Who do you Follow?

We get excited when we see celebrities or go to concerts and see our favorite artists perform live. It gives a sense of "coolness" to actually be in the presence of someone that everyone knows.

Jesus knew about those humans feelings. He understood people. In the following scripture He was questioning them about John the immerser, who was His cousin and also a prophet.

As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces! But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. (Matthew 11:7-9 NASB)

He wanted to know, why did you go out to see him. Were you going out of curiosity, were you going to find faults in him. Or were you really interested in his message?

I have traveled long miles to hear a preacher speak. And I must admit that there are some speakers that I would prefer to listen to. But it is the message, that message of Jesus and God's love, that I go to hear.

But sometimes people get hung up, not on the message, but the speaker. People get so "star-struck" that that person could say just about anything and they would nod their heads and shout "Amen."

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church because they were dividing themselves according to who had baptized them. (1 Cor. 1:12)

I also know people that will come or go to a particular church just because of the preacher.

Paul warned the young preacher, Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-3, to preach the truth whether it was popular with the people or not.

I need to make sure that I am listening to the truth. I need to be checking it out and not hearing it only. I need to look up the scriptures that are preached and read them and understand them in the context in which they were intended.

Be a Christian (a follower of Christ)  not a preacher-ite. Do you live to be pleasing to God or to your preacher?