From Fans to Followers: Embracing True Discipleship
Summary
In our journey through the life of Peter, we delve into the transformation from a mere admirer of a first-century rabbi to a man who would lead the early church and follow Jesus even unto death. This transformation is not just a historical account; it is a call to each of us to shift from being fans to becoming true followers of Jesus Christ.
I shared a personal anecdote about my childhood attempt at flight, dressed as a superhero, which ended with a broken leg. This story serves as a metaphor for our spiritual lives. We are not the heroes of our own stories; Jesus is. We often misidentify ourselves as the giant slayers in our lives, but it is through God's power that we overcome life's giants. This truth is encapsulated in my life verse, John 3:30, "He must become greater; I must become less."
The heart of our message is the difference between being a fan and a follower of Jesus. Fans cheer from the sidelines, but followers are actively engaged in the mission. We explored the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, a miracle that signified the beginning of His earthly ministry and a demonstration of His glory to His disciples. This miracle was not just for the wedding guests but for the disciples to see Jesus as more than a teacher; He was the Messiah.
We are called to show up, to be present in our walk with Christ. This means serving in the church, attending services, engaging in personal prayer, and opening God's Word with a heart ready to receive. Peter's journey with Jesus was marked by his willingness to go wherever Jesus led, a testament to his transformation from a fan to a follower.
The story of Peter is a powerful reminder that following Jesus is not a passive act. It requires action, commitment, and a willingness to step out in faith. As we unpack Peter's life and faith journey, we are challenged to examine our own lives: Are we fans who admire Jesus from a distance, or are we followers who take up our cross daily and live in obedience to His call?
Key Takeaways:
- Being a follower of Jesus means recognizing that we are not the heroes of our own stories. Our lives are not about our own strength or abilities, but about the power and grace of Jesus working through us. This humility allows God to be glorified in us. [03:45]
- The miracle of Jesus turning water into wine was not just a display of His power, but a sign of His identity as the Messiah. It was an invitation for His disciples to believe in Him and for us to recognize the extraordinary in our ordinary lives. [40:10]
- Showing up is the first step in transforming from a fan to a follower of Jesus. It requires a commitment to be present, to engage with the community of believers, and to be open to God's leading in our lives. [34:34]
- The call to follow Jesus is an active pursuit, not a passive belief. It is a daily decision to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and live in obedience to His teachings. This is the essence of discipleship. [14:04]
- The story of Peter's life is a blueprint for our own faith journey. As we learn from his experiences, we are encouraged to grow in our faith, to develop godly qualities, and to be diligent in confirming our calling and election as followers of Christ. [16:39]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 3:30 - "He must become greater; I must become less."
2. Luke 9:23 - "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'"
3. John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana, where Jesus turns water into wine.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana? How did this miracle impact His disciples? ([32:48])
2. According to the sermon, what is the difference between being a fan and a follower of Jesus? ([06:37])
3. How did Peter's transformation from a fan to a follower of Jesus manifest in his actions and decisions? ([00:49])
4. What does John 3:30 mean in the context of the sermon, and why is it significant to the speaker's personal testimony? ([05:07])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Jesus turning water into wine illustrate the concept of seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary? ([30:49])
2. What does it mean to "deny oneself and take up their cross daily" as described in Luke 9:23? How does this apply to the life of a follower of Jesus? ([14:04])
3. In what ways did Peter's willingness to follow Jesus wherever He led demonstrate his transformation from a fan to a follower? ([35:47])
4. How does recognizing that "we are not the heroes of our own stories" change our perspective on our spiritual journey and relationship with Jesus? ([03:45])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have been more of a fan than a follower of Jesus? What steps can you take to become more actively engaged in your faith? ([06:37])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of showing up and being present in our walk with Christ. What specific actions can you take this week to show up more fully in your spiritual practices, such as prayer, Bible reading, or church involvement? ([34:34])
3. Think about a time when you tried to be the hero of your own story. How did that experience compare to relying on God's power and grace? How can you shift your mindset to allow Jesus to be the hero in your life? ([03:45])
4. Jesus' miracle at the wedding in Cana was a private demonstration of His glory to His disciples. How can you recognize and celebrate the "extraordinary" moments in your everyday life that reveal God's presence and power? ([32:48])
5. Peter's journey with Jesus involved significant sacrifices and a willingness to follow Him even unto death. What sacrifices might God be calling you to make in order to follow Him more closely? ([00:49])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of community and serving within the church. How can you become more involved in your church community to support and encourage others in their faith journey? ([34:34])
7. Reflect on John 3:30, "He must become greater; I must become less." How can you practice humility in your daily life to allow God's glory to shine through you? ([05:07])
Devotional
Day 1: Humility in Christ's Glory
True followers of Jesus recognize that their lives are not about personal glory but about reflecting the glory of Christ. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about understanding the proper order of things—Christ must increase, and we must decrease. This perspective shifts the focus from our own abilities to the power and grace of Jesus working through us. When we embrace this truth, we allow God to be glorified in us, and our lives become a testament to His transformative work. This humility is essential for spiritual growth and effective discipleship, as it aligns our hearts with God's purposes and enables us to serve Him with the right attitude. [03:45]
"For who is greater, the one who reclines at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves." - Luke 22:27 ESV
Reflection: How can you shift the focus from your own achievements to God's work in your life today?
