Fan or Follower

When we hear the question it seems like a basic simple question. Are you a Fan or a Follower? And most if not all of us will respond follower.

Over the next few weeks we are going to look at what it means to be a Follower of Jesus, it may be a new look at following or a refresher on following for each of us but I feel we can all get a lot out of this series

In our world today I believe in large we have become more spectators than participants being a Christian is not to be a spectator sport but a engaging life changing, people changing, community changing experience that will last for eternity

Jesus plans for us is not just to get saved and to get a get out of hell card when we except Him as our Lord and Savior. If that was the case He would have just saved us and took us to heaven instantly He is our Savior and His desire is to be more involved in every area of our lives including our ministries, yeah that is right I said in our ministries we are all called to be ministers may not pulpit ministers or even full time ministry as we may think of but we are all called to be full time ministers in our sphere of influence

In our world today I believe in large we have become more spectators than participants being a Christian is not to be a spectator sport but a engaging life changing, people changing, community changing experience that will last for eternity

Let’s Read

New Living Translation Chapter 9

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

18 One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

19 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”

20 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”

First we see the importance of being alone with God even Jesus prayed alone to our Father in heaven so if Jesus felt the need to spend time in prayer alone we definitely need to have a personal private prayer life and we see only His disciples were with Him

In our world today I believe in large we have become more spectators than participants being a Christian is not to be a spectator sport but a engaging life changing, people changing, community changing experience that will last for eternity

New Living Translation Chapter 9

22 “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

Jesus told them He will suffer, die and then rise again on the third day. Jesus is the anointed Son of God and died so that we may live for eternity but He also tells his disciples that if they try and save their lives they will lose their lived. Jesus was trying to get them to understand that they must die as well, die to themselves and this message is for us as well.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE

New Living Translation Chapter 9

22 “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

PERSONAL CHALLENGE

When were you most alive?

Think about a time that you were most alive, and it was all about you-basically satisfying your own desires. (give it a moment to think of one). And now a time when you were alive and it wasn’t all about you, but about others (give it a moment to think of one)

Lets compare the contrast of the two-how are they different? Which one do you prefer?

DEFINE THE RELATIONSHIP

How do you define what happens between you and Jesus? What terms would you use? Fan, Follower or something else.

What has following Jesus cost you? Do you feel like Jesus has tested your relationship with Him? If so how? In what areas?

If He were to test your relationship to Him these days, what might be a likely area? Something at work, home, in relationships, with money, your time spent with Him? Or maybe in some other area?

3) Are there any areas of your life that are off-limits to Jesus? If so why? What is the your reason for keeping Him out? What has been the effect of keeping Him out?

In the video Eric’s friends and family were asked about Eric.

What would think your friends, family and people would say about you they were talking about you if you were not there?

See I believe that we can see our legacy from what people say about us, but also our legacy shows what kind of influence we have on other peoples lives around us and a legacy that will go one for future generations and even for eternity the only thing we can bring and send to heaven is people that we influence to except Jesus and follow Jesus

through following Jesus and being powered by His Holy Spirit

We all are at a different points in our relationship with Jesus but our relationship can be closer and is the most important relationship we will ever have it effects every relationship we have and will have in the future

Now this has been really serious but important and we all can be victorious in everything we do and it all starts with our personal relationship with Jesus and becoming the true follower that He desires for us.

Once again, I will ask are you a Fan or a Follower?

New Living Translation Chapter 29

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the LORD.

We all are at a different points in our relationship with Jesus

I am giving you these questions to ask yourself again and take them to Jesus in prayer and seek His will for the follower that He has called you to be. Jesus wants to interfere in each of our lives and I don’t think any of us will be able believe the awesome plans He has for us now and in our futures.

New Living Translation Chapter 29

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the LORD.

We all are at a different points in our relationship with Jesus