No Turning Back!

February 4, 2007

Introduction

 

Hymn # 674 goes like this:

I have decided to follow Jesus;  I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus; 

No turning back, no turning back.

 

The world behind me, the cross before me;  The world behind me, the cross before me; 

The world behind me, the cross before me; 

No turning back, no turning back.

 

Tho none go with me, I still will follow;  Tho none go with me, I still will follow;

Tho none go with me, I still will follow;

No turning back, no turning back.

 

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?  Will you decide now to follow Jesus? 

Will you decide now to follow Jesus? 

No turning back, no turning back.

 

            Where do the thoughts come from?  The author of the song is unknown, so we have no story of what inspired the words.  We do know that these words went through the mind of  James Spencer as he was considering leaving the Mormon Church and wondering if he would loose his wife in the process.  As he thought about it, he knew the choice for him was to go with Jesus even if it meant he would loose his wife.  For a time it looked like she might loose his wife, but when she saw his commitment, she also left the Mormon Church.

 

            In his book Beyond Mormonism, Jim Spencer tells about a meeting he had with a Presbyterian minister.  Part of the conversation went like this as he introduced himself and began the conversation:

"Jim Spencer.”  “Nice to meet you.”   “Got a minute?"

"Sure. What’s on your mind?"

"I’ll come right to the point. I’m a Mormon elder, but I’m looking for information about Jesus Christ. Do you know anything about Him?"

            I find that question very interesting.  What if someone ask you, “Do you know anything about Jesus Christ?” what would you say?  Do you know Jesus, and are you committed to Him?

 

            Lots of songs!  Another song asks the question, “What will you do with Jesus?

 

Body

 

I.  What does Jesus expect of you?

 

1. He said we need to take up our cross and deny ourselves.

 

(Mark 8:34 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.

 

1.      That means He takes precedent over the things we might want to do that are in conflict with His will.

2.      Will we inconvenience ourselves to do things we know He wants done.

 

a.       To worship at appointed times.

b.      To give our time and money to the kingdom.

 

B.     For some, it gets very close to home.

 

(Mat 10:37-38 NKJV)  "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. {38} "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

 

C.     He stated the challenge one more way—as looking back.

 

(Luke 9:62 NKJV)  But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

 

1.  This verse follows a series of verses that help explain what He meant.

 

(Luke 9:59-60 NKJV)  Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." {60} Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."

 

(Luke 9:61 NKJV)  And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house."

 

2.  Jesus want first place in our lives.

 

a.       Are we committed to Jesus?

b.      Do we give Him first place in our lives?

 

II.   “Tho none go with me, I still will follow; “ – but is it true?

 

1. We have to be willing to stand alone to do what is right, and that can be challenging.

 

1.      Paul was willing to stand alone.

 

(2 Tim 4:16-18 NKJV)  At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. {17} But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. {18} And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

 

2.      We must not follow a multitude to do evil.

 

(Exo 23:2 KJV)  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

 

2. We are to stand for what is right whether it is easy or difficult.

 

III.   Standing by Jesus is very critical.

 

A.     We must acknowledge Him.

 

(Mat 10:32-33 NKJV)  "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. {33} "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

 

2. We must be faithful until death.

 

(Rev 2:10 NKJV)  "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

 

Conclusion

 

I.  Do you know Jesus Christ?

II.  Are your committed to Him?

III.  Have you given Him your life?

 

Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

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