Last week we learned that all believers of Jesus Christ are joined as one Body in Christ through the Spirit of God. We learned that each member is vital to the church and thus every member has a responsibility to the church in carrying out Jesus continuous work of redemption. As I read Saturday’s devotions in Our Daily Bread, it reminded me of our significance as one Body in Christ. Listen briefly:
All Christians have been gifted
By grace from God above,
Equipped to build and strengthen
The church in faith and love. —Fitzhugh
Unfortunately, because too many believers are solely a follower and not a disciple of Christ, they do not build and strengthen the church. Oh yes, they come to church but there participation in the works of the church is at a distance.
So today, I’d like to address the subject: “Following at a Distance.” In reading our text, it amazed me how at one minute everybody was loving on Jesus then at the next minute even those closest to Him changed up on Him. You know how that it don’t you?
• What about that friend whom you entrusted now has betrayed you! Or,
• What about that supervisor whom you confided in now uses that information against you!
What about Peter who closed up his business to follow Jesus? Peter, who at one minute, cut the man’s ear off because of the man’s behavior towards Christ. Shortly afterwards, Peter now denies even knowing Christ. I’m talking about Peter who was a disciple of Christ, part of Christ inner circle of closet friends.
I surmise that then there is a difference between a disciple and a follower. A follower is one that imitates another’s’ opinions and actions as long as he/she is in agreement with that leader. While a disciple is one who accepts and assists in spreading the Doctrines of Jesus Christ at all cost. So then, being a follower is conditional while being a disciple is unconditional. In other words, a follower isn’t dedicated while a disciple is not only dedicated but totally committed to the cause of Christ. Also, a follower can be saved but not sanctified but a disciple is saved and sanctified.
Look at the text:
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Oh yes, Peter was saved but he was in a season of failure when he denied knowing Christ. Remember the Scripture says, “If you be ashamed of me before me then I’ll be ashamed of you before my Father in Heaven.” Peter, a saved follower disowned Christ and subject himself to risking his eternal relationship with Christ and God in Heaven. See, a saved follower only wants to inherit eternal life but a saved disciple will inherit eternal life and rewards from God in heaven. One author stated, “Salvation is guaranteed, but not discipleship, because discipleship makes radical demands that some people are not ready to meet. There are Christians who are truly saved but do not continue on the road of discipleship.” Oh yes, you can be a Christian and bear no fruit and your salvation is not jeopardized. However, I want more than just to see the face of God. I want to receive my divine rewards for the fruit that I bear while here on earth. Jesus said, “You will know my disciples by the fruit that they bear.”
So where do you find yourself? Are you a follower or a disciple? Is your being a disciple conditional on the seasons or unconditional regardless to the seasons?
You and I both know that there are times when it appears that we’ve stepped into a season of failure; a season when it seems like nothing is going right. That’s how it was for Peter. For, he believed that his life was at stake. Thus, Peter goes from being a disciple to a follower because three times he denied knowing Christ.
Church there is danger in solely being a follower. Let’s look at these dangers and see how God can transform us into being practicing Disciples of Jesus Christ.
1. A follower is not committed
2. A follower is subject to follow anyone
3. A follower is limiting his/her rewards from God
1. A follower is not committed thus that individual:
• Walks away for all practical purposes and is disobedient to God’s Word because obeying the Word is not convenient.
• Never grow, never serve Him
• Never do anything for the Kingdom of God (Sunday morning worshiper)
• Produces either no fruit or bad fruit
• Serves his/her own pleasures and not those of God
2. A follower is subject to follow anyone
• Being simply a follower means that one’s thinking is unstable. Now, why did Peter follow him at a distance? Perhaps because he was torn – torn between his vows of loyalty made before Jesus and his desire to save his skin. Unable to reject Jesus completely, Peter follows at a distance.
o Why do we distance ourselves, like Peter, from Jesus. Well, I believe we do it for two reasons:
We distance ourselves because we want to be comfortable. When we are confronted by Jesus, we cannot sit comfortably in our evil ways. Why do you think people like “sweet sermons”? Why do you think people don’t want to be told when they are doing wrong?
