Encountering Jesus

“It all STARTS with JESUS…!” (Part 1)

1 Tim 1:12-17

Introduction:

·        In this study series we want to look at some of the encounters that Jesus had with individuals in the Gospels.

·        This is a wonderful truth to meditate on namely that: Jesus came to save sinners... people... individuals... people with names...!

·        I am so amazed to look at the Gospels and see how Jesus came to encounter a Pharisee... a Thirsty Woman... a Tax Collector... a Harlot... a Possessed Man... a Guy in a Tree... a Humbled and Hurting Disciple...

·        Joh 10:3, 11 – Jesus knows His sheep by name and He came to give His life for His sheep...!

·        His life, death, resurrection, ascension, reign, intercession and return is a personal matter...!

·        He did it for people with names...! His people...!

·        To start us of with, I just first want to focus on this reality that being a Christian, starts with an encounter with Jesus... It all starts with Jesus...!

·        Although we might cover some well-known ground in this study, please take the time to examine again your own testimony of being a Christian in the light of thinking on this question:

Have you encountered Jesus...?

·        And so, let’s start again with this question: What is a Christian?

·        At the most basic level, a Christian is someone who knows and follows Jesus!

·        Christianity is all about Christ – it is all about Jesus.

·        Many people have a Christless Christianity where they call themselves "Christians" but they have no knowledge about who Jesus is and what He requires of them…

·        They have never encountered Jesus in a saving way...

Study Points:

·        In this study we will explore three points about being a Christian, about encountering Jesus, that is actually part of one big point:

The BIG POINT:

Christianity is all about Jesus…! (Knowing Him and following Him...)

1) Being a Christian STARTS with an ENCOUNTER with JESUS!

·        This encounter comes through the preaching of the Gospel!

·        It is in the Gospel that is about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus that we encounter Jesus.

What is the Gospel?

➢ God is the righteous Creator who made us and everything else for His glory!

➢ Man is the terrible sinner who rebelled against God and deserve to go to hell.

➢ Jesus is the wonderful Saviour who came to live the perfect life, die in our place to pay the penalty for our sins and rose from the dead to conquer death and free us from the bondage of sin.

➢ We need to turn from our sin and rebellion towards Jesus, repent, and place our trust in Him to save us from our sin and hell – come to faith in Jesus.

·        This good news about Jesus must be received – there must be an encounter with Jesus!

·        Joh 1:12; Col 2:6; Eph 4:20; 2 Cor 5:17

2) It is an encounter that is based upon an UNDERSTANDING of WHO Jesus is…!

·        The apostle Paul had a one-of-a-kind encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road as he was on his way to persecute people who believed in Jesus, because he didn’t! (cf. Acts 9:1-19)

·        That encounter changed what he believed about Jesus, namely who Jesus is!

·        When Paul writes to instruct Timothy about leading the church in Ephesus, this is what he then mentions about his encounter with Jesus: 1 Tim 1:12-14

·        He uses three titles in regard to Jesus:

1) Christ – He recognizes that He is the Messiah – the promised anointed one that would reveal and declare to us the good news of God’s salvation;

2) Jesus – "The Lord saves". He is the One who would save people from their sins, so not just announcing our salvation, but He is our salvation…!

3) Lord – to One who is supreme in authority, the controller!

·        Jesus is completely man and He is completely God!

·        Joh 1:1, 14, 18; Col 1:15-17; Mark 4:35-41 – Verse 41 = NB!

·        Thankfully, this encounter is not based upon who we are, because then there would be no reason for Jesus to encounter us…!

·        Paul knew this!!

·        1 Tim 1:13

·        Every saving encounter with Jesus is based on the reality that He is merciful and gracious…! (cf. 1 Tim 1:13b-14)

·        Withholding what we deserve and giving us what we don’t deserve… this because of who He is...!

3) It is an encounter that is further built upon an EMBRACING of WHAT Jesus came to do…!

