NOT A FAN (2011) Book Review
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.'”
The other Sunday at church my pastor gave a controversial message that challenged his congregation to focus more on important theological matters and community outreach in stead of the trivial things such as the length of the pastor’s pants or how there should be more special music than worship. It fired up a few of the older members, but I was pleased to hear him address the issue. The problem is that some church goers get too comfortable with Sunday morning services for their spiritual fill and they priorities stray.
It reminded me of a story I read in Not A Fan by Pastor Kyle Idleman. A member of his congregation asked to leave his church, because he felt like Kyle was interfering with his life. That is what came to mind as my pastor described his own cynical members. Kyle defines these people as fans. They like to play the part on Sunday morning, but they don’t like going out of their way for God on the other six days. Their much too comfortable with the lifestyles they want when they should be struggling through the lifestyle that God wants.
Are you a fan or a follower of Jesus Christ?
What’s the difference?
Imagine your on facebook and you see a page for your favorite movie or food (for me it was Chocolatey Chocolate). Without thinking, you click the “like” button. That’s what being a fan of Christ is. You click the “like” button by going to church and slapping a fish symbol on you car bumper. On the other hand, you may not allow Him to interfere with life's comforts.
That is what being a true follower is about. If Christ isn’t interfering with your day-to-day life, then you need to do more in service to Him. Pastor Kyle Idleman’s new book, Not a Fan, observes the differences between fans and followers in an intriguing and intelligent way.
Idleman summed up his book in a simple sentence, which I think says it all: “ You can’t have John 3:16 without Luke 9:23.”
I have read a lot of books and heard a lot of sermons about what it means to be a true follower of Christ, but none were more well articulated than Not a Fan. I absolutely recommend this book to everyone. If you feel something missing in your life or that you could be doing more in your walk with Jesus or that you’re curious to what a Christian’s life entails, this book will help you find your answers.
