Go Where Jesus Goes

Leadership = touching the marginalized and wounded. It is not about a power trip.

We will open up a new sermon series called “Dare to Be a Disciple” this morning. Several years ago, I read through the Gospels with this question, “What lessons did the disciples learn from Jesus?” These sermons will basically come from those notes. We will specifically be focusing in on statements or teachings from Jesus that really made the disciples whip their heads around and go, “Wait a minute! I didn’t see that coming!”

Life is filled with those moments. When I was a young man working in construction, I had a foreman by the name of Jason. Jason was a gruff guy but, to me, seemed to know all there was to know about carpentry. He really took me in and took time to show me some of the tricks of the trade. One day we were rolling down the road and I pointed out a rickety old car blowing smoke and chugging down the road. That was when I put my foot in my mouth and blurted out, “Why doesn’t that guy get a new car!” Jason responded, “Maybe he doesn’t put his money or value in the type of car he drives.” I had forgotten that Jason’s truck was over 10 years old and not in real good shape itself. The bigger issue was the point, everyone has a unique way of setting value. I sunk down into the seat and shut up.

Our lives are filled with those moments, but that moment expanded my capacity to understand and appreciate others. I believe that as we look at similar moments with the disciples, we will be spiritually expanded just as they were.

The Bible refers to the followers of Jesus as disciples. Sadly, this is a strange concept to many people today. There are many who are foxhole Christians. There were many who prayed into the mess hall before the launch into Iraq. Only a fraction attended services after the war. This is not what it means to be a Christian. Being a Christian demands discipleship.

The disciple of Jesus is not the deluxe or heavy-duty model of the Christian -especially padded, textured, streamlined, and empowered for the fast lane on the straight and narrow way. He stands on the pages of the New Testament as the first level of basic transportation in the kingdom of God – Dallas Willard.

Discipleship is based on a call from Jesus (a revelation).

Matthew 4:18–20 NIV

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. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

These men understood and believed who Jesus was. Jesus arrived on the shore that day to change their lives forever. Jesus told Simon (Peter) and Andrew to leave their fishing business and to follow him. To “follow” means to accept Jesus as authority, to pursue his calling, to model after his example, to join his group. Jesus was asking these men to become his disciples and to begin fishing for people. “Follow” is the major term for discipleship in the Gospels. Disciples in Jesus’ day literally followed their masters around and imitated them. Jesus required his disciples to give him their allegiance, daily count the cost of commitment, and serve others as he did.[1]

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 send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

These men understood and believed who Jesus was. Jesus arrived on the shore that day to change their lives forever. Jesus told Simon (Peter) and Andrew to leave their fishing business and to follow him. To “follow” means to accept Jesus as authority, to pursue his calling, to model after his example, to join his group. Jesus was asking these men to become his disciples and to begin fishing for people. “Follow” is the major term for discipleship in the Gospels. Disciples in Jesus’ day literally followed their masters around and imitated them. Jesus required his disciples to give him their allegiance, daily count the cost of commitment, and serve others as he did.[1]

Even though most Christians know that Jesus is the most wonderful one with whom we could ever hope to spend our lives, by our refusal to absolutely surrender to his Lordship we, in effect, tell Christ, "I'm not sure that I'm ready for a serious relationship."

He wasn’t born to nobility or in the right place. He didn’t have the luxury of the line of ascension. He didn’t come from powerful money or family. What could the disciples expect as they followed Him?

Jesus’ command to “follow Him” took the disciples where they thought they’d never go.

Matthew 9:35 NIV

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

Matthew 9:35–38 NIV

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

The disciples were ready for the tour with Jesus. They expected to hit all the big towns and the big synagogues, but Jesus kept taking detours to the “sheep without shepherds”.

Jesus went about all the cities and villages. Again, Jesus’ ministry is described as teaching, preaching, and healing. These were the three main aspects. “Teaching” shows Jesus’ concern for understanding; “preaching” shows his concern for commitment; and “healing” shows his concern for wholeness. His miracles of healing authenticated his teaching and preaching, proving that he truly was from God.

The Good News of the kingdom was that the promised and long-awaited Messiah had finally come. His healing miracles were a sign that his teaching was true.

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Wherever Jesus went, crowds gathered. But when Jesus saw these multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them. The word “compassion” describes the deep inner mercy of God, often described in the Old Testament. The prophet Ezekiel compared Israel to sheep without a shepherd (, ; see also ; ); Jesus saw the weary and scattered people as sheep having no shepherd. The word for “weary” can also mean “troubled,” “bewildered,” or “despondent.” The word for “scattered” is also “prostrate” or “thrown to the ground.” The two words are near synonyms that stress man’s helplessness without God. Jesus came to be the Shepherd, the one who could show people how to avoid life’s pitfalls (see ; ). Jesus considered the Pharisees to have failed in leading the people to God, who were therefore left without a shepherd.

Today I noticed for the first time that Jesus’ compassion on the multitudes was not only because they were many, but because they were scattered, divided, and distressed … So it is among our tribes [of Auca Indians]—scattered, but not many. Yet they merit His mercy. Thus God confirms my way with these encouragements from His Word. - Jim Elliott

Peter tried to tell Jesus not to go the way of the Cross, but Jesus rebuked him.

