Walking with Jesus: Answer the Call

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In the Gospels Jesus called people 13 times.

We will look at 4 different times and 4 different responses to Jesus’ call to Follow Me!

Then you will need to make the decision how you are going to answer His call in your life.

Luke 9:57–62 NIV

57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

first 2 responses to Jesus’ call

1. Bury my Father

I’m not ready to leave my past

Old outlook on the world

unforgiveness (others and self)

Hurt

Regret

Sin

2. Say Goodbye to my Family

I’m not ready to leave my present comfort and safety

The people and things that we believe wouldn’t be able to go on without us.

The safety that comes with people who have been there.

Feeling left out of stuff

Luke 18:18–25 NIV

18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” 21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

3. Walked away Sad

I’m not ready to leave my Possessions and Position in life

Those things that you have worked so hard for; have they become more important than God?

The status that you have been given or earned in life.

The way people treat you or your reputation.

Luke 5:27–28 NIV

27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

4. Got up and Left EVERYTHING

Levi (Matthew) did 2 things to answer the call to Come Follow Me

Got up

We must begin to move. Following is an action.

Left Everything

We must accept the forgiveness for our past

We must accept the hope and peace in Christ for our safety and comfort

We must accept the provision and promise of God that He is our provider and are position is His child.

This is when we become followers or disciples of Christ not just Church goers or good people!

This is not only a once in a life time call.

Every Day Jesus is calling again Come Follow Me…Will you answer with I’m not ready or will you GET UP AND LEAVE EVERYTHING! Each Day to follow Christ?

Luke 18:26–30 NIV

26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Where can you serve?

Where can you give?

Where can you mentor or teach someone else?

Where can you learn and grow?

Following Christ is about going, doing, speaking, learning, and giving ANYTHING that God asks of you.

Pray with me