The question, "Am I a fan or follower of Jesus?" seems to be easy to answer, until you look at Kyle Idelman's definition of fan:  an enthusiastic admirer.  It's so much easier to be an enthusiastic admirer of Jesus than a follower.

After all, admiring Jesus enthusiastically doesn't bear much of a cost.  Sure, some folks will make fun of us if we make too much of a deal about Jesus, but if we're just fans, that's where we can ease off a bit and stop making such a big deal about Him.  On the other hand, If we're Jesus' followers then we have to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, regardless of the cost.  As I look back over my life, and ask the question, "Am I a fan or a follower of Jesus?" I can see many places where an outside observer would assume I was a follower, when I was probably just being a fan.  After all, as a pastor, my life is wrapped up in Jesus and telling others about Him.  Even when I'm doing that, though, it can be as a fan rather than a follower.

For example, I can get very enthusiastic about the Pittsburgh Steelers, and there for a while before the All-Star break last summer, I was even enthusiastic about the Pittsburgh Pirates, but I am definitely nothing more than an enthusiastic admirer when it comes to them.  So, how can I tell (how can YOU tell) when I (you) move from being a fan to being a follower of Jesus?  The short answer is:  the cost.  Following Jesus costs us in every area of our lives.  Being fans of Jesus means the costs are optional.  If we're followers of Jesus He owns us.  If we're fans of Jesus we think we are doing Jesus a favor when we show commitment to Him.

As we go about this day, let's pause frequently to consider this week's commitment from yesterday's message:  I will invest this week defining my relationship with Jesus.  Am I a follower or Am I a fan?  Remember the difference between fans and followers can be summed up in a single word:  COMMITMENT!

Let's pray: Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for committing Yourself to us!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may commit ourselves fully to You.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.