Matthew 16:21–24 NIV

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Jesus gave us the keys to comprehending serious discipleship in , where he said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." If we adopt the very simple definition of discipleship as following and learning Christ, we can see that Jesus gave two requirements for serious discipleship: (1) self-denial and (2) absolute obedience to the will of God.

Matthew 16:21-

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Jesus gave us the keys to comprehending serious discipleship in , where he said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." If we adopt the very simple definition of discipleship as following and learning Christ, we can see that Jesus gave two requirements for serious discipleship: (1) self-denial and (2) absolute obedience to the will of God.

Clarence Jordan, author of the "Cotton Patch" New Testament translation and founder of the interracial Koinonia farm in Americus, Georgia, was getting a red-carpet tour of another minister's church. With pride the minister pointed to the rich, imported pews and luxurious decoration. As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge cross atop the steeple. "That cross alone cost us ten thousand dollars," the minister said with a satisfied smile. "You got cheated," said Jordan. "Times were when Christians could get them for free." Michael Jinkins.

“Taking up the Cross” isn’t putting a shiny piece of jewelry around our necks. I cringe when I see interviews of athletes as they curse and demand their own way as crosses hang from their necks. “Taking up your Cross” is the complete opposite of that. While I’m on it, don’t promote immorality like abortion, lawlessness, selfishness, and more while flashing the emblem of the Cross!

A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing. M. Luther.

“Taking up the Cross” means denial of my own selfishness. It means going where Jesus goes, saying what Jesus says, valuing what Jesus values, and trusting in faith that Jesus holds my tomorrow!

The disciples had to do another double take when they realized that the Gospel extended beyond the Jews to the Gentile.

The Jewish writer Alfred Eidersheim wrote that there were rabbis who prayed every day: "I thank Thee, God, that I was not born a Gentile, a dog, or a woman." Isn’t that a great prayer? The Apostle Peter was raised in this type of thinking but is was about to be shattered.

In the first ½ of the book of Acts, Peter is the chief spokesperson of the Gospel –

· Peter is heavily involved in preaching the Gospel to a rapidly growing group of Jewish new believers

· Peter is involved in miracles of healing and raising a woman from the dead

· An outsider (Gentile) Cornelius has a visit from an angel telling him to call for Peter to come to his house

· Peter has a vision of a sheet being lowered down with non-kosher animals in it to eat

· The messenger from Cornelius shows up at Peter’s door and invites him to go with him

· Peter goes to the home of Cornelius and (against Jewish law steps into his home)

Acts 10:9–17 NIV

9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.

Out of that experience Peter learns that there is no place for prejudice or bias in the Kingdom of God and he shares his conclusion even before seeing what God was about to do. Amazingly, while Peter is sharing the Gospel, Cornelius and his household believe and are filled with the Holy Spirit.

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

Acts 10:34–35 NIV

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.[2]

Out of that experience Peter learns that there is no place for prejudice or bias in the Kingdom of God and he shares his conclusion even before seeing what God was about to do. Amazingly, while Peter is sharing the Gospel, Cornelius and his household believe and are filled with the Holy Spirit.

I wish that I had the time prior to this message to ask each of you about your experience as followers of Christ. Think about how your path has changed as a result of the call from Jesus to “Follow me”. You didn’t end up where you thought you’d be. You’ve seen more of God and more of His majesty than you could have imagined. You and I both understand a bit of Peter’s statement:

2 Peter 1:16 NIV

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

The disciples saw multitudes healed. They heard the brilliant teaching of Jesus and enjoyed friendship with Him. They saw the seas stilled, the demons flee, and the skies grow dark. They found the tomb open and touched his scars, all because they determined to follow Him, leave their path and choose His. They heard God affirm Jesus at His baptism and saw Jesus transfigured with Moses and Elijah. They saw Him ascend into Heaven. The apostle John said this:

2 Peter 1:16

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

1 John 1:1–3 NIV

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

The disciples saw multitudes healed. They heard the brilliant teaching of Jesus and enjoyed friendship with Him. They saw the seas stilled, the demons flee, and the skies grow dark. They found the tomb open and touched his scars, all because they determined to follow Him, leave their path and choose His. They heard God affirm Jesus at His baptism and saw Jesus transfigured with Moses and Elijah. They saw Him ascend into Heaven. The apostle John said this:

Do you wish for the extraordinary life? Dare to be a disciple!

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Do you wish for the extraordinary life? Dare to be a disciple!

Are you bold enough to let the Holy Spirit direct you? Dare to be a disciple!

Have you realized yet that this world offers nothing of eternal value? Dare to be a disciple!

Respond to Jesus’ statement, “Follow me!”

[1] Barton, B. B. (1996). Matthew (p. 68). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Go Where Jesus Goes

Go Where Jesus Goes

Wait a Minute Moments

Wait a Minute Moments

Wait a Minute Moments

Following Jesus

Where is He Going?

“Jesus, where are You going? – To the Marginalized

“Jesus, where are You going? – To the Marginalized

“Jesus, where are You Going?” - To the Cross

“Jesus, where are You Going?” - To the Gentile

Daring to Be a Disciple Means Being Willing to Go Where He Goes

Daring to Be a Disciple Means Being Willing to Go Where He Goes