Following Jesus – For the Rest of my Life
December 11, 2005 Mark 8:34
These are my actual notes and sermon handouts and they probably mean more to me than they do to you. If you don’t understand something in my notes – feel free to e-mail me for clarification (stevenmary7@hotmail.com). Here’s some deciphering hints: I use hyphens (-) to separate key elements in a thought progression. I use quotation marks when I’m illustrating what some one in the congregation might be thinking or asking at that particular point in the message or to illustrate different character voices in an illustration. Bullets are springboards for thought progressions associated with main points in a thought.
MK 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his lifen will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels."
Summarize the series…
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Many don’t understand – after series will – make your decision
1. I had a _Choice_ to make. – most important…
A worldview to _release_. – turn back on - unlearn
A worldview to _embrace_. -
2. I had a _Citizenship_ to change.
I had a _Kingdom/family_ to leave.
I had a family to _Join _. - change of allegiances
3. I had _Consequences_ to face - intervention - persecution
4. I had a _life_ to learn. - Discipleship = learner (286)/ Christian (3)
Followers must consciously decide to follow Jesus
Counting the Cost of Following Jesus
1. A true Christian has no greater _Allegiance_ than Christ.
Luke 14:25-26
LK 14:25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.
2. A true Christian is willing to lay down his _Life_.
Luke 14:27
27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
3. A true Christian counts the cost…
Luke 14:28-33
LK 14:28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’
LK 14:31 "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
Of finishing what was _Started_.
Of submission to a more powerful _King_.
4. A true Christian is a _preserving_ influence.
Luke 14:34-35
LK 14:34 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Followers give up everything to follow Jesus.
Counting the Cost of Following Jesus II
1. Following Jesus Supersedes Earthly _Security_.
Luke 9:57-58
57As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
LK 9: 58And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
2. Following Jesus Supersedes Earthly _Relations_.
Luke 9:59-60
LK 9: 59To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."
LK 9: 60And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
3. Following Jesus Supersedes Earthly _Distractions_.
Luke 9:61-62
61Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home."
62Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
4. We Follow According to His _Example_.
Luke 9:51,62; 1 John 2:6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
No earthly security – “no place head…”
No earthly relationships – “who is my mother…
No earthly distractions – “Resolutely set his face – Jerusalem”
Followers of Jesus must have no other agenda but God’s
Following Jesus to the Fishing Hole
I. Followers of Jesus are _Obedient_.
Luke 5:1-7
LUKE 5:1On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." 6And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
…to be _used_.
…to _trust_.
Tempted to trust _friends_ instead of God.
Tempted to trust _experience_ instead of God.
Tempted to trust _circumstances_ instead of God.
Tempted to trust _our fears_ instead of God.
…to be _blessed_.
II. Obedience leads to a greater _Revelation_.
Luke 5:8-11
8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." 11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
…of God’s _power_.
…of our _sinfulness_.
…of life _Direction_.
Followers of Jesus trust without question.
Following Jesus - Hook, Line, and Sinker
"Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
Luke 5:4
N eed_ - See it.
Jesus’ _stated_ purpose. - To seek and save lost
Jesus’ _Imparted_ purpose. - Go! – as father sent me – I send you
The church’s _Accepted_ purpose. - Acts / Paul – history proves
E nter_ the lake. (READY)
Equipped…
It takes _Time_.
It takes a _Mentor_.
It takes an _Investment_.
T alk_ about Jesus. (WILLING)
Not generic God.
HOOK - A life that is _winsome_.
LINE - A message that is _Powerful_.
&
SINKER - Taking it to the __“fish”_.
S et_ the hook. (ABLE)
Ask the Diagnostic _Questions_.
Give the _Invitation_.
Followers of Jesus fish for men
Following Jesus Into the Storm
1. The Follower of Jesus will Encounter _Resistance_.
Matt. 14:22-24
MATT. 14:22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
2. Jesus will come to you in the _Storm_.
Matt. 14:25-27
25And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
3. Get out of the _Boat_.
Matt. 14:28-29
28And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
4. Cry out to the _Lord_.
Matt. 14:30-31
30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
5. Learn from your _Mistakes_.
Matt. 14:30-31 again.
30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
6. Apply what you learned to your everyday _Life_.
Matt. 14:32-33
32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Followers of Jesus – follow even in testing.
Following Jesus Into Holiness
1. The _Definition_ of Holiness.
John 17:17
2. The _Method_ of Holiness. – through the Word
A _Positional_ Sanctification.
Romans 3:10, 21-26; Phil. 3:9
A _Volitional_ Sanctification. – cooperation with god
3. The _Obligation_ of Holiness.
Romans 8:12-14; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:4; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:14
Not to flesh – but to Spirit.
4. The _Mechanics_ of Holiness.
The _Heart_ is the Battleground.
Matt. 15:1-20. 17 "Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man `unclean.’
The Heart is a _Storehouse_.
Luke 6:43-4545 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
The Heart must be _Guarded_.
James 1:13; Proverbs 4:23-27; Matt. 6:19-21
PR 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
MATT 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Followers of Jesus open their hearts to God.
Following Jesus Into Holiness II
The Battle Plan for Holiness…
1. _Salvation_ is the Prerequisite.
