REPENT, FOLLOW ME, REJOICE
MATTHEW 28:18-20
INTRODUCTION
Learning how to Love God and Love Others!
I. REPENT – HUMILITY – MATTHEW 4:17
Jesus Preached Repentance therefore, repentance is part of the Gospel Message!
A. What does “repent” mean?
1. Some say that repentance is sorrow. That cannot be because “Godly sorrow leads to repentance.” – II Cor. 7:9-10
2. Some teach that repentance is “a changed life.” Repentance leads to a changed life!
3. W. E. Vine defines "repentance" as “a change of mind.”
a. Repentance involves both turning from sin AND turning to God!
b. Repentance comes AFTER sorrow and BEFORE a life change.
B. Repentance and Conversion are two separate activities.
1. Acts 3:19 Peter says, “Repent and be converted.”
a. Repentance is a change of mind (or belief system)
b. Conversion is applying that change to our lives.
C. Repentance is part of the Gospel Message. Wherever sin is present, repentance must be preached! (Not in condemning fashion but through the informative anointing of the Holy Spirit which works conviction)
Luke 24:46-47 – Repentance should be preached in all nations.
Acts 17:30 – God calls men everywhere to repent.
Acts 26:20 – Testified to King Agrippa that God has called men everywhere to Repent, Turn, and Demonstrate (Do Works Meet for Repentance)
YBH – (Yes But How?)
• Allow Godly sorrow to convict you of your sin.
• Embrace your change of mind.
• Apply those changes to your life every moment of every day.
II. FOLLOW ME – MEEKNESS – MATTHEW 4:19
The Call to Discipleship
A. The word “disciple” literally means “learner.”
1. A disciple is a fully devoted and developing follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Disciples are also “adherents” or “imitators” of their teacher.
Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
B. The Cost of Discipleship.
1. The first disciples left ALL to follow Jesus.
Matthew 19:27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
2. Jesus taught that to be His disciple was to prioritize Him and His work above all else.
a. This was taught in the 1st Commandment “Thou shalt have no other God’s before me.” – Exodus 20:3
b. Jesus taught prioritization as well.
Luke 14:33 “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
YBH – (Yes But How?)
• Personal – Spend time with Jesus every day! (Abide in His Word) – John 8:31
• Testify – Be Baptized
• Grow – Learn and continue in the Apostles Doctrine (Spiritual Leadership), Fellowship (People of like precious faith), and Prayers (Talk to God). – Acts 2:41-42
III. REJOICE – JOYFULNESS – MATTHEW 5:12
Matthew 5:2-12 is famously known as the “Sermon on the Mount.”
A. The Beatitudes begin with the Word “Blessed.”
Matthew 5:2-12
2. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
4. “Blessed are those who mourn,
5. “Blessed are the meek,
6. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
7. “Blessed are the merciful,
8. “Blessed are the pure in heart,
9. “Blessed are the peacemakers,
10. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
11. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
B. The Beatitudes end with the command to “Rejoice and be glad!” WHY SHOULD WE REJOICE AND BE GLAD? Note the following:
3. for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4. for they shall be comforted.
5. for they shall inherit the earth.
6. for they shall be satisfied.
7. for they shall receive mercy.
8. for they shall see God.
9. for they shall be called sons of God.
10. for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
YBH – (Yes But How?)
• We sing and clap our hands
• We shout unto God with the voice of triumph
• We encourage each other and rejoice with them
CLOSING: The Commands of Jesus
• This is how we love one another
• This is how we love God
• It all begins with a life surrendered to the Lord Jesus
