Follow Me - Silver Ring

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CEREMONIA DEL ANILLO DE PLATA                                                                  May 20, 2007

Escritura (Padres)                     Respuesta del jóven): AMEN               la Iglesia dice AMEN

LA META                             

Apocalipsis 19:7                      

Hebreos 13:4                          

1 Pedro 1:15-16                      

Marcos 12:30                          

LA CONFESION                  

Nehemias 1:6                          

LAS TRES INFLUENCIAS             

1 Corintios 11:1                       

Salmo 16:3                              

2 Reyes 17:15                         

LA ENTREGA de….

1 Corintios 6:19  tu CUERPO

Romanos 12:2 tu MENTE       

Proverbios 4:23 tu CORAZON           

Job  23:11 tus PIES

Salmos 63:4 tus MANOS        

Salmos 141:8 tus OJOS          

Salmos 51:15 tus LABIOS      

Isaías 30:21 tus OIDOS          

RINDE….                  

Eclesiastes 12:1  tu JUVENTUD

Mateo 10:37 tus AMISTADES

Lucas 22:42  tu VOLUNTAD

EL VOTO: El amor verdadero espera y por lo tanto hoy hago mi compromise con Cristo (y mi compromise con mi familia, con la iglesia de Dios, con mis amigos, con mi futuro esposa/o) y a una vida de pureza, incluyendo el abstener de sexo hasta el día que me case conforme a la Biblia.

El ANILLO: Siervos jóvenes de Cristo, que este anillo sea un recuerdo del compromise que tienes con Cristo y a una vida de pureza. El anillo es entregado a ti por medio de alguien que te ama y que te apoya en este compromiso de mantenerte sexualmente puro para Cristo.  El anillo servirá como un símbolo de tu conocimiento que tu pureza sexual es para la gloria de Cristo. La noche de tu luna de mile le darás este anillo a tu esposa/o para celebrar el cumplimiento del voto que tomaste con Cristo. Que Dios te bendiga y te ayuda guardar los votos que haces hoy.

Parental Scritpure                     Student Response: AMEN                    Church Response: AMEN

THE GOAL                           

Revelation 19:7                        

Hebrews 13:4                          

1Peter 1:15-16                        

Mark 12:30                             

THE CONFESSION             

Nehemiah 1:6                          

THE INFLUENCES             

1 Corinthians 11:1                   

Psalm 16:3                              

2 King 17:15                           

THE CONSECRATION      

1 Corinthians 6:19  your BODY

Romans 12:2 Your MIND       

Proverbs 4:23 Your HEART   

Job  23:11 Your FEET

Psalms 63:4 Your HANDS      

Psalms 141:8 Your EYES        

Psalm 51:15 Your LIPS           

Isaiah 30:21 Your EARS         

THE SURRENDER             

Ecclesiastes 12:1  Your YOUTH

Matthew 10:37 Your RELATIONSHIPS

Luke 22:42 Your WILL          

THE PLEDGE: Because true love waits I make a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ (a commitment to my family, a commitment to God’s church, a commitment to my friends, a commitment to my future mate, a commitment to my future children) to a lifetime of purity, including sexual abstinence, from this day until the day I enter into a biblical marriage relationship

THE RING: Young servants of the Lord Jesus, may this ring be a reminder of your commitment to Him and to purity. It was given to you by someone who loves you and supports you in this commitment. Wear this symbolic ring with the knowledge that your sexual purity is for God’s glory. On your wedding night you are to give this ring to your spouse as a celebration of promises given and promises kept. God bless you and the vows you make today.

CEREMONIA DEL ANILLO DE PLATA                                                                  May 20, 2007

Escritura (Padres)                     Respuesta del jóven): AMEN               la Iglesia dice AMEN

LA META

Rev 19:7 Gocémonos y alegrémonos y démosle gloria;  porque han llegado LAS BODAS del Cordero,  y su esposa se ha preparado.

 

Heb 13:4 Honroso sea en todos el matrimonio,  y el lecho [LA CAMA MATRIMONIAL] sin mancilla [sin deshonra];  pero a los fornicarios y a los adúlteros los juzgará Dios. (DHH)  Que todos respeten el matrimonio y mantengan la pureza de sus relaciones matrimoniales; porque Dios juzgará a los que cometen inmoralidades sexuales y a los que cometen adulterio.

1Peter 1:15-16 (NBLH)  sino que así como Aquél que los llamó es Santo, así también sean ustedes santos en toda su manera de vivir. Porque escrito está: "SEAN SANTOS, porque yo soy santo."