1 Cor. 6:9-11; John 15:1-5
2. _Fellowship_ keeps you Strong.
Heb. 10:19-25
Fellowship with _God_. Heb. 10:22-2322 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
2 Cor. 13:14; John 4:23-24; 1 John 1:3
Fellowship with _Others_. Heb. 10:2424 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Phil. 2:1-2; 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 1 Cor. 1:8-10
Fellowship with _The Church_. Heb. 10:2525 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
3. _Discipleship_ keeps you weaponized.
Col. 2:20-23 - not just list of do’s and don’ts
Fill your Head_ with the Truth of God’s Word.
2 Cor. 10:4-5 - reading and study
Fill your Heart_ with the Truth of God’s Word.
Psalm 119:9-11; Eph. 5:19-20 - meditation
Engage your Hands_ in the Truth of God’s Word.
1 John 5:3 - truth in head and heart must be followed with action.
Followers of Jesus fill their hearts with the Word of God.
Following Jesus with Thankful Hearts
1. The Lip_ Link_ to a Thankful Heart.
1 Peter 1:6-7 – not circumstantial – but in all things
2. God wants us to _Grow_ in Thankfulness.
Luke 4:18-21; Isaiah 61:1-11
The _garment_ of praise dispels the spirit of heaviness.
We forfeit God’s Power_ and Presence_ in our lives
when we are not Thankful.
Some wrong approaches to praising God…
Some People are Stingy_ with their praise.
Some People are Selective_ with their praise.
1 Thes. 5:16-18; Eph. 5:19-20
Some People are Selfish_ with their praise.
3. How to be Thankful to God.
Praise God _Honestly_. -
Praise God _Faithfully_.
Psalm 22:3 – God inhabits praise of his people - presence
Praise God _Fervently_.
Psalm 37:4 PS 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Followers of Jesus are thankful in and for all things.
How about it? – will you follow Jesus? – Not just talk about it?
• Won’t always be easy – lots of flesh to crucify…
Jesus said…
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
• Deny self – not – not eating that piece of cake – for your health
• Self denial for sake of others – what Jesus is talking about
• Take up cross – not about dealing with trials of life
• Talking about an instrument of death in the place of another
• Pouring your life out for another.
Maximilian Kolbe was a Catholic priest, who was put in a Nazi concentration camp for his faith.
On May 28, 1941, he was transferred to the concentration camp at Auschwitz. During his time there, he would share his meagre rations of food with those around him - who were hungry.
One day a man in Kolbe’s block escaped. All of the men from that block were brought out into the hot sun and made to stand there all day with no food or drink.
At the end of the day, the man that had escaped was not found and so Fritsch, the Nazi commandant told the prisoners that ten men would be selected to die - in the starvation cell - in place of the one that had escaped.
One of those ten selected was a polish sergeant (Francis Gajowniczek). He begged to be spared because he was worried that his family would not be able to survive without him.
As he was pleading with the commandant, Maximilian Kolbe silently stepped forward. The commandant turned to him and said asked,
"What does this Polish pig want?"
Kolbe pointed to the polish sergeant and said, "I am a Catholic priest from Poland; I would like to take his place, because he has a wife and children."
The commandant stood silent in disbelief for a moment. He then allowed the sergeant to go back to his place in the ranks and Kolbe took his place in the starvation bunker.
Each day the guards used to remove the bodies of those who had died. However instead being greeted by the usual sounds of screaming, all they would hear was the sounds of Kolbe and the others in the bunker singing hymns and praying.
When Kolbe could no longer speak due to hunger and lack of energy, he would whisper his prayers.
At the end of two weeks, the cell had to be cleared out for more prisoners. Only four prisoners were left alive and Kolbe was one of them.
The guards came in and gave each a lethal injection and on August 14, 1941, Kolbe paid the ultimate price for following his Master.
MK 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
How about you – ever in process of life – met a Jesus didn’t expect…
• All came to place where… “This isn’t what I signed up for
• Exactly why Jesus was careful not to misrepresent what following meant.
• Why inspired so many to follow – give selves to something greater…
Jesus never sought to lure men to Him by the offer of an easy way… He came not to make life easy, but to make men great – Melvin Newland.
“What I offer you is blood, sweat and tears…” – Winston Churchill
35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.
• The essence of what it means to follow Jesus.
But we’re used to an expectation of life that includes our comfort
But Jesus helps put that in perspective when He asks some questions that size up what is truly important.
36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
• Answer to both is nothing!
Only sensible thing is to follow Jesus!
MT 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
• Hardest life you’ll ever love…
JOS 24:15 choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
• Will you follow? – then be a follower!
• Done my best to explain it to you – now without excuse
• Be honest with self – if want to follow – then follow – if not then stop pretending
Following Jesus for the Rest of My Life
December 11th, 2005 Mark 8:34
Followers must consciously ____________ to follow Jesus.
Followers give up _______________ to follow Jesus.
Followers of Jesus must have no other _________ but God’s
Followers of Jesus _________________ without question.
Followers of Jesus ___________ for men
Followers of Jesus – follow even in _____________.
Followers of Jesus open their ____________ to God.
Followers of Jesus _____ their hearts with the Word of God.
Followers of Jesus are ____________ in and for all things.
