9. Follow Me

Introduction

General

Personal

Biblical

Subject: What is a disciple?

A disciple of Jesus is someone who is really following Jesus… in life.

Not a special ops or a professional, but simply a Christian… drink/beverage, Christian/disciple.

Body (Matt 4:18-25, ESV)

Come to Jesus. “Follow me…” (Matt 4:19)

Exposition: The response to Jesus’s call (Matt 4:20-22)

Immediate

Costly

Illustration: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi… Choosing to surrender to Christ was a major decision that caused a rift in his family and brought shame upon them in the Muslim community.

Application: When was the last time following Jesus cost us anything at all? Am I willing to follow Christ even if it costs me? What does it cost? Nothing less than my self (Matt 16:24-25).

Become like Jesus. “… and I will make you…” (Matt 4:19)

Exposition

“I will make you” literal translation is… “I will make you.”

Jesus isn’t just giving you a new purpose—he’s making you into a new person (2 Cor 5:17).

The entire point of being a disciple is to become like the person you are following. We are following Jesus, and he is making us into people like him.

Illustration: Apprenticeship… student teaching in Jackson, MO… Tom Broussard, Paul Fliege, Chris Crawford

Application: How do I know if I’m becoming like Jesus? See Col 3:5-17.

Share Jesus with others. “… fishers of men.” (Matt 4:19)

Exposition: What is evangelism?

It’s not just asking people to adopt a new set of religious beliefs but inviting people into your life in God’s kingdom.

Remember, God’s kingdom is not just a doctrine or a far-off future event. It’s a lived experience we can enter into (in part) the moment we come to Jesus.

See Matt 4:23-25… Jesus was literally bringing the reality of the kingdom of heaven into the living experience of the people.

Evangelism is inviting someone to come and see the king and his kingdom, what life with God look, feels, smells, sounds, and tastes like. See Ps 34:8… not just a metaphor!

Application: How do I share Jesus with others?

“Jesus did not call professionally trained rabbis to be his disciples. He called artisans and encouraged them that the skills they already had were serviceable in the kingdom. If God called shepherds like Moses and David to shepherd his people Israel, Jesus could call fisherman to be gatherers of his people.” —Keener

The skills you already have are serviceable in the kingdom.

What opportunities, relationships, skills, training, education, experiences, and gifts has God given me that are serviceable in the Kingdom?

Conclusion

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Come to Jesus. Become like Jesus. Share Jesus with others.

What’s your next step?