I Is a Follower, Learner, Imitator

I. INTRO

A. Greeting 

B. Who here would say ur a fan o football?

     a. Who’s looking 4ward 2 going hm & hunkering down Super-bowl?

     b. What does it mean 2 be a (sports) fan?

          1. An enthusiastic admirer

          2. Illust: Rebekah as a fan o the SEA

               i. green hair, jersey, excitement

     c. What happens when u get a bunch o fans 2gether all @ once?

          1. Gets really loud

          2. Illust: SEA tickets on christmas! 

               i. Defaning (& that’s when we were losing)

          3. Illust: Rock concert

          4. Bringing it hm:

               i. this is what church services can look like.

                    - A bunch o people excited 4 Jesus get 2gether,

                         * Sing songs 4 Jesus,

                         * High-5 ea. other about all the cool stuff he does.

     d. What happens 2 fans when their sports team starts losing?

          1. criticism, monday morning qb-ing, 2nd guessing, etc. 

          2. Illust: Phily team as an ex:

 i. through plastic cups on field, boo-ing 

     e. What does it mean to b a follower?

E. Tie-In

     a. Jesus not about gathering fans, He calls followers

          1. Looking @ this in terms o our current series (I Is…)

i. Last time we talked about this we illuminated the truth that “I Is” born again (I am born again)

ii. This week: “I is” a follower

2. Show u what I mean by calling followers:

          3. Pls turn:

               i. When there, give a grunt so I know we r all on same pg

Matthew 4:18–20 ESV

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Matt4:18-20

C. Prayer

: While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw 2 brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) & Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 & he said to them, “Follow me, & I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets & followed him.

C. Opening Prayer

II. BODY 

A. Describe :

     a. who here considers themselves to b witty, jokesters etc.?

          1. People after Jesus’ own heart:

               i. “huh c what I just did there fishermen, fishers-of-men, huh?”

     b. What was Peter & Andrew’s response?

          1. They dropped their whole lively hood

               i. Not put it on hold, left it behind!

-Maybe 2day u r in the middle o some stuff

          2. & followed Jesus.

B. I is a Follower (I am a follower)

     a. Jesus wants followers not fans. 

          1. Excitement is good, but not the desired result.

          2. People watch a big game @ stadium.

               i. get all excited

              ii. cheer, boo, high-5, cry…then go hm 2 everyday lives.

                    - Doesn’t matter who 1/lost. In end, nothing has changed. 

                    - Our life remains the same. 

             iii. things change for followers o Jesus:

                    -Jesus’ 12 left their old lives 2 do what Jesus did

                         *Sometimes this means a change o vocation

                         *All times its a change o life style & values

1 John 2:15–17 ESV

15 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. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 Jn

                              ~We cannot love God and the world at the same time

^ We cannot follow after the world & follow after Jesus!

~We value what & who Jesus values

                              ~Live the way Jesus lives

Js 1:21-24

James 1:21–24 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

C. I is a Doer (I am a doer)

Js 1:21-24: Therefore put away all filthiness & rampant wickedness & receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, & not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word & not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself & goes away & at once forgets what he was like.

a. Followers are doers o what Jesus says & does.

                    - Followers r doers o what Jesus says & does.

1. Jesus’ work on the cross saves us & sets us free,

                         *Jesus’ work on the cross saves us & sets us free,

i. Liberating us from our sins so that we can choose 2 FOLLOW him,

ii. Leaving our old lives behind 2 do what Jesus says & does

                         * fans watch & listen followers do

2. Fans watch & listen; followers do

                         - 2 continue w/ sports analogy: followers=team members 

i. 2 continue w/ sports analogy: followers=team members 

                    - 4 the team member lots o things change.

                         *injury. win/lose affects the rest o their season.

* Injury. win/lose affects the rest o their season.

                         *our faith & life w/Jesus should look more like being on a team, not a group o fans in the stands cheering Jesus on

* Our faith & life w/Jesus should look more like being on a team, not a group o fans in the stands cheering Jesus on

D. A Follower is

     a. Peter & Andrew (& the other 12 as Jesus called them) dropped everything & literally followed Jesus around

          1. Fans go 2 a stadium & buy tickets that sell out

          2. Followers r Sold out!

E. I is Sold Out (I am sold out)

               i. Their entire life is patterned 2 become successful @ playing the game

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 ESV

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

                    -4 an athlete all parts o their life is purposed 2 b the best!

: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only 1 receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as 1 beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body & keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

                    -4 an athlete all parts o their life is purposed 2 b the best!