Mark 12:30 Y AMARÁS AL SEÑOR tu Dios con todo tu corazón,  y con toda tu alma,  y con toda tu mente y con todas tus fuerzas.  Este es el principal mandamiento.

LA CONFESION

Nehemiah 1:6 esté ahora atento tu oído y abiertos tus ojos para oír la oración de tu siervo,  que hago ahora delante de ti día y noche,  por los hijos de Israel tus siervos;  y CONFIESO LOS PECADOS de los hijos de Israel que hemos cometido contra ti;  sí,  yo y la casa de mi padre hemos pecado.

LAS TRES INFLUENCIAS

PADRES: 1Corinthians 11:1 Sed imitadores de mí,  así como yo de Cristo. (DHH)  Sigan ustedes mi ejemplo, como yo sigo el ejemplo de Cristo.

AMIGOS: Psalm 16:3 Para los santos [heroes de la fe] que están en la tierra, Y para los íntegros, es toda mi complacencia [en quienes está toda mi delicia]

EL MUNDO: 2 King 17:15 (NBLH)  Desecharon Sus estatutos y el pacto que El había hecho con sus padres, y Sus advertencias con las cuales los había amonestado. Siguieron la vanidad y se hicieron vanos, y fueron en pos de las naciones que los rodeaban, respecto de las cuales el SEÑOR les había ordenado que no hicieran como ellas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA ENTREGA de…..

 

1Cor.6:19-20 (NBLH)  ¿O no saben que su cuerpo es templo del Espíritu Santo que está en ustedes, el cual tienen de Dios, y que ustedes no se pertenecen a sí mismos? [Ustedes no son sus propios dueños]  Porque han sido comprados por un precio. Por tanto, GLORIFIQUEN A DIOS EN SU CUERPO y en su espíritu, los cuales son de Dios.

Rom 12:2  (NBLH)  Y no se adapten (no se conformen) a este mundo, sino transfórmense mediante la renovación de SU MENTE, para que verifiquen cuál es la voluntad de Dios: lo que es bueno y aceptable (agradable) y perfecto.

Prov 4:23 Sobre toda cosa guardada,  guarda TU CORAZÓN; Porque de él mana [brota] la vida.

Job  23:11 (RV60)  MIS PIES han seguido sus pisadas; Guardé su camino,  y no me aparté.

Ps 63:4 (DHH)  toda mi vida te bendeciré,  y a ti levantaré MIS MANOS en oración. [Así te bendeciré en mi vida; En tu nombre alzaré mis manos.]

Ps 141:8 por tanto, a ti, oh Jehová, señor, miran MIS OJOS; en ti he confiado;  no desampares mi alma.

Ps 51:15 Señor,  abre MIS LABIOS, Y publicará mi boca tu alabanza.

Isai 30:21 Entonces TUS OÍDOS oirán a tus espaldas palabra que diga:  Este es el camino,  andad por él;  y no echéis a la mano derecha,  ni tampoco torzáis a la mano izquierda.

RINDE A DIOS:

Eccl 12:1 Acuérdate de tu Creador en los días de TU JUVENTUD,  antes que vengan los días malos,  y lleguen los años de los cuales digas:  No tengo en ellos contentamiento;

Matt 10:37 (AMISTADES) El que ama a padre o madre más que a mí,  no es digno de mí;  el que ama a hijo o hija más que a mí,  no es digno de mí;

Luke 22:42 diciendo: Padre,  si quieres,  pasa de mí esta copa;  pero no se haga MI

VOLUNTAD,  sino la tuya.

 

EL VOTO: El amor verdadero espera y por lo tanto hoy hago mi compromise con Cristo (y mi compromise con mi familia, con la iglesia de Dios, con mis amigos, con mi futuro esposa/o) y a una vida de pureza, incluyendo el abstener de sexo hasta el día que me case conforme a la Biblia.

 

 

El ANILLO: Siervos jóvenes de Cristo, que este anillo sea un recuerdo del compromise que tienes con Cristo y a una vida de pureza. El anillo es entregado a ti por medio de alguien que te ama y que te apoya en este compromiso de mantenerte sexualmente puro para Cristo.  El anillo servirá como un símbolo de tu conocimiento que tu pureza sexual es para la gloria de Cristo. La noche de tu luna de mile le darás este anillo a tu esposa/o para celebrar el cumplimiento del voto que tomaste con Cristo. Que Dios te bendiga y te ayuda guardar los votos que haces hoy.

