they believe in Him, and that they are a good person, that, that is all they need in order to make it into Heaven. I’m going to be honest with you today there was a time in my life when I was one of these people, I thought that as long as I believed in Jesus, did good deeds, and did not harm others that I could continue to live of the world, continue in my sins and everything would be good, I was still going to go to heaven. Well I’m standing here today to tell you and I know that some of you will find it hard to believe but, I was wrong.

Jesus tells us that there is so much more than just simply believing in Him. He tells us to follow Him.

As a believer one might may say:

“I believe Jesus can save me from my sins.” And they are not wrong, He can and will if they repent and ask for forgiveness.

But A follower says:

“Jesus has forgiven my sins and has become my Master.”

A believer wants Jesus as Savior.

A follower accepts Him as their Savior and Lord.

Luke 6:46 says:

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

Jesus confronts superficial Christianity and the contradiction of claiming devotion while resisting obedience.

Following Jesus is not free, it costs.

Salvation is free, but discipleship requires surrender.

The churches today often wants the benefits of Christ without the burden of discipleship.

We want resurrection without crucifixion.

We want blessing without obedience.

We want heaven without holiness.

But Jesus never lowered the standards of discipleship.

He never said:

“Believe casually.”

He said:

“Follow Me.”

A Believer Is Only Interested in Jesus — A True Follower Is Committed to Jesus.

Throughout the gospels we read about the crowds that followed Jesus everywhere He went.

Some followed because they were hungry.

Some followed because they wanted miracles.

Some just followed because they were curious.

Some followed because it was exciting.

But very few stayed when following became difficult.

When I was writing this part I thought about if I were there during the day of Jesus and was following Him around, which one of these would be the reason I did.

I think it would have been a mixture. Just a little bit of each.

I may have been like hey this man is passing out free food, I’m in. And then I saw that He’s preforming miracles, wow dinner and a show who’d ever thought. Then out of curiosity what if I continue to follow him what other neat stuff will I get to see Him do? I think I would have found myself a little bit excited in the anticipation to find out. Then the sobering thought came to me, would I have been one of those that stayed when it became difficult or would I have turned away?  

In the book of John chapter 6, John records the moment Jesus began teaching hard truths.

He spoke about sacrifice.

He spoke about surrender.

He spoke about eternal life.

And the Bible says in John 6:66

“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.”

Their belief could not survive inconvenience.

Their interest could not survive commitment.

Many people love Jesus as long as Jesus fits comfortably into their existing plans.

But as true followers we keep following Him even when obedience becomes costly.

Most believer’s only praise God when life is easy, will only worship Him when their prayers are answered, and will only stay faithful when the crowd approves.

As follower we praise God through suffering, (Father I know that I am going through a tuff time right now but, it gives me comfort to know that You are here with me through each and every step) worship when everyone becomes silent, and remains faithful when the world rejects Him.

Jesus never hid the cost of following Him.

Luke 9:23 says:

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

How do we deny ourselves. “Father not my will be Yours”.

Take up your cross and follow Me.

This is not being a Christian only when it is convenient.

We are to surrender to Him every second, every minute, and every hour of every day.

The cross was not a piece jewelry in the first century as it has become today.

The cross was an instrument of death.

Following Jesus means crucifying your pride.

Crucifying selfishness.

Crucifying lust.

Crucifying bitterness.

Crucifying worldly compromise.

Believers admire Jesus.

As a follower we die with Jesus.

As Just a Believer We Only Want Convenience — As a Follower we Pursue Transformation

One of the most sought after and greatest dangers prominent in the modern church is convenient Christianity.

People want just enough religion to feel spiritual but not enough surrender to change their lives.

They come into the church looking only to be comforted instead of being convicted.

They look for entertainment instead of holiness.

They want to be motivated instead of seeking repentance.

I have some shocking news for some; Jesus did not come merely to improve our lifestyle.

He came to transform us completely to be Christlike, and to follow Him.

Romans 12:2 says:

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Transformation is what makes a true follower.

When we truly submit and follow Christ, our life begins to change.

Our speech changes.

Our desires change.

Our priorities change.

Our relationships change.

And our habits change.

Not simply because we are earning salvation, but because Christ is reshaping us.

A believer can attend church and continue to remain unchanged.

But a follower allows the Holy Spirit to continually sanctify their heart.

As Nazarene’s our beliefs are and always have been to emphasize holiness.

We do not promote legalism nor outward performance.

But inward transformation through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus did not die on the cross just to forgive our sins.

He died to make us holy.

Many Christians stop at forgiveness and never pursue sanctification.

But to follow Jesus we must become more like Him.

As disciples we gradually begin to reflect on the character of Jesus.

Jesus replaced compromise with purity, hatred with love, pride with humility, bitterness with mercy, and rebellion with obedience.

Following Jesus changes us.

And if years pass with you having no evidence of transformation, you must honestly examine whether you are truly following Christ or simply identifying with Christianity.

A Believer Knows About Jesus — A Follower Walks with Jesus

There is a difference between information and intimacy.

A person can know theology and still not know Christ personally.

The Pharisees knew Old Testament Scripture.

They memorized the Law.

Not only did they understand the religious systems, they taught it, they preached it and did whatever they felt was right and was in their power to uphold it, even up to the point where they crucified Jesus on the cross for not following their version of religion.

They were so wrapped up in what they have been taught religion was that they failed to recognize the Messiah standing right in front of them.

When we focus more on religion and not on the relationship with Christ our relationship with Him becomes empty.

To follow Jesus does not merely mean for us to learn the doctrines, it means that we are to walk daily with the Savior.

Paul said in Philippians 3:10:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings.”

Paul did not merely want information about Jesus; he wanted communion with Jesus.

As a follower you spend time in prayer,(pause) you listen for God’s voice, (pause) you long for His presence and seek to have an intimate relationship with Christ.

Many believers only interact with God during emergencies.

But when you follow Jesus, you seek Him in the ordinary moments, as well as during emergencies, you pray when nobody is looking, you worship him in private as well as in public and you strive to walk with Him daily.

Followers open the Scriptures not merely for sermons or lessons but because they hunger for God.

Christianity was never meant to be reduced to Sunday attendance.

Following Jesus is a lifestyle. It affects Monday morning. It affects the workplace. It affects the home. It affects internet browsing. It affects conversations. It affects finances. And it affects attitudes.

A true follower does not compartmentalize Jesus.

Christ becomes the center of everything.

A Believer Is Concerned About Appearance — A Follower Is Concerned About Obedience

One of the recurring themes throughout the Gospels is Jesus confronting outward religion.

The Pharisees appeared righteous externally.

They prayed publicly.

They fasted publicly.

They displayed religion publicly.

But inwardly their hearts were far from God.

Jesus said in Matthew 15:8:

“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;

A believer may focus on image.

A follower focuses on obedience.

A believer asks:

“How do people see me?”

Where a follower asks:

“Is God pleased with my life?”

A danger in modern church culture is learning how to appear spiritual without actually becoming holy.

We learn church vocabulary.

We learn religious behavior.

We learn public performance.

But God sees beyond appearances.

He examines our motives.

He examines our hidden attitudes.

And He examines our private conduct.

A true follower obeys God even when nobody else notices.

Integrity matters.

Character matters.

Secret holiness matters.

The follower of Christ understands that discipleship is not a performance for people, it is devotion to God.

A Believer Wants Jesus Added to their Life — A Follower Makes Jesus the Center of their Life

For many people, Jesus is simply one part of their life.

He is added to an already crowded schedule, to existing priorities, to personal ambitions and to worldly pursuits.

But Jesus never called us to add Him in.

He called us to surrender everything to Him.

Matthew 6:33 says:

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Followers reorder their entire lives around Christ.

Jesus becomes the center.

Not careers.

Not comfort.

Not politics.

Not entertainment.

Not personal success.

Christ becomes our priority.

A follower will ask themselves questions like:

“What honors God?”

“What advances His kingdom?”

“What reflects His character?”

Too many believers try to fit Jesus into their plans.

Followers allow Jesus to rewrite their plans.

That may mean sacrifice.

That may mean letting go of sinful relationships.

That may mean forgiving someone who hurt us.

That may mean serving when nobody applauds.

That may mean remaining faithful during hardship.

But followers understand that Jesus is worthy of total surrender.

A Believer May Fall Away but A Follower Endures

One of the clearest marks of genuine discipleship is perseverance.

There are people who begin with enthusiasm but abandon the faith when trials arise.

Jesus taught this in the parable of the sower.

Some seed sprang up quickly but had no root.

When persecution came, it withered.

True followers remain faithful.

Not because they are perfect.

Not because they never struggle.

But because their roots go deep into Christ.

Peter understood this in John 6:67-69

After many disciples walked away, Jesus asked the twelve:

“Do you want to go away as well?”

Peter answered:

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

That is the heart of a follower.

Even when life becomes painful, when answers are unclear and when emotions fluctuate, followers stay with Jesus.

Followers are not sinless.

Peter failed.

David failed.

Thomas doubted.

Yet they returned to God in repentance.

The difference is not perfection.

The difference is persistence.

Following means continue pursuing Christ, continue repenting, continue trusting and continue obeying.

