Fan Or Follower? Series

GOSPEL OF MARK: GOD’S SERVANT IN ACTION

FAN OR FOLLOWER?

A. Do you remember when you became a Christian?

ILLUSTRATION:

I was BAPTIZED just two weeks before my 10th birthday. My Mom had been talking to me about being BAPTIZED ever since a couple of my friends did a few weeks before. I saw that they were now

taking the communion, which I thought was cool, so I went forward the next Sunday and was baptized.

For a decade-and-half after that I went about calling myself a Christian, TEACHING Bible classes, serving as a DEACON, being involved in other MINISTRIES of the church. But then I heard a sermon at a church conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma on DISCIPLESHIP—being a true FOLLOWER of Christ, and realized that I did not understand my COMMITMENT to Christ at all when I accepted Him in BAPTISM at 10 years-old. I did it for the WRONG REASON, because my FRIENDS did and my Mom

wanted me too.

As soon as I got back from Tulsa, I had our preacher, Bob Pratt, to BAPTIZE me again at the age of 25, but this time as a true FOLLOWER of Jesus Christ.

B. Our lesson today is about a young man who, when it came to DOING the RIGHT THINGS, did a good job,

but when it came to COMMITMENT to Christ and a RELATIONSHIP with Him, he fell short.

COMMENT:

He was a WEALTHY man, and a YOUNG man. His eyes were set on RELIGIOUS matters—on TEACHERS, ETERNAL LIFE, GOOD DEEDS. He had the look of a SEEKER: he seemed willing to listen and eager to learn. He seemed a FOLLOWER-IN-THE-MAKING. But we soon learn that he wasn’t a FOLLOWER at all, but merely an ADMIRER. Or as Kyle Idleman puts it: “A FAN”—one

who follows Jesus as long as it doesn’t get too DEMANDING or UNCOMFORTABLE?

1. Mark 10:17-22 (READ and COMMENT)

ILLUSTRATION:

Mark tells us that Jesus is saying “Good-Bye” to the people as He leaves the city. He has been teaching and preaching, making friends, and changing lives. The rich young man must have stood on the edge of the crowd for days listening to Jesus teach and preach. Maybe a struggle had been going on within him, “I really should go and talk with Jesus. He seems DIFFERENT from the Pharisees and other Rabbis. He speaks with authority, so maybe he can tell me what I want to know.” Yet,

for some reason he just doesn’t go up to talk to Him.

On this day he realizes that Jesus is leaving town, and this will be the LAST CHANCE he gets to ask Him the burning question that’s been on his mind. So he runs up to Jesus, falls before Him and

asks, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? What’s the quickest way to heaven?”

This is where it gets interesting. Jesus asked, “Have you kept the commandments?” and then starts listing the Ten Commandments. The young man answers proudly, “Every single one of them, since I was boy.” Now, if Jesus was looking for a POSTER BOY for his new movement, this was the guy? YOUNG, RICH, and OBEDIENT. This is one RIGHTEOUS DUDE! I’m sure the disciples are

all thinking, “Sign this guy up! He’ll make a great FOLLOWER!”

But then Jesus gets right to the HEART of the matter: “One thing you lack,” Jesus said, “Go sell everything you have, give it to the poor, and come back and FOLLOW me.”

2. At that very moment the young man had a choice to either be a FAN or a FOLLOWER!

a. Mark 10:22- “At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

b. He chose his WEALTH over a RELATIONSHIP with JESUS.

MESSAGE:

I. A FAN WANTS RELIGION, BUT A FOLLOWER WANTS A RELATIONSHIP

A. Here was a young man that when it came to keeping the RULES, he was highly DEDICATED.

1. In fact, since he was a boy he had been DOING exactly what Jesus said he should be doing,

“Keeping the COMMANDMENTS.”

a. I am afraid that when preachers and teachers say, “We cannot be GOOD ENOUGH or DO ENOUGH to earn SALVATION—to EARN our way to HEAVEN,” we sometimes leave the

IMPRESSION that God is not concerned about OBEDIENCE.

b. Nothing is further from the truth.

2. We cannot be a FOLLOWER of Christ, nor even have LOVE for Christ without being OBEDIENT.

a. John 8:31-32- “…If you HOLD to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know

the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

b. John 14:15- “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

c. John 15:10- “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my