THE PLEDGE:

Because true love waits:

I make a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ

a commitment to my family

a commitment to God’s church

            a commitment to my friends

            a commitment to my future mate

            a commitment to my future heritage (children)

to a lifetime of purity, including sexual abstinence

            from this day until the day I enter into a biblical marriage relationship

The Church responds: AMEN

THE RING:

Students, may this ring be a reminder of your commitment to purity. It was given to you by someone who loves you ands supports you in this commitment. Weat it with the knowledge that your purity is for God’s glory. On your wedding night you are to give this ring to your spouse as a celebration of promises given and promises kept. May it also be a symbol of your continued sexual purity and your love gift to your future spouse.

EXAMPLES OF MORAL PURITY

Joseph (OT)

Joseph (NT)

Ruth

 

Wedding picture           Wedding cake              Microphones at each end

Parents on one side       Rings in the Center       Kids on the other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARENTAL CONFESSION

Neh 1:6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you.

Ezra 9:6 and prayed: "O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.

 

THE EXAMPLE OF PARENTS

1Cor 11:1 follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

1Cor 4:16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

Heb 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

THE EXAMPLE OF PEERS

Prov 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Ps.16:3 The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!

Ps 101:6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me;

he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.

THE EXAMPLE OF THE WORLD

2 King 17:15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, "do not do as they do," and they did the things the LORD had forbidden them to do.

A CALL TO BE HOLY

1Peter 1:15-16  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  16  for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

1Tim 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

 

YOUR LOVE

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

Luke 10:27 He answered: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, `Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Deut 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deut 11:1 Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.

Deut 11:13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today--to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul--

Deut 11:22 If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow--to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways and to hold fast to him--

Deut 19:9 because you carefully follow all these laws I command you today--to love the LORD your God and to walk always in his ways--then you are to set aside three more cities.

Deut 30:16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

Deut 30:20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Josh 22:5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

Josh 23:11 So be very careful to love the LORD your God.

Psal 31:23 Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.

Ps 97:10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones

and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Ps 116:1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

1Cor 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

 

CONSECRATION OF YOUR WHOLE PERSON

 

1Cor.6:19  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with YOUR BODY.

Rom 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of YOUR MIND. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Prov 23:26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways,

Prov 4:23 Above all else, guard YOUR HEART, for it is the wellspring of life.

Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to MY FEET and a light for my path.

Job  23:11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

Psal 17:5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

Psal 119:101 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.

Gen 39:12 She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.

1Cor 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

1Tim 6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Psal 63:4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up MY HANDS.

Psal 119:48 I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.

Psal 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

Psal 143:6 I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

Psal 144:1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Ps 28:2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

Psal 47:1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

Psal 141:8 But MY EYES are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge--do not give me over to death.

Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

Psal 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Job  31:1 "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.

Psal 25:15 My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Psal 101:3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.

Psal 101:6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.

Psal 119:37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. 

Psal 119:148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.

Psal 123:1 I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.

Ps 51:15 O Lord, open MY LIPS, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Ps 34:1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

Ps 63:3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

Ps 66:13  I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you—14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.

Ps 89:34 I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.

Ps 119:171 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.

Ps 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Job  27:4 my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit.

Job  33:3 My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know.

Isai 50:5 The Sovereign LORD has opened MY EARS, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.

Job  42:5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.

Psal 40:6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Psal 44:1 We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.

Prov 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

Prov 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Isai 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Matt 11:15 He who has ears, let him hear.

Matt 13:16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

SURRENDER YOUR PLANS

Prov 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Ps 20:4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Prov 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Prov 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Isai 30:1 "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;

Isai 32:8 But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.

SURRENDER ALL RELATIONSHIPS

Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.

Matt 10:37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

SURRENDER YOUR TIME

Ps 31:15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies & from those who pursue me

Eccl 12:1  Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come

and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"—

SURRENDER YOUR WILL

Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.

John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

Rev 2:26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations

THE WEDDING

Matt 22:2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

John 2:1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready. 9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: `Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God."

THE PLEDGE:

Because true love waits:

I make a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ

a commitment to my family

a commitment to God’s church

            a commitment to my friends

            a commitment to my future mate

            a commitment to my future heritage (children)

to a lifetime of purity, including sexual abstinence

            from this day until the day I enter into a biblical marriage relationship

The Church responds: AMEN

THE RING:

Students, may this ring be a reminder of your commitment to purity. It was given to you by someone who loves you ands supports you in this commitment. Weat it with the knowledge that your purity is for God’s glory. On your wedding night you are to give this ring to your spouse as a celebration of promises given and promises kept. May it also be a symbol of your continued sexual purity and your love gift to your future spouse.

EXAMPLES OF MORAL PURITY

Joseph (OT)

Joseph (NT)

Ruth

MARRIAGE

Heb 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Gen 29:26 Laban replied, "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.

