0217 Christianity 101

CHRISTIANITY 101

Jesus never came to start a religion. Jesus doesn’t recruit for Christianity.

Christian is Christ like not church attendee.

What is Christianity all about? Following Christ!

Caleb - the Dog (Numbers 14:24; 32:11-12; Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:8-9, 14)

Dog always stays near the Master and follows him everywhere

What is Jesus saying to you “repent” or “follow”? (Matthew 4:17-19)

The promise to the followers: you will be like Me

To follow is to keep an eye on, be a fan of, stick to, go along, stick to, to imitate, go after, or go behind

Jesus is looking for followers not leaders

Following Christ involves:

Leave everything behind

Peter, Andrew, John, James, and Matthew left what they lived for (Matthew 4:19-22; Luke 5:27)

Rich man was asked to leave that which was his focus (Matthew 19:18)

Before we can follow Christ our directions, pursuit, purpose, focus must change

Deny yourself (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)

Peter left everything but himself (Matthew 26:75)

Peter followed Jesus as long as Jesus was popular and as long as it benefiting him

He left everything because Jesus offered more

Peter’s life was all about him not about Jesus

Peter denied Jesus because he didn’t deny himself

Following Jesus is not like going to a job (when you don’t get paid you stop going)

You follow Jesus not for what He will do for you but for what He has done for you

People who live for themselves will deny Christ in blessing or problems

Those who live for themselves can’t love Christ because they use Him

Job didn’t deny Christ because he died himself

Count the cost not the benefit of following Christ (Luke 14:28-32)

Take up your cross (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)

Cross – not sickness, poverty, punishment, or addiction

Your – our crosses are different

Take up – don’t fight with it

Don’t make a cross for yourself

Cross speaks of persecution for Jesus’ name

Cross speaks of outcome of doing God’s will

Peter’s cross was not something he did but something that was done to him

It’s possible to follow Christ with the cross

You will not carry a cross if you wouldn’t follow Jesus