The Fan And The Follower

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

Matthew 16:24-26

What’s the difference between a fan and a follower? If you’re a fan, maybe you wear a t-shirt with the name of the one you adore. You sing like him. You act like him. You emulate him. You follow him anywhere he goes. That’s what you do.

In the Christian world, a fan of Jesus Christ is one who looks for what he can get. A follower of Jesus Christ is committed to what he can give.

A fan has bumper stickers and a fish on his car. A follower sticks to Jesus and fishes for men.

A fan will register on their computer that they like Jesus on Facebook. A follower reads and acts by faith on the Book.

A fan wears an I-love-you-Jesus t-shirt. A follower truly loves Jesus.

A fan watches people sing about Jesus. A follower saves people’s souls by sharing the gospel of Jesus.

A fan is an admirer of the preacher. They call up and they say, “This Sunday, who’s speaking in St. Francis? Who’s speaking? Okay, never mind, I’ll look for another church.” “Who’s speaking in your church? No, I don’t like that preacher?” They’re admirers of the preacher. A follower is addicted to Jesus.

A fan wears a cross, nothing wrong. But a follower bears the cross.

A fan, maybe not knowing, is lost and headed for eternal torment separate from God to hell. A follower is a child of God, filled with hope and love destined for heaven.

Nothing wrong being a fan, please understand me, and we all start out as fans. But do we stay there? Is that it? My friends, it’s easy to be a fan, nothing is required, no qualifications needed. But it takes total commitment to be a truly committed follower of Jesus Christ.

Jesus today is looking for followers, not for fans. Unfortunately, many churches are filled with lots of fans but not followers. Question to us is: which one am I? Am I fan or am I a follower? Friends, listen, a follower of Christ is not just a better version of you. No. A follower of Christ is a totally brand new person that God has changed.

I will follow Christ
I will run the race
Fighting the good fight
Standing by my faith
I will wear the name of Jesus
I will give Him all my life
As for me no matter what the sacrifice
I will follow Christ
- Walter C. Crosnow and Steve Siler