To Follow Jesus
Selected Passages – Matthew 4:19a
January 7, 2001
Introduction
I. Follow the Leader
Have you ever played the game “Follow the Leader?”
The game consisted of one person who was the leader and the rest of the players were followers. The leader did something and the rest of the group had to follow along and do exactly what the leader did. This game was a lot of fun on one condition: if you were the leader. Nobody wanted to just follow all of the time.
I believe that this is a signal to our human nature and it spills from childhood into our adult life. We want to lead in life and we want to be “in charge.” We want to run the show and we don’t want to play second fiddle to anyone. It applies to every aspect of life: work family and even church. We want to have our say and then if we don’t like what gets done we get mad or at least some people do.
What is the problem here? Why is this happening? I believe it comes down to the root problem that people are not really doing what Jesus called out in Matthew 4:19 – Follow Me.
This leads us to a key question what does it mean to follow Jesus?
II. The Meaning of Follow
A. Webster
1. To go, proceed or come after
2. To seek to attain
3. To copy after
4. To engage in as a calling or a way of life
B. Greek Understanding
1. Opiso: To be after or to go after
2. Akoloutheo: To keep on following. This implies that there is no stopping.
Thesis: Following Jesus is a constant act and a way of life
Following Jesus Introduces to Seven Realities
I. To follow Jesus means to be centered
The Example: The Good Shepherd
The Meaning
1. Jesus leads like a shepherd – He protects and provides for His sheep
2. His sheep know His voice and follow Him
The Implication
1. We are to have Jesus as our complete focus in life
2. Everything we do should embody His care and compassion
II. To follow Jesus means to be changed
The Example: Matthew
The Meaning
1. Jesus called and Matthew followed without hesitation
2. Matthew completely changed his life – He was no longer the despised tax collector but a disciple of Jesus
The Implication:
1. If we are truly following Jesus we cannot be the same as we once were
2. The change of a follower is not a one time event. Our lives are to be in a constant state of growth. Growth = Change
3. Jesus can reach anyone at anytime with His grace and power
III. To follow Jesus means to be challenged
The Example: Jesus’ call to be Fishers of Men
The Meaning
1. Jesus was issuing a deep rooted challenge: He wanted these men to totally change their lives and take on an impossible task
2. Jesus challenged these men to risk everything that they had evrything they were for everything they could become
The Implication
1. Following Jesus will be one of the greatest joys of life but also one of the greatest challenges
2. Following Jesus does not give us the luxury to “play it safe.” Instead it requires us to take some risks in life
IV. To follow Jesus means to be committed
The Example: Jesus’ call to take up your cross
The Meaning
1. Jesus is calling for us to follow His example of sacrificial love
2. Jesus is calling for us to follow His example of humility
The Implication
1. Our first and foremost obligation is to Jesus: Not family, not work and not even church
2. Our attitude is to be displayed through a sense of brokeness
V. To follow Jesus means to be connected
The Example: Jesus is the vine and we are the branches
The Meaning
1. Jesus is the source of strength for life
2. Jesus calls for followers to abide in Him
The Implication
1. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing of eternal value
2. We are to live our lives connected with Jesus
VI. To follow Jesus means to be consistent
The Example: Jesus’ call to be the light of the world
The Meaning
1. Jesus is the light of the world
2. Jesus calls His followers to reflect His light
The Implication
1. As we follow Jesus we become more enveloped by His light
2. We become more reflective of Jesus as we follow Him and draw closer to him
VII. To follow Jesus means to be consecrated
The Example: The Rich Young Ruler
The Meaning
1. Jesus asks the man to give up his fortune
2. The call asks for the man to give a total commitment
The Implication
1. If we are to truly follow Christ, we must be willing to remove all of the barriers that stand in our way
2. Following Jesus should make us more and more like Him
Conclusion
Let’s look at the game Follow the Leader again for a minute. The key to that game was to fully imitate or copy the actions of the leader and it is also the key to following Jesus. We must do our very best to imitate Him and copy His example for us.
Key traits of a follower of Jesus
1. A follower is centered completely on Jesus
2. A follower is changing by result of steady growth
3. A follower is challenged to win others to Christ
4. A follower is committed to live for Jesus and to dies for Him if necessary
5. A follower is connected to the strength and living power of Jesus
6. A follower is consistent in their walk with Jesus and they continually follow Him
7. A follower is consecrated by the saving grace of Jesus
Are you really following Jesus? Is it time to refresh and renew your claim to follow Him?