·        1 Tim 1:15-16

·        Joh 3:16-18 – Jesus was sent by God not to judge or condemn, but to save!

·        Luk 5:31-32 – Jesus came for those who are sick because of their sins, spiritual sickness, He came to call them to repentance.

·        Luk 19:10 – Jesus came to seek those who are lost – estranged from God because of their sin and under His wrath.

·        Matt 20:28 – He came to save sinners by giving Himself as a ransom for them.

·        1 John 4:9-10 – He came to manifest the love of God towards us and to die in our place…

·        Rev 5:9 – He came to save people from all tribes and tongues…!

·        Paul puts Himself as an or rather the example of what can happen when someone truly encounters Jesus!

·        It is an encounter that results in embracing Jesus through faith – trusting in Him for your forgiveness and salvation...

·        It is an encounter that brings about repentance – turning away from sin... having a change of mind over sin and choosing Christ above sin...

·        Acts 26:18

·        An encounter with Jesus based on an understanding of who He is and embracing what He came to do results in someone becoming a Christian and being changed for life! (cf. 2 Cor 5:17)

Conclusion:

·        Our focus in the rest of the studies will then be to study some of the encounters Jesus had with people in the Gospels as to get a better understanding of who Jesus is and more complete embracing of what He came to do…

·        Meditate on and answer these questions:

Have you encountered Jesus...?

Do you understand who He is...?

Have you embraced what He has done...?

“Jesus & Nicodemus” (Part 2)

Teaching the Teacher about Regeneration

Joh 3:1-15

Introduction:

Q: Have you ever been intrigued or interested to meet a specific person?

·        You saw or heard or know something about them, but you have never met them… and you would like to – you are curious about them, interested in them…

·        I wonder if there are any Bible characters that you would be interested in meeting?

Few examples:

1) Noah regarding the ark and the animals;

2) Moses regarding the burning bush, red sea, ten commandments, etc.

3) Jonah in the whale;

4) David regarding Goliath;

5) Elijah regarding the challenge of the Baal prophets on Mount Carmel…

·        In this study we will meet a man who was curious and interested about meeting another man that caught his attention, because this other man stepped in to the temple of Jerusalem and chased out all the people who were using the temple as a place to make money for themselves – he upset the majority of the Jews!

·        This Pharisee, called Nicodemus, was interested in this man, Jesus, and he decided he needed to meet this man…!

·        We read about the Encounter that Nicodemus had with Jesus in Joh 3:1-15…

Study Points:

·        Nicodemus came to Jesus by night – there may be a few reasons for this namely: he was afraid what the other Pharisees might think; he and Jesus were very busy men and he was looking for some uninterrupted time with Jesus; it illustrates to us his spiritual condition namely that he was still in spiritual darkness (John uses "night" in other places as a spiritual symbolism…)

·        He comes with a humble statement about Jesus and maybe wants to talk about religion and laws and teaching skills… but Jesus then teaches him a lesson on regeneration – being born again!

·        We will note the three main teaching points on this lesson about regeneration:

1) The ABSOLUTE NECESSITY of being BORN AGAIN! (v3)

·        Being born again, born from above, reborn from above carries the idea of getting a new start, starting a new life.

·        It is not just to try harder or try again, not just turning over a new leaf, but starting a new book altogether!

·        This would have been a radical, curve ball statement for Nicodemus!

·        Most probably because of who Nicodemus was:

1. Nicodemus Was a Rich Man – Tradition tells us that Nicodemus was one of the three riches men in Jerusalem. He had more money than he knew what to do with! What we have does not change what we are! Your money can buy you many things here in this world, but it can buy you nothing in Heaven!

