Untitled Sermon (2)

Follow Lesson 2: A Disciple Changes

Sermon Notes

I. INTRODUCTION

a. Recap

i. Last week, we began a series called “Follow.”

1. IN this study, we are exploring what it means to be a follower of Jesus by looking at the lives of the 12 disciples

2. In our last study, we looked at Jesus' call to follow Him.

a. We saw how Peter, Andrew, John, and James dropped everything at Jesus’ invitation to follow.

b. The call to trust in Christ and follow Him is not about saying a prayer, becoming a better person, or increasing church involvement.

i. Simply, it is a call to follow Him.

ii. This raises a question: What does the journey of a disciple look like?

Change is traumatic.

   - B. Optional Illustration: Drastic change that altered a relationship (e.g., personal story of refusing to break a rule due to heart change, impacting a dating relationship positively).

   - C. Observation on human resistance to change, especially in people we know or love.

II. Tension: We Hate Change When It Happens and When It Doesn't

   - A. Cultural narratives portray change as impossible or inherently negative, regardless of direction.

     - We get frustrated when people don't change behaviors we dislike (e.g., a partner who won't stop flirting).

     - We also get upset when people change things we liked about them (e.g., a friend shifting beliefs, leading to a broken friendship).

     - This applies to major life events like marriages ending due to one person changing or refusing to change.

   - B. We doubt change is possible after deep hurts or wrongs (e.g., assuming liars or cheaters can't reform).

   - C. These conflicting views stem from a general aversion to change; some apply this to themselves, making excuses for sins or flaws (e.g., blaming personality types like Enneagram).

   - D. Despite this, change is inevitable, probable, and necessary for growth.

     - Better questions: What should healthy change look like? How does it fit in Christianity with an unchanging God? Is following Jesus truly changing me, or am I stagnant?

III. Truth: Examining Peter's Journey as a Disciple

   - A. Scripture Background: Revisiting the call of the disciples from last session (Matthew 4).

     - Many view Christianity as seeking closeness to God, a fleeting feeling, self-improvement, or cultural expectation.

     - But Jesus' call is to abandon comfort, certainty, and old ways to follow Him into the unknown.

   - B. Read Matthew 4:18-22: Jesus calls ordinary fishermen (including Peter) to "follow me" and become "fishers of men," without details—they respond immediately.

     - Peter is depicted as emotional, outspoken, bold, and impulsive (e.g., cutting off an ear during Jesus' arrest).

     - He witnesses miracles, healings, exorcisms, and intimate moments like the Transfiguration, yet he falters.

   - C. Peter's progression: Fast-forward to his denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75).

     - During the Last Supper, Peter boldly claims he'll never betray Jesus, even if others do—Jesus predicts three denials.

     - Peter denies knowing Jesus three times amid Jesus' arrest and trial, then weeps bitterly in realization.

   - D. How Peter arrives at denial: Even intimate knowledge of Jesus doesn't prevent sin or abandonment.

     - Tragedy or pressure can lead to sin and straying from faith (though not losing salvation).

     - Choosing sin denies Christ's power, as actions contradict the Gospel's truth.

   - E. Peter's restoration: Unlike Judas (who ends his life in despair), Peter gets a second chance post-resurrection.

     - Jesus initiates a heart-to-heart conversation, knowing Peter's remorse.

   - F. Read John 21:15-19: Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, mirroring the denials; Peter affirms his love.

     - Jesus reaffirms Peter's calling, emphasizing love as the foundation.

     - Peter's genuine remorse and Jesus' grace allow restoration, not condemnation.

   - G. Optional Illustration: Betraying a friend (e.g., personal story of bullying church friends at school and being abandoned in response—deserved treatment contrasted with Jesus' grace toward Peter).

     - Key insight: Jesus' love and grace enable ongoing change—Peter transforms from a simple fisherman to a maturing disciple.

     - Following Jesus is a journey of highs, lows, and gradual change; sometimes trending toward Christ-likeness, sometimes away, but grace invites redirection.

IV. Gospel: The Good News Demands and Enables Change

   - A. Jesus' Gospel not only allows change but requires it and provides the means.

   - B. It declares that sinners (cheaters, deceivers, etc.) can transform.

   - C. This applies personally: You can change through Christ's power.

   - D. Even after falls, you can rise, confidently affirming love for Jesus, as His grace sustains the journey.

V. Application: Embracing Change as a Marker of Discipleship

   - A. Imagine the Church viewing change positively: Measuring discipleship by transformation, not just attendance or involvement (week-to-week, month-to-month, year-to-year).

   - B. Core self-reflection question: Is following Jesus changing me and those around me, or am I stagnant in my old ways?

     - Follow-up: Am I allowing Jesus to shape me more like Him as I follow?

   - C. These questions gauge growth, shifting from nominal Christianity to true discipleship.

   - D. When change trends negatively (like Peter's denial), the Gospel enables fresh redirection and renewal.

VI. Conclusion

   - A. Optional Illustration: The Holy Spirit's work causing visible change (e.g., personal story of a friend noting transformation in someone's life, crediting the Spirit).

   - B. Challenge: When was the last time someone noticed positive change in you attributable to Christ?

   - C. Peter's end: From denying Jesus to dying for faith, leading the Church—his bumpy journey shows radical change.

   - D. Whatever your starting point, Jesus offers more, with unbelievable transformation ahead through following Him.