Jesus Never Asked for us to be his fans — He Called us as Disciples

Modern Christianity has created admirers instead of disciples.

People admire Jesus, they quote Him and they appreciate Him.

But discipleship requires more than admiration.

Jesus called ordinary fishermen and completely transformed their lives.

They left their boats and careers.

They left comfort and security.

And they followed Him.

The early disciples were by no means perfect men.

But they were surrendered men.

The church does not need more casual believers.

The church needs surrendered followers.

People who will pray when nobody else prays.

People who will stand for truth when culture rejects it.

People who will pursue holiness in an unholy generation.

People who will love enemies.

People who will forgive.

People who will serve.

People who will carry the Gospel into a broken world.

The world has seen and endured enough cultural Christianity.

What it desperately needs is authentic discipleship.

The Danger of Self-Deception (do not read aloud)

One of the most frightening realities in Scripture is that people can think they belong to Christ while never truly following Him.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21:

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Those words should shake every heart.

Notice these people were religious.

They used spiritual language.

They even claimed spiritual works.

Yet Jesus said:

“I never knew you.”

The issue was not religious activity.

The issue was relationship and obedience.

The greatest tragedy is not open rebellion.

The greatest tragedy is false assurance.

It is possible to sit in church for years while remaining spiritually lost.

It is possible to know Christian culture without knowing Christ.

This is why Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13:5:

5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

We must honestly ask:

Am I truly following Jesus or have I simply adopted Christian identity?

Does my life reflect surrender, obedience and transformation?

Do I love Christ more than the world?

These are difficult questions.

But eternity depends upon them.

What Does a True Follower Look Like?

A true follower of Christ:

· Loves God wholeheartedly.

· Repents genuinely.

· Pursues holiness.

· Obeys Scripture.

· Loves others sacrificially.

· Forgives freely.

· Serves humbly.

· Endures faithfully.

· Walks daily with Jesus.

· Depends upon the Holy Spirit.

A true follower is not perfect.

But there is evidence of spiritual life.

There is conviction over sin.

There is hunger for righteousness.

There is desire for God.

There is growth.

There is surrender.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:24:

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Christianity is not merely believing certain truths.

Christianity is following a living Savior.

Conclusion

As I bring us to a close

The difference between a believer and a follower can often be summarized in one word:

Surrender.

A believer may acknowledge Jesus, may attend church, may admire the cross and may want Jesus nearby.

Where s follower yields everything to Jesus, becomes the Church, carries their cross and always wants Jesus in control.

The question today is not:

“Do you believe Jesus existed?”

The real question is:

“Are you following Him?”

When Jesus called His disciples, He simply said:

“Follow Me.”

That invitation still stands.

Jesus is not looking for occasional admirers.

He is calling surrendered disciples.

Perhaps there are some today who realize they have settled for shallow belief.

You know about Jesus, but you have never truly surrendered.

Maybe your faith has become comfortable.

Maybe your walk has become distant.

Maybe you have maintained religious appearance while neglecting genuine obedience.

But Christ still calls.

He still invites.

He still transforms.

And if we surrender fully to Him, He can make us into true disciples.

Altar Call

Today the Spirit of God is asking a simple but searching question:

Are you merely believing in Jesus?

Or are you truly following Him?

If Christ is speaking to your heart today, this altar is open.

Maybe you need salvation.

Maybe you need repentance.

Maybe you need renewed surrender.

Maybe you have grown spiritually comfortable instead of spiritually committed.

Maybe you have believed without obeying.

But today Jesus calls you deeper.

He calls you to deny yourself.

He calls you to holiness.

He calls you to discipleship.

He calls you to follow.

Do not leave this place satisfied with shallow Christianity.

Come and surrender completely to Christ.

Closing Prayer

Let us pray

Father,

Search our hearts today. Remove every trace of superficial religion.

Forgive us for the times we wanted Your blessings without surrendering our lives. Teach us what it truly means to follow You.

Transform us by the power of the Holy Spirit and make us holy.

Make us obedient. Make us faithful disciples in a distracted and compromised world. Help us carry our cross daily and walk closely with Christ.

Help us to not only praise you in the good times, but also during the tough times.

Be with us in a way that others will only see what You are doing in our lives and that our actions are because we have chosen to become more than just believers, that we have chosen to be followers of You Lord.

We pray that as we go through our days, weeks, months and years that the Holy Spirit will guides us in everything we do whether it be at home, work, school or just simply at a restaurant or a grocery store that our actions as followers will point others toward You our King, our Lord and our Savior.

In the name of Jesus we pray the Lord’s prayer,

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.[a] 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done,[b] on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c] 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.