Choosing Fast Food Faith or Real Discipleship Feast Today

 


I. Two Kinds of Spiritual “Food”

A. Happy Meal (Fast Food Faith)

  • A Happy Meal is fun and comes with a toy.

  • It tastes good, but it doesn’t really make you strong or healthy if that’s all you eat.

  • This is like a Christian who:

    • Only wants the “fun” or easy parts of church.

    • Likes Bible stories but doesn’t let them change their life.

B. Steak and Lobster (Real Food Faith)

  • Steak and lobster are a real, full meal.

  • They cost more and take more time, but they truly fill and nourish you.

  • This is like a disciple of Jesus who:

    • Takes following Jesus seriously.

    • Is willing to sacrifice and do hard things to grow in faith.

II. Two Kinds of Christians

A. “Happy Meal” Christian

  • Mere belief

    • They believe in Jesus but may treat the Bible like just “cute stories.”

  • Partial obedience

    • They obey some of God’s commands, but not all.

    • They might say, “God understands,” as an excuse to keep doing wrong.

  • Self-convenience

    • They follow Jesus only when it’s easy or when they are at church.

B. “Steak and Lobster” Disciple

  • Total surrender

    • They give their whole life to God, not just part of it (Romans 12:1).

  • Committed obedience

    • They show their love for Jesus by doing what He says (John 14:15).

  • Christ-centered living

    • Jesus is at the center of their choices, goals, and daily life, not just on Sundays.

III. Main Differences Between a Christian and a Disciple

1. Belief vs. Obedience – John 14:15

  • Christian: Believes in Jesus.

  • Disciple: Believes and obeys Jesus’ commands.

  • Lesson: Real love for Jesus is shown by obeying Him, not just saying we believe.

2. Partial vs. Total Surrender – Romans 12:1

  • Christian: Gives some areas of life to God (like church), but holds others back (like friends, media, or habits).

  • Disciple: Offers every part of life to God—heart, mind, time, and actions.

  • Lesson: God wants our whole life, not just the parts we are comfortable giving.

3. Convenient vs. Costly Commitment – Luke 9:23

  • Christian: Follows Jesus when it feels easy or fits their schedule.

  • Disciple: Denies self, takes up their cross daily, and follows Jesus even when it hurts or costs something.

  • Lesson: True discipleship may be hard, but it’s worth it to follow Jesus fully.

4. Self-Focused vs. Christ-Focused – John 3:30

  • Christian: May mostly think about “my life, my dreams, my comfort.”

  • Disciple: Wants Christ to become greater and themselves to become less.

  • Lesson: Life is not just about us; it’s about making Jesus known and honored.

5. Casual Learning vs. Abiding in the Word – John 8:31–32

  • Christian: Reads the Bible once in a while or only at church.

  • Disciple: “Abides” in the Word—reads it often, thinks about it, and lets it shape their choices.

  • Lesson: God’s Word is not a rare snack; it is our daily spiritual food.

6. Consumer vs. Contributor – Ephesians 4:11–12

  • Christian: Thinks of church as a place to get things—music, fun, teaching.

  • Disciple: Sees church as a place to serve—help, encourage, and build up others.

  • Lesson: We don’t just come to church to be served; God wants to use us to bless others.

7. No Fruit vs. Bearing Much Fruit – John 15:8

  • Christian: May say they believe but show little or no change in their actions.

  • Disciple: Shows “fruit,” like love, kindness, obedience, and good works that please God.

  • Lesson: True discipleship shows up in how we live, not just what we say.

8. Personal Salvation Only vs. Making Disciples – Matthew 28:19–20

  • Christian: Is glad to be saved and going to heaven but stops there.

  • Disciple: Joins Jesus’ mission—helps others know Him, grow in Him, and become disciples too.

  • Lesson: We are saved on purpose and for a purpose—to help others follow Jesus.

9. Savior Only vs. Savior and Lord – Matthew 7:21

  • Christian: Wants Jesus to rescue them from sin and hell.

  • Disciple: Also lets Jesus be Lord—the Boss—over every part of life.

  • Lesson: Jesus is not just our Rescuer; He is our Ruler.

10. Private Faith vs. Public Witness – Acts 1:8

  • Christian: Keeps their faith mostly private; others may not even know they follow Jesus.

  • Disciple: Is a bold witness—talks about Jesus and is not ashamed of Him.

  • Lesson: Our faith should be visible, not hidden.

11. Conforming to Culture vs. Transformed Life – Romans 12:2

  • Christian: May copy what the world does—its values, language, and choices.

  • Disciple: Lets God change their mind and heart, so their life looks different from the world.

  • Lesson: We are called to stand out for Christ, not blend in with sin.

12. Casual Prayer vs. Prayer Without Ceasing – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

  • Christian: Prays mostly in emergencies or when life gets hard.

  • Disciple: Talks to God regularly and depends on Him all day long.

  • Lesson: Prayer should be a daily habit, not just a last resort.

IV. Big Takeaway

  • There are two ways to be “nourished” spiritually:

    • Like a Happy Meal Christian: quick, fun, but shallow.

    • Like a Steak and Lobster Disciple: deeper, costly, but truly life-changing.

  • The lesson challenges us to ask:

    Am I just content to believe in Jesus, or am I willing to fully follow and obey Him as His disciple?




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