Who Will Follow Jesus?
When we read the gospels, it’s obvious that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each have a unique perspective on Jesus’ life. All four of these men were followers of Jesus; Matthew and John were apostles who actually lived with and walked with Jesus. They were there from his early ministry through his travels, seeing him teach and do his miracles. They felt the tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders and witnessed his betrayal and arrest. John even went with Jesus through his trial and crucifixion. John was there when Jesus died. Jesus, while he was dying, gave John the responsibility of caring for his mother, Mary, who was also there with John at the very foot of the cross. Matthew and John saw Jesus after the resurrection and were commissioned by Jesus to go to all nations and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They saw Jesus ascend into heaven. Forty days later, they were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost and were baptized by the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ascension.
As the years passed and the church grew and spread over the Roman empire, it became obvious that there was a need to write down the gospel history. Many of the things Jesus said and did were memorized and passed on in the preaching of the apostles and those that heard them. But as the gospel spread, fewer and fewer people hearing the message had any direct connection with the places and events of Jesus life, and eye witnesses were not available for them to question. Most of what was taught about Jesus came from the Old Testament proving his identity as the true Messiah of God for all nations. This is what was preached over and over in the early days, as we see in Luke’s book of Acts. It was some time before Matthew, Mark, Luke and John sat down to record the accounts of these events in Jesus’ life. The Holy Spirit guided them as they recorded these for us. And their accounts became the standard of measure for truth about what Jesus actually did say and do. Luke says in the beginning of his gospel, Luke 1:1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Did you know that there are several stories about Jesus that are not in the Bible? That’s partly because not everything written about Jesus during those days was true. Most of them didn’t make it into the New Testament as we have it today. God preserved his word for us just as he wanted us to have it. Matthew, Mark and Luke all record these words of Jesus: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matt. 24:35, Mk 13:31, Lk 21:33). If you come to class on Wednesday night and you’ll learn a lot more about this.
Do you see this Bible? This book is a precious blessing from God for you and me today. It has a rich history and an amazing message that speaks to us with the very voice of God. From beginning to end the same Holy Spirit speaks to us. Even though it was written by about 40 different men in many different places, over a period of about 1500 years, it is just one long story that tells us about Jesus. The Old Testament is background leading up to his life, the gospels are the story of his life, and the rest of the New Testament points back to his life. Who is this incredible person named Jesus? What did he say and do? Why did he come here? Where is he now? When will he come again? How can I be ready for his return?
I’m glad you asked! All these questions and more are answered here in this one book, the Bible, God’s word for you and me. Now lets turn our attention to who will follow Jesus.
Have you ever heard someone talk about a book they read or an event they experienced and say, “That changed my life!” Or, “I’ll never be the same again.”
Now, I know some people say things like that about the orange juice they had for breakfast, but those people really don’t show much change. I’m talking about real life changes.
Jesus had the greatest power of all to make people change. His life and character are so dynamic that he leads you into the valley of decision. You never come out of there the same. One of the things we learn in the gospels is about how Jesus impacts the lives of the people he meets. Not everyone is changed for the better. Some are hardened in their own sinfulness; they resist Jesus. Others are brought from sin to holiness; they listen to Jesus and follow him. Still others are changed from sickness to health as they reached out to Jesus during his earthly ministry. The power of Jesus to change people is tremendous. One of the greatest examples is that of Saul of Tarsus. This enemy of the church of Christ experienced the dramatic, life-changing power of Jesus when he met him on the road to Damascus. He was changed from a man who killed Christians to one of the greatest evangelists in the world. Listen to his own words words: 1 Tim 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Cor 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed (changed) into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Rom 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Our scripture reading in Luke 5 gives us another example of how Jesus changed the lives of those he met.
Jesus was in Galilee. He came to the shores of the lake and people were drawn to hear him speak. Jesus words themselves had power to change lives. He got into Peter’s boat and taught from the boat. Then he invited Peter to go fishing again. Peter objected and then agreed to go. Peter and the guys just finished fishing all night and had nothing to show for it but tired backs and sore hands from pulling up empty nets for hours. This was time to go home, but Jesus wasn’t one to say no to.
So out they go into the deeper water, just like Jesus asked them to do. They let down the nets and you know what happened next… every fish in the area jumped in their net. As they were casting their nets in the lake, Jesus was casting a net of his own into their hearts. Peter, who is always one to talk, sees all the fish and falls down at Jesus knees saying, “Go away from me Lord, I am a sinful man!”
Time for a change for Peter and his friends, a change only Jesus could give them.
If you had asked Simon Peter what were his plans that day, I’m sure he would never have said, “Oh, I’m going to change my life.” He admits in confession to Jesus that his life needed change, “I am a sinful man.” But do you think he expected that morning to leave everything and follow the carpenter’s son? Of course not! If Simon were left to himself, he would never have changed! He would have lived and died in obscurity there in Galilee.
Here’s a few good questions for you: what does it take to make a person leave everything and follow Jesus? What did it take to make you follow Jesus? If left to yourself, where would you end up? Have you had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ? Are you willing to have one?
Who will follow Jesus today? That’s not asking who is in the right church, or who is doing the right things. Who will follow Jesus today?
Listen to me. Following Jesus Christ is life’s highest and best purpose. You can’t just decide to do it, you have to meet the Master and hear his invitation. Jesus is the one who calls, you are the one who answers. Jesus has what it takes to change your life, you don’t. Jesus has what you need to get you out of the business of sin and get you into the business of saving. It’s all about Jesus.
There’s a recent song that was written by a young man who lead the worship at church. He was an extremely talented singer, but the preacher there took him aside and told him that he could not lead the singing at church until things changed because he saw that he was more interested in the attention he received than in worshipping the Lord. This young man was angry at first and yet the words of the preacher were true, and he knew it. Six months later he wrote a song and taught it to the church there. The words are these:
Heart of Worship
(words and music by Matt Redman)
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart
I bring you more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what you have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about you
It’s all about you, Jesus
I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about you
It’s all about you, Jesus
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is yours
Every single breath
Worksheet/ handouts:
Who will follow Jesus?
Luke 5:1-11 is the scripture reading and text.
The gospel writers, particularly Matthew and John, give us a personal perspective of the life of Jesus. John was with Jesus at his trial, and stood beneath the cross at his death.
How were the teachings of Jesus passed down before the gospels were written?
What source did the early evangelists use to spread the gospel?
What was their main emphasis?
Two reasons for the gospels being written:
1. To give us an eye witness record of the events.
2. To serve as a standard against false records about Jesus life.
The gospels are a record of what Jesus actually said and did preserved by God as orderly accounts of his life. Luke 1:1-4
What did Jesus say in Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33?
The Bible, God’s gift to us, tells the story of One main character: Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus has life changing power for you and me. Two great examples in the New Testament of the life changing power of Jesus are Saul of Tarsus and Simon Peter.
Luke 5:1-11
Think of the power of Jesus’ words and presence: to draw a crowd, to convince these fishermen to go out again, to cause all the fish to jump in the nets, to convict the heart of Simon the sinner into confession, to calm those fears and then commission him to service in a new cause. Jesus the life changer. Is he yours?
