Believer vs Follower
SPEAKER: pastor patrick tanton
DATE: september 6,2026
What does it really mean to follow Jesus? Is believing in Jesus enough, or is He calling us to something more? You can believe in Jesus and never actually follow Him. And most people in the church today never make that leap. In this message, Pastor Patrick Tanton challenges us to look at the difference between being a believer and being a follower, or disciple of Jesus. A disciple isn't simply someone who knows what Jesus taught or believes that Jesus is the Son of God. A disciple is someone who puts the teachings of Jesus into action. It's the difference between knowing and doing, believing and following. And Jesus is still calling people to follow Him today. Maybe you've believed in Jesus for years but struggle to actually live out what you believe. Maybe you've been comfortable being a Christian without allowing Jesus to change the way you live, speak, think, and act.
This message is an invitation to take the next step:
Don't just believe Jesus. Follow Jesus.
What does it really mean to follow Jesus? Is believing in Jesus enough, or is He calling us to something more? You can believe in Jesus and never actually follow Him. And most people in the church today never make that leap. In this message, Pastor Patrick Tanton challenges us to look at the difference between being a believer and being a follower, or disciple of Jesus. A disciple isn't simply someone who knows what Jesus taught or believes that Jesus is the Son of God. A disciple is someone who puts the teachings of Jesus into action. It's the difference between knowing and doing, believing and following. And Jesus is still calling people to follow Him today. Maybe you've believed in Jesus for years but struggle to actually live out what you believe. Maybe you've been comfortable being a Christian without allowing Jesus to change the way you live, speak, think, and act. This message is an invitation to take the next step: Don't just believe Jesus. Follow Jesus.
Are you settling for less than God's best or letting past mistakes keep you stuck? You haven't gone too far. You haven't taken too many wrong turns. God has a purpose for your life. In this message, Pastor Patrick Tanton wraps up the series by looking at the third part of God's plan for us: fulfilling purpose. God didn't create you by accident. He intentionally designed you, gave you specific gifts, and established a purpose for your life. But discovering that purpose requires us to understand how God has wired us and learn how to use what He's placed inside of us. He sees greatness in you, He has gifted you, and He wants to help you step into the purpose He created you for. If you've ever asked, “What is my purpose?” or “What did God create me to do?”, this message is for you.
God doesn't just want you to follow Jesus, He wants you to find freedom. Following Jesus is where the journey begins, but God wants to do a deeper work within us. In this message, Pastor Patrick Tanton unpacks the second of three things God has always wanted for your life: finding freedom from the things that control us, hold us back, and keep us from the abundant life he has for us. Time doesn't heal wounds. It just buries them deeper. What you actually need is freedom and that's exactly what God has planned for you. Whether you're wrestling with something you can't stop, holding on to pain from the past, or feeling like you're under attack, this message is for you. Freedom is God's plan, and He's already made a way.
Everyone follows something. The question is whether what you're following can actually get you where you want to go. Are you really following Jesus or are you simply believing in Him? In this message Pastor Patrick Tanton challenges us to take an honest look at what it means to truly follow Jesus. God doesn't want our lives to remain dormant. He wants us to be planted, to grow, to flourish, and to experience the abundant life He has for us. Maybe you've never made the decision to follow Jesus. Maybe you once centered your life on Him but have allowed other things to take His place. Or maybe you're asking yourself whether you're truly following Him at all. Wherever you are, the invitation is the same: Follow Jesus. Find freedom. Fulfill purpose.
Ever felt completely outnumbered, overwhelmed, or in need of a powerful defender? In this message, Guest speaker Jamie Foster explores the powerful biblical name “Jehovah Sabaoth-Lord of Hosts” and what it reveals about who God is. This message demonstrates that the Lord of Hosts isn't just a distant cosmic ruler, He is deeply personal and steps in to fight for the hurting and humble. You don't have to know exactly what you're signing up for. You just have to know who you're saying yes to.
