Sermon Central
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Following Jesus
Contributed by Rick Boyne on Jan 11, 2016 (message contributor)
Summary: We must daily choose to follow Jesus.
Following Jesus
January 10, 2016 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We must daily choose to follow Jesus.
Focus Passage: Matthew 26:51-58
Supplemental Passage: And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. (Luke 9:23 NASB)
Introduction: Yesterday, the Powerball Lottery jackpot was over $900,000,000.00. Next week, the estimate is supposed to be over one billion dollars. Yesterday, thousands of Christians took God’s money out of their wallets and bought a ticket. No doubt, every one of them anxious to give part of their winnings to the church. Would they have bought those tickets if Jesus were standing right next to them? Would they have bought those tickets if the clerk at the store was your Sunday School teacher? or fellow church member? Does the promise of incredible wealth really outweigh being identified with Jesus?
I. Past Achievement
a. Peter walked on water
b. Peter was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah
c. Peter claimed he would die for Jesus
II. Present Reality
a. Circumstances scared Peter
b. Peter followed at a distance
c. Peter denied knowing Jesus
III. Future Potential
a. Jesus gave Peter a chance to redeem himself
b. Peter went on to be a great man of God/Apostle
c. In contrast with Judas who also betrayed Jesus, but killed himself
Application/Invitation: And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? "For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38 NASB)
