Are You In The Game Or Are You Just Here For The Commercials?

On this Super Bowl Sunday, I thought this analogy seemed appropriate: Are You In The Game Or Are You Just Here For The Commercials?....What Does It Really Mean To Follow Jesus?

Churches in America today 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.

A fan is an enthusiastic admirer. He sits in the stands and cheers for his team. He's got a signed jersey hanging on his wall at home and multiple bumper stickers on the back of his car. But he's never in the game. There is no sacrifice he has to make.

Fans want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires sacrifice. Being a follower of Jesus requires sacrifice, because He sacrificed for us.

Are you a Super Fan or a Super Follower of a Super God?

Too often believers try to talk other people into following Jesus. We try to make following Him as appealing, comfortable, and convenient as possible. But being a follower of Jesus is anything but comfortable. It is more comfortable to be a part of the crowd.

It's wasn't the size of the crowd Jesus cared about; it was their level of commitment. "Jesus never asked us to sit on the sidelines and cheer for His cause." - Craig Groeschel

Are you committed or are you just in it for the free meals? If you're not committed, there won't be a lot of free bread.

I think Jesus has a lot of fans these days. Fans who cheer for Him when things are going well, but who walk away when it's a difficult season. Fans who sit safely in the stands cheering, but they know nothing of the sacrifice and pain of the field. Fans of Jesus who know all about Him, but they don't know Him. There's a huge difference!

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?....This may be the most important question you ever answer. I believe that the reason we were put on this earth is to answer this one question. And the truth is, whether or not we do so consciously or intentionally, we all answer the question.

Suffering seems part of the package, if you are going to live a godly life in Christ and not just be a fan of Christ -- then we will suffer. This is not just part of my theology, but very much my experience.

Broken, struggling, suffering -- that is the believer who will have a faith that at the end is of greater worth than gold.

Sacrificing for Christ means that His goodness will overcome us; bringing us life, and a joy that we will be able to find in all circumstances and that will never be taken away.

Blessings,
Dalinda