Fans

 Around Super Bowl time I've heard preachers almost scold the Church about how excited we can get at a sporting event but are relatively sedate when it comes to a worship service. It's true – many do seem to feel freer to express their enthusiasm in a stadium rather than in a worship service. But even if we could generate that same kind of enthusiasm here on a Sunday morning – I don't think that's all that God wants from us.

I've heard and read multiple sermons about the distinction between being a fan of Jesus and being a follower of Jesus. It's not an idea original to me - but it's a good point. 'Fan' in sports is short for 'fanatic' - "an enthusiastic admirer". As Christians, that 'fan' definition should apply to us on some level. We should be "enthusiastic admirers" of Jesus. But if that's where it stops, just an 'enthusiastic admirer' – a fan - that's a problem.

Most of you know I'm a Chicago Bears fan. And this year has been an exciting one! The Bears finished this season winning the NFC North and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2020! It was exciting - but win or lose - there were really no consequences for me as a fan. I enjoyed it - but I personally didn't gain or lose anything.

As we talk about the idea of being a fan of Jesus versus being a follower of Jesus – I want to start out with one big difference…

I. Fans can watch

You can spot 'super fans' at a game. They wear their team's colors, they carry banners, and maybe even paint their faces. But they're still just watching from the sidelines. That's not to say that they don't care; they do – but they aren't actually in the game.

A person can be a fan of Jesus but still sit on the sidelines. You can put on your 'Sunday best', grab your Bible and head off to Church service every Sunday. Once the 'big event' is done, you can go right back to your life without a second thought about it until next week. I read a statistic that claims that around 95% of Christians have never personally led another person to Christ...

As followers of Jesus, we're not called to just fill a seat on Sunday. We're not called to sit on the sidelines. We have this familiar call from Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)...

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

We're not called to just sit and cheer – we are each called to be in the game! The design isn't that just the preacher or Elders are the only ones with a job to do. There are many people here serving, ministering to the needs of others in this building and beyond. Fans show up on Sunday to find out what's going on. Followers are the ones doing things during the week - and then showing up on Sunday to celebrate God's work in their lives with their fellow followers.

Fans are the ones who stand and cheer at the end of a victory, "We win!" Followers of Jesus are in the thick of it and actually working towards a win. - "Fans applaud - followers act." You see, fans have the luxury of playing…

A. Armchair quarterback

An armchair quarterback is a fan who sits and watches but is certain that he or she could have made better decisions than the coaches, or players, or refs, all while just sitting and watching.

Jesus also has a lot of fans who have their own opinions about how things should go, too. They're usually the ones who always notice the glaring sins of others or have strong opinions about how others' ministries should be run. They may have some issues of their own or attitudes that run contrary to what Jesus taught – but they're more than willing to speak their mind. Jesus had some cautionary words for those of us in that boat…

Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. (2) For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (3) Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

(4) How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? (5) You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Fans aren't really required to change any of their attitudes or actions. They just tell everyone else what they should and shouldn't do. Followers are required to listen and to change. A follower of Jesus looks first at his or her own commitment to Jesus before judging others. Judgment from the sidelines doesn't help 'make disciples of all nations'.

Another difference between a fan and a follower is that fans can, and sometimes do…

B. Reject coaches decisions

Let's say someone tells you they're an elite athlete who is faithfully committed to a clean, healthy lifestyle. But - they then tell you that commitment only applies if they feel motivated, when their schedule isn't too busy, and they'll make an exception everyday for donuts and pop for breakfast. They may actually think they're faithfully committed to health and fitness. However, "real faithfulness isn't defined by intentions- it's defined by what we refuse to make exceptions for."

- Sad to say, but many people view their religious commitments the same way. "I'm a Christian most of the time. I really like the idea of being a Christian, but not when it interferes with my personal beliefs." This isn't about condemnation - but about clarity. The problem isn't that we lie about our commitment, it's that we redefine it so it never costs us anything. We don't reject a commitment to Jesus, we revise it until it fits comfortably inside our lives. We may even be very sincere - but sincerity and surrender aren't the same thing.

A fan of Jesus can reject some of His teachings and embrace others, but a true follower can't. We don't get to tell Jesus how we'll follow and how we won't. I sometimes find myself 'arguing' with God about how and where He could best use me. Sometimes in my prayers, I even try to tell God what's not fair and how He should correct it... We find this conversation with Jesus in Matthew 8:19-23 (NIV)...

Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." (20) Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (21) Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." (22) But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." (23) Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.

We could spend time digging into the context and background of these verses to understand in detail what Jesus what telling each man, but suffice it to say – Jesus didn't allow His followers to dictate the terms of their following.

And another big difference between a fan and a follower is the level of commitment. You see, fans are…

II. Not 100% invested

In sports, the only cost is a ticket and maybe a jersey - or, just turn on the TV and watch - and you're a fan. But Jesus explained the true cost of being His follower in Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)...

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (25) For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."

There's nothing cheap about that kind of commitment. Jesus is asking everything of those who would follow Him. Fans aren't 100% invested because fans can always just…

A. Switch teams

Years back my brother Dave committed the 'unforgivable sin' for a Bears fan - he chose to take his allegiance across the "Cheddar Curtain" and become a Green Bay Packers fan. And while I begrudgingly understand the obvious appeal - I'm sticking with the Bears....

