Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Follow Thou Me

TEXTJohn 21:18-23

INTRODUCTION:

A.  JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES AFTER THE RESURRECTION IN GALILEE.

          1.  Conversation with Peter - "Follow thou me" twice.

          2.  Peter encourages us to follow Jesus, too (1 Pet. 2:21).

B.  WE WANT TO NOTICE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS COMMAND.

I.  IT IMPLIES ACTION.

A.  NOT TO BE LAZY (Heb. 6:11-12).

B.  "AN IDLE MIND IS THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP."

C.  NO TIME TO WASTE (Eph. 5:14-162:10Titus 2:143:1).

D.  THERE IS MUCH TO DO (John 9:4Matt. 9:36).

II.  TURN NOT ASIDE TO WORLDLINESS.

A.  1 John 2:15-17.  PRIORITIES.

          1.  Luke 8:14.  Where is the emphasis in your life.  What occupies your time.

          2.  Matt. 10:37.  Fleshly family is a gift from God, but of the world.

                   Putting family before Jesus is Worldliness.

          3.  What happens when fleshly appetites rule (Rom. 6:12).

B.  A CHOICE MUST BE MADE (Matt. 6:22-24).

III.  DON'T LAG BEHIND OUT OF FEAR.

A.  WHAT HAPPENED TO PETER (Luke 22:54-55, 61-62).

B.  HOW MUCH OF A PART DOES GOD PLAY IN YOUR LIFE (Heb. 10:22Jas. 4:8).

C.  DO WE KEEP JESUS AT ARMS LENGTH, ONLY HERE WHEN WE WANT HIM?

IV.  RUN NOT BEFORE HIM IN PRESUMPTION.

A.  OUR FAVORITE PSALM (Psa. 19:13).

B.  ARE HIS FOOTPRINTS HERE (1 Pet. 2:21).

C.  JESUS IS THE LORD (Acts 2:36Col. 3:17).

D.  FOLLOWERS DON'T PRESUME TO LEAD THEIR LEADER (2 John  9).

V.  DON'T DEPART IN UNBELIEF.

A.  SOME OF JESUS' TEACHINGS ARE HARD (John 6:60, 66).

B.  NOT EVERYONE WILL SUBMIT (Matt. 19:11-12).

C.  SOME CLOSE THEIR MINDS OR SIMPLY LEAVE (Matt. 13:14-15).

D.  WE NEED MORE FAITH (Luke 17:5).

          1.  Be with others of like faith (1 Cor. 15:331 Thess. 5:11, 14).

          2.  Talk to God (James 5:13).

          3.  Let God talk to you (Rom 10:17).

CONCLUSION:

A.  TO FOLLOW JESUS IS TO WALK IN THE LIGHT (John 8:12).

B.  THAT IS WHAT IS EXPECTED OF DISCIPLES (John 8:31).