Called To Follow Jesus

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. Matthew 9:9 (NIV)

Cultural Christianity

Mathetes (math-ay-tes’) is a learner, pupil, disciple, follower.

1. A cultural Christian follows Jesus if it is convenient. A true disciple follows Jesus even if it is not.

2. A cultural Christian asks, “What can Jesus do for me?” A disciple asks, “What can I do for Jesus?”

3. A cultural Christian enjoys the benefits of the cross. A disciple embraces the sacrifices of the cross.

4. A cultural Christian is a fan of Jesus. A disciple is a follower of Jesus.

God hasn't called us to survive culture; He sent us to redeem it.

Jesus did not leave Heaven, come to earth, live, die, and come back from the grave to make Christians. He did it to make disciples. James Merritt

The Priority Of A Disciple

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. …When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me.” John 21:20–22 (NIV)

Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:29–31 (NIV)

The Characteristics Of A Disciple

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Matthew 4:18–20 (ESV)

A disciple follows Jesus — Follow Me.

A disciple is being changed by Jesus — I will make you.

A disciple is committed to the mission of Jesus - Fishers of men.

1. A Disciple Follows Jesus

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matthew 16:24–26 (NIV)

Deny yourself or live for yourself.

Take up your cross, or ignore the cross.

Follow Christ or follow the world.

Keep your soul or lose your soul.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

2. A Disciple Is Changed By Jesus

Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become…” Mark 1:17 (ESV)

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:16–18 (NIV)

Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them? Luke 9:54 (NIV)

To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:5–6 (NIV)

3. The mission of Jesus

The Church exists by mission, just as a fire exists by burning. Where there is no mission, there is no Church. Emil Brunner

Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV)