Follow Jesus Series

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Deitrich Bonhoeffer

Introduction: To marry my gf or not.

Matthew 16:24-28

“If anyone desires to come after me…”

• Jesus is going to provide a list of expectations for those who would follow after him.

• Jesus asks a lot of those who follow him; he asks nothing of those who choose to not follow after him.

• It is vital to understand that there is a cost involved when it comes to following Jesus.

Let him deny himself (Matthew 19:16-30)

• We all have dreams, hopes, ambitions, desires. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves (which includes these things).

• Deny means to disown from something. We are called to give up our desire to control over to God.

• The Rich Young Ruler was obedient to Gods law but wasn’t committed to serving only (1) master. His possessions were controlling him.

Take up his cross

• Following Jesus is a one – way road that leads to death.

• Why death? Because only in death is there resurrection. In following Jesus to death, we find life.

Follow Me: (Luke 9:57-62)

“The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

• Are we willing to follow Jesus not knowing where that will lead?

“Let the dead bury the dead but you go and preach…”

• Are we willing to follow Jesus now or are there other priorities in our lives that take precedence?

“No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom.”

• Who / what are we willing to surrender and give up following Jesus?

Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus gives us two options

1. The Broad Road: Spacious, Roomy (Live how you want to live).

2. The Narrow Road: Restrictive, Confined, Compressed. [Live like Jesus]