When Jesus says, "Follow Me"...

Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:27-28

Matthew 4:18–22 NKJV

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

Luke 5:27–28 NKJV

After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.

He doesn't mean, “follow me with part of your life”.

Many only give God a particular measure of their life, reserving the rest to themselves. 1 Jn 2:10-17; Mark 3:31-35

The world will pull us into this mindset.

We are constantly preached to that we should be together, united, etc. with the world. This should actually be discouraged.

1 John 2:10–17 NKJV

He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

We should be together and united with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This bond should mean more than anything else.

Homeschoolers are no more holy than those going to public school, but we have a great need to remember the One who saved us, and what He teaches concerning our true spiritual family.

Mark 3:31–35 NKJV

Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

Career (pressure from boss), School (pressure from teachers), Sports (pressure from coaches).

Surely we can work, learn, and play while following Jesus. But are we truly following Jesus while we work, learn, and play?

Would we be willing to sacrifice a good-paying job for Him? Perfect grades? A winning game that catapults the team into the playoffs?

Some seem to only be reminded on the holidays that they should serve God.

Might be more in the past, but I remember there were some people I’d never see at church services unless it was Xmas, Easter, etc.

Some might still be doing that. What are they doing on other times throughout the year?

This is not shared only to make demands on our time, but to appeal to our heart.

Jesus died and rose so that Christians can come together every week. This is an opportunity! Lk. 22:19; Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:24-27

Luke 22:19 NKJV

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Acts 20:7 NKJV

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

Hebrews 10:24–27 NKJV

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

He doesn't mean, “follow me, and everything will be easy”.

Are we confused and anxious when things don't go well for Christians?

The world gives us temptations and troubles.

Each of us has struggles to go through, whether it's health or circumstance.

Some preach and teach that it shouldn't be so for the Christian, and that if you have troubles, it automatically follows that you aren't right with God.

Jesus teaches us about the benefits of suffering with Him as a Christian. Matt 5:45; Jas 1:2-3; 1 Pet 4:12-16

Matthew 5:45 NKJV

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

James 1:2–3 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

1 Peter 4:12–16 NKJV

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

He doesn't mean, “follow me, but don't lose your stuff along the way”.

The race for "more stuff” is covetousness.

There is a glorification and idolatry for material things.

The opulent mansions of wealthy music or movie stars; the shiny trophies of sports stars.

This feeds into the everyday when we see others having things that we desire but cannot afford.

Covetousness is a form of control over your mindset.

The devil puts the distraction before you, so that as you are focused entirely on it, you become willing to give of yourself to obtain it.

Jesus wants us to seek righteousness above all. Matt 6:24-33; Lk 12:13-21; 18:18-30

Matthew 6:24-33 – What are we to seek FIRST?

Matthew 6:24–33 NKJV

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Luke 12:13–21 NKJV

Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Luke 18:18–30 NKJV

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

He doesn't mean, “follow me, as long as it doesn't separate your family”.

Family is an important tie, and can actually be rightly treasured in our society.

“Blood is thicker than water” - much importance needs to be placed on the family unit as given to us by God.

However, our family will sometimes stand in the way of faithful service to God.

We tend to mix up our priorities, serving family OVER the Lord.

We must constantly ask this with ALL of our relationships (family, friends, etc.) - is this relationship HELPING me to get to heaven?

If it is, I must work to strengthen it and learn more from them.

If it is not, I must strengthen that relationship in an effort to save them from destruction - while not being lost myself!

Jesus died so that we follow Him, and not our families. Matt 8:18-22; 10:34-39; Lk 14:26-27

Matthew 8:18-22 – doesn't mean NO REGARD for family, just that in comparison, Jesus must take all priority.

Matthew 8:18–22 NKJV

And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Matthew 10:34-39 – Jesus is not saying that he WANTS it to be this way, but is simply showing the truth of the situation. A Christian is ALWAYS going to be at odds with someone who is worldly, regardless of the relationship.

Matthew 10:34–39 NKJV

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 14:26-27 – The King’s terms for discipleship. Are we willing to abide by them?

Luke 14:26–27 NKJV

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

When we serve Jesus faithfully, He will take care of our families. The more we sit at His feet, the better we will know how to make the right decisions about them!

He doesn't mean, “follow me, even though it's impossible.”

“It's impossible to live without sinning.” Rom 3:23; 1 Jn 2:1-2

Is it true that we sin every day? In many ways, yes! (Romans 3:23)

Romans 3:23 NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

However, the NT authors wrote so that we would NOT sin. 1 Jn 2:1-2

1 John 2:1–2 NKJV

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Jesus died to provide purity and sanctification. Rom 3:23-26; 1 Thess 4:1-7

Romans 3:23-26 – God's righteousness, displayed in the sacrifice of His Son, has been given so that we might be “justified”. This means that the Christian is forgiven!

Romans 3:23–26 NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 – We are called to sanctification! Would God call us to this if it was impossible to do it? He provides our justification and sanctification! Trust Him!

1 Thessalonians 4:1–7 NKJV

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

He doesn't mean, “follow me, as long as you are able.”

Some older brothers and sisters end up “retiring” from their hard work for the Lord.

“I'm too old, no one listens to me”, “I've done enough in my life”

We can get the idea that we should just “fade away” - the lies of the world!

A Godly life never stops, but keeps on going. Titus 2:1-5

Titus 2:1-5 – Younger brothers and sisters are depending on you. Keep learning, keep teaching, keep being an example!

Titus 2:1–5 NKJV

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

He doesn't mean, “follow me, and you'll be alone.”

The life of a Christian can feel lonely, but you have a family that others do not have.

We have worldly friends that seem uninhibited and “free”.

The Christian will have to make a stand sometimes that leaves him/her standing alone.

Remember that you have brothers and sisters here who care about you and want to see you succeed in the Kingdom!

Jesus died that we might have true fulfillment. 1 John 3:1; Rom 12:3-5; Eph 2:1-7

We are called to a life in Christ.

1 John 3:1 NKJV

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

We are together in this effort!

Romans 12:3–5 NKJV

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

That means we live and act in a certain way.

Ephesians 2:1–7 NKJV

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.