Exod 2:21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.

Deut 22:16 The girl's father will say to the elders, "I gave my daughter in marriage to this man, but he dislikes her.

Josh 15:16 And Caleb said, "I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher." 17 Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.

Judg 12:9 He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters away in marriage to those outside his clan, and for his sons he brought in thirty young women as wives from outside his clan. Ibzan led Israel seven years.

Judg 21:1 The men of Israel had taken an oath at Mizpah: "Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite."

Judg 21:7 "How can we provide wives for those who are left, since we have taken an oath by the LORD not to give them any of our daughters in marriage?"

1Sam 17:25 Now the Israelites had been saying, "Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his father's family from taxes in Israel."

1Sam 18:17 Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD." For Saul said to himself, "I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!"

1Sam 18:19 So when the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.

1Sam 18:27 David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented the full number to the king so that he might become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.

1Kin 2:21 So she said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given in marriage to your brother Adonijah."

1Kin 11:19 Pharaoh was so pleased with Hadad that he gave him a sister of his own wife, Queen Tahpenes, in marriage.

1Chr 2:35 Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore him Attai.

Ezra 9:12 Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.'

Nehe 10:30 "We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.

Nehe 13:25 I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: "You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.

Jere 29:6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.

Mala 2:14 You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.

Matt 19:12 For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

Matt 22:30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

Luke 2:36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIVE HIM YOUR LIFE

Matt 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it

Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

John 13:37 Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."

38 Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Eph.2:1 As for you, YOU WERE  DEAD  in your transgressions and sins,  2  in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  3  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.  4  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were  dead  in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.  6  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,  7  in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  8  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--  9  not by works, so that no one can boast.  10  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Col 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word AND BELIEVES HIM WHO SENT ME HAS ETERNAL LIFE AND WILL NOT BE CONDEMNED; HE HAS CROSSED over from death to life.

Eph 1:5 he predestined us to be ADOPTED as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

Rom 8:23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Rom 9:4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

Rom 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

Matt 10:38 and anyone who does not TAKE HIS CROSS and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matt 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Matt 27:32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.

Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Mark 15:21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Luke 23:26 As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Gal 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Eph 2:16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Col 2:14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 

2Cor 1:22 set his SEAL OF OWNERSHIP on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Eph 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Rom 10:9 That if you CONFESS with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Rom 14:11 It is written: "`As surely as I live,' says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"

Phil 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2Tim 2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

John 3:18 Whoever BELIEVES IN HIM is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 

John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins."

John 11:26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Mark 10:15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

John 1:12 Yet to all who RECEIVED HIM, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--

John 7:39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Rom 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

(NKJV) we also should walk in newness of life.

Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned--

Roma 6:13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

Roma 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

Sermon: “Follow Me”

John 1:43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."

Matt 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

Matt 8:22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Matt 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

Matt 10:38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matt 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Matt 19:21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 21:19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

John 21:22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

Sermon: Follow Me

John 1:43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."

* The first one called to “follow me”

This section introduces the fourth day since the beginning of John the Baptist’s witness. From this verse, it might appear that Philip followed Jesus without being evangelized by another disciple, but there are several indications that Philip was approached by Andrew and Peter before he actually met the Lord. V 44 says that Andrew and Peter were from the same city as Philip, suggesting that they had talked to him. Furthermore, when Philip told Nathanael what had happened, he said “we” have found the Messiah (v. 45). Jesus called Philip personally and Philip trusted Him and followed Him. We do not know what kind of heart preparation Philip experienced, for usually God prepares a person before He calls him. We do know that Philip proved his faith by seeking to share it with his friend Nathanael. Though the first disciples were from Galilee, Jesus had called them in Judea where they were with the Baptist. On His way north to Galilee, He called Philip to be His disciple. Philip’s hometown of Bethsaida was on the NE side of the Sea of Galilee (called “Bethsaida in Galilee” 12:21). Also Andrew and Peter were born there. Philip’s name is Greek but his nationality cannot be inferred from that fact.