2. Nicodemus Was a Respectable Man – He was a ruler of the Jews and he was the teacher of Israel. When he walked down the streets, people knew who he was and they pointed him out to their children. He was held in great esteem by all who knew him and saw him. Still, what we achieve does not change what we are! It is good to be respected and to have a good name among men, but that will not provide you a place in Heaven

3. Nicodemus Was a Religious Man – He was a Pharisee! He kept the Law. He was morally pure to a degree that you and I cannot imagine! He paid his tithes, did everything the Law said to do; he kept the written Law and the traditions of the elders. He never touched a woman; he probably avoided looking at them when possible. He would not come into contact with a sinner. He was a holy man! Still, what we do does not change who we are! In spite of the outward attempts at righteousness, Nicodemus was a religious man in need of a Redeemer! It is good to live clean and moral, but that will not save your soul! Your religious activities will not do the job either!

"In one sentence Jesus sweeps away all that Nicodemus stood for, and demands that he be re-made by the power of God."

·        Rom 8:6-8 explain to us why it is absolutely necessary to be born again – we need a new nature!!

·        Ps 51:7; Rom 2:23; Eph 2:1-3

·        Corruption has spread to every part of our being and there is nothing in us that is not sinful. Therefore, our whole nature needs the new birth!

·        We are sinners and it is only by being born again that we can be changed from a sinner to a saint!

·        Only changed people can see the kingdom of God.

·        "Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people" – for a people who are enabled to possess it and enjoy it!

·        You will never see a dog driving a car… a pig flying… a bird swimming laps, under water… Why? It is against their nature…!

·        You will never see a natural born sinner in heaven because it is against their nature! They cannot possess it and have no ability to enjoy it…!

Steven Cole: "The point that Jesus wanted to hammer home to Nicodemus is, “You don’t need further instruction in religion. You need to be born again! You need to see yourself as a sinner who needs more than moral or religious improvement. You need nothing less than new life from God!”"

2) The MYSTERY of being BORN AGAIN! (v4-8)

·        Nicodemus is baffled by what Jesus is saying…. He is thinking literally but also avoiding what he is understanding Jesus to actually mean.

·        How is this possible namely that the nature of a man can be changed? (cf. Jer 13:23; Gen 6:5)

·        Being born again is a mysterious thing – Jesus explains some of the most important things here for us, but even someone who has been born again cannot completely explain how this came to be – it is a mystery!

Jesus compares being born again to two things: birth and wind…

✓ Birth:

Birth provides life – being born again brings spiritual life.

Birth happens only once – being born again is a one time for all time experience.

Birth happens at the suffering of another – being born again is only possible because of the sufferings of Jesus on the cross!

Birth brings about a new start – being born again results in a brand new start, the past is gone!

✓ Wind:

A wind can be felt, it can be measured and the effects can be seen, but where it comes from and where it is going remains a mystery!

Being born again is the same way – you cannot see the work of God in the heart of a man, but you can see the effects of that work! (cf. 2 Cor 5:17-18a)

We cannot control the wind. In the same way we cannot control God's sovereign work in bringing about the regeneration of people… (cf. Joh 1:12-13)

Q: What is this work of God that He then brings about when someone is born again? What does it mean to be born of water and Spirit?

·        Scripture must interpret Scripture – Tit 3:4-5; Ezek 36:25-27

·        Water: The washing away of our sin – being forgiven by God!

·        Spirit: Being renewed by the Holy Spirit – being changed and receiving a new nature with new passions and desires and the ability to obey God!

·        Someone who has been born again will never be the same!!

3) The POSSIBILITY and PRICE of being BORN AGAIN! (v9-15)

·        To be born from above is possible because Jesus is the One who came from above, who came into the world and who came to do what is necessary so that we can be born again.

·        What He had to do was that He had to pay the price that our sin deserved and in so doing buy us back from the penalty we deserved – redeem us!

·        Jesus reminds Nicodemus of a time when Israel rebelled against God and He sent snakes among them to bite them resulting in many people dying…! (cf. Num 21:4-9) God then instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole – Jesus said to Nicodemus that in the same way, He must be lifted up referring to His death on the cross where He would pay the price for all the sins that His people have committed against God!

