From Fans to Followers: Embracing True Discipleship

Summary

Today’s focus is on the difference between being a fan of Jesus and being a true follower. It’s easy to get excited about things we love—sports, hobbies, or even fun church events—but God calls us to a deeper, more committed relationship. Just as we pour our energy, time, and resources into the things we’re passionate about, we’re challenged to examine whether we bring that same passion and commitment to our walk with Christ. The call is not just to admire Jesus from a distance, but to step onto the field, to participate, and to live out our faith in tangible ways.

Fans are content to watch from the sidelines, showing up when it’s convenient or when everything aligns with their preferences. Followers, on the other hand, embrace the cost of discipleship, showing up even when it’s hard, inconvenient, or uncomfortable. Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy, but He did promise that it would be worth it. He wants our hearts, our desires, and our willingness to put Him first—even above the things we love most.

The difference between a fan and a follower is seen in daily choices. Fans may know about Jesus, speak the language, and attend church, but followers know Him personally and pursue Him relentlessly. Followers are willing to make sacrifices, to show up when it’s not easy, and to chase after Christ even when it means letting go of comfort or convenience. Jesus calls us to take up our cross daily, to surrender our lives, and to trust that He will fill us with life to the fullest.

Ultimately, the invitation is to move beyond surface-level enthusiasm and into a life of deep, personal relationship with Jesus. It’s not about perfection, but about taking daily steps closer to Him—reading His Word, spending time in prayer, and letting our lives reflect His love. When we give Him our hearts, He blesses us beyond what we can imagine, and others will see Jesus in us, not just by what we say, but by how we live.

Key Takeaways

- Passion for Christ Should Surpass All Other Passions
It’s natural to get excited about things like sports or hobbies, but God asks us to examine whether our excitement for Him matches or exceeds our excitement for anything else. True spiritual growth begins when we channel our passion and energy toward knowing and serving Christ, not just enjoying the things of this world. This shift in focus reveals where our true priorities lie and invites us to deeper intimacy with God. [47:00]

- Fans Admire; Followers Participate
There’s a stark difference between admiring Jesus from a distance and actively following Him. Fans are content to watch, cheer, and claim association, but followers step onto the field, seeking opportunities to serve, obey, and build God’s kingdom. The call is to move from passive observation to active participation, embracing the daily work of discipleship. [49:59]

- Comfort is the Enemy of Commitment
Fans seek comfort and convenience, showing up when it suits them, but followers embrace the cross, showing up even when it’s hard or inconvenient. True discipleship often requires sacrifice—of time, preferences, and even comfort. The willingness to pursue Christ regardless of circumstances is a mark of genuine faith and a heart surrendered to God’s purposes. [52:43]

- Jesus Wants Your Heart, Not Just Your Actions
God isn’t primarily after your money, your achievements, or your outward religious activity—He wants your heart. He desires a relationship so close that you’re willing to give up anything if He asks, trusting that He will always reward your faithfulness. When your heart is fully His, obedience and sacrifice become acts of love, not obligation. [59:25]

- Daily Steps Draw Us Closer to Christ
Perfection isn’t required, but progress is. Taking even small daily steps—reading a verse, praying briefly, or making a simple act of obedience—draws us closer to Jesus. Over time, these steps build a life that reflects Christ, and the relationship deepens, moving us from knowing about Him to truly knowing Him personally. [01:05:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:59] - Fruit-by-the-Foot Game & Church Fun
[38:27] - The Heart of Harvest Church Staff
[40:01] - The Journey of Harvest Students
[41:13] - Sports, Love, and Sacrifice
[42:43] - Growing Up in Sports and Changing Passions
[43:27] - From Sports Passion to Spiritual Challenge
[45:23] - When God Checks Our Priorities
[47:00] - Are You a Fan or a Follower?
[48:23] - Fair-Weathered Faith vs. True Discipleship
[49:59] - Fans Admire, Followers Obey
[51:51] - Embracing the Cost of Discipleship
[53:37] - Chasing After Christ in All Circumstances
[55:37] - Jesus’ Sacrifice and Our Response
[57:41] - The Promise of a Full Life
[59:25] - God Wants Your Heart
[01:01:22] - Living a Life that Reflects Jesus
[01:03:10] - Knowing Jesus Personally
[01:05:50] - Taking Daily Steps Toward Christ
[01:08:38] - Invitation and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Fan or Follower?

