Not a Fan

Football season is now upon us. I enjoy this time of year in sports but wish the weather was warmer but I can not have it both ways. As many may know I am a huge Green Bay Packer fan. I am looking forward to Thursday night and watch the best team in NFL history. See that is the talk of a fan. This Sunday I begin a six week sermon series titled "Not a Fan". The message begins by bringing clarity of where your relationship with Jesus actually is by asking the question, Are you a fan or follower of Jesus? Within these messages we will be exploring the words of Jesus so as to define what He said and meant in what being a genuine follower of Jesus means. If we allow our culture to define what it means to be a Christian we will come to a different definition then what the Bible says on this all important topic. Did Jesus mean what He said? Does Jesus really want us to follow Him in a racial manner that there is nothing more important in life then our relationship with Him? If I am not able to answer these questions then it is likely that I have already allowed my culture to define my relationship with Jesus. Let's put this another way. Image for a moment Jesus standing before and He asks you these questions: "Define your relationship with Me? How important is it to you that you do what I say you should do? Would you be willing to give up one thing up that I see is hindering our relationship?" Do you welcome questions like this or would you rather these questions not be asked? Please do not flee because one day when we see Jesus face to face the question of our relationship will be asked. I trust you are willing to ask that question now so that you will be ready to answer that question when He does ask us later about our relationship with Jesus. Our preparation on earth is to get us ready to meet our loving, gracious Heavenly Father. To think that I am OK when in reality I am not OK is like going to the doctor for your annual physical and he asks you only one question, are you OK? If you reply OK, then he says then go home. What kind of annual physical is that. You have to test blood work among other things and I know my doctor ask me many questions. Over the next six weeks let's do that on a spiritual level. I will be asking lots of questions. Do not be afraid of them but rather embrace them so that you will be able to define your relationship with Jesus in a positive manner.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in His love.
Pastor John