Not A Fan But A Follower

TITLE: Not a Fan but a Follower

TEXT: Mark 8:27-38

INTRO: A soldier was frantically digging in during battle as shells fell all around him. Suddenly his hand felt something made of metal and he grabbed it. It was a silver cross. Another shell exploded and he buried his head in his arms. Just then, someone else jumped in the foxhole with him and he looked over and he saw an army chaplain. The soldier thrust the cross in the chaplain’s face and said, “I sure am glad to see you. How do you work this thing?”

I. LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION (vs.27-30)

A. What Others Thought of Jesus

1. (v.28) And they answered, John the Baptist: but some

say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

2. In (Mat 16:14) And they said, Some say that thou art

John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or

one of the prophets.

3. In (Luk 9:19) "They answering said, John the Baptist;

but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old

prophets is risen again."

4. Before His Crucifixion, Jesus had many fans. As He

entered Jerusalem, the crowds “spread their cloaks on

the road, and others cut branches from the trees and

spread them on the road. and shouted ‘Hosanna to the

Son of David!"

5. Eventually though, many turned away from Him.

(Joh 6:66) From that time many of his disciples went

back, and walked no more with him.

B. What Answer Would We Give?

1. What others think is not important

2. What we believe is what is important

3. Notice Peter's answer (v.29)

II. FANS OR FOLLOWERS (vs.31-38)

A. There are many Fans but few Followers

1. A Fan is a casual follower The word "casual" means

occasional

# In one city they had scheduled a marathon on Palm Sunday, which greatly interfered with normal traffic. The leaders of various churches were upset and made their feelings known in local papers. Many churches reported attendance down 50-70 % on that day. Why, was it not possible to get to church on that day? No, but the race did delay traffic about 15-30 minutes and many regular church attendees were by their own admission unwilling to take the extra time and fight the traffic to get to church.

2. Convenience defines alot of people who profess to be

Christians.

3. Comfort defines a lot of people who profess to be

Christians. We want to meet in air conditioned building

in the summer, and heated building in the winter, and

we want to hear sermons that make us feel good, and

God forbid if we should ever be made to feel

uncomfortable or asked to do something that we’re not

comfortable with doing !

4. Cost free defines a lot of people who profess to be

Christians. Willing to participate as long as it doesn’t

cost anything.

B. To be a Follower Costs Something (vs.34-38)

# British evangelist Gypsy Smith described 4 classes of Christians:

1. Ankle-deep. Come to church once a week, period.

2. Up to their knees. Sunday School, church, evening

service. Pews warm.

3. Up to their waists. Morally strong for Christ.

4. Up to their necks. Small minority. They live to serve

Christ. Lives are above reproach. They are "doers."

Amen