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### Bible Reading

- Luke 9:23-24 (NLT)
> Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

- Matthew 8:19-20 (NLT)
> Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

- Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT)
> “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Luke 9:23-24, what does Jesus say is required of someone who wants to be His follower?
2. In Matthew 8:19-20, what does Jesus say about the cost of following Him?
3. What is the difference between a fan and a follower, as described in the sermon? [[49:59]]
4. In Matthew 7:21-23, what is the difference between knowing about Jesus and truly knowing Him?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes “taking up your cross daily” instead of just once? What does this look like in real life? [[50:34]]
2. The sermon says fans admire from a distance, but followers participate. What might be some reasons people stay on the sidelines instead of getting involved? [[49:59]]
3. Jesus says the Son of Man has “no place to lay his head.” What does this reveal about the kind of life He calls His followers to? [[56:16]]
4. In Matthew 7:21-23, why do you think Jesus says “I never knew you” to people who did religious things in His name? What does this teach us about the kind of relationship He wants? [[01:03:57]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to think about what we get most excited about—sports, hobbies, or Jesus. What is something you are passionate about, and how does your excitement for Jesus compare? [[47:00]]
2. Can you think of a time when you acted more like a fan than a follower—showing up only when it was convenient or comfortable? What would it look like to “step onto the field” in your faith this week? [[49:59]]
3. The pastor shared how God asked him, “When is the last time you got as excited about Me as you do about football?” What is one practical way you could show more passion for Christ in your daily life? [[47:00]]
4. Followers are willing to make sacrifices and show up even when it’s hard. Is there an area of your life where God might be asking you to give up comfort or convenience to follow Him more closely? [[52:43]]
5. The sermon said Jesus wants your heart, not just your actions. Are there things you do for God out of obligation rather than love? How could you shift your motivation? [[59:25]]
6. The pastor encouraged taking small daily steps—like reading a verse or praying briefly. What is one small step you can commit to this week to grow closer to Jesus? [[01:05:50]]
7. When people look at your life, do they see someone who is a fan or a follower of Jesus? What is one change you could make so that others see Jesus in you, not just by what you say, but by how you live? [[01:01:22]]

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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person move from being a fan to a true follower, willing to take up their cross daily and follow Jesus with their whole heart.

Devotional

Day 1: Fans Admire from a Distance, Followers Walk in Obedience
A true follower of Jesus doesn't just watch from the sidelines or cheer from afar—they step onto the field and participate in building God's kingdom. While fans may be content to observe and admire, followers actively seek out opportunities to do God's will, even when it's inconvenient or challenging. The difference is in the daily choices: fans are impressed by Jesus, but followers are willing to make personal sacrifices, taking up their cross every single day. Ask yourself if you are simply watching or if you are truly involved in what God is doing, letting your actions reflect your faith. [49:59]

Luke 9:23-24 (NLT)
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been content to watch from the sidelines instead of stepping in to serve or obey God? What is one step you can take today to move from being a fan to a follower in that area?


Day 2: Followers Embrace the Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus is not always easy or comfortable; it often means giving up convenience, comfort, or even personal desires. Jesus himself had nowhere to lay his head, and he calls his followers to be willing to endure hardship for the sake of the kingdom. True followers show up, serve, and remain faithful even when it’s inconvenient or when their preferences aren’t met, trusting that Jesus is always present and that the reward is far greater than the sacrifice. [57:04]

Matthew 8:19-20 (NLT)
Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

Reflection: When was the last time you chose to follow Jesus even when it was uncomfortable or inconvenient? What is one way you can embrace the cost of discipleship this week?


Day 3: Jesus Offers Life to the Fullest
Jesus doesn’t just call us to sacrifice; he promises that when we follow him wholeheartedly, he will give us life to the fullest. This fullness isn’t about material wealth or constant happiness, but about a deep, abiding joy and purpose that comes from knowing and walking with Christ. Even when the world or our feelings tell us otherwise, God’s promise stands: if we trust him and put him first, he will fill our lives with blessings and meaning beyond what we could imagine. [57:41]

John 10:10b (NLT)
“My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

Reflection: In what ways have you been seeking fullness of life apart from Jesus? What is one thing you can surrender to him today to experience more of the abundant life he promises?


Day 4: Fans Know About Jesus, Followers Know Him Personally
It’s possible to know all the right answers, attend church, and speak “Christianese,” yet still miss out on a real relationship with Jesus. Jesus warns that not everyone who claims his name truly knows him; only those who do the will of the Father and pursue a personal connection with him will enter the kingdom. Followers chase after God daily, taking steps to grow closer, and their lives reflect a genuine relationship that others can see. [01:04:52]

Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT)
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

Reflection: How would you describe your relationship with Jesus—do you know about him, or do you truly know him? What is one intentional step you can take today to deepen your personal connection with Christ?