Fans can choose who and what they follow. Over the years I've met many fans of a particular church, or even a preacher – but they really didn't seem to be following Jesus. It's those fans who get offended if you talk too much about a particular teaching of Jesus' that happens to rub them the wrong way.

"Yes, I'm a Christian – but don't expect me to actually forgive others who wrong me. Yes, I'm a Christian – but stop talking about money so much. Yes, I'm a Christian – but all this talk about sanctity of life, stop talking politics. Yes, I'm a Christian – but I don't have to treat sex as something sacred between a man and a woman only in the context of marriage. Nobody does that anymore..."

I read a story from Kyle Idleman, the Senior Pastor of Southeast Christian Church. He got a note from one of his members which simply said, "I'm leaving the Church." When he contacted the man in person, his reason was, "Well, whenever I listen to one of your messages I feel like you're trying to interfere with my life."

Folks, that's kind of the idea. My job is to preach God's Word in such a way that it does interfere with your life. If nothing I say here makes any difference in the way you live – either I'm not very good at my job - or perhaps you're just a fan of Jesus rather than a follower. The things I say here are supposed to encourage, persuade and many times challenge you to change - to challenge me to change!

Jesus intended to 'interfere' with the lives of those who wanted to follow Him. We see Jesus' response to the 'rich young ruler' looking to follow in Matthew 19:21-22 (NIV)...

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (22) When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Fans can choose a team, but can then also choose to go elsewhere when they decide the commitment isn't exactly what they were looking for. Followers let the words of Jesus confront and challenge them and then those followers change to fit the commitment. Fans pick and choose their commitments. Jesus doesn't want fans, He wants followers.

Matthew 22:36-38 (NIV)

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" (37) Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' (38) This is the first and greatest commandment."

If you are not interested in figuring out how to go all in 100%, with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind – you have some serious decisions to make.

If I'm watching a football game and get up and walk away, does it really affect the outcome? As a fan, I can choose to walk away when I disagree or something else becomes more important. A follower can't and won't walk away.

About 8 years ago, I visited with Heather Chopps at St. Anthony's Hospital. She was a former member here who fought a very difficult battle with cancer. When I sat with her - she was lying in a hospital bed with Dr.'s wanting to discuss hospice care options - but still, she didn't have a single complaint. She kept telling me about all of her blessings - how she was breathing better after her last surgery, how she was excited her left arm was now free because they moved all of the IV's to her right arm, how wonderful her nurses were.

She told me about one nurse in particular who wasn't scheduled to see her. Apparently they were short handed so she ended up stopping by Heather's room. They got to talking about Heather's cancer and the nurse started to cry. Turns out she was just diagnosed with cancer herself and was awaiting treatment. Heather didn't see this as coincidence, but God placing her in the right place at the right time. She shared the story of her faith and prayed with the nurse and ministered to her.

Flat on her back in a hospital bed and she refused to let that keep her from being used by God! If anyone could get a pass - battling cancer should do it - but she refused to stop following Jesus 100%! Honestly, it made me feel a little embarrassed of my attitude sometimes...

Followers are 100% invested! Followers can't walk away. Followers will stand their ground because eternity depends on it! Fans are not completely invested, because fans can always…

B. Look to the past

How many remember the '85 Bears? Coach Ditka, Mike Singletary, Jim McMahon, Richard Dent, 'Refrigerator' Perry, Walter Payton! Wow – that was a team! I even have an actual pair of stadiums seats that were there in 1985! It's a blast to remember that past, but does it really make a difference to the Chicago Bears today? Not really - the past was great, but they still have to go out now and play hard for any hopes of winning. Fans can relive the glory days, but followers also have to look forward.

John the Baptist had a problem with 'religious fans' in his time. They were content with resting on the past, but weren't looking ahead at all. John had to challenge them so they wouldn't miss the coming Messiah. He said this in Matthew 3:8-10 (NIV)...

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (9) And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. (10) The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

God's Church has a lot of past glories – but our hope isn't in our past, but our future! Fans serve and cheer and then retire. Followers don't rely on their past service, but continue to serve and to grow – our roles will change drastically, but we can't stop serving or growing!

Don't misunderstand; I'm not knocking the past. Here at Deep River we have a rich history of faith and many servants who have logged years of service as followers. But now's the time to look forward to what God still has in store for each of us!

So What?

Many Churches are full of people who think they're followers, but are actually just fans. If we believe Jesus, there will be many who call out on Judgment Day, "Lord, Lord", to whom He will reply, "Away from me – I don't know you." That means there are probably some here today who won't see Heaven. Some of you, your children, your grandchildren… I can't be the only one here who's not 'okay' with that.

Jesus didn't say, "Follow me when you can and if it doesn't interfere too much with your life and your plans. Don't worry about the hard teachings I gave, just go ahead and make up easier rules you're more comfortable with." Jesus didn't say that. He said you can't be His follower if you don't give up everything to follow Him.

Followers will see Jesus; fans won't. Please examine yourself about whether you're a follower or just a fan. We're not playing a game here, your future depends on it!