What do you do when God’s plan doesn’t make sense? Are you facing a painful or confusing season where it feels like God’s promises don't match your current circumstances? In this powerful message, Pastor Patrick Tanton dives into one of the most well-known names of God found in the Old Testament: Jehovah Jireh. 👉 If you are waiting on an answer, struggling to take the next step of obedience, or needing a miracle, discover how Jehovah Jireh meets us at the peak of our deepest needs.
Everyone wants peace. But most of us are looking for it in the wrong places. Are you fighting for peace in your family, your health, your finances, or your mind? In this message, Pastor Patrick Tanton unpacks the transformative meaning of Jehovah Shalom—The Lord is Peace. No matter what you're facing this message will help you understand how to anchor your life in the only true source of peace. Because peace isn't about the absence of problems. It's about the presence of God. Whether you're facing health issues, financial pressure, family tension, or just a restless feeling you can't shake, this message is for you. The peace you've been chasing is closer than you think.
Is God still healing today? In this powerful message, Pastor Cleve Masten goes beyond surface level faith and explores the deeper truth: healing isn’t always instant, it’s often a process. You weren’t saved just for heaven. You were saved for restoration, renewal, and transformation in a real, daily relationship with God. 👉 Whether you’re carrying emotional pain, past trauma, or just feel spiritually stuck, this message is an invitation to let God begin (or continue) His healing work in you.
“The Lord is my shepherd…” but what if trusting a shepherd feels hard? Have you ever felt like your vision of leadership has been completely corrupted by political or spiritual authority figures who failed, abused, or harmed you? When we experience deep wounds from human leaders, our natural survival strategy is to become completely self-sufficient, self-reliant, and deeply suspicious of authority, including God's. In this powerful and deeply honest message, guest speaker Tabitha Panariso unpacks the profound comfort behind the name Jehovah Rohi (The Lord Is My Shepherd) and what it really means for our lives today. This isn’t just a comforting message, it’s an invitation to trust again, to let go, and to experience the care of a good Shepherd who never fails. 👉 You are not alone. You are not forgotten.
Are you trying to be better…but still feel stuck? In this profound message, Pastor Travis Deatherage unpacks why true holiness was never something for you to attain in your own strength. This message dives deep into the heavy, non-negotiable process of sanctification, the lifelong journey of your external life starting to match the righteousness God has already declared over you on the inside. This isn’t about doing more for God. It’s about letting God do something in you. If you're tired of striving and doing all the right things but still feeling stuck, this message could be exactly what your soul needs.
Have you ever felt like God is completely hidden or distant from you? ? If you've been searching for Him and wondering where He is, navigating His biblical names is one of the best places to go to feel close to Him again. God deeply desires to be known, and He uses His names to reveal His true character to us. In this message, Pastor Josh Starnes unpacks Jehovah Tsidkenu "The Lord Our Righteousness" This message reveals how God acts as our ultimate moral compass, straightness, and justice when our lives feel completely bent out of shape. What if the most crooked, broken version of you could carry the name of God Himself?
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day grind, blindsided by unexpected hardships, or wondering where your hope and confidence for the future will come from? What if God isn’t distant from your struggles but actively fighting for you? In this powerful message, guest speaker Geof Morin explores how God reveals His heart not just through names, but through real, personal encounters. This isn’t just theology, it’s an invitation for God to step into your life, your battles, and your story. Whether you're facing discouragement, spiritual battles, or uncertainty, this message reminds you: you don’t fight alone.
Have you ever felt alone even in a crowded room? In this powerful message, we explore one of the most comforting names of God: Jehovah Shammah, which means "He is present" or "The Lord is there." No matter what you’re walking through,💔 loneliness💰 financial stress 🩺 health struggles 💬 relationship challenges, God is not distant. He is present. 🙏 Jesus came to earth as Emmanuel, meaning 'God with us' to permanently bridge the gap that sin created between us and the Father's presence. He did not promise life would be easy, but He promised we would never have to walk through trials alone. If you've ever felt distant from God, surrounded by people but still alone, or unsure if He's really there, this message is for you!
