From Life Coach to King: Why Jesus Deserves More Than Our Sunday Attention

In our culture of 127 million influencers and endless life coaches, we've developed a dangerous habit: treating Jesus like another voice in the crowd rather than the King of Kings. This shift from authority to advisory has profound implications for how we live out our faith.

The Influence Epidemic

We live in an unprecedented age of choice. With influencers growing by 20% annually and nearly 60% of Gen Z aspiring to join their ranks, we've become accustomed to picking and choosing whose advice we'll follow. This "buffet mentality" has crept into our relationship with God, where we select the parts of Scripture that appeal to us while leaving the challenging bits behind.

The early church in Corinth faced the same issue. Paul confronted believers who were saying "I follow Paul" or "I follow Apollos," treating spiritual leaders like competing influencers. The apostle's response was clear: move beyond personalities to embrace divine authority.

The Authority Difference

When Jesus taught, crowds were amazed not because of innovative content, but because "he taught as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law." This distinction matters enormously. Influence can inspire; authority transforms.

Consider practical examples from Scripture. "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" isn't a helpful suggestion for better relationships—it's a command that, when followed, prevents years of accumulated bitterness. "Do not get drunk" isn't lifestyle advice—it's divine wisdom that protects us from destructive patterns.

Beyond Better to Holy

The most common reason people give for attending church is "to be a better person." While self-improvement has value, it misses God's primary purpose. Jesus didn't come merely to optimize our lives—He came to save them. The goal isn't just improvement but transformation into holiness.

This shift from advice to authority changes everything. Advice guides what we do; authority transforms who we are. When we approach God's word as optional suggestions rather than divine commands, we limit our potential for genuine transformation.

Three Steps Forward

Moving from a coach mentality to a king mentality requires intentional action. First, ask "What does God say?" in every situation. Use resources like the YouVersion Bible app to find biblical answers to life's questions. Second, practice simple obedience without waiting to "feel like it." Third, build accountability with others who can support you in areas where you struggle.

The Charleston Connection

Three years ago, Dave & Saz faced this choice directly. Moving to Charleston to plant Courageous Church meant asking: "Coach Jesus or King Jesus?" Choosing King Jesus led them into situations they never imagined, building family in a new city and watching God work in ways they couldn't have orchestrated.

The Call to More

True revival doesn't begin with better programs or innovative methods. It starts when people become obsessed with godliness and want others to experience the same transformation. This requires moving beyond Sunday inspiration to Monday through Saturday application.

The question isn't whether Jesus gives good advice—He does. The question is whether we're ready to embrace Him as the ultimate authority over every area of our lives. Because when we do, we discover that King Jesus can accomplish far more than Coach Jesus ever could.

Is He your coach or your King?