Day 2: Recognizing the Messiah in the Mundane
The miracle of Jesus turning water into wine was not merely a display of divine power but a revelation of His identity as the Messiah. This event invites believers to see the extraordinary in the ordinary and to recognize Jesus' presence in everyday life. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and to see the deeper spiritual significance in the world around us. By acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah in our daily lives, we open ourselves to a deeper faith and a more profound understanding of His work in the world. This recognition is the first step in moving from mere admiration to active discipleship. [40:10]
"And Jesus said to him, 'Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.'" - John 4:48 ESV
Reflection: What ordinary moments this week can you view as opportunities to witness Christ's presence?
Day 3: The First Step of Presence
Showing up is the foundational act that marks the transformation from a fan to a follower of Jesus. It is a commitment to be present, to engage with the community of believers, and to be open to God's leading. This presence is not passive; it is an active participation in the life of the church and in personal spiritual disciplines. Being present means serving, attending services, engaging in personal prayer, and opening one's heart to God's Word. It is in these acts of presence that believers grow in their relationship with Christ and become more attuned to His voice and direction. [34:34]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you increase your presence in the life of your church community this week?
Day 4: Active Pursuit of Discipleship
Following Jesus is an active pursuit that requires daily commitment. It is about denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and living in obedience to His teachings. This pursuit is the essence of discipleship, which calls for action, commitment, and a willingness to step out in faith. It is not enough to believe passively; one must live out that belief through concrete actions and choices that reflect a life surrendered to Christ. This active pursuit is what transforms belief into a living faith that impacts every aspect of life. [14:04]
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." - Matthew 10:38 ESV
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to actively pursue deeper discipleship with Jesus?
Day 5: Blueprint for Faithful Living
The life of Peter serves as a blueprint for our own faith journey. By examining his experiences, believers are encouraged to grow in faith, develop godly qualities, and diligently confirm their calling and election as followers of Christ. Peter's transformation from a fan to a follower exemplifies the growth that is possible when one is committed to following Jesus. His story reminds us that discipleship is a process that involves learning, stumbling, and growing. As we follow this blueprint, we can expect to experience our own transformation and become more effective in our witness for Christ. [16:39]
"Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." - 2 Peter 1:10 ESV
Reflection: What qualities do you see in Peter's life that you can emulate to strengthen your own walk with Christ?
Quotes
- "I am NOT the hero of my own story... it's through his power that we're able to overcome the Giants of depression and the Giants of control and the Giants of comfort." [05:07] (Download | )
- "Jesus must become greater; I must become less... He is the hero of this story, not me." [05:44] (Download | )
- "We cannot simply be fans of Jesus; we've got to be completely devoted followers of Jesus... he wants us to get in the game." [07:16] (Download | )
- "Jesus is calling you to just simply show up... the very first thing that we're gonna have to do is just be willing to show up." [34:34] (Download | )
- "Peter followed Jesus everywhere... he had to be willing to just go." [35:47] (Download | )
- "Are you a fan of Jesus or are you a follower of Jesus? Are you someone who just comes on Sundays... but if Jesus asked you to do anything uncomfortable, well, I'm not really about that." [36:38] (Download | )
- "It's easy to identify someone who is following Jesus because they're either following Jesus or they're not, and their lives and their speech will reflect it." [13:23] (Download | )
- "Jesus said... 'if anyone would follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross how often? Every day, daily take up their cross, deny themselves and follow after me.'" [14:04] (Download | )
- "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue... and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." [16:07] (Download | )
- "Jesus turned something ordinary into something extraordinary... He wanted to demonstrate just how sweet he is to come and see." [40:10] (Download | )
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