Fanatic

What is a “fanatic?”

A fanatic, as defined by Google, is “a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal.” A person so passionate about something that they stand apart from the crowd. They are over the top, extreme and willing to be ostracized by their peers for their obsession. 

God loves fanatics

This is exactly who Jesus called his followers to be.  Jesus himself was a fanatic. He spent most of time without a place to live. He was taught against the grain, and eventually offered his life because of his “singled mined zeal.”

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”   (John 10:18)

Is there any greater display of fanaticism? Jesus didn’t stop there, he called us to model this same over the top passion.  However, passion isn’t just something you get emotional about, it’s something you devote your life to. When Jesus called his first disciples he simply said,

Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”  (Matthew 4:19)

Their response was not to start singing about Jesus or get emotionally charged.  No, there first response was very practical.

At once they left their nets and followed him.”  (Matthew 4:20)

A practical fanatic

They knew in order to follow Jesus they would have to walk away from their money-making fishing business. At least for the day/week.  In this two-part series, we want you to consider very practical steps you can take to become a fanatic. How can you live out the calling of Jesus  beyond where the rest of the crowd stops?