Most people know titles for God…but miss His name and that changes everything. In this message, Pastor Patrick Tanton explores the names of God and we discover that God isn’t just revealing what He does, He’s revealing who He is. This is more than theology, it’s an invitation. 🙏 Don't settle for just knowing about God. If you’ve ever felt distant from God or stuck in routine faith, this message will help you take a deeper step into actually knowing Him personally. God is always more than what you've discovered yet.
What if the way you’ve been praying isn’t what Jesus intended? In this message, Pastor Patrick Tanton explores a powerful truth: prayer isn’t just something you say, it’s something that reshapes how you see and live. Jesus didn’t give us a script to memorize, He gave us a framework to transform our hearts. Moving us away from trying to capture God's attention and instead giving Him our full attention. Stick around until the end of the video, where Pastor Patrick lets the outline of the Lord's Prayer breathe by unfolding it into a practical guide that you can use in your own daily prayer life. If you’ve ever felt like your prayers are routine, disconnected, or ineffective, this teaching will help you rediscover what prayer was always meant to be.
We face it every single day. Sometimes it’s as small as the internal battle over a piece of chocolate cake when we are trying to eat healthy. Other times, it’s life altering addictions. Temptation is a universal human experience, but it often leaves us feeling isolated, defeated, and weighed down by guilt. Why is doing the wrong thing so appealing, and why does doing the right thing sometimes feel like such an uphill battle? In this powerful teaching, Pastor Patrick Tanton dives into the final petition of the Lord’s Prayer: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil". We unpack the truth that navigating temptation isn’t about relying on our own fragile willpower or trying to find a "shortcut" around our weaknesses. Instead, it requires a daily surrender to God's supernatural protection and a willingness to follow His path over our own desires.
Have you ever felt like you just can't let go of what someone did to you? Forgiveness isn’t easy, but according to Jesus, it’s essential. In this powerful message, Pastor Patrick Tanton tackles one of the most personal and painful topics we all face: forgiveness. If you’ve ever struggled to forgive someone or wondered why it matters so much, this message will challenge and encourage you in a life-changing way. Watch this message to learn how to release the debt, let go of the pain, and step into the freedom God has for you.
Are you struggling to keep things together? Or constantly trying to fix the problems throughout your life? In this message, Pastor Patrick Tanton dives into the powerful seven-word phrase: "Give us this day our daily bread" While many of us wait until a massive crisis hits before we ask God for help, Jesus teaches us to rely on our Heavenly Father every single day. Stop depending on your own strength or waiting for your pantry to be bare to seek God. Let Him know that you are trusting Him to be the Lord who provides.
Have you ever felt like your prayers weren’t being answered? Or have you felt a little dry, flat, or panicked about your life? It is incredibly easy to get caught up in self-centeredness and worry about our money, our insecurities, and our daily struggles. But what happens when we truly let go of ourselves and start looking to God? In this encouraging message, Pastor Cleve Masten unpacks deep biblical truths about prayer, faith, and discovering our true identity as children and heirs of God. Whether you need a Healer, a Comforter, or a Provider, ask yourself: What do you need God to be today? This message is a reminder that God is always working, even when we can’t see it. If you’ve been discouraged, waiting, or wondering if God is listening… this is for you.
What does it really mean to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done”? In this message, Pastor Patrick Tanton dives deeper into one of the most powerful and challenging lines Jesus ever taught. This isn’t just about repeating words… it’s about surrendering control, trusting God’s plan, and inviting His rule into every part of your life. Prayer isn’t a formula to get what we want, it’s an invitation to align our hearts with God’s will. If you’ve ever struggled with control, uncertainty, or knowing God’s will for your life, this message will challenge and encourage you in a powerful way.
