Sunday Morning Worship
April 6, 2014
Series: “Not a Fan”
Today: “Fan or Follower”
Scripture: John 6:1-2 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.
John 6:56-60 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”
59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it
John 6:66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
Intro: Jesus knew the truth about fans .
1. Fans are admirers, but not really devoted .
2. Fans are enthusiastic, but not truly obedient to teaching.
3. Fans love to attend events, but don’t really want to participate .
4. Fans get excited about the immediate, but don’t worry about long term .
5. Fans want what they get from the star and his show, but don’t get into selfless giving .
I. A FAN USES LOTS OF WORDS ; A FOLLOWER USES LOTS OF ACTION .
1 John 5:3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
* God calls us to act , not to feel .
II. A FAN ADMIRES GODLINESS, BUT A FOLLOWER DEMANDS GODLINESS.
1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.
A. John describes a fan who simply admires godliness but doesn’t live it: 1 John 1:6
B. A follower daily follows Christ’s instructions as he knows them; “walks in his light.” 1 John 1:7
C. God calls us to a daily life of sacrifice. Romans 12:1
* The Apostle Paul testified: 1 Corinthians 9:27
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Conclusion: Fans buy t-shirts, followers invest in the team.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.