Follow In His Footsteps – Part 2
October 20, 2024
OPENING SCRIPTURE:
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should FOLLOW HIS STEPS (1 Peter 2:21 NKJ)
• Follow in His Footsteps: Depicts a person who is committed to imitate Him in every way. You talk like Him, and you walk like Him.
• Being a believer is not just about talking but it is also about walking.
• Being a follower is all about counting the cost. Here’s how Jesus said it:
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS, AND FOLLOW ME. (Matthew 16:24 NKJ)
1st century: The Cross
• The cross was meant as a death sentenced imposed by the Romans.
• For the person carry that cross it meant: Judgment, pain, humility and death
• Jesus chose the cross so he could carry the pain, the judgment and death for you. Why? So that you don’t have to.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:25-26 NKJ)
• In context for us as believers, Taking up the cross means to count the cost!
• Following In the footsteps comes at a cost. The cost is beyond the talk, the title, the fame…The cost is in the walk…following in His footsteps.
The rich and young ruler and Jesus:
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:16-20 NKJ)
• He knew that there was a cost to be follower of Christ, to walk in His footsteps.
• Here’s how Jesus laid it down for him:
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, FOLLOW ME.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19: 21-22 NKJ)
Here’s the price:
#1 PRICE: DIE TO SELF (Following in His footsteps means to die to self)
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by TRUSTING IN THE SON OF GOD, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
• In order to follow in His footsteps, a decision has to be made: The old self must be nailed unto that cross.
• A daily death meant a daily surrender: TRUST
So I live in this earthly body by TRUSTING IN THE SON OF GOD, who loved me and gave himself for me.
#2 TRUST (Following in His footsteps means to trust in Him)
If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, FOLLOW ME. (Matthew 19:21 NKJ)
• Jesus challenged the young man in the story to trust in God for everything.
• The cost of following in the footsteps of Jesus is TRUST.
TRUST in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him (seek His will), And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• Without HEART you cannot trust. When you surrender- Nothing makes sense.
• Without HEART, you cannot SURRENDER ALL
• At the cross you will find the saving grace of God to die to yourself
• At the cross you will find the enabling grace of God to surrender all and follow Him
CONCLUSION
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?
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