Something Is Following You!

Did you know that you have some things following you right now?

Unfortunately:

We have a need to be ultra-vigilant because the Devil is one of those things following us around. Literally All. The. Time.

1 Peter 5:8–9 NKJV

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Genesis 4:7 CJB

7 If you are doing what is good, shouldn’t you hold your head high? And if you don’t do what is good, sin is crouching at the door—it wants you, but you can rule over it.”

The devil is constantly following you and trying to steal, kill & destroy in your life.

John 10:10 NKJV

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

There are other things following you to bring that abundant, “to the full” life that Jesus came to give you.

Things that are following you:

Goodness & Mercy:

Psalm 23:6 NKJV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Goodness = H2895 to be (trans. do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense

Mercy = H2618; H2617 kindness from God; beauty; favor

Do you know why Goodness & Mercy are following you?

Psalm 23:4 NKJV

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Goodness & Mercy follows us when God is with us!

We need goodness and mercy in the valley of the shadow of death!

God is with us when we are following Him!

Psalm 23:1–3 NKJV

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

God will never leave or forsake us, but we can leave & forsake Him if we choose.

He’s waiting for us wherever we broke off from following Him! (Luke 22:31, 32)

Signs:

Mark 16:17–18 NKJV

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Mark 16:20 NKJV

20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Remember:

1) Signs follow believers, believers aren’t supposed to follow signs.

2) Signs are meant to point, and show, the way to Jesus Christ for those who don’t yet believe.

If we don’t believe signs will follow us & the preaching of God’s word we won’t confidently do the things that the signs show up for.

If you knew that everyone you laid your hands on would be healed, how many people would you pray for with the laying on of hands?

Signs are following you - Give them a chance to break out!

The Kingdom of Heaven:

This is why signs are following you -

You are bringing the King’s Domain with you with its rules, laws, privileges and responsibilities.

Matthew 10:7–8 NKJV

7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Jesus instructed us to pray after this manner:

Luke 11:2 NKJV

2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Romans 14:17 NKJV

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

I want to declare to you that:

The Kingdom of Heaven is ALWAYS at hand in your life.

You have constant access to righteousness, peace, & joy personally

You have the authority and the responsibility to bring righteousness, peace, & joy with you every place that you go!

Recognize it, walk in it, bring it, establish it everywhere!

Blessing:

Deuteronomy 28:2 NKJV

2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:

Blessing = H1293 a benediction; by impl. prosperity

Benediction (def.) - the utterance or bestowing of a blessing

Where is your expectation?

We should be expecting and looking for a blessing and prosperity to overtake us daily when we obey the voice of the Lord!

Great and favorable deals

Excellent service that is above the normal

Promotions

Discounts

Divine Connections

Let’s not deceive ourselves into thinking we have done the commandment of the Lord when we have only partially done His will (1 Samuel 15:13–15)

The blessing & prosperity of God is chasing you down - look for it!

You might be someone else’s benediction.

Don’t withhold blessing from your mouth or from your hand.

Galatians 6:10 NKJV

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Just One Thing:

As you follow Him constantly, be mindful that you are being followed by the goodness, mercy, signs & wonders, Kingdom, & the blessing of God and expect to see them every day!

Discussion Questions:

What’s the most boring sport, and what would you do to make it more exciting?

What did you learn or glean from this sermon that impacted you the most?

Please read 1 Samuel 15:1-15 (esp. vs. 1-3; vs. 7-9; & vs. 13-15) - understanding that King Saul was not able to receive what God wanted to bless him with because he didn’t FULLY follow God’s instructions [even though he convinced himself that he had] - Have you ever done this same thing? Share a little about it. If not, share a principle that you grabbed onto through this Biblical account.

If you saw some of these things following you this week, share it with your group. If you did not, please share about which areas you will look for being followed this week.