Follow Him

Matthew 4:18–22 NIV84

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

1. Becoming a follower of Jesus

Are you ready to be a follower of Jesus?

Discipleship is the process of becoming a commited follower of Jesus Christ

We are called to be followers of Jesus

Followers are learners

We learn from God ()

John 6:45 NIV84

45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

We learn from Jesus ()

Matthew 11:29 NIV84

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

We learn from the Holy Spirit ()

John 14:26 NIV84

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

We learn from our leaders ()

Philippians 4:9 NIV84

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

2. The cost of discipleship

You must be all in for Jesus

You must serve Jesus

You must obey Jesus

You must live for Jesus

3. The purpose of discipleship

To become like Jesus ()

Ephesians 4:13 NIV84

13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

To make other disciples ()

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV84

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

4. The result of discipleship

Become a mirror of Jesus ()

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV84

1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Live a life that resembles Jesus’ life ()

Acts 11:25–26 NIV84

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

5. The time to follow is now

It takes commitment to be a disciple

It takes courage to be a disciple