Follow The Leader / Who Are You Really Following?

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scriptures read prior the the Sermon. Today's assigned Scriptures are: Genesis 9:8-17 ; Psalm 25:1-9 ; 1 Peter 3:18-22 ; Mark 1:9-15

Follow the Leader ...is an old familiar...... children's game.

I am sure... that we can... all recall memories... of following each other... in a line ......around a room or a playground, ...jumping over this, ...skipping around that, ...and watching intently ...to be sure we followed the leader ...precisely.

We might have played this game ...just for fun ... or ...someone might have used the game... to teach us... the role ...of a good ... follower.

In these days of Lent, ...I invite us all...to think about our role ...as followers.

In recent months ...we have moved ...from the anticipation ...of the birth of the Christ child ...to the knowledge... of Jesus ministry.

And in these weeks of Lent, ...through the Scriptures...we...will watch and follow our Lord... as he walks to Jerusalem ... on to Golgotha... and then ...to the Cross.

Beloved ... Jesus is clear Crystal clear

BIBLE He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

Jesus goes on to share an eternal truth in Matthews Gospel that is difficult for many to hear and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. END (Matthew 10:38)

Following Jesus ... Following the one we call Savior & Lord is a requirement of Discipleship.

16 times ... in Matthew and Mark alone ... we hear the words Follow ... in reference to Jesus.

And whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

So, ... What does it mean... for us ...to follow... Jesus?

During Lent, ...we are called ... to face ... our ...true nature.

Our own ...true, ...yearning, ... needy nature ... as it is laid bare ...before us ...to examine.

It is not a time... for self-loathing ...or wallowing ...in self-pity.

It is a time ... of being honest, ...a time ...to look at ......our whole self ... body ... soul ... and Spirit.

A time for us to examine ourselves ... and see ...where there is room ... for God's grace ...where we may need to yield... to His Lordship.

This self-reflection ...is not easy... but it is necessary.

It is necessary... so that we may continue to be conformed into ... the image of Christ.

So, that we may reflect the image ... of Christ.

This reflection should be an ongoing process... but is emphasized by the Church ...during these 40 days.

Where Jesus leads ...we are called...to ... follow.

We are to follow...not sit back ... and mindlessly flip through channels ...of a stagnant ......spiritual life.

We are called into relationship ... relationship with the one we call... Lord.

And solid relationship ...requires... participation ...by both parties.

So Beloved... let us reverently follow Jesus...our Leader... into these days of Lent.

Let us examine once again ourselves, ... to look into life's mirror, ...to be honest with God, ... to seek the things that distract us... from God's ......kingdom work.

Or, ...to say it another way, ...we are to examine those things that keep us ......from being transformed ... and reflect ... the image of Christ.

Are we feeling so safe ...in ourselves, ...in our pews, ...our houses, ... our relationships ...that we no longer work ...to maintain spiritual health... and wholeness?

What are you tempted to believe or deny, ...to do or to neglect ... as you journey ...into self-reflection?

And Jesus, ...the One we are called to follow, ... knows about temptation.

God's very Spirit, ... in Mark's telling ...has descended upon Jesus ... and identified Him ...as the beloved Son.

Then this same Spirit......drives Him ...into the wilderness.

Jesus is driven into the wilderness. ...by God's Spirit.

And Mark makes it clear ... that Satan is there, ...that temptation... is there.

Though it might strike us as strange... that God's Spirit...... would drive Jesus into the wilderness.

We should recognize ...that the life of faith ...often leads us as followers ...into... the wilderness.

Is God's Spirit driving, ...or swiftly kicking you ...into the wilderness?

And Our wilderness ... is often ...the landscape ...of where we live ...where we reside.

The wilderness can even encompass ......at times ...the landscape ...of family.

Do you feel ...the dry desert air... of the wilderness of our culture?

Do you need driven...Do you need a swift kick from the Holy Spirit ... in order...to get you up... to wake you up ... and follow Jesus ... to follow the Leader?

Perhaps... we all do.

Perhaps we need to ...wake up... And put on our spiritual big boy ... and big girl pants... and ... follow the commands of our Lord.