In this sermon Admired but Not Desired, This illustration is a sobering reminder that it is not what we say with our lips but what we do with our lives that makes the difference. We all want to be followers of Christ.  We admire Him tremendously.  But there is one thing that we can never forget. It is found in Philippians 2. The part that is crucial is this, “We cannot be like him and hold onto everything that is near and dear to us.” He left thrones and principalities and power.  He left behind reputation and strength.  He left behind immortality.  And the first step in following Him is not to a throne, but from it.