Matt 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Cf Mark 1:17

            * The first call with a promise

18 Jesus had encountered Peter and Andrew before, near Bethabara, in the Jordan region, where Andrew (and perhaps Peter as well) had become a disciple of John the Baptist (Jn 1:35–42). They left John to follow Jesus for a time before returning to fishing in Capernaum. Perhaps they had returned to Capernaum during Jesus’ earlier ministry here. Here He called them to follow Him in long-term discipleship. 18-22. Since Jesus is the promised Messiah, He had the right to call men from their normal pursuits of life to follow Him. This was not the first time these men had met Jesus, for the Fourth Gospel relates Jesus’ first meeting with some of the disciples (Jn 1:35-42). Jesus now called these fishermen to leave their profession behind and to begin following Him permanently. He would take them from fishing for fish and make them fishers of men. The message of the coming kingdom needed to be proclaimed widely so that many could hear and could become, by repentance, subjects of His kingdom. The calling carried with it a cost, for it involved leaving not only one’s profession but also one’s family responsibilities. Matthew noted that James and John . . . left not only their fishing, but also their father to begin following Jesus. In Matt 4:17–22 the call of Peter, Andrew, James, and John, men who had already met Jesus and trusted Him (Jn 1:29–42). They had gone back to their fishing business, but He came and called them to give up their business and follow Him. The details of this call may be found in Mk 1:16–20 and Lk 5:1–11. The term “fishers of men” was not new. For centuries, Greek and Roman philosophers had used it to describe the work of the man who seeks to “catch” others by teaching and persuasion. “Fishing for men” is but one of many pictures of evangelism in the Bible, and we must not limit ourselves to it. Jesus also talked about the shepherd seeking the lost sheep (Lk 15:1–7), and the workers in the harvest-field (Jn 4:34–38). Since these four men were involved in the fishing business, it was logical for Jesus to use this approach. Jesus had four and possibly seven men in the band of disciples who were professional fishermen (Jn 21:1–3). Why would Jesus call so many fishermen to His side? For one thing, fishermen were busy people; usually professional fishermen did not sit around doing nothing. They either sorted their catch, prepared for a catch, or mended their equipment. The Lord needs busy people who are not afraid to work. Fishermen have to be courageous and patient people. It certainly takes patience and courage to win others to Christ. Fishermen must have skill; they must learn from others where to find the fish and how to catch them. Soul-winning demands skill too. These men had to work together, and the work of the Lord demands cooperation. But most of all, fishing demands faith: fishermen cannot see the fish and are not sure their nets will enclose them. Soul-winning requires faith and alertness too, or we will fail.

Matt 8:22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

Lk.9:57  As they were walking along the road, a man [teacher of the law – matt.8] said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."  58  Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." 

59  He said to another man [another disciple – matt.8], "Follow me."  But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."  60  Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 

61  Still another [man] said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."  62  Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

57–62). Three men could have become disciples, but they would not meet the conditions that Jesus laid down. The first man was a scribe (Matt. 8:19) who volunteered to go until he heard the cost: he had to deny himself. Apparently he was accustomed to a comfortable home.The second man was called by Jesus (what an honor!), but he was rejected because he would not take up the cross and die to self. He was worried about somebody else’s funeral when he should have been planning his own! Jesus is not suggesting here that we dishonor our parents, but only that we not permit our love for family to weaken our love for the Lord. We should love Christ so much that our love for family would look like hatred in comparison (Luke 14:26). The third man also volunteered, but he could not follow Christ because he was looking back instead of ahead. There is nothing wrong with a loving farewell but if it gets in the way of obedience, it becomes sin. Jesus saw that this man’s heart was not wholly with Him, but that he would be plowing and looking back. No wonder the laborers are few! (Luke 10:2) The calling carried with it a cost, for it involved leaving not only one’s profession [4:19 Peter & Andrew] but also one’s family responsibilities [James & John in Mt.4:22]

Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Far from making it easy for them to respond positively, He set the cost of discipleship as high as possible (26, 27, 33)—and encouraged them to do a careful inventory before declaring their willingness to follow.

carry his cross. I.e., willingly. 28 count the cost. The multitudes were positive but uncommitted. The setting then changed: large crowds were traveling with Jesus. Jesus intended to impress on the people their need to examine their resolve to follow Him. He was on His way to die on the cross. Ultimately everyone did desert Him when He was alone in the garden and then arrested and put on trial. To emphasize that discipleship is difficult, Jesus said that one must hate his own family and even his own life in order to be His disciple. Literally hating one’s family would have been a violation of the Law. Since Jesus on several occasions admonished others to fulfill the Law, He must not have meant here that one should literally hate his family. The stress here is on the priority of love (Matt. 10:37). One’s loyalty to Jesus must come before his loyalty to his family or even to life itself. Indeed, those who did follow Jesus against their families’ desires were probably thought of as hating their families.The second difficult qualification Jesus stressed was that one must carry his (own) cross and follow Jesus. When the Roman Empire crucified a criminal or captive, the victim was often forced to carry his cross part of the way to the crucifixion site. Carrying his cross through the heart of the city was supposed to be a tacit admission that the Roman Empire was correct in the sentence of death imposed on him, an admission that Rome was right and he was wrong. So when Jesus enjoined His followers to carry their crosses and follow Him, He was referring to a public display before others that Jesus was right and that the disciples were following Him even to their deaths. This is exactly what the religious leaders refused to do. 28-33. Using two illustrations, Jesus then taught that discipleship must include planning and sacrifice. The first concerned a tower (vv. 28-30). The second concerned a king who went out to battle. Jesus’ call here is to follow Him in the way of rejection and suffering. A disciple will be rejected by those in the world who do not honor Christ. Therefore, a disciple must be ready to face and accept such rejection.

Matt 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

Mark 2:14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

Luke 5:27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him,

Notice the kind of people God called. Matthew’s own humility is seen here. He did not disguise his past or make any excuse for it. Whereas Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27 employ his former name, Levi, Matthew himself used the name by which he was known after becoming a disciple (Mk 3:18; Lk 6:15). Tax collectors were among the most despised persons in this society. The money they collected was often partly extorted for personal gain and partly a tax for Rome, which made them not only thieves, but also traitors to the Jewish nation. The tax office was a toll booth set up alongside a highway to levy taxes on merchandise transported on that road. Matthew probably worked for Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. Tax collectors were considered traitors by the Jews. They were despised because they generally collected more than necessary and pocketed the difference, vastly enriching themselves.

Matt 10:38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

the real war is inside—selfishness versus sacrifice.

Here is Jesus’ first mention of the word “cross” to His disciples. Taking up a cross here stands for commitment to the extent of being willing to die for something.To them it would have evoked a picture of a violent, degrading death. He was demanding total commitment from them—even unto physical death—and making this call to full surrender a part of the message they were to proclaim to others. This same call to life-or-death devotion to Christ is repeated in 16:24; Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23; 14:27. Those who carried a cross were condemned to die. The disciple must die to self-will; God’s will must become his will. He may have to give up his own plans and ambitions, perhaps even his life. Those who follow the crucified One should expect suffering. He whose goal is merely to preserve his physical life will lose all that makes life worthwhile. He who gives up his own interests for Jesus will find a fulfilled life here and blessing throughout eternity. To “carry the cross” does not mean to wear a pin on our lapel or put a sticker on our automobile. It means to confess Christ and obey Him in spite of shame and suffering. It means to die to self daily. If the Lord went to a cross for us, the least we can do is carry a cross for Him. 10:39 presents us with only two alternatives: spare your life or sacrifice your life. There is no middle ground. If we protect our own interests, we will be losers; if we die to self and live for His interests, we will be winners. Since spiritual conflict is inevitable in this world, why not die to self and let Christ win the battle for us and in us?

Matt 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

16:23 Get behind Me, Satan! The harshness of this rebuke contrasts sharply with Christ’s words of commendation in vv. 17–19. Jesus suggested that Peter was being a mouthpiece for Satan. Jesus’ death was part of God’s sovereign plan (Acts 2:23; 4:27, 28). “It pleased the Lord to bruise Him” (Is. 53:10). Christ had come with the express purpose of dying as an atonement for sin (Jn 12:27). And those who would thwart His mission were doing Satan’s work

This is Matthew’s first prediction of Jesus’ death. Other predictions follow in Matthew 17:22-23 and 20:18-19. Peter, hearing these words, took the Lord aside and began to rebuke Him. The disciple who had just been blessed by the Master obviously did not fully comprehend the Master’s plan. Peter could not understand how Jesus could be Messiah and yet die at the hands of the religious leaders. Peter probably was so shocked to hear Jesus speak of His death that he failed to hear Him mention His resurrection. Peter’s rebuke, however, brought a rebuke from the Lord, for Peter was playing the role of Satan. Jesus directly addressed Satan, who was seeking to use Peter as his instrument. Jesus had previously told Satan to get away from Him (4:10); He now repeated that order. Peter was trying to keep the Lord from dying, but that was a primary reason why Jesus came into the world. Trying to thwart the Crucifixion, as Satan had earlier tried to do (4:8-10), resulted from not thinking from God’s viewpoint. Though Peter wanted Jesus to follow his plan, the Lord showed that discipleship involves a cost. Discipleship does not mean one enjoys glory immediately. A person who would follow Jesus must deny himself and all his ambitions. He must take up his cross and follow Jesus (cf. 10:38). In the Roman Empire a convicted criminal, when taken to be crucified, was forced to carry his own cross. This showed publicly that he was then under and submissive to the rule he had been opposing. Likewise Jesus’ disciples must demonstrate their submission to the One against whom they had rebelled. The path Jesus and His followers would travel would be a road of sorrow and suffering. But in so losing one’s life, one would truly find a better life. here (16:24-25) Jesus spoke in relation to Peter’s misunderstanding about His program and the cost of discipleship. What was Peter’s mistake? He was thinking like a man, for most men want to escape suffering and death. He did not have God’s mind in the matter. Where do we find the mind of God? In the Word of God. Until Peter was filled with the Spirit, he had a tendency to argue with God’s Word. Peter had enough faith to confess that Jesus is the Son of God, but he did not have the faith to believe that it was right for Jesus to suffer and die. Of course, Satan agreed with Peter’s words, for he used the same approach to tempt Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4:8–10). Today the cross is an accepted symbol of love and sacrifice. But in that day the cross was a horrible means of capital punishment. The Romans would not mention the cross in polite society. In fact, no Roman citizen could be crucified; this terrible death was reserved for their enemies. To take up the cross means to identify with Christ in His rejection, shame, suffering, and death

