Sermon Tone Analysis

Are you a follower of Jesus?

We tend to answer this question very fast a lot people in here would immediately say yes and that would be the end of the answering.

To some this question will feel redundant and maybe even unnecessary.

But the reason I am asking every one this question is this.

Are you a Fan or are you a follower

Earlier I mentioned a few things that we as humans are big fans of.

Like Star Trek, Star Wars, a television series, and sports.

And there are a lot of other activities that are out there.

I am going to dvid the church into two categories and want to see if either on of these groups apply to you.

First group

The “Jesus fish on the Back of my car” group:

The “Jesus fish on the back of my car” group

This

serious enough about your faith that you shop in the christian section of the book store.

The question “are you a follower of Christ” seems rhetorical

The “Why is there a fish on the back of my friend’s car”

Skipped over the question “are you a follower of Christ” all together

D.T.R

So where do we start in determining if you really are a follower of Christ?

The D.T.R stands for Define the Relationship

In College i had a girl friend who I was dating and in the first week or the relationship she wanted to know where this was going.

I got scared and that relationship ended fast.

Now what would happen if you went into a coffee shop or a restaurant like sweet boys.

and all of the sudden Jesus walked in and sat next to you.

Pray really quick for your food because you for got to bless it.

And right before you start up a conversation with Jesus Jesus looks at you and skips the small talk and says “It’s time we define this relationship”

Is your relationship with him exclusive?

Is it just a casual weekend thing or has it moved past that?

How would your relationship with Jesus be defined?

We can call ourselves Christians.

but there are a lot of Christians out there and even in here how would have difficulty defining there relationship with Christ.

And what I am meaning is they are more fans then they are followers.

Fans meaning “An enthusiastic admirer”

Its the guy who goes to the football game with his chest painted and never misses a game and cheers the loudest out of everyone.

Never breaks a sweat for the work that he does.

if his team is doing well.

But once they are not he still will go to the games but not cheer as loud.

or its the person who cannot go throughout their day without reading or watching their favorite show or magazine.

where they know more about the actress or actor than anyone else in the world maybe even more than individual themselves.

Jesus was never interested in having fans.

When he defines what kind of relationship he wants, “Enthusiastic admirer” is not an option.

My concern is that many of our churches in America have gone from being sanctuaries to becoming stadiums.

and every week all the fans come to the stadium where they cheer for Jesus but have no interest in truly following him.

The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren’t actually interested in following Christ.

They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them.

And we here at Carter Lake Road Church of Christ we are no exception.

So fan or follower?

by now you may have answered the question “I’m a follower” What makes you so sure.

Are there sections of your life labeled off limits or does Jesus have all access?

Jesus feeds the 5,000

This story a lot of people have read and have understood that Jesus and God will take care of like they did back in the old testament with the people of Israel with the manna

the next part of the chapter I want to skip and go to the next section.

Jesus the Bread of Life

This passage Jesus is getting a little more intense in his teaching talking about signs and bread.

And his disciple asking I have seen these signs and “bread from heaven always give it to us.

And the Jews there started to grumble when Jesus said that he was the bread that came down from heaven.

The difference between Fan and Follower

John 6:60

This is hard teachings Who can accept this?

The teaching of Jesus the man that they have been following Jesus for some time, who have seen miracles of Jesus who have been in his presence, and they are saying we can not do these things.

in 66: From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

Then he turns to the 12 and says to them what about you do you want to leave too.

And they stay.

even though one was still there who was going to betray Jesus.

Fan or Follower

Even people who were following Jesus for a long time were ultimately fans of Jesus cheering him on as he does his work.

The gospels record many different examples of people having the D.T.R talk with Jesus and the question “am I a fan or am I a follower” has to be answered.

Being a follower of Christ means that everywhere that we go we be a mirror and the reflection of God and Jesus should be reflecting off us.

I have a friend who called me a few days ago and he told me two stories that did not make since to him.

the first was about a member of the church is no longer going to that church and he called up at the office to let them know, and the reason why was because of my friends sermons.

This confused my friend and he called the man up to see what he meant and how he could improve. he called and the man answered and he was shocked that my friend called him about the situation.

And as they continued talking he said the reason I don’t like your sermons is because it seems that you are just interfering with my life.

and hung up.

now my friend was very confuse because the man just wanted to sit in church sing a few songs and hear a lesson maybe get a nap in and leave and go to lunch but he did not like the fact that my friends sermon was challenging how he was living his life.

The second story is the same friend was asked to guest speak at another church, and a college kid came up to him and told him.

“hey I don’t go to church anymore because its fake.

But I really enjoyed what you said.

My friend asked what do you mean its fake.

The college kid explained, back home my father is an elder and on the way to church he would be cussing out my mom and have a bad attitude about everything but once he got out of the car it was like another person he would smile and say God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

but once service was over and back home he acted like before.

And that is an elder of the church.

Fan of Follower

Many of us say that because we go to church or I’m to old or I’m to young, I’m to shy, I don’t know what to say gives us an out when following Christ.

But like I said earlier Jesus is not interested ing Enthusiastic admires.

He is interested in having followers.

Don’t make this place into a room of tradition and stadium seats.

Learn here and do out there.

this is not a 4 hours a week thing.

This is a 24/7 deal.

If you are want to stop being that fan in the stands all their doing is cheering, and actually get on the field and get your hands dirty, be that mirror that God wants you to be.

We are here for you as together we stand and sing.