We distance ourselves because it is safer to be a spectator. It is easier to sit back and see what happens. If you don’t like this show, then you go to another show. If “such & such” church looks better from the pew then I’m going there.
Please take note Church, whenever a follower is not rooted and grounded in Christ that individual’s tendency is to follow anyone and any doctrine that comes their way. This individual is tossed to and fro and is easily beset by false teachings. However a disciple’s motive is to please God because the Lord demands that He become the most important thing in our life.
• Following anyone means that we constantly subject ourselves to the mandates of the one in whom we are following. Peter stands with the high priests who desire to kill Jesus. At no time did Peter speak up on behalf of Jesus; rather Peter gets around the fire to warm himself. He sits with Christ’s enemies and becomes fearful where once he was bold and courageous. Spirits have a way of transferring themselves and if we are not careful of the company we keep, we subject ourselves to this transference. Now Peter denies even knowing Christ as Christ had predicted that Peter would do so.
• Being a follower means that we have misplaced trust and hope. The Word of God in Psalms 146:3-4, “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.”
3. A follower is limiting his/her rewards from God
There are five crowns mentioned in scripture. They deal with different aspects of the Christian life. The crowns reflect levels of maturity in regards to a believer’s growth and accomplishments of service to the Lord. God promise that His children will receive rewards for the works done while on earth. Those rewards are five crowns. Let’s briefly look at these crowns and their importance.
• Incorruptible Crown - (1 Cor. 9:25): “They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. . . 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.”
This crown indicates mastery over the sin nature. The Corinthians were urged to run the Christian life in such a way as to receive the reward in the end. Here the emphasis is in self-control; thus a follower limits the Holy Spirit in aiding him in self-control.
Crown of righteousness - (2 Timothy 4:7-8): “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
This crown goes to those who live righteously in this world while they look forward to Christ’s return. They are those who are not captivated by this world, but hunger and thirst after righteousness.
• Crown of Life – (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10): “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
This crown is awarded to those who proceed in God’s plan for your life while enduring trials. The believer who moves forward in God’s call and assignment in the face of difficulty, even martyrdom, will receive this crown.
• Crown of Glory - (Philippians 4:1; 1 Thess.2:19): “Therefore, my brother, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
This crown is for those who lead others to Christ or demonstrate fruitfulness by influencing others towards righteousness.
• Crown of rejoicing – (1 Peter 5:4): To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder. . . One who will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care. . .and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
The greatest achievement is to fulfill your calling and finish the work God gave you to do. The scripture reference is speaking to pastors who finish their work faithfully, but this crown is not only for pastors. It is for anyone who finds and fulfills their assignment God has given them.
Followers don’t inherit these crowns. Let’s review:
• Incorruptible Crown for mastery over the sin nature.
• Crown of Righteousness for living righteously in this world.
• Crown of Live for enduring trials while proceeding in God’s plan.
• Crown of Joy for leading others to Christ and in righteousness.
• Crown of Glory for fulfilling your calling and finishing the work assigned
Now you tell me, do you still want to be a follower or do you desire to be a disciple? Peter realized that he made a mistake. Well let’s call it what it is! Peter sinned! But we serve a forgiving God who forgives us of all our sins. Peter confessed and repented and God restored him to his office of discipleship. Peter later became one of the most profound individuals in the erection of the 1st Christian Church at Antioch.
Our 2013 Theme is “It’s Time to Step Up and Step Out.” The problem is too many of us have not stepped up to the plate and certainly not stepping out into the highways and byways to tell a dying world about a saving Jesus. This is our season corporately and individually:
• For growth,
• For prosperity,
• For restoration,
• For deliverance, and
• For victory.
I beseech Church please don’t tie God’s hands by simply being a follower. Throughout the Bible we witness numerous followers but limited disciples. God has more in store for you and for me. He wants us to be His disciples and continue the work of Christ.