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

The following of the sheep is a metaphor for faith.

Jesus’ flock is responsive to His teaching. They listen to His voice (vv. 3-5, 16). They have an intimacy with Jesus (I know them; vv. 3, 14), they understand His message of salvation, and they follow Him (vv. 4-5). To follow Him means to obey the Father’s will as Jesus did. God has chosen His sheep and it is they who believe and follow. 27–29 Jesus described three characteristics of His sheep: (1) They hear His voice (v. 4). He knows them (see Rom. 8:29). (2) They follow Him. Other metaphors for faith in this Gospel include “drinking” water (4:14), eating bread (6:50, 51), eating flesh and drinking blood (6:54). (3) They shall never perish; their eternal life can never be taken away. The Father’s hand is more powerful than that of any enemy.

Matt 19:21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

JC wasn’t teaching salvation by philanthropy; but He was demanding that this young man give Him 1st place.

For every seeker it means giving up whatever is loved more than God.

19:20 The self-righteous young man would not admit to his own sin. 21 go, sell what you have and give to the poor. Again, Jesus was not setting forth terms for salvation, but rather exposing the young man’s true heart. His refusal to obey here revealed two things: 1) he was not blameless as far as the law was concerned, because he was guilty of loving himself and his possessions more than his neighbors (v. 19); and 2) he lacked true faith, which involves a willingness to surrender all at Christ’s bidding (16:24). The young man failed the test (v. 22). come, follow Me. This was the answer to the young man’s question in v. 16 "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?". It was a call to faith. It is likely that the young man never even heard or contemplated it, though, because his own love of his possessions was such a stumbling block that he had already rejected Jesus’ claim to lordship over his life. Thus he walked away in unbelief. 16-22. A man who was young (v. 20), wealthy (v. 22) and a ruler (Luke 18:18; perhaps of the Sanhedrin) came and asked Jesus, Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life? This ruler was not asking how he could earn salvation. Instead, he wondered how he could be assured of entering Messiah’s kingdom. He wanted to know what “good thing” (work) would demonstrate that he was righteous and therefore qualified for the kingdom. Jesus replied, There is only One who is good, namely, God. Perfection is required (Matt. 5:48; cf. 19:21); therefore one must be as good as God. He must have God’s righteousness, which comes through faith in Him (Rom. 4:5). Perhaps Jesus then waited for a response from the ruler to see if he would affirm his belief that Jesus is God, that Jesus, being one with the Father, is good (agathos, “intrinsically good”). When the man did not reply, Jesus indicated that life (i.e., life in God’s kingdom) can be entered only if one gives evidence that he is righteous. Since the official standard of righteousness was the Law of Moses, Jesus told the man to obey the commandments. The ruler was perceptive for he immediately asked, Which ones? Other standards of righteousness were being promoted by the Pharisees, who had added to Moses’ commandments far beyond God’s intention. The young man was in effect asking Jesus, “Must I keep all the Pharisees’ commandments?” Jesus replied by repeating several of the commandments from the second table of the Law, the 5th through the 9th commandments forbidding murder . . . adultery, stealing, giving false testimony, and also the positive command to honor one’s parents (Ex. 20:12-16). Jesus did not mention the 10th commandment (Ex. 20:17) concerning coveting, but He did add the summary statement, Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:39; Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8). The young man affirmed he had kept all these things, but he still sensed a lack (Matt. 19:20). Whether he had truly kept these commands, only God knows. The young man believed he had and yet he knew something was missing in his life. Jesus put His finger on his problem when He told him to go, sell all his possessions and give to the poor, and he would then have treasure in heaven. Such mercy toward the poor would demonstrate inner righteousness. If he were righteous (based on faith in Jesus as God), he should have given his wealth to the poor and followed Jesus. But instead, the man went away sad (lypoumenos, “grieved or sad to the point of distress”; 14:9; 18:31) for he had great wealth. His unwillingness to relinquish his wealth showed he did not love his neighbor as himself. Thus he had not kept all the commandments, and he lacked salvation. Nothing more was written about this young man; probably he never left all and followed Jesus. He loved his money more than God, and thus he violated even the first commandment (Ex. 20:3). He must give to God that complete loyalty demanded by the Ten Commandments (Deut. 6:5). In his case this meant giving away his wealth. To be perfect in this sense means to be ready to give up what we love most if Christ asks for it.

