I Saw Jesus Part 2 Series

Sermon I Saw Jesus Part 2: Follow Me! {Edited 3/15/2023}

How do we follow Jesus in this day & age?

> In last weeks gosple Luke 12:1 taught us that “A crowd of thousands upon thousands had gathered so that they were crushing each other!” {Common English Study Bible}

< The New English Translation reads for Luke 12:1 Meanwhile, when many thousands of the crowd had gathered so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples:

& New Living Translation says Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them:

= We know from this Scripture & from others that Thousands of people were following Jesus! Why? + What was it about Jesus that caused or inspired Thousands To Seek || Follow || Want to be with Him after Him? ? What was it that made Jesus so Irresistible and Popular?

> It wasn't that He was good looking! ? Jesus is a plain, ordinary looking person ? We know that from Scripture.

< I think every person has their own beauty ? The way God made each person beautiful in their own way!

& That is true for Jesus as well but there is nothing special about His appearance.

= Jesus is not Hollywood beautiful ? God did not make Him exceptionally handsome.

= As Scripture says ? There was nothing in His Appearance that made us attracted to Him! + If I was the head of a marketing department & was looking for a really super handsome man to sell a product ? I wouldn't pick Jesus based on His looks ?

So... Why were Thousands of People following Him?

> I Believe the best answer to that Question is B/c Jesus is filled with Grace & Truth.

< I Believe that many many people saw the Grace that was evident in the person of JC. ^ I don't think Jesus was inclinded to stumble over things ? Or stub his toe! ? or spill His cup.

+ I believe He was in perfect union with God. ? Jesus was Grace in motion with all of the beauty of movement that implies ? & I believe the crowds saw that & followed Him.

= I remember when I was a teacher with Norfolk Public Schools there was a an A-A Teacher who was sort of tall & Not thin or fat just well shaped & very good looking. ? & when she walked down the hallway it was with such Grace that I'd swear she had been to some type of Beauty School. + She walked with such grace & poise it was just stunning ? really impressive! ? She carried herself with dignity & confidence + ? & I believe Jesus was this way as well. ? Not clumsy ? Not rushing ? Not a hectic personality ? But perfectly in sync with His Father & THS & Creation. & people Saw & recognized It & were Amazed by that! = Luke teaches us that Jesus grew in wisdom & grace before God & the people who knew Him!

= Jesus was filled with Grace & Truth. ? People saw the Grace & heard the truth. ^ God's children are still hungry for Truth. ? It was true then & it is still true now.

There is always a ratings battle between Fox News & CNN. = I think this is true B/c most people are seeking out their ow truth or seeking to justify what they already believe is true. + I think it can be a difficult challenge in our day just to get the unfiltered truth about events that truly matter in our time. # But Jesus was & is The Truth ? & So Thousands & Thousands were attracted to Him & followed Him to the point were they were crushing each other. ? Crushing Each Other! ? Now that is being hungry for the Truth.

Jesus was filled with Grace & Truth. ? They Recognized the Grace & they Heard the Truth. > Flowing from His Grace & Being filled with THS came many miracles. ? Many diverse kinds of miracles from casting out demons ? to creative works thru the power of THS ? to the multiplication of food ? & more! Thus, many people followed Jesus for other reasons as well but I think even His Miracles flowed from His Grace & Truth. < The world will never see such a person again until Jesus returns ? Which is not far away anymore. ?

So, How do we follow Jesus Now? ? How do we follow this Invisible Person ? Who Is Jesus Christ? PAUSE

A long time ago ? About 40 years ago ? I was singing in the Choir at Church. It was a Saturday night Service & It was also Advent ? The New Christmas Season. > I enjoyed singing in the choir ? & after church there were