FOLLOW ME Building a Life - Week 1 4/2/2023 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like aa wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like aa foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27 ESV Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49 ESV “Follow me.” Submission And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come jfor the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:23-26 ESV Death/Sacrifice Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 ESV Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ` Matthew 19:21 ESV Immediacy And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:22 ESV And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. Mark 2:14 ESV While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Matthew 4:18-22 ESV Believer or Follower Believer Acknowledges Jesus is the Son of God Knows that Salvation is found through Christ Understands that God alone is Holy Recognizes God holds ultimate authority and power Comprehends God’s Word as Truth Is “me” centric Follower Acts on what he/she believes Submits to one he/she serves Obeys the commands and teachings of the Master Lives as the Master lives Conforms to God’s will There is an eternity of difference between a believer in Jesus Christ and a follower of Jesus Christ Which will you be? To become a follower you must: Hear So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Believe Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved Repent Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Confess if you confess with your mouth that Jesus . . .you will be saved. Be baptized Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved Follow I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life no man may come to the Father except through me