Where He Leads I'll Follow

Introduction:

1. Is it enough for a disciple to be like his teacher?

Matthew 10:25 NKJV

25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!

A. This song is about being like our teacher and looking to Him as our example.

1 Peter 2:21 NKJV

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

B. The reason to look to Him is the life He was willing to live.

1 Peter 2:22–24 NKJV

22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

1. He committed no sin.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

2. Deceit was not found in His mouth.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

3. When He was reviled, did not revile in return.

Matthew 5:38–42 NKJV

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

4. When He suffered, He did not threaten.

Luke 23:34 NKJV

34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

5. Christ committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.

John 8:29 NKJV

29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”

6. He bore our sins upon the cross.

1 Corinthians 15:3 NKJV

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

B. Paul understood everything we have been talking about—

2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

1. This leads to where the song begins.

Body:

1. Sweet are the promises.

A. The promises are sweet because God is faithful.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1. We can believe the promises of God because He does not lie.

Titus 1:1–4 NKJV

1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; 4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

A. Jesus understood the promise, believed the promises and obtained the promises therefore He knows how to help us realize the promises of God.

Hebrews 4:14–16 NKJV

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

B. The promises are sweet because in following Jesus there is nothing to fear.

Hebrews 13:5–6 NKJV

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

1. One needs not fear man if following Christ.

Matthew 10:28 NKJV

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

A. The promises are truly sweet in following Christ and because He loves us we will follow Him any where He leads.

1 John 4:17–19 NKJV

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

2. Kind is the word, Dearer far than any message man ever heard.

A. God is love.

1 John 4:7–11 NKJV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

B. Love is kind.

1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

C. Jesus is the Word.

John 1:1 NKJV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

1. Everything about Jesus is kind.

A. His gentle touch in dealing with the woman at the well (John 4)

B. His rebuke of the Pharisees (Matt. 23)

C. His cleansing of the temple (Matt. 21:12-17)

D. The message of Christ is dearer far than any message man has ever heard...

1. Because the word of God is a light to guide His people.

Psalm 119:105 NKJV

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

A. The word still guides us today if we will listen.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2. Because Jesus is the word that lights the path out of darkness.

John 8:12 NKJV

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

1. Jesus is the path to the Father.

John 14:6 NKJV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

3. Because if we will listen to the message we will find rest for our souls.

Matthew 11:28–30 NKJV

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

A. The message that has been given us provides all things that pertain to life and godliness.

2 Peter 1:2–4 NKJV

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

1. Through the knowledge of Him comes exceedingly great and precious promises.

2. Through these promises we can escape the corruption that is in the word.

A. This is what makes the message of God dearer far than any message man has ever heard.

Romans 1:16 NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

4. We will wrap this lesson up back were we started because everything revolves around Christ and His example.

John 15:1–5 NKJV

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Conclusion: