NOT A FAN

Becoming A Completely Committed Follower of Jesus: Bible Study Lesson 6

Kyle Idleman in chapters eleven and twelve continues to stress the sacrificial nature of being a follower of Jesus. When speaking of the conditions of the crucifixion as it relates to the condemned persons actually transporting their own cross he writes:

“You can’t carry a cross without suffering. There is no comfortable way to carry a cross; I don’t care how you position it.”  (Idleman pg. 160).

QUESTIONS: What point is idleman trying to make with this statement? What are some of the crosses that followers of Jesus must bear?

Any Volunteers For Suffering?

There are three would be “followers” of Jesus who ended up showing their true colors as mere fans of Jesus!

2 Tim 3:12-13

Yes, and those who decide to please Christ Jesus by living godly lives will suffer (persecution) at the hands of those who hate him. TLB (italics mine)

It stands to reason that if Christianity is against the devil than the devil is most certainly against Christianity and all of those who are called by that name. Consequently, the Christian should expect no less that Satan’s worst. Satan, and all those that are his conspire against God and all those that are his. Paul was a man who lived by godly principles and pursued a walk that was pleasing to God. That journey brought him into direct opposition to Satan and his demonic host. The question that Idleman asks is “Am I really carrying a cross if there is no suffering and sacrifice?” (Idleman pg 161).

Luke 9:57-62

FAN NUMBER ONE “The Comfortable Servant”

57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

During those days the students or disciples of a rabbi would be required to follow him everywhere he went and to partake of whatever the rabbi did. So when the rabbi ate, the students ate and when he rested, they rested etc. Knowing in advance that he might have to follow Jesus into homelessness, the man had some thinking to do.  It is believed that the man to which this text was addressed was himself a scribe and had probably witnessed some of the miracles of Jesus and had most likely believed that by being a follower of Jesus he would be placed in a very profitable position to receive some worldly advantages.

However, once there was a determination that the disciples were not staying at the Hilton or the Ritz Carlton or being entertained at the homes of the rich and famous, this would be follower withdrew his proposal.

QUESTIONS: Given all of the hardships that Jesus’ disciples had to endure, why would anyone want to volunteer to become one of them?  Do people seek out Jesus today because of some perceived advantages?

FAN NUMBER TWO “The Mis-Prioritized Servant”

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

This particular man received a personal call from Jesus to follow him, but declined because he had something of more importance of which to engage his energies. He tell Jesus, that before he responds to Jesus’ request that is something of greater importance he must attend to.  He must go “first” and bury his father. What this is mostly likely to mean is that the man wanted to put off following Jesus until after his father died. Oddly enough, this man was concerned more about preparing for his father’s funeral than he was his own funeral and eternal home. Perhaps this man was a first born son and wanted to be sure to be home to claim his inheritance!  Jesus was not suggesting that the man dishonor his family or neglect his responsibility but was rather making the point that we cannot allow any relationship or responsibility to have a greater priority to doing God’s will.

QUESTIONS: What really disqualified this man from following Jesus? What would this man have lost to have followed Jesus? What would have gained if he had followed him?

FAN NUMBER THREE “The Distracted Servant”

61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.KJV

This particular man announced his willingness to follow Jesus but rather than looking forward to his walk with Christ chose rather to look backward upon the life from which Jesus was about to lead him from. He was distracted by the people and things of his past.  Jesus requires total dedication from his followers not half-hearted commitment. QUESTION: When does helping out your family or bidding farewell become a sin?

“Snuggie Theology”

This is the term used by Idleman to describe the soft and easy; non-sacrificial perception of discipleship held by many Christians.  He writes “we are by nature comfort seekers, not cross bearers.” (Idleman pg. 212). It would seem that modern day Christians bear little resemblance to their earlier counterparts. Many churches in order to fill their pews preach a more comfortable doctrine one that sets their listeners in a state of spiritual ease regardless of the reality of their standing with the word of God.

2 Tim 4:3-5  3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.KJV People today would rather hear men’s opinions than the word of God concerning life’s matters. They would rather follow man’s wisdom than Gods’ word. They look for teachers who’s gospel requires no suffering, dying to self or sacrifice of worldly lust. They no longer desire “preachers” but they now want “speakers.”