s20090201m_Why Follow Jesus 2
Why Follow Jesus?
25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:25-26
i will FOLLOW Jesus BECause…
1. I Will [Be Rewarded]
29Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31But many that are first will be last, and the last first.” Mark 10:29-31
Ø Challenge: I must give up all that I have to receive all that he has.
| One by one He took them from me, All the things I valued most, Until I was empty-handed; Every glittering toy was lost. | And I walked earth's highways, grieving. In my rags and poverty. Till I heard His voice inviting, "Lift your empty hands to Me!" | So I held my hands toward heaven, And He filled them with a store Of His own transcendent riches, Till they could contain no more | And at last I comprehended With my stupid mind and dull, That God COULD not pour His riches Into hands already full! |
-Martha Snell Nicholson
2. It is [why I was called]
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21
Ø Challenge: I will live a life that confirms my calling.
3. it is what CHRIST [DEMANDED]
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.” Mark 8:34
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John2:6
Ø CHALLENGE: I will embrace Christ’s call to commitment.
4. At vaughn Hill it is despertaly [Needed]
We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 1 Thessalonians 3:9
…set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity…. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:12, 15, 16
Ø Challenge: I must be and example for Vaughn Hill not just an attendee.