PART 1
” The Follower”
So many times we can find ourselves becoming a fan of Jesus instead of a follower of Jesus.
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The concept of a forerunner runs throughout the Bible. We could say that Adam was a forerunner, as well as
Noah, Abraham,
Moses, Elijah,
John the Baptist, and of course, Christ. Notice that each of these forerunners had followers—their firstfruits. Adam had Eve and their sons and daughters that followed them. Noah had his wife and family. Abraham had Sarah and Lot, and later were added Ishmael and Isaac, and then Jacob and his children. Moses had Aaron and Miriam and then all the children of Israel. Elijah led to Elisha. John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of Christ, who called His disciples—us.
Definition of follower – Habitually follow regardless of the price, even to death. Not just when it is convenient, easy and popular.
Q: What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?
From the chapter of Matthew 4 we find out that as Jesus was 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 fisherman. And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
A: We must surrender ALL
– There is a cost
Peter and Andrew paid that cost.
Sacrificing what they had for the cause of Christ.
These men who had their own life and their own way of doing things, fishing was their way of life. But when the master had walked by they saw Him and immediately left with no hesitations of coming back.
What was it like? What appealed to these men as if He was no ordinary man who Peter and Andrew would just stop what they were doing and become a follower? We must to answer this question to ourselves. There is no life outside of Christ that is fulfilling. We all have been on that other side of the fence, and as for me speaking, it was horrible. We must deny ourselves daily.
~ Matthew 16:24 ~
{The “if” Problem}
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”.
These words are hard to swallow some days, when the flesh is fighting with your spirit. The fame that puts the spot light on ourselves that forms the pride that comes before destruction is a dangerous circumstance that we can find ourselves in at some points in our life if we are not careful.
He didn’t say “…If anyone could come after me”, it’s not that it’s impossible to be with Him but only “if” we are willing. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” Mark 14″38
What we, ourselves want out of this life, will be only through Him, to follow Him with everything. While some choose to be a fan of Him that would follow Him “if” they would deny themself.
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“…And from there He called the other disciples and began to teach and proclaiming the Gospel”
Peter and Andrew were not the only disciples He had. From the instant Jesus called Peter and Andrew He began to teach and preach in the synagogues. Which led to more disciples along the way.
Q: How do we deny ourselves?
A: To not rely on ourselves
We must walk by faith and not by sight.
WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING?
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