FAITH – HOPE – FORGIVENESS by Growing Older

How to Follow Jesus

Matthew 16:21-28

Vs 24: “Follow” = to be like, to imitate

Today, I want to share with you, 4 basic principles for us to help us to “Follow Jesus.”

I.  Say NO to self

    A. Matthew 16;24 = deny self = to utterly disown.

    B. To DENY is summed up, I believe, in Matthew 6:33

         1. Do God’s Will, God’s way

         2. Put Him 1^st in your life

         3. Love Him with all your heart, mind & soul

         4. Put the work of the Lord above your own self-interest.

II. Take up your CROSS

     A. This is figuratively used as to mean: self-denial

          1. The Cross was a place to die on

          2. Basically, Jesus is saying: “If anyone desires to come 

              after me, let him forget self, lose sight of your own interest

          3. Take the same road with Jesus & travel with Him.

      B. Die every day: I Cor. 15:31

           1. Galatians 2:20: Crucified with Christ/ yet I am living in

              this fleshly body

           2. Not I, but Christ liveth in me = Christ in me, the hope

               of glory. Gal. 6:14 (read & explain)

III. Follow Him: Matt. 16:24

      A. Luke 22:54

          1. Not as Peter followed Jesus here = afar off.

          2. Following “afar off” leads to a denial of Jesus & not of self

          3. Vs 57 – 60: 3 X’s denial of knowing Jesus

          4. Deny means to disown

          5. We can deny Jesus by what we do or don’t do; by what

              we say or don’t say; by where we go or don’t go, etc.

      B. Peter learned from his failures and so can we 

           1. Luke 22:62: “Wept bitterly” -Greek = wailed out loud/also, Peter repented

           2. I Peter 2:21-22 (follow His steps)

       C. A true disciple follows Jesus in duty = more than JUST

             saying you believe, but putting your heart & soul into it

IV. Put the highest value upon your soul

      A. Matt. 16:26: what’s more important or more valuable

           than your own soul?

           1. Is your soul worth clinging to sinful pride? Religion?

               $ or anything else?

           2. What would keep you from following Jesus?

       B. Make sure of your salvation today

            1. Don’t guess

            2. Don’t gamble

            3. But be sure you are saved and then follow Jesus

                His way = the best way, the sure way.