There is no greater leader we could follow, no greater will to which we could submit, and no greater body of which to be a part than that of Jesus. He is the “Wonderful Counselor, the might God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6); He is the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8); He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2); He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15); He is the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16); and He is our Captain of Salvation (Hebrews 2:10). It is significant that after 2,000 years of history that has elapsed since His life He is still one of the most popular and controversial figures of the past. He is still the one Person to whom most of this world (verbally anyways) pledges their spiritual allegiance, but how many actually understand what it means to follow after Jesus? This sermon starter examines those essential elements:
Title: Following After Jesus
Text: Mark 8:34-38
Main Point: There is just something about being able to follow after Jesus – but it is not as easy as some try to depict (Read Test). These words, spoken by Jesus Himself, define the sacrifice necessary for one to be privileged to truly follow after Jesus – it demands certain things:
Discussion Points:
§ Following After Jesus Demands a Reciprocation (vs. 34-35) – The cross stands as the central figure of Bible history. The world prior to the cross was hopeless, lost in sin. The world subsequent to the cross is hope-filled because redemption is available. But on the cross Jesus demonstrated the lengths to which he was willing to go to lead us – to what lengths are we willing to go to follow? Our resolve to follow must be equal to Jesus’ resolve to lead (Mark 8:34-35). The “cross” represents the burden of life – it was Jesus’ primary burden to bear (Matthew 20:22). In Romans 8:35-39 Paul asked a marvelous question and made a marvelous statement regarding this thought that we should seriously consider. What are we willing to let stand between us and reciprocating the love of Jesus? What are we willing to let stand between us and our salvation? Jesus indicated in John 14:15 that our actions demonstrate our degree of love and allegiance. If we are truly going to follow after Jesus it is going to demand our reciprocation.
§ Following After Jesus Demands a Realization (vs. 36-37) – Jesus not only set the cross as His intention, but He sacrificed His previous position to achieve it. Jesus was in heaven, the perfect place, free from sin, sorrow, and shame. Jesus gave it all (Philippians 2:5-8). Unless we realize that we must give all too, we will instead lose it all. How much do we value our souls? Enough to give up everything to save it (Mark 8:36-37)? Jesus was willing to give all to save us, all He asks is that we give all to be saved! In life many people do not live in reality – they live in a fantasy. They live nice but don’t work. They have a nice family but don’t communicate or spend time together. As sad as that is many more are living in a fantasy world regarding their religion. They assume they can live as the world and of the world but still maintain a close relationship with God (see 1 John 2:15-17; Revelation 3:14-16). If we are truly going to follow after Jesus we must realize the degree to which we must commit or else we will never properly separate ourselves from sin.
§ Following After Jesus Demands a Redirection (vs. 38) – A life in sin depicts the direction of our affection. Sin is a betrayal of God’s will, therefore a life in sin means we love the world more than we love God. A life in sin, too, characterizes the direction of our lives (Revelation 21:8). Thus the natural way to look at this is that those who consciously live in sin are also living in shame of God. However, in order to follow after Jesus, we must redirect our lives from the path we previously followed. Ultimately those who are ashamed of Jesus will be lost (Mark 8:38). If we deny Him He will deny us, but if we confess Him He will confess us (Matthew 10:32-33). It is a simple matter of allegiance. To whom are we loyal? If we prove ourselves loyal to Satan and his cause God will send us to be with him eternally. If we prove ourselves loyal to God we will be reconciled to Him forever. If we are going to truly follow after Jesus we must redirect our lives onto the proper course leading heavenward.
Very few in the religious world will deny the necessity of following after Jesus in order to be saved, but many will deny the necessity of the components mentioned above. Following after Jesus is much more than a mere train of thought, it is a way of life!
QUESTION: What are some additional principles you would say are involved in following after Jesus?
-Andy Brewer