I once asked a fellow if he prays, this was his response; “I sign in, but I haven’t signed up!” When it comes to “signing up” many say they are not a fan. That is good! Because Christ isn’t looking for fans in the first place.
Luke 9:23: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. Jesus is NOT looking for fans… He’s looking for followers.
Twenty times in the New Testament, Jesus Christ issued a compelling and challenging invitation: “Follow Me.” Jesus doesn’t want enthusiastic admirers, He wants committed followers.
Far too many are not interested in more of Christ—because they kind of like the set-up they have with Jesus. They like church, it gives them something to do on the weekend, especially now that churches have coffee bars.
Consider our tendency to come together once a week, sitting down in our seats and opening up our programs. We applaud at certain times and we leave somehow thinking that, as the fans, it was all done for us.
We get in the car and we evaluate the sermon, and we give the service and song selection a thumbs up or thumbs down…. and do it again the next week.
If you read through the Gospels, Jesus, at different points in His ministry, would draw a line in the sand and He would separate the fans from the followers. (John 6)
A lot of people were in the crowd following Jesus (v2) “because of the miracles.”
When Jesus challenged the fans to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him (66).
I’m afraid there are times we come to church more for what Jesus can do for us…. There needs to come a point in time we come for Jesus. Are you signed up?
Absolutely loyal, completely committed… no customized Christianity. There is no option for selective commitment. There is no bargaining, no bartering, not even finagling.
Luke 14:26: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.” This is about you and Jesus.
Are you ready to move to a different level in your spirituality?