                    -That’s how followers live!

- Furthermore, Jesus’ followers were called disciples. 

Matthew 5:1 ESV

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

Matt 5:1

*What’s it mean 2 b a disciple?

~Learner.

F. I is a Learner (I am a Learner)

               i. Students learn 4 the purpose o being better @ what they do

a. Students learn 4 the purpose o being better @ what they do

      b. That would make Jesus their teacher.

G. Jesus As Teacher

     a. What is the role o a teacher o our kids?

          1. Bring Student 2 a point o learning something.

          2. They lecture, grade homework & tests, assign grades, etc.

               i. In Jesus’ day, a disciple would pick a teacher whom they most agreed w/ & studied after their ways

              ii. Jesus chose his disciples - especially the 12

Matthew 10:1 ESV

1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

                    -& his disciples would have 2 make a choice:

                         *Change their life & thoughts according 2 him or walk away from him.

     b. Jesus’ way o teaching was different.

          1. He shared life w/his learners. 

          2. He took 'em everywhere w/him. 

          3. as they went along He taught, laughed, shared meals, & just hung out w/his learners.

               i. So often as Christians we tend 2 think o Jesus as being the person who follows us around

                    -Pals around & @ best tells us what 2 do & not 2 do.

                    -We want him 2 come w/us 2 do what we want & make us successful @ our goals.

                         *Who’s the main focus in these statements?

              ii. But what we c in the bible is that we go where Jesus goes. 

                    -We pal around w/Him as He teaches us what & how 2 do what He does. 

                         *Who’s the main focus in these statements?

                              ~Right! Cause it’s His business, not ours!

H. Jesus’ business:

     a. What’s Jesus' business?

          1. Jesus’ model: -always about his Father’s business

John 5:17 ESV

17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

John 5:17–20 ESV

17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

John 5:19–20 ESV

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

John 5:19-20

Jn 5:17

, : But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, & I am working...” 

John 5:17 ESV

17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

“...Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son & shows him all that he himself is doing. Greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

               i. Recognize Where God’s @ work HERE! 

: “My Father is working until (even) now, & I am working...”

               i. Recognize Where God’s @ work HERE! 

              ii. God is working here (pac county) i assure u

                    -So then, what’s God doing here?-well ask Him!

                          * Spend time asking God 2 open our eyes 2 what he’s already doing here

John 5:19 ESV

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

             iv. Do nothing on our own, & not look 2 our own desires.

vs 19: the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing

             iv. Do nothing on our own, & not look 2 our own desires.

                    -Lay down our own desires, formulas, expectations on how things ought 2 b done

              v. stop strategizing on our own cause we should do nothing w/out Jesus

                    -Illust. about church planting workshop

                         * Can build a great church, but is it Jesus’ church

                         * We can have great intentions 2 do wonderful work, but if it’s not led by God, it’s not God’s kingdom we r building, its OURS

John 5:20 ESV

20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

             iv. The Father wants us involved in his work cause he loves us!

vs 20a: For the Father loves the Son & shows him all that he himself is doing.

             iv. The Father wants us involved in his work cause he loves us!

     b. What’s Jesus' business?

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matt 28:

          1. Main focus: not Go

: Go therefore & make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. & behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

          1. Main focus: not Go

               i. We don’t all have 2 become missionaries 2 other countries

              ii. His emphasis: “make disciples"

                    -Saying: "in ur goings make disciples"

                         * Where ever God leads us, lets make more disciples

          2. Making learners

               i. Jesus told the disciples 2 carry on his mission:

vs 19a” "Go therefore & make disciples of all nations"

                    -Make learners o Jesus & Jesus’ ways:

vs 19b: "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you"

                    -"Teach them 2 learn frm Jesus as we learn frm Jesus"

                         * Paul said:

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

: Be imitators (KJV: followers) of me, as I am of Christ. 

Matthew 28:19 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

          3. Baptize ‘em- why?

vs 19: Go therefore & make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...

          3. Baptize ‘em- why?

               i. A declaration o being a learner o Jesus

                    -why he says make disciples baptizing them

              ii. Baptism as dead 2 sin raised alive & new

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

                    -We r dead 2 our old selves & made alive, brand new

: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

                    -We r dead 2 our old selves & made alive, brand new

          3. Hear this!!! A learner as described in the bible is NOT like OJT 

               i. Where u learn a job frm some1 then take over. 

                    - The last thing Jesus tells his disciples here:

"& behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

              ii. We never stop learning from him & He always continues 2 lead the work, allowing us to help him, not the other way around!