Q: What did the people have to do when they were bitten by the snakes?

• They had only to look to the bronze snake on the pole…! They had to look and live!!

·        Those who would simply look upon Jesus and believe in Him – trusting in Him and fully relying on what He did on the cross – they are the ones who has been born again by God!!

·        Being born again is possible because of the price that Jesus Christ payed on the cross and we simply have to look, believe, trust in Him!!

Conclusion:

Q: Have you been born again?

·        There is nothing left for you to do! Just look upon Jesus and trust that He has done everything needed to save you from the penalty of sin that you deserve!

·        Trust Him and repent of your sin, that you may live!

Q: Did Nicodemus remain the same after his encounter with Jesus?

·        We believe that he was born again – in Joh 7:50-51 we find him standing up for Jesus and in Joh 19:39 we find that he is the one helping Joseph of Arimathea in burying Jesus.

He put his wellbeing and his wallet on the line for Jesus – the effects of the wind of regeneration that started blowing on him one dark night on which the rising of the morning sun of a new life was just a few moments away…!

“Jesus & The Woman at the Well” (Part 3)

True Satisfaction for a Thirsty Soul…

Joh 4:1-30

Introduction:

Q: Have you ever been really thirsty?

·        Being thirsty flows from a need that your body has, namely that of liquid, more specifically – water!

Just some interesting facts:

·        You can survive 3 weeks without food…

·        You can survive 3 to 4 days without water, maybe a week under cool conditions…!

·        You need to take in about 2 litres of water a day to maintain your fluid balance.

·        Just as your body thirsts for something to drink and so satisfy your need of water, in the same way your soul thirsts to have its needs satisfied.

Q: What are some of the needs that our souls thirsts for?

·        Love; Acceptance; Meaning in life; Joy; Peace; Fellowship (Friendship & Companionship); Rest…

·        We seek to satisfy our souls!

·        Theses needs of our souls are the driving force behind most of our pursuits in this life!

·        We seek to find satisfaction for these needs, but many times we seek it in the wrong things, places and people…

·        In this study we will meet a woman who tried to satisfy her thirsty soul by pursuing a sinful life but then found satisfaction for her soul when she met the Messiah!

·        We will look at Jesus’ Encounter with the Woman at the Well under the theme: True Satisfaction for a Thirsty Soul…!

·        Please read Joh 4:1-30

Study Points:

·        I want to show you the 7 steps of this encounter with Jesus that lead to this woman finding true satisfaction for her thirsty soul:

STEP 1: A DIVINE APPOINTMENT (v1-6)

·        Verse 4: There were other roads that led to Samaria. Many of the Jews would not travel through Samaria because they viewed the Samaritans as an impure, half-bred people who intermarried with the Assyrians.

·        So when John says Jesus "had to" travel through Samaria, it is because it was the will of His Father that He would do so in order to fulfil the mission that He has been given – there was a divine appointment set before the foundation of the world that Jesus had to keep.

·        There was an encounter that was planned for that day, an encounter that would take place at a well in Samaria at noon…!

Jesus doesn't miss any of His appointments...!

·        Every encounter that there would be between Him and a sinner in need of salvation, will take place…! He will lose none of those that the Father gave Him!

·        There was a thirsty soul and Jesus was on his way to bring true satisfaction to this soul.

Q: Who was this very important person that Jesus had to go and meet?

STEP 2: A Very UNIMPORTANT PERSON or UNLIKELY CANDIDATE! (v7-9)

·        This is one of the things that is so astonishing about this encounter.

·        Verse 7!!

·        A woman – Jewish men would not speak to woman in public – not even their own wives!

·        A Samaritan – there was some bad blood between the Jews and the Samaritans because of the intermarriage that happened between them and the Assyrians – they looked at them as half breeds. There were also some differences concerning their religion – they worshipped at different places…

·        For Jesus then to speak to a Samaritan woman in public – He crossed all the cultural barriers!

