Are there moments in your life where you feel like you are just blending in?
Are you just part of the audience?
Are there times when you wish you could really engage in your life?
Maybe you want to really take a stand for something.
Maybe what you really need is to be a follower and not a fan.
Maybe it’s time to do something.
Show the world that you are a follower and not a fan. In the Gospels Jesus never seemed too interested in fans. He was looking for followers. Not just any follower though… Completely. Committed. Follower.
Permanent Link to Fan: An enthusiastic admirer. Comments 29
Cool post
What an inspiration tonight at Southeast Louisville Campus!
I want to be committed to becoming a ‘follower’ not a fan, and I will do my best to pray the pray each morning (on my knees) and to let God lead me to inspire others and pass out those cards!
Thank you Kyle for all you do and thank you God for giving all those thoughts to Kyle. To God be the glory.
Who knew that the seemingly simple act of picking up a shirt would feel so powerful…reverent…personal. It was the heaviest shirt I’ve ever had the privledge to pick up, much less put on. I pray I am faithful in following.
Last night’s launch of this idea really made me think. On the way home, I thought about what a fan I am of U of L and that means I am always on the sideline, cheering them on but not in the ACTION ! That’s the way that being only a fan for Jesus seems to me as well, I am only on the sideline, not helping others daily, honoring him with every word and deed but watching from afar.
I tried this morning to get on my knees first thing to our Savior, and I must admit it did make me think about how I want the rest of the day to go.
Thanks for reminding who I need to be honoring with every breath–after all he gave me life and continues to do that each day !
I’m so excited to see what God is going to do through this “campaign.” I’d be the first to admit that I’m more of a fan than a follower. I know this process will be really hard and often uncomfortable, but praise God that He is with us every step of the way! Kyle – thanks for sharing your conviction with all of us. I know that the Lord is going to do big things with this!
What a great turnout last night for the Not A Fan Campaign kick-off. It was so awesome to see so many fans of Christ committed to becoming completely surrendered followers. God is up to something big in this city and it is coming to life. I heard Chris Tomlin’s song “God Of This City” this morning and couldn’t help but praise Him and think what He is up to. It’s big and He is sorting out the fans from the followers to get it done.
I haven’t been a Christian for that many years, but God has really changed me in this short period of time. I want to be a follower and look on this as a tremendous opportunity. Thank you so much Kyle for showing us how much more we can be. This will all be for Gods glory.
What a great turn-out for the Not A Fan Campaign kick-off. It was so awesome to see so many fans of Christ decide to take up their cross, get off of the sideline and become followers of Christ. God is up to something big and I believe that this campaign is going to be a key part in it. I heard Chris Tomlin’s song “God of this City” this morning and could not help but to praise Him and think about this Not A Fan campaign.
I can honestly say that I have been more a fan than a follower the majority of my Christian journey. However over the last few weeks God has been working in me to become a completely surrendered follower. Last night and this morning as I prayed I died to myself and surrendered it all at His cross and picked mine up to follow Him.
It will be hard and difficult at times as I attempt to follow and keep up with Christ through this obstacle course of life. But the closer you follow Him the less likely you are to see the obstacles and alternate routes and the easier it is to stay on His path to get past them. I am prepared to call myself a follower and do my best to keep up with the One leading the way with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you, Kyle. I’m so glad you are my brother in Christ who I can count on to lead me through scripture in the method that our Father is using you to do so and for allowing the Lord to show us a new way of humbling ourselves once again for the sake of the cross. He deserves the glory and our commitment, and I am so not a fan. When I haven’t been a fan in many instances, it has seemed like a lonely journey, but I am so glad to see there are so many who are a part of the team! A few weeks ago, I wore to the store the t-shirt to say that I am SO IN that we received at the southern Indiana campus for working with the babies; I know eyes were watching me. I don’t have a Not a Fan t-shirt, but I hope to get one and wear it. I want my children to have a country continued to be “under God” and to pray for and follow His will. I will be praying for you – please pray for me.
People were excited last night! And I pray we can turn things around. Kyles enthusiasm about being a “follower” not a fan is just what we need to jump start our Christian lives! Sometimes I feel Im just doing enough to get by, but his message has me rethinking so much more I can do in my own life. I know I need to be braver and stand up for my Lord when Im out in the world. And really think about some of the things I do just because of “worldly” influences. Just like Kyle said, we need to set the bar high now for our childrens generation! They are looking at us as an example. Aside from all excitement of the campaign, the message is deep and everlasting. Its not going to be easy, but its one of the most important challenges we could make!
