What Prevents US From Following Jesus?
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INTRO:
And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
A couple months ago we started talking about following Jesus. Specifically what it takes to follow Jesus. In Mark we are told that we must
1. come after him
2. deny ourselves
3. take up His cross
4. follow
we also asked the question why should we follow Jesus? And Mark emphatically presented to us 3 reasons why we should follow jesus in first three chapter of the gospel.
Jesus is the Master Teacher
taught in unfriendly arenas (1:21)
taught with authority (1:11-16)
taught that which was new (1:27)
challenged the Pharisees & scribes: theology (2:1-11), methodology (2:15-17), sabbath law (2:23 - 3:6) His authority (3:20-30)
Jesus is the Powerful One
power over the spirit world: demons (1:23-26)
power over internal illness (1:29-31
power over all (1:32-34)
power over external illness (1:40-45)
Jesus the leader
selecting the disciples (3:13)
teaching them and revealing himself to them
But the question that has been stuck with me ever since the last lesson we did on the Gospel of Mark, is what prevents us from following Jesus? What keeps us from denying ourselves, taking up our cross and following Jesus. What stops me from loving the Lord with all my heart soul strength and mind?
OUR ATTACHMENTS - the worldly things that we cling to. its not that these things are in and of themselves bad but they are often put in front of God and that is bad
An attachment is like an anchor to the material world, so that instead of using the things of this world to elevate us and grow closer to God, the things here bind us and hold us down. Attachments are frequently related to our needs: food, love, material possessions.
Attachment can very easily slip into idolatry, where a material good is placed above the ultimate good, God.
In one way or another, all of the obstructions are attachments of one kind or another.
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
what attachments in the world are keeping you from following Jesus? Attachments seem to always be present in the mind: the things that I want to own, currently possess, or used to possess. I might also have an attachment to things I like to consume. They are those material goods with which we are obsessed.
2. DISTRACTIONS
Distractions are those preoccupations we have with events and activities more than things in and of themselves.
Ex. A cell phone can be an attachment if we have to own the latest and greatest because of what it is. It is a distraction when it seems to be a leash on us, interrupting us when our attention needs to be elsewhere—when it’s normally inappropriate to be distracted.
Self-centeredness, mindless entertainment, and preoccupations with other people’s affairs can all be distractions.
it has become normal and acceptable, even normative, to be distracted.
From what are we distracted? From each other. From hearing God’s voice. From any outside voice that may be trying to reach us.
Have you ever tried to get something done when a friend is texting you? How far do you get?
How about when you’re watching a movie or reading a great book? How much do you enjoy the movie or book?
Yet we allow constant incursions into our lives because of this little device right here (smart phone).
Mk. 8 we forget following jesus is a priority, we forget about eternity and our souls final resting place, judgment.
Luke 12:13-21:
Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”
But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?”
Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.
“And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’
“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
We allow ourselves to get distracted by everything going on around us and forget the most important things: our relationships with family and friends, for sure, but also our relationship with God. It’s hard to hear the still, quiet voice of the Lord when your so distracted by the things of the world.
3. FEAR OF DISCOMFORT
And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
We don’t like discomfort or pain, or anything difficult. But taking up his cross sounds painful and often times it is.
where will God take us?
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
If our culture tells us that life is only worth living if you are having fun, living the good life, and far from any physical or emotional pain, doesn’t the message of the Beatitudes sound a bit nutty?
Let someone take my cloak but also give them my shirt?
Turn the other cheek when someone strikes me?
Leap for joy when someone curses me because I’m Christian?
Yeah, it sounds a bit nutty, but what it really comes down to is not being ruled by fears of discomfort. Typically that is what we fear, that our needs won’t be met, but God promises that we will get everything we need, and we can see that some of the most joyous people are those who get what they need and no more.
if your heart is set on maintaining a comfortable life, that will definitely keep you from following Jesus
SO WHAT CAN I DO TO GET RID OF THE ATTACHMENTS, DISTRACTIONS, & FEAR?
think about your soul and eternity. We are only here for a little while.
Prioritize your life.
Get rid of the distractions (simplify)
Mk. 12:30-31
and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
“The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”