Follow Despite Obstacles
Notes
Transcript
Follow Despite Obstacles
John 21:18-25
INTRODUCTION
Kid’s reasons for not obeying.
-I forgot
-I had to go to the bathroom
-I can’t
-I didn’t hear you
-Abel, Ruby (someone else’s fault)
-I don’t want to
Probably only honest response comes from the two year old. - NO!
We all make excuses for not following Jesus.
What we mean is - “NO”
Peter had a lot of reasons to tell Jesus why he couldn’t serve.
READ John 21:18-25
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”
(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
PRAY
Obstacles can be overcome or used as excuses.
James 1:2-3
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
3 Obstacles to Following Jesus.
Follow Jesus Despite Past
Follow Jesus Despite Past
Good or bad
Peter had his successes
First to confess Jesus as the Christ, son of the living God.
In the circle of 3 closest friends of Jesus.
Peter had his failures (last week)
Usually because he acted before thinking.
Walking on water- success and then failure
Rebuked Jesus for talking about dying.
Attacked servant of the high priest.
Swore he would die with Jesus.
Chuck Colson
Mastermind behind Watergate which led to President Nixon’s resignation.
Apostle Paul had a past even worse than Peter’s.
He was instrumental in the martyr of Stephen and then killed many others while hunting them down.
Follow Jesus Despite Cost
Follow Jesus Despite Cost
Peter had given up a lot to follow Jesus already.
Left his family and fishing company.
Peter would be crucified like Christ.
Tradition says he was crucified upside down.
Peter warned believers of the cost of following Jesus
1 Peter 4:12-14
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
1 Peter 4:16
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
Jesus gave us the example.
1 Peter 2:21
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
John 15:20
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Follow Jesus Despite Others
Follow Jesus Despite Others
Peter always compared himself to others.
Last supper- they may fail you but I won’t.
Many do not think God can use them because they compare themselves to others and think that they are not good enough.
James 3:14-16
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;
and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
For those God calls, he equips.
CONCLUSION
There is only one obstacle that can stop you from following Jesus.
YOUR SIN.
Sin separates you from God and no matter how hard you work or try to overcome that sin on your own you will fail.
That is why God sent Jesus.
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:9
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Are you ready to remove the obstacle that gets between you and God?
Prayer of salvation
We are not saved by our works but if we are truly saved we will work.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.