Day 5: Desire Jesus Above All Else
The heart of following Jesus is desiring him above everything else—more than comfort, success, or even good things like hobbies and relationships. When we truly desire Jesus, our lives begin to reflect his love and presence to those around us, and our priorities shift from self to the kingdom. God wants your heart, not just your actions; he wants you to seek him so closely that others see Jesus in you without a word. Even when it’s hard or uncomfortable, remaining faithful and desiring him leads to blessing and transformation. [01:02:16]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV)
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Reflection: What is one thing that has been competing with your desire for Jesus? How can you intentionally shift your focus to seek him first in your heart and actions today?

Quotes

We should be just as excited about this place as we are about that stadium on Saturdays. When I began to dig deeper into this topic, I saw a few things. And the first thing I want to point out is that fans admire from a distance while followers walk in obedience. Fans will sit in the stands. Followers actually get out on the field and do something about it. [00:49:52] (00:00:29 seconds)  #SacrificeOverComfort Edit Clip

If we're true followers of Jesus, we have to take up our cross daily. We don't just take up our cross when it's convenient. We don't just take up our cross when we want to make a Facebook post. We take up that cross every single day because that's what Christ has called us to do. [00:51:31] (00:00:20 seconds)  #JesusAlwaysShowsUp Edit Clip

It's said that a fan is impressed by Jesus but unwilling to make personal sacrifices. A follower embraces the cost of discipleship and lives in a daily surrender to Christ. It can be simply said, fans watch. Followers participate. [00:51:51] (00:00:25 seconds)  #VictoryThroughSacrifice Edit Clip

Can I tell you, Jesus always shows up. He will always be there, no matter what. He gave up everything so that we could spend eternity with him. I mean, literally everything. Do you think he wanted to leave heaven? The perfectness of heaven to come down to earth and be ridiculed? To be spat on? To go through life? There's a scripture that talks about how he doesn't even have a home. He doesn't have a place to lay his head down at night. But he came for you. Because he loves you so much and he wants you so much. [00:55:59] (00:00:38 seconds)  #FaithfulThroughFire Edit Clip

He never says it's easy, but he does say it's worth it. I really love what the second part of John chapter 10, verse 10 says. And it says, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. Not only is he promising you blessings, he's promising you that you will have a full life. No matter what this world says, no matter what you feel even, God has said that he will give you a full life. [00:57:53] (00:00:38 seconds)  #KnowingJesusPersonally Edit Clip

No matter what you're facing, no matter what you're going through, it could be the worst of the worst of the worst times. God's still right there ready to pull you out, ready to walk with you hand in hand through whatever you are facing. It could be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and be a literal fire and he will walk with you through that fire. Because they were faithful to him, he showed up when they needed him. [01:01:08] (00:00:29 seconds)  #RunningWithChrist Edit Clip

The last thing that I saw was that fans know Jesus, but followers know Jesus personally. Fans can tell you the Bible stories. They can tell you who Jesus is. They can give the definition and the biblical thing maybe. But nine times out of ten, they can't tell you who Jesus is to them. Because the only thing about Jesus they know is what someone told them, not what they experienced or read for themselves. [01:02:31] (00:00:37 seconds)  #SurrenderToKnowChrist Edit Clip

Followers chase after God every day and take steps to get closer to him. I tell the students almost every single time I speak, you don't have to be perfect. You don't have to have it all figured out. But what you do have to do is take steps daily to get closer to him. Even if that's just one step. [01:05:38] (00:00:23 seconds) Edit Clip

If we take steps every day, we get closer and closer to him. Can I tell you, you're never going to be perfect. You're never going to have it completely worked out. But if you're chasing after him, you're taking one more step to get closer to that perfect or that all figured out. And if you're truly desiring him, those steps get easier, easier, and easier. And eventually, you're running with Christ. You're not seeing him in the distance trying to catch up to him. You're walking hand in hand with him. You're running this race with him. [01:06:22] (00:00:40 seconds) Edit Clip

God wants our heart. That way he can fill it up with it. The only way that we can know Christ is to truly surrender to him. We can't just play church or play Christian. We have to live that out daily. We're called to know Jesus on a personal level. [01:08:18] (00:00:24 seconds) Edit Clip