2023 Wk 14: 1 question 2 words

Hey, “FOLLOW ME”!

We need to simply Follow Him with these three points to guide us!

Don’t allow who you use to be, to define who you are as a Follower of Jesus

Don’t allow a critical spirit to mess up the move of the Holy Spirit. (bitterness, gossip... can distract)

Don’t allow your comfort to determine God’s Call

Let me add one more...

Don’t allow worry of things you can’t control rob your joy in this moment.

Let’s deal with what Father wants you to do and do that!

Jesus called his disciples

with two words— Follow Me!

Jesus turned to men who were fishermen, tax collector, a zealot, a thief, and some no occupation is noted— but nevertheless they heard him say “Follow Me” and they did.

Today we will read a portion of scripture about another man who had the opportunity to Follow Jesus

The rich young ruler…

he too was call just like the disciples, but he could not follow Jesus.

This story is not about our wealth or lack of wealth:

Rich or poor— we All can serve and follow Jesus

The scripture describes him as...

rich, young, ruler (religious or not),

He basically has ONE QUESTION

“What must I do to have eternal Life.”

We will read about the eye of the Camel, but let’s focus else where.

Here is OUR QUESTION today...

What keeps a guy from following Jesus?

One’s IDENTITY

Some might say, “I can’t follow because...”

They might think about where they have been… “I’m not good enough”

They might say, “I’m a self made person and I don’t need any help.”

EITHER WAY, THEIR IDENTITY WILL KEEP THEM FROM FOLLOWING JESUS!

Our text comes from Mark 10.

At the first of the chapter it starts with Jesus asking for the children to come to him.

Mark 10:13–14 NLT

13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.

Mark 10:15–16 NLT

15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

STORY… Zeke & Karoline Swimming

(jumping in the pool into their moms arms)

Parents/Grandparents want the blessings for their children.

What we discover here is that The disciples had not learned how to tune into people like Jesus had.

Jesus saw little vessels running around

Disciples saw them as little varmints.

HERE IS OUR FOLLOW ME ENCOUNTER

Mark 10:17–22 NLT

17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

NOTE: Jesus genuinely loved people.

we see it here in verse 21.

Mark 10:21 NLT

21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Jesus genuinely loves people.

Jesus loves you, genuinely loves YOU!!!

Jesus speaks to the rich man...

One thing you lack—go your way and sell what you have and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, then come and follow me.

A quick look at why people are hard to reach for Jesus...

Rich people are hard to reach because

because they take credit for their success

Poor people are hard to reach because

because the enemy has convinced them that they are not good enough.

HEAR THIS—

It’s not about our success or whether or not we are good enough...

It’s because… “Jesus felt genuine love for him.”

THE LOVE OF JESUS!

THE LOVE OF JESUS!

NOW THAT BEGINS TO CHANGE EVERYTHING!

LET’S LOOK AT THE conversation between Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler....

The ten commandments

Jesus named 6 of them and He said,

“I’ve done them...”

But what can I dicker with to find eternal life!

What do i need to do to be saved?

Jesus says....

GO SELL — GIVE — THEN FOLLOW ME

He has everything — but eternity...

Christianity in AMERICA is a pretty poor example of Following Jesus!

just pray a prayer

just fill out this card

just say this after me

WE NEED TO KNOW THAT...

OUR SALVATION WAS EXPENSIVE

OUR SALVATION COSTED A MAN HIS LIFE

JESUS DIED FOR YOU AND ME!!!

WE NEED TO ASK: “What will it COST ME?”

What was it going to COST the RICH MAN?

The rich man didn’t do it because of HIS IDENTITY!

[LOOKING DOWN SAY] “Come and Follow Me”

if you only

want Jesus to keep you out of hell, you are going to have a miserable life and a miserable eternity.

Look at verse 22...

Mark 10:22 NLT

22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Mark 10:22 M:BCL

22 The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

HE BEGAN TO GRIEVE!

Let this sink in— He was separating himself from Father… NOT because of his wealth— it all hinged on HIS IDENTITY!

He felt that he didn’t need the Grace of God because HIS IDENTITY— he thought he could provide for himself!

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STORY’s POINT OF VIEW...

Rich Ruler could only see the HIGH PRICE to pay to find eternal life.

But Jesus, looks at this story and see’s the Intimacy of Know Father.

Jesus didn’t see the Religious Ritual, but the Relationship

JESUS IS OUR ONLY RECOURSE

WHY WOULDN’T ANYONE FOLLOW JESUS?

HAVE YOU SUBMITTED TO FOLLOW JESUS?

OR ARE YOU MAPPING OUT YOUR OWN WAY?

TWO WORDS TO PONDER: Identity & Obedience

Identity in your stuff or surrendering from your stuff

Obedience to “DIE” to your stuff or “DIE” to self.

Have you made the choice to FOLLOW JESUS?

WILL YOU FOLLOW HIM TODAY?

As Jesus is still saying...FOLLOW ME today

If you Have made the choice to FOLLOW JESUS?

Are you ALL in?

Totally surrendered “dying” to your Stuff.

Are you struggling with IDENTITY?

Just because you have...

prayed the prayer

filled out the card

and have said the special phrases so you can put the bumper sticker on your car

Are you truly allowing Father to work His Transforming Grace in your Life?

REMEMBER: Jesus genuinely loved people.

And Jesus genuinely Loves YOU!

He wants to

redeem you

restore you

heal you

provide for you

care for you through every situation!

YOU ARE LOVED!!