Following Jesus

A Sermon For You

A Ministry of Huckaby’s Evangelism

Today’s Sermon Title

"Following Jesus"

By- Evangelist Gary Huckaby

Read with me from the book of Mark 1:16-20, and you will see from where we get out title to this message today.

"Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him." Mark 1:16-20.

Our sermon title comes from verse 18, "And straightway they forsook their nets, and "Followed him." Please pay close attention to this message for it is the way to know that you are

"Following Jesus."

As Jesus began His earthly ministry, He needed someone to be His disciples. Someone who would love Him, listen to Him as He preached, someone who would spread His words after His ministry on earth was finished. Someone who would tell people what the truth is. Someone who would behold enough to stand against false teachings of their day. Someone who could show in their life that God is greater than puny man could ever know, and one who would give God the glory and praise for His wondrous works in them. Someone who would complete His bride, the Church. And God is still calling people all over this world to still, "Follow Him." Therefore our title is "Following Jesus!"

As Jesus alone walked by the sea of Galilee, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, the two brothers, followed him. A little farther on He saw James and John, two more brothers in a ship with their farther, and they answered His call to Follow Him.

Now we look ahead in this chapter and we see in verses 35-36 that these called out disciples paid close attention to this man who had called them, for they watched Him rise up early and go to a solitary place for prayer, and verse 36, says, "And Simon and they that were with him followed after him."

This little band of disciples wanted to tell Him that a crowd was looking for Him, but His reply was "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for therefore came I forth. Verse 38.

In Mark 2:13-15, As Jesus passed by He saw Livi (Matthew) sitting at the receipt of customs, and said to him, "Follow Me." He arose and followed Jesus."

Again in Mark 3:13-19, we can see the twelve disciples ordained, and each name is the given in these verses. Each one of these twelve disciples followed His call, even the one who betrayed Him.

The Multitude Followed Him

The multitudes followed Jesus! Many times in the Bible we see that He was thronged about by people. Notice a few of those examples please.

Mark 3:7, "But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea; and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea" The next verse also tells us the names of other cities which followed Him, and also states that it was a great multitude of people.

Mark 5:24, "And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him." Jesus on His way to Jarius (the ruler of the synagogue) house to raise the daughter of this man, we see a woman sneaking in behind Jesus and touching His clothes. All the while, the multitude was following Jesus.

Mark 5:37, "And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James." Jesus only allows three of His disciples to Follow Him when He raised Jarius daughter from the dead. Maybe it was to holy of a moment to show to the multitude. Nevertheless they knew what had been done right after she was raised. They heard because even though they did not go in with the four, they had Followed Him there.

Disciples Followed Him

The disciples were followers of Jesus Christ. Eleven of Twelve were believers, and there was only one of the twelve that was lost. Only Judas Iscariot, was a devil among the close group. Let me give you a few scriptures here to show you that the disciples "Followed Him."

Mark 6:1, "And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples followed him."

Mark 10:28, "Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee."