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
