Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-25 (Main);

Title: How do I follow Jesus?

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Bottom Line: Following Jesus Christ is to believe he is who he says he is so fully that we daily surrender all to him.

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

Reflect and Discuss

1. How would you explain what it means to "repent" to someone who had never heard the term?

2. Following Jesus costs us everything. What might that look like practically in our own culture? How might this look different in a hostile Muslim context?

3. If we must abandon everything for Christ, then how does God's grace play a part in our salvation?

4. In what ways has the call to follow Jesus been watered down in our culture?

5. Explain the idea that every disciple is to be a disciple-maker. What might this look like for a mom with young kids? For an accountant? What about a college student?

6. Explain the following statement:

"The New Testament pattern for discipleship is more about 'go and tell' than 'come and see."

7. What are some of the costs of non-discipleship that you see around you?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening:

Today I’m going to tell you how to follow Jesus as one of his very first disciples describe it.

Andy Stanley defines faith as believing that Jesus is who he says he is and that he’ll do all that he’s promised to do. So, to follow Jesus would be to daily, gladly submit to who him and walk in all that he’s promised to do.

• Question: Is following Jesus Christ life-giving for you?

  • Does it invigorate you?

  • Does it challenge you?

  • Does it bring you joy?

  • Or is it just a casual religious experience squeezed into your weekend long enough to assuage your guilt?

Nets

• From engineering to full-time ministry: My story (briefly)

• Do you still have your nets? I tossed mine last year.

I. Who’s “me”? (Outline eavily influenced by David Platt)

A. Matthew 1…me = Jesus; Jesus is…

1. Savior - The Lord saves; rescuer

2. Messiah - anointed one

3. Son of David - dynasty, king

4. Son of Abraham - covenant

B. Matt 2…Jesus is…

1. Sovereign over wise

2. Shepherd over weak

C. Matt 3…Jesus is…

1. Savior king

2. Righteous judge

3. Filled with spirit of God

4. Loved by the Father

D. Matt 4

1. New Adam who passed the test

2. True Israel who passed the test

3. Salvation = light of the world

4. Hope for the nations

E. Therefore, me is he and he is…

1. Worth far more than casual church attendance

2. Worth all allegiance from all people of all nations (Including me); it’s appropriate to surrender all to follow him

II. What does “Follow me” means?

A. Repent & Believe

1. Repent from your current way of thinking and going to the way of Christ

2. Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and that he’s to be Lord (authority) of your life

3. By grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9)

B. Follow

1. More than just walking alongside of him

2. Following his…(Show Bullseye of becoming a Disciple; matrix by Mike Breen)

   1. Character (Ways)

   2. Competency or Example (Works)

3. Notice 2 sides of salvation: (Platt)

   1. God’s sovereign authority (all authority)

   2. Humanity’s (all nations) appropriate response (all allegiance)

4. Notice what they leave behind

   1. Family

   2. Friends

   3. Career

   4. Dreams

   5. Security

   6. Comforts

C. Go Fish! How?

1. Teach - in synagogues (insiders; Jews)

2. Proclaim - herald (outsiders; Gentiles)

3. Healing - miraculous healings and exorcisms validated his message & mission

D. Where? Around the corner and around the world—Where we live, work, learn and play.

Conclusion:

• Do you still have your nets? I cut mine loose last year.

• My story concl

• Come forward for prayer, healing, and surrender

My Other notes:

Outline: (by David Platt)

I. Me?

A. Jesus is (Matt 1)

1. Savior

2. Messiah/Christ - anointed one

3. Son of David - dynasty

4. Son of Abraham - covenant

B. Jesus is (Matt 2)

1. Sovereign over the wise

2. Shepherd over the weak

3. Deliverer - Inaugurates the new exodus

4. Restorer - ends the mournful exile

5. Loves his fiercest enemies

C. Jesus is (Matt 3)

1. Savior King

2. Righteous judge

3. Filled with the Spirit of God

4. Loved by the Father

D. Jesus is (Matt 4)

1. New Adam

2. True Israel

3. Light of the World

4. Hope for all people

E. Jesus is, therefore,

1. Worthy of far more than church attendance and casual observance

2. Worthy of total abandonment and supreme adoration

II. Follow

A. Live with radical abandonment for his glory.

1. We leave all things behind.

2. We live for one thing: honor the king.

B. Live with joyful dependence on his grace.

1. He takes the initiative to choose us.

2. He provides the power to use us.

3. He gets the glory through us.

C. Live with faithful adherence to his person.

1. We aren’t casual listeners.

2. We aren’t convinced listeners.

3. We are committed learners and disciples.

D. Live with total trust in his authority.

1. He is the master of every domain in our lives.

2. He is the Lord of every detail in our lives.

E. Live with urgent obedience to his mission.

1. Every follower of Jesus is a fisher of men.

2. Every disciple of Jesus is a disciple-makers.

3. This is an unconventional plan that demands an universal response.

III. Will you follow Jesus Christ?

A. Consider the cost of discipleship.

B. Consider the cost of non-discipleship.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)