I printed the flyer and posted it in my cubicle at work where it can’t be missed. It’s a regular reminder to me to truly be a follower of Christ and also an opportunity for me to share with those who ask what “not a fan” means. I had several inquiries today and it caused me to step out of my comfort zone and state my belief and challenge to move myself to being a follower of Christ. I can easily wear a cross around my neck every day, but speaking up and diving in the game isn’t something that is always easy. My prayer is that I can continually surrender my heart, mind, and soul completely to Jesus.
I must admit I was a bit nervous about what to expect last night. I was anxious about what God was going to ask me to do. I am so excited to be moving from a fan to a follower. Thank you Kyle for all you do to give praise, glory and honor to God. Your love for the Lord is a light shining in the darkness for us to see. Yes, God is up to something big and it won’t stop in Louisville, Kentucky. This is exactly what Christians need and I will do what God asks me to do. Out of my brokenness God gave me a verse last night. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. I am giving it all to Him. I pray that God will give each of us what we need to see this through, because darkness abounds upon this earth and it is certain we will be attacked. Sweet Jesus be with us.
I was so convicted by the not a fan sermon !! But I must admit it is not an easy road to walk. I want to wear my t shirt everywhere to remind myself of my journey. It is a very powerful statement – one that requires courage because people will respond and ask questions and then I can no longer hide behind my “fanness”. I am excited by the challenge of strengthening my walk with Jesus. Peace and blessings to all of my fellow notafan travelers.
There is an account in the Bible of a Fan Club that got together: “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crows that wen ahead of him and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ” (Matthew 21:8-9) A fan club yet less than a week later, the fans were gone and Jesus stood alone as he died for us. Could this incident not clue us in that being a fan only may be as shallow as watching a parade pass by?
I am so exicited to continue this journey of a follower of Christ. The Lord is truely at work in so many lives and I am so thankful to be a part of this church, this group of believers and a daughter of Christ. Kyle thanks for all your hard work and your willingness to be so open and honest with us all. How awesome it is to see God so vividly when your enter his house of worship. May God bless everyone willing to go further than they have ever been and take the leap of faith.
Wow!!!! I can’t begin to say how awsome it feels to be a part of a church that has so much passion for the glory of God. Its funny that as soon as I left church that night I went to pick up my daughter from cheerleading practice (with my not a fan shirt on). The first thingh she said to me is dad what are you not a fan of. So I had the priviledge of explaining to my daughter what it means and she said dad I get it. it is a journey we can’t face alone, so I pray for each and every one of you as you become followers and spread his name!!!
I am truely excited to be apart of this campaign. I have lived as a fan almost my entire life, in November of 2007 I became a true follower. I am trying hard every day to pick up my cross …. but I find myself slipping sometimes into fan mode. I am soo glad and blessed to be apart of this with so many others who struggle with the same thing. I am also blessed to be able to support my husband James in his outreach and witness as he hopes to minister to the lost.
God Bless all of you and God Bless Kyle for being convicted with this campaign so that we my all grow in our weaknesses.
This morning as I was praying and reading God’s word this verse just jumped out at me.
1 Cor 3:11-15
11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
This reminded me that the fan is the one who’s work is lost and is saved but only as one who escapes through the flames. The follower’s work survives the fire and he will receive his reward.
I am so excited to be apart of this campaign. Up until November 2007 I was a fan of Jesus but not a true follower. After I made my decission to be a true follower I find that I still have times when I struggle to be that true follwer that I want to be. I am so glad that this campaign started and that I am apart of it. I am also glad to be able to support my husband James in his ministry and witness to the lost.
I am glad that I can now have the card on the fridge at home and have the reminder throughout the day to be a follower.
Luke 9:23 is a challenge by Jesus to all who would be His diciples or true followers. It really comes as no surprise to me that this verse follows one of the most remarkable miracles ever performed by Jesus. He had just fed over 5000 with only five loaves of bread and two small fish. At that time, Jesus had quite the following, but they were not His diciples. It really doesn’t take too much to get a crowd, however, there is a BIG difference between going along with the crowd and becoming a true disciple of Christ. So, it is here that we find Jesus calling to the twelve and presenting them the challenge of discipleship. It’s the same challenge He presents to each of us today and every day.
