The focus of this series, Walking with Jesus, is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We're slowly and simply examining the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him.

Pastor Don started us off with Jesus INCARNATED on Earth.
Ryan shared with us how Jesus PREPARED for Ministry.
Nick covered how Jesus was COMMISSIONED by the Father.
Jeff looked at how Jesus was TEMPTED in the Wilderness.
Aaron presented about how Jesus was RECOGNIZED as the Lamb of God.
Gary explained how Jesus CALLED His First Disciples.
Pastor Joel brought a unique perspective to how Jesus TURNED water into wine but also turned the disciples faith and their idea of ministry.
Today Nick shares a simple verse that conveys how Jesus JOURNEYED to Capernaum.

We've been using a book called The Harmony of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) as we've walked with Jesus chronologically.
The plan is to cover the entire life of Jesus in three different sermon series taking place over three years. We're a little over midway through part one of this three part series.

We leave the excitement of the wedding in Cana and the first recorded miracle of Jesus and come to our verse for today's lesson - John 2:12.
This verse literally conveys the message, "Walking with Jesus." Walking with Jesus was never a physical event, it was a full on experience!

We can see a main theme, Road Trip, and three points to guide us.
1. Places
2. People
3. Purpose

What's the best road trip you have taken? Who went with you?

Places

Starting point: Cana
Destination: Capernaum
Distance: 30 miles/approx. 2 day trip
Points of interest along the way: Nazareth, Sepphoris, Cana, Arbel, Migdal, Mt. of Beatitudes

People

Traveling with Jesus: His mother (Mary), his brothers (and possibly sisters), and his disciples.
Jesus is the connection between the two groups of people; His family and His disciples. What better way to get to know one another than to take a 2-3 day trip to Capernaum together!

Purpose

Usually with any type of travel, we often ask about the purpose - business or pleasure?
In the case of this trip, it was business with a personal touch. From here on out, His purpose was to prepare those around Him and to finish the work He had been sent for.
He had gathered "His" people and was moving His base from Nazareth to Capernaum. Because of its location and many visitors, Capernaum provided the perfect location for Jesus to begin spreading the Gospel as we know it today. Jesus had a purpose in choosing Capernaum.

This trip was much more than people, places, and purpose. Jesus was intentional and He asks us to live our lives in the same manner. It doesn't do us much good to plan trips and never go on them. It would be a waste of time and resources. In our own faith walk, what good does it do to hear the words of Jesus, but never live them out?
Matthew 7:24

Application:
Let's take a look at how we can Walk with Jesus in our own lives...

Principle #1 - Go Slowly
Psalm 46:10a

When we become so consumed with the go, go, go of life, we miss out on building relationships, ministry opportunities, God's natural beauty, sharing the Gospel, and living out our own faith. We must find time for God and for the people He has placed around us.

Principle #2 - Grow Steadily
Luke 9:37-56 (Shows us how Jesus grew frustrated when the disciples didn't demonstrate growth)

This trip to Capernaum isn't just about getting to the destination. The journey there held plenty of opportunities for His "team" to grow as individuals and collectively. As they traveled they likely shared stories and lessons from their own lives. These couple of days on the road laid the foundation for the early lessons from Jesus' ministry.
Jesus used just about every opportunity He could to teach those around Him. Here at Grace Church we offer a few options for spiritual growth:
- Mentoring
- H.O.M.E. Groups
- Grace U Classes

Principle #3 - Give Selflessly
Mark 10:45

The road trip to Capernaum wasn't about Jesus. It was about the future of the ministry. His entire existence here on earth was a selfless act!
Where are you giving selflessly? Here at Grace Church we encourage you to think of two areas to serve - in the church and in the community. We have an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others. We can all step out in faith and give selflessly like Jesus did.

As we close today, let's answer a few questions regarding the road trip we talked about earlier.
What is your destination?
Have you selected the route you will take?
Who are the people you want to take with you?
What is the purpose for your trip?
Walking with Jesus is as simple as these few questions.

This week:

Read and pray over John 2:12 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)