Follow Me: Understanding the Call to Discipleship

Introduction
In today's sermon, we delved into Matthew 4:18-22, where Jesus calls His first disciples with the simple yet profound command, "Follow me." This command is foundational to Christian discipleship and sets the stage for our new series, "Follow Me: A Study of the Commands of Christ." This series aims to explore what it truly means to follow Jesus and obey His commands.

What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?

Imitating Jesus' Life
Following Jesus means more than attending church or being baptized; it means imitating His life. When Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John, He didn't invite them to a Bible study. Instead, He invited them into His life, saying, "Follow me." This invitation was understood in the Jewish context as a call to become a disciple, learning not just from His teachings but from His way of life.

Putting Jesus First Over Our Plans
Following Jesus often means putting Him first over our own plans. The disciples left their nets and their careers as fishermen to follow Jesus. Similarly, Matthew left his lucrative job as a tax collector. While not everyone is called to change their career, following Jesus may require altering our plans to align with His mission.

Over Our Possessions
The disciples also left valuable possessions behind. They left their nets and boats, recognizing that following Jesus was worth more than any earthly treasure. This contrasts with the rich young ruler in Matthew 19, who couldn't part with his possessions to follow Jesus.

Over Other People
Following Jesus may even mean putting Him above our closest relationships. James and John left their father to follow Jesus, illustrating that our devotion to Christ should surpass even our familial ties.

Adopting Jesus' Mission
Following Jesus means adopting His mission to seek and save the lost. Jesus was a fisher of men, and He calls us to do the same. The disciples learned from Jesus by observing, assisting, and eventually doing the work themselves. This process of discipleship is about becoming disciple-makers, not just disciples.

Life Application • Challenge for the Week
This week, reflect on what it means to truly follow Jesus. Are you imitating His life, putting Him first, and adopting His mission? Here are some questions to guide your reflection:
1. Imitating Jesus' Life: How can you better imitate Jesus in your daily actions and decisions?
2. Putting Jesus First: Are there plans, possessions, or relationships that you need to re-evaluate to put Jesus first?
3. Adopting Jesus' Mission: When was the last time you invited someone to follow Jesus? How can you be more proactive in sharing the gospel?

Following Jesus is not just about wearing the "Christian t-shirt" but about running the race of discipleship. It's about imitating His life, putting Him first, and adopting His mission. As you go through this week, challenge yourself to follow Jesus more closely and invite others to do the same. Remember, the command to "Follow me" is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. Will you heed the call?

This post is a recap of Sunday, October 13th, sermon by Pastor Grant Gain, Belle Aire Baptist Church.