One of the most compelling and convicting books that I have read this year is not a fan. by Kyle Idleman It became one of those books whose pages that need to be highlighted, dog-eared and flagged. The first line in the book is "Are you a follower of Jesus?". At first blush, and as Pastor Idleman points out, this may be a question you automatically answer without thinking much about it. But as you delve into the book, you are made to look deep into yourself, question your motives and priorities and really answer the question. Are you a fan or a follower? What is your commitment?
I will admit that this was a challenging book. It was convicting and there were times when I did question myself - but I think that was the point of the book. The book is very well written, very easy to understand and, at times, humorous (most of that is in the footnotes). The reader will find themselves being shown, through focusing on certain Bible passages and Pastor Idleman's explanations, the difference between being a fan of Christ and being a follower.
He doesn't stop at convicting the individual, he also speaks to churches in general. He says, "The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren't actually interesting in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them." He also mentions later that in some instances churches have become enablers, my word not his, that don't teach what it really means to be a follower because they don't want to make the congregation uncomfortable. I stopped at this point to reflect on all the times that my Pastor has apologized during a sermon that did convict and perhaps make us uncomfortable but then followed up with letting us know he wanted us to know the truth and sometimes the truth is hard. But we're dealing with our eternal life, so shouldn't we want to know the truth, even if it is difficult sometimes?
A follower gives all, they aren't perfect, they are committed. Even if their friends and families think they are going overboard, they stay focused on Jesus. As Pastor Idleman puts it "In Revelation 3 Jesus says to the Christians in Laodicea, 'You are neither hot or cold but because you are lukewarm-I'm about to spit you out of my mouth.' Jesus doesn't say, 'Everything in moderation'; he says you can't be my follower if you don't give up everything. His invitation is an all or nothing invitation."
One of the most encouraging things that I found in the book is this - "when Jesus invites you to follow him, his invitation comes to you right where you are. He doesn't want you to wait until tomorrow in hopes that you will finally be heading down the right path; he wants you to say yes today and he will lead you out of where you are now." Thank God for that.
I will admit that this was a challenging book. It was convicting and there were times when I did question myself - but I think that was the point of the book. The book is very well written, very easy to understand and, at times, humorous (most of that is in the footnotes). The reader will find themselves being shown, through focusing on certain Bible passages and Pastor Idleman's explanations, the difference between being a fan of Christ and being a follower.
He doesn't stop at convicting the individual, he also speaks to churches in general. He says, "The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren't actually interesting in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them." He also mentions later that in some instances churches have become enablers, my word not his, that don't teach what it really means to be a follower because they don't want to make the congregation uncomfortable. I stopped at this point to reflect on all the times that my Pastor has apologized during a sermon that did convict and perhaps make us uncomfortable but then followed up with letting us know he wanted us to know the truth and sometimes the truth is hard. But we're dealing with our eternal life, so shouldn't we want to know the truth, even if it is difficult sometimes?
A follower gives all, they aren't perfect, they are committed. Even if their friends and families think they are going overboard, they stay focused on Jesus. As Pastor Idleman puts it "In Revelation 3 Jesus says to the Christians in Laodicea, 'You are neither hot or cold but because you are lukewarm-I'm about to spit you out of my mouth.' Jesus doesn't say, 'Everything in moderation'; he says you can't be my follower if you don't give up everything. His invitation is an all or nothing invitation."
One of the most encouraging things that I found in the book is this - "when Jesus invites you to follow him, his invitation comes to you right where you are. He doesn't want you to wait until tomorrow in hopes that you will finally be heading down the right path; he wants you to say yes today and he will lead you out of where you are now." Thank God for that.
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