Follow Me
Matt.9:9
Introduction:
- Read Passage and Pray
- Each of us has at some point been asked to “Follow Me”
- Very simple request and Matthew and others did it
- Are you doing it? Do you ever remember a time when?
- God has his arm out, looking back at you, and pleading for you to Follow Him.
- Let us look at two requirements needed to “Follow Me”
[Matt.19:16-22] Be Dead to Sin
- Read passage
- Problem is this man kept most of the law, Jesus knew his sin, He knows yours
- Just as the young man thought he was really doing well, we too may need to take a closer look
- No murder, adultery, stealing, drunkenness but Covetousness, unforgiveness?
- It is impossible to Grab God’s hand and follow him if your hands are defiled, [Isa.59:1-3]
- The first time you are invited to “Follow me” you get that sin forgiven! Born Again!
- For a short time, you are dead to sin, but it keeps coming back!
- That is why Paul said [Gal.2:16-20] and he died daily
- Israel in the wilderness had a pillar and a cloud to follow, but sin messed them up at Jericho
- [Rom.6:1-2] “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
[Matt.16:24] Be Dead to Self
- Read Verse
- Deny yourself! Wow, for many of us that is harder than losing the sin!
- That is why “taking up his cross” is a huge part of “Follow Me”
- The Lord has been dealing with me in this area!
- [Ps.46:10] “Be Still, and know that I am God”
- Illustration of Shepard and Sheep dog
- Illustration of Following one step at a time.
- [Matt.4:18-20] “I will make you fishers of men”
- Illustration of Port Ministry and God’s hand!
Conclusion:
- Review points
- Challenge folks to leave here today following God!