John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father

will honor the one who serves me.

The wheat analogy (v. 24) illustrates a general paradoxical principle: death is the way to life. In Jesus’ case, His death led to glory and life not only for Himself but also for others. In the case of a disciple of Jesus, the principle is similar. A disciple must hate his life in this world. To “hate his life” means to be so committed to Christ that he has no self-centeredness, no concern for himself. On the other hand the man who loves his life will lose it. Anything in life can become an idol including goals, interests, and loves. A believer should undergo a spiritual death to self. Being a servant of Jesus requires following Him. Many of Jesus’ original servants did follow Him—in death. According to tradition, the early disciples died as martyrs. Jesus’ word was thus a prophecy and also a promise. His true disciples (those who serve Him) follow Him in humiliation and later in honor or glory. 25,26 The phrase loves his life describes those who serve only themselves. In a very short time, Jesus was going to give the disciples an opportunity to identify this problem in their lives (13:1–7). Hates his life involves serving Christ. Each believer must establish his or her priorities. We cannot give ourselves fully to this life and yet be committed to the life to come. Follow Me in this context means to follow Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice (13:15). Jesus set the example of “hating” His life in this world so that He could accomplish eternal purposes (Phil. 2:5–8). A powerful illustration of Christian discipleship. The grain of wheat must die before it can reproduce itself. So the individual who would follow Jesus must die to all purposes in life that are contrary to the will of God. hates his life in this world: Values life as less important than serving Christ. To everyone who serves Christ, v. 26 offers a challenge: let him follow Me. But with that challenge Christ gives two promises: He will be where I am, and him My Father will honor. God’s children are like seeds. They are small and insignificant, but they have life in them, God’s life. However, that life can never be fulfilled unless we yield ourselves to God and permit Him to “plant us.” We must die to self so that we may live unto God (Rom. 6; Gal. 2:20). The only way to have a fruitful life is to follow Jesus Christ in death, burial, and resurrection

John 21:19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

John 21:22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.

Follow Me is a present imperative giving the sense: Follow Me—now, and always

18, 19 A prophecy of Peter’s martyrdom. Jesus’ call of devotion to Him would also mean that Peter’s devotion would entail his own death. Whenever any Christian follows Christ, he must be prepared to suffer and die. Peter lived 3 decades serving the Lord and anticipating the death that was before him, but he wrote that such suffering and death for the Lord brings praise to God. Church tradition records that Peter suffered martyrdom under Nero (a.d. 67–68), being crucified upside down, because he refused to be crucified like his Lord. 20–22 Jesus’ prophecy regarding Peter’s martyrdom prompted Peter to ask what would happen to John ("the disciple whom Jesus loved"-see 13:23). He may have asked this because of his deep concern for John’s future, since he was an intimate friend. Jesus’ reply, "You follow Me," signified that his primary concern must not be John but his continued devotion to the Lord and His service, i.e., Christ’s service must be his all-consuming passion and nothing must detract from it. 18-19. I tell you the truth introduces a solemn prediction of Peter’s coming crucifixion. In old age Peter was tied to a cross and had his hands stretched out (1 Clement 5:4; 6:1; Eusebius. Obedience to Jesus’ command, Follow Me, is the key issue in every Christian’s life. As Jesus followed the Father’s will, so His disciples should follow their Lord whether the path leads to a cross or to some other difficult experience. 20-23. Peter, having been informed about God’s plan for his life, naturally wondered what the future held for his friend John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. Jesus sharply rebuked Peter for being curious about God’s will for another’s life: What is that to you? You must follow Me. God’s plans for Christians vary and His reasons are not often made known. Peter was to commit himself to God’s plain commands to him.

Why did Peter look away from his Lord and start to look back? He heard somebody walking behind him.  Beware when you get your eyes off the Lord and start to look at other Christians! “Looking unto Jesus” should be the aim and practice of every believer (Heb. 12:1–2). To be distracted by ourselves, our circumstances, or by other Christians, is to disobey the Lord and possibly get detoured out of the will of God. Keep your eyes of faith on Him and on Him alone

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