I have Decided to Follow Jesus

I have Decided to Follow Jesus

June 25, 2006

Introduction

This past week, Becky wrote us an e-mail that she was feeling much better. So much better that she went to the retirement home to visit those who were living there. She jokingly promised them they would sing two Frank Sinatra songs for them. One of these was “I have decided to follow Jesus.” I cannot think about that song without thinking of Jim Spencer who wrote a book, Beyond Mormonism. In chapter 12, he discusses how he begins to think seriously of what it will cost him to leave the Mormon Church. As chapter 12 closes, he realizes that his wife who has already consulted the Mormon Church leaders and her attorney is considering divorcing him if he leaves the Mormon church. His “conversation” with God, however it took place, goes as follows:

"Surely, God," I pleaded, "this is not what You want. You don’t want me to lose my family. What do You want me to do?"

Follow me, was His reply.

"But what about my family?"

Your family is My concern. You must follow me.

"But at least promise me that someday I’ll get my family back."

I don’t make deals. You must simply follow Me. There are no group plans, no fleet rates. This is an individual matter. Margaretta and Erin are not your concern. They are MY concern. Can you leave them in My hands?

"Does that mean that Margaretta may divorce me?

She may. She is free to do what she will. I compel no one to come. I only draw. She will have to decide for herself.

On the telephone, Margaretta was growing harder, more distant. All her friends and family were convinced that the best thing for everyone was to let me go my own crazy way, and to simply divorce me.

As for me, the die was cast. There was no turning back. The words of one of the songs we sang in Bible study kept echoing in my ears:

I have decided to follow Jesus.

No turning back,

No turning back.

Body

I. Have you decided to follow Jesus?

Why are you here today?

1. If these are your reasons for being here today, do you think those reasons would have been enough to make you decide to stay with Jesus when the tough decisions come your way.

What did Jesus say about following Him?

(Mark 8:34-38 NKJV) When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. {35} "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. {36} "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? {37} "Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? {38} "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

II. Do you know Jesus Christ?

Do you know what He did for you?

1. He gave His life for us.

(John 15:12-14 NKJV) "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. {13} "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. {14} "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

2. Do you know what He expects in return?

a. History has it that all of the apostles except John were killed for their faith.

b. Are you willing to give your life for your faith in Christ?

c. What if it came to give up Christ, or give up your life?

What was at the core of His life?

1. Have you looked at the temptations of Christ?

a. Something to eat.

(Mat 4:1-4 NKJV) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. {2} And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. {3} Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." {4} But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

1) The temptations to remove the discomforts of life and the suffering of life.

b. Will God remove all problems from your life?

(Mat 4:5-7 NKJV) Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, {6} and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" {7} Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'"

1) What will you do if following Jesus means you lose your wife?

2) Be careful! We don’t mean because you did things you shouldn’t and she left you.

c. Jesus was not overcome by a greed for power.

(Mat 4:8-10 NKJV) Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. {9} And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." {10} Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"

1) He truly had things in perspective: 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'

III. Have you decided to follow Jesus?

What will you give up to follow Him?
Will you learn about Him, and follow His way?

Conclusion

I. Why are you here today?

· I came with Mom and Dad

· I came because that’s what I always do on Sunday.

· I came with my husband or wife.

· I came to bring my children.

· I came because I was looking for something missing in my life.

· I came because I was afraid not to come.

Bible Study with Harley Sermons I have Preached

Hit Counter