HOW TO…Follow Jesus
Pastor David Anderson
January 3/4, 2015
HOW TO…Follow Jesus
Pastor David Anderson
January 3/4, 2015
Text: Matthew 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two
brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were
casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come,
follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son
of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their
father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and
immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Text: Matthew 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two
brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were
casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come,
follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son
of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their
father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and
immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
1. Accept Jesus’ ___________________ – Mark 1:16-20; John 8:12;
Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9
1. Accept Jesus’ ___________________ – Mark 1:16-20; John 8:12;
Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9
“…The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good
news!” – Mark 1:15
“…The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good
news!” – Mark 1:15
2. Live ____________ – Matthew 10:37; 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-62; 14:26
2. Live ____________ – Matthew 10:37; 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-62; 14:26
“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your
possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure
in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” – Matthew 19:21
“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your
possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure
in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” – Matthew 19:21
“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything
he has cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:33
“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything
he has cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:33
3. Live in ____________________ – Mark 3:13-19; John 13:35
“He appointed twelve – designating them to be apostles –
that they might be with him and that he might send them out
to preach.” – Mark 3:14
4. The ___________ is not ________________
Luke 14:27
– Matthew 10:24;
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after
me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow
me.” – Matthew 16:24
3. Live in ____________________ – Mark 3:13-19; John 13:35
“He appointed twelve – designating them to be apostles –
that they might be with him and that he might send them out
to preach.” – Mark 3:14
4. The ___________ is not ________________
Luke 14:27
– Matthew 10:24;
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after
me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow
me.” – Matthew 16:24
HOW TO…Follow Jesus
Sermon Study Questions
January 3/4, 2015
HOW TO…Follow Jesus
Sermon Study Questions
January 3/4, 2015
1. Remember back to the “hour you first believed” (accepted
Jesus’ invitation). What had the greatest influence in your life that
led to your belief? Was it a family member, friend, preacher,
some other personal relationship? Or was it something else, like
a deeply felt need in your life?
1. Remember back to the “hour you first believed” (accepted
Jesus’ invitation). What had the greatest influence in your life that
led to your belief? Was it a family member, friend, preacher,
some other personal relationship? Or was it something else, like
a deeply felt need in your life?
If you don’t yet believe, what is it you need “answered” before
accepting the invitation? Where (or with whom) might you find
that answer?
If you don’t yet believe, what is it you need “answered” before
accepting the invitation? Where (or with whom) might you find
that answer?
2. Read Matthew 19:16-26 and Luke 14:25-27. These are what
might be called “hard teachings.” What is the difference
between a literal reading and a figurative interpretation of
scripture (i.e. the spiritual meaning)? What would you need to
do if you read this literally? What would you need to do if you
interpret it figuratively?
2. Read Matthew 19:16-26 and Luke 14:25-27. These are what
might be called “hard teachings.” What is the difference
between a literal reading and a figurative interpretation of
scripture (i.e. the spiritual meaning)? What would you need to
do if you read this literally? What would you need to do if you
interpret it figuratively?
Read Matthew 5:27-30. What problems might we run into if we
read Scripture figuratively? What problems might we run into if we
read it literally? Is it possible to read it as both literal and figurative?
Read Matthew 5:27-30. What problems might we run into if we
read Scripture figuratively? What problems might we run into if we
read it literally? Is it possible to read it as both literal and figurative?
Where, how, or with whom might you learn to better understand
Scripture?
Where, how, or with whom might you learn to better understand
Scripture?
3. Polling data has shown that the number one greatest influence
on Christians having accepted Jesus’ invitation was due to a
primary relationship with another Christian. If most people come
to Christ because of the influence of another Christian, how
important is a community of Christians to living as a Christian?
3. Polling data has shown that the number one greatest influence
on Christians having accepted Jesus’ invitation was due to a
primary relationship with another Christian. If most people come
to Christ because of the influence of another Christian, how
important is a community of Christians to living as a Christian?
How important is/has been a community of Christians to your
walk as a Christian? Do you need to do something more with this?
How important is/has been a community of Christians to your
walk as a Christian? Do you need to do something more with this?
4. There have been a few Christians throughout history who have
literally carried a cross with them for many years and/or miles.
There were also many Christians, especially in the early years of
the Church, who were literally crucified on a cross. When Paul
said that he had been “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20) was
he speaking literally, or figuratively?
4. There have been a few Christians throughout history who have
literally carried a cross with them for many years and/or miles.
There were also many Christians, especially in the early years of
the Church, who were literally crucified on a cross. When Paul
said that he had been “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20) was
he speaking literally, or figuratively?
If not literal, what does being crucified with Christ mean?
If not literal, what does being crucified with Christ mean?
If not literal, what did Jesus mean in Matthew 16:24? Is “taking up
your cross” symbolic of being crucified with Christ?
If not literal, what did Jesus mean in Matthew 16:24? Is “taking up
your cross” symbolic of being crucified with Christ?
What does taking up your cross mean for you, literally?
What does taking up your cross mean for you, literally?
What is the cross you have to bear?
What is the cross you have to bear?