Are you a fan or a follower of Jesus?

Fan – enthusiastic admirer

Follower – willing to lay your life down

1. Who said, “Am I my Brother’s Keeper?”2. Who were the two sons of Abraham?3. Who was the first king of Israel? 4. Besides Luke, what other book did Luke write? 5. Who said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes

away the sin of the world.” 6. Name the river where Jesus was baptized.7. Is the verse, “God helps those who help

themselves” found in the OT or NT?

Matthew 4:19 – Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (NKJV)

Matthew 4:19 – Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (NKJV)

John 1:37-39 – When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" He asked them. They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are You staying?" 39 "Come and see," He said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with Him to the place where He was staying, and they remained with Him the rest of the day. (NLT)

Matthew 4:19 – Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (NKJV)

Matthew 4:19 – Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (NKJV)

Luke 9:23 – Then He said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.

Luke 9:23 – Then He said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.

Take up your cross = identify with Jesus & His message to the point you are willing to die for Him

Alvin Vandergriend: When people ask me about the time they should spend in prayer, I simply tell them they should spend enough time to build a good love relationship.

Luke 10:38-42 – As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what He taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that My sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me."

41 But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."

2 Peter 3:9 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NASB)

Everyone grows old, but not everyone grows up.

5 Stages of Spiritual Growth (Jim Putman, Real Life Discipleship)

1. Spiritually Dead– Chief Characteristic: Unbelief

• The Bible is just a bunch of myths. • Religion is just a crutch.• I’m better than most of the people who go to

church.

2. Spiritual Infant– Chief Characteristic: Lack of Knowledge of the

Word

1 Peter 2:2 – Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment. (NLT)

• I believe in Jesus, but I don’t believe I have to go to church.

• I tried reading the Bible, but it’s too confusing. • I believe that Jesus is one of several ways to get

to heaven. • I believe in heaven; but I’m not really sure hell

exists.

3. Spiritual Childhood (Elementary)– Chief Characteristic: Self-centeredness

Hebrews 5:12-14 – You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. (NLT)

• I love our church; but I don’t want anyone new to join. I like it the way it is.

• Who are these people coming to my church? They aren’t like me!

• I’m not being fed in my church: I’m looking for a place that meets my needs.

• I didn’t like the music today; If only they would sing . . .

4. Spiritual Young Adults– Chief Characteristic: Serves

• How many people are at church today? I had to walk clear from the back of the parking lot!

• Jane missed church this week because she has the flu. Let’s take meals to her this week. I’ll do Monday night.

• I think we need a ministry to help our widows with household repairs. I’ll enlist some people to help me start one.

• I’m really exhausted. I called 20 people in church this week to see how they were doing!

5. Spiritual Father & Mothers– Chief Characteristic: Reproduces

Matthew 4:19 – Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (NKJV)

Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty: If you are following Jesus, you are fishing for men. But, if you are not fishing for men, are you following Jesus?

• I’ve been sharing with Joe for several weeks. I’m so excited that he has decided to accept Jesus, and I’m bringing him to church next Sunday.

• Sherry, welcome to Summit Church! Can we meet for coffee this week, so we can get to know each other?

• There’s someone I just met at church who is loves children. I encouraged them to become involved in the Children’s Ministry?

Conclusion

The chief genetic marker for spiritual growth is whether you are becoming more like Jesus every day.