I was a fan for many years. I knew there was more. As much as I admired Christ as a child still left me somewhat empty. There had to be something deeper. A co-worker (who later became close friend and mentor) had exactly what I was looking for. She had that something I knew had to be out there. She truly was a follower of Christ. She brought me to Southeast kicking and screaming (you know that place is a cult). I took her up on her request to attend just one service and if I did not see the need to attend again, she would not mention again. I attended several home fellowship Bible classes first. (test the waters). Wow, all of these people had that something (all followers, not fans). I attended a service and saw many that had that something, something deeper than what I ever dreamed existed. It was real. I was baptized about a year later. I have been a follower ever since. The difference in making a true commitment changed my life. I knew when I uttered those words “I Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, my Lord and Savior” I meant it. There is no comparison from where I was and where I am now. I make many mistakes, sometimes repeat them. I know Jesus is with me, the spirit guide me, and I am forgiven as long as I am truly sorry for my sins. All I can say, is if you are a fan, that is ok, but to follow Jesus will give you the peace you never believed you could have.
Thank you for saving me from myself – my destructive phase. Teach me what I need to do to deepen my walk with you. Teach me how to trust you, not myself. I believe every experience I’ve had in my life was because you wanted to draw me closer to you. I’m sorry for faltering. I’m glad I’m back! God, I can’t do this on my own. I need your help to even be a follower.
Kyle suggested in service today that we totally turn our lives over to you. That is a big step, but it can be done. Just not all at once. Show me the areas in my life which I need to turn over to you. Show me how to trust in you and not in myself. It’s in Jesus name I pray.
Without a doubt this message and this outreach “not a fan” is not something somebody thought up or simply a message meant to entertain church goers. It is a challenge from God Himself! I KNOW God has brought me to this place and has been speaking to my own heart. I also know I am not able to love and obey Him in a way that brings Him glory on my own. I choose to surrender to YOU, Jesus. Where my heart is divided, when I choose poorly, cause me to choose YOU instead! Let the fire of passion for You consume my heart and become a wildfire that ignites many hearts for You I pray!
I have hung the notafan flyer up 4 times at work. Every time 3 or 4 tabs are torn off by the end of the day – that is thrilling. But every day when I come back someone has taken it down, so I hang up another one. Many people at the hospital have asked me about the flyer and want to know what it means. I gladly tell them about following Jesus and not just being a fan. Most roll their eyes (not even fans) and some listen. A few have been touched to think about it and agree there is quite a difference between the two. It has been a challenging journey thus far and I am just getting started. I wear the tshirt when I go out in public (can’t wear it to work) and I have gotten a few questions on that too. I hate to admit it but I was more concerned about what other people thought than I expected. But I am learning to die to myself and realize Jesus is more important than anything else. How is everyone else doing – would love to hear some input from you guys.
Hey Kyle,
First off, I just wanted to say that God has given you a very special talent to be able to be speaking as if relaying His words…
Also, I absolutely love this new sermon series…I am currently a Junior at Cal, and I’m part of a small group that our class just created, and we are those at Cal who are truly in love with Christ, dying to be His followers…and our main goal is to get those who are not (a whole bunch of them) to see that Christ is absolutely amazing, and too awesome to miss, but it seems like they’re blinded by complacency so much so that they can’t understand; I was wondering if you had any pointers on HOW to go about doing this…we’ve outlined a few actions of our own, which include everything from loving on them like crazy to acts of service to living what we preach to encouraging one another in Christ, speaking about Him every day as to not fall into the temptation of complacency. It seems that people have become so bored with Christ, and I don’t want that to be the case because, frankly, He is too precious and too vital to miss…
Thanks so much for your time, please let me know what you think on this issue; I’ll keep talking to my Father about it…
God truly bless,
Taylor J. Beisler
http://www.taylorbeisler.com
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/ArintSaratir-WarriorsLight.html
After listening to Kyle and getting my t-shirt I was ready to make a difference. I wore the t-shirt for 2 days without any responses and it left me feeling a bit discouraged.
But I continued and on the 3rd day I was caught totally off guard. Before the first 2 days of wearing the shirt I had my responses rehearsed and I was ready for a question about the T-shirt… but no questions came.
On the third day I was tired, it was hot and my son’s soccer team which I was coaching had just lost a game they should have won and I was a bit frustrated…. And the question came from a soccer mom. “what are you ‘not a fan of’” I answer “Jesus” and continued stumbling in my response and ending the conversation poorly.
I was so ready the others days, but today I felt like I blew it.
You never know when we will be asked to spread God’s word.
I’ll continue to wear the shirt, I’ll ask for God’s help to be a follower each day and next time I’ll ask for God’s guidance when I get that question again.
I have just finished viewing the sermon video’s of “not a fan.” I am very moved & touched. Kyle, you did an excellent presentation and explanation of fan & follower. I too have been a fan. I now am enlightened to the follower. God bless you & your church. I have been blessed by the messages. Hudson, KY
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