Selah Session with Pastor Carlos

I began the first chapter with a simple question: “Are you a follower of Jesus?” We have looked at a number of encounters that Jesus had with people during his time on earth. These were defining moments for each of them as it was revealed if they were fans or followers. After studying some of these encounters in Scripture, maybe you’ve decided that you need to take a closer look at where you stand with Jesus. I want you to know it has not been my objective to cause true followers of Christ to doubt or question their standing with God. It’s my hope that as we looked at what separates fans from followers that you have been affirmed in your faith and confirmed in your commitment as a follower. But I know there are many of you who have called yourselves Christians (by definition Christ-followers), but as you have honestly defined what you have with Jesus, it has become clear that you aren’t following Christ.

In Acts chapter 1 Jesus promises his followers that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit, and the rest of Acts documents what God can do with Spirit-filled followers. In chapter 4 two of Jesus’ closest followers, Peter and John, are brought before the spiritual leaders. And these guys can’t figure out why these followers of Jesus are making such a difference. They didn’t have the right theological training or religious credentials. The spiritual leaders are scratching their heads trying to figure out how such ordinary men are doing such extraordinary things. So they questioned them.

We’ve looked at a number of encounters in the Gospels where Jesus challenged people to define their relationship with him. He was intentionally separating the fans from the followers. For disciples, this defining moment had to come when Jesus ascended into heaven leaving them here to advance his kingdom to the ends of the earth. If they were only fans of Jesus, one of two things would happen. They would go back to their old lives and resume their former careers. Show’s over, it’s time to go home. Or they would try to carry out this mission God gave them, but because they would depend on their own strength and efforts, it would end in utter and complete failure and Jesus would disappear into human history.