Sharon Baptist Church
It's Time To... Series
Message #2
It's Time to Follow Jesus
It's Time to... (Message #2)
Luke 9:23
Luke 9:23 NKJV
Introduction:
1.Stand fast in the Gospel
2.Follow Jesus
3.Love Others
4.Reach the Lost
5.Bear the burden of others
From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry to the end of HIS ministry, He was always asking people to FOLLOW HIM.
1. The Initial Call of the disciples—Matthew 4:18-22
-not the beginning of Jesus’ ministry
- not the first time they met
-the disciples are already saved and baptized
2. The end of Jesus’ ministry and his physical time on earth—John 21:17-22
- This is a post-resurrection discussion in Jesus’ glorified body.
- Peter is still struggling with issues
- We all struggle with issues
3. What does it mean to follow Jesus?
- The invitation of a rabbi
- His teachings become your teachings
- Willing to submit
- “To yoke up with Christ”
- “To be covered with the dust of your rabbi"
It's Time to Follow Jesus!!!
Matthew 4:17-22 NKJV
John 21:17-22 NKJV
EXCUSES FOR NOT FOLLOWING JESUS—Luke 9:57-62
A. “I’m too comfortable”—Luke 9:57-58
1. We find out this man is a scribe—Matthew 8:19
2. “Getting comfortable being uncomfortable”
3. The rich young ruler
B. “My family is my priority right now”—Luke 9:59-60
1. My priority list:
- My relationship with God
- My relationship with my wife
- My relationship with my kids
- My ministry
2. Breaking the First Commandment
3. The man’s probable inheritance
C. Looking back instead of looking to Christ—Luke 9:61-62
1. Divided interests
2. Uncommitted
Luke 9:57-62 NKJV
Matthew 8:19 NKJV
Luke 9:59-60 NKJV
Luke 9:61-62 NKJV
THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS—Luke 14:25-33
A. Many would follow Jesus for the food and the miracles and as long as it was popular, but then he went to preaching!—Luke 14:25
B. What??—Luke 14:26
C. “Bear his cross” = Death to self, death to your plans, your opinions—Luke 14:27
D. Jesus never hid the cost—Luke 14:28-33
Luke 14:25-33 NKJV
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS & FOLLOW HIM
A. Luke 9:23-27
B. The Cross = Death
- Die daily
- Facing ridicule and shame, it is a mark!
- Remember, it is easier to “wear a cross than bear a cross.”
C. Gain or Loss—Luke 9:24-25
D. Why are some ashamed?—Luke 9:26
Luke 9:23-27 NKJV