·        But there is more for us to understand regarding the character of this woman…

·        Think about this: What time would be the best time to go and fetch water at a well…?

·        Early in the morning or maybe late afternoon when it is a bit cooler...

·        This woman came at noon – she was avoiding other people; she was an outcast; her sins has brought great shame on her… she was isolated and other people most probably preferred it that way.

·        But Jesus had compassion on her…!

·        Jesus loves saving people who are unlikely candidates, even those whom the world has written of and pushed aside…

·        You and I are not out of reach of Jesus!

·        Nothing can stop Him from saving those whom His Father has given Him!

·        Not their past, nor their cultural baggage… nothing!!

STEP 3: Her NEED Revealed (v10-15)

·        Jesus initiates the conversation by asking her for water – revealing a physical need of thirst (note that Jesus was fully man – he got tired, hungry and thirsty…)

·        Jesus would then turn the tables on her and use "water" as a metaphor for what He was actually offering this woman.

·        She misunderstood Him and thought he was talking about physical water…

·        He was offering this woman "living water" namely that which would satisfy her soul…the salvation of her soul in its complete sense – the forgiveness of her sins and the ability to obey God.

·        She was confused and ignorant about who Jesus is and what He was actually offering her…

·        Yet there is the undertone that in the reply of the woman in verse 15 – whether she was sarcastic or not – that she had a deep thirst in her soul that wasn’t satisfied by all her sinful pursuits…

·        All those who come to Jesus come because they realize how spiritually bankrupt they are – that they have nothing in themselves that can satisfy them and because they realize that there is nothing in this world that can satisfy them… everything that this world can offer you will leave you "thirsty again" – it brings temporary satisfaction.

·        Matt 5:3 needs to be the attitude of all who come to Jesus!

·        Jesus gets this woman’s attention… and he then presses on to expose the true state of her soul…

STEP 4: Her SIN Exposed (v16-19)

·        Jesus helps this woman to see that her need is much more than just being temporarily satisfied.

·        She needs the water that He is offering, because she needs to be cleansed, forgiven of all her sins.

·        Jesus asks her about her husband (verse 16) and she gives the technical correct answer – any other person would have come to the conclusion very simply that she was a single woman…

·        But that was not the case and Jesus knew all about her sinful past…

You cannot hide your sin from Jesus…!

·        The reality was: She was married five times and got divorced five times most probably because she was unfaithful to her husbands, and now she was living with a man who was not her husband but maybe even someone else’s husband…

·        Jesus exposed her sins… and she doesn’t argue about it!

·        She doesn’t deny it but affirms that everything that Jesus said about her was true…calling Him a Prophet.

·        To come to Jesus you have to stop trying to explain away your sin and you have to openly confess and admit to your sinfulness.

·        Matt 5:4 needs to be your attitude concerning your sin when you come to Jesus!

STEP 5: TRUE Salvation Explained (v20-24)

·        An interesting twist then happens in the conversation – she starts to talk about where is the right place to worship – this has been one of the things that caused enmity between the Jews and Samaritans.

Q: Why does she start talking about this…?

·        Maybe she wanted to change the topic because she was getting uncomfortable with all this conviction of sin happening…

·        Maybe because she now progressed in her thinking about Jesus namely that He was a prophet and He could sort out this dispute…

·        But even deeper maybe was her motivation that she realized how sinful she was and she wanted to get right with God but was confused about where to go and do it…

·        For all of the Old Testament, sacrifices had to be made to be right with God and maybe she wanted to make sure we she was supposed to go…

·        But then Jesus makes a wonderful revelation about true salvation…!

·        Verse 21-24

·        True salvation is not about an external and empty religion, but about an inward and eternal relationship!

·        To worship in "Spirit" – it is about being sincere in your service towards God, about a heart that is fixed on God and in love with God; a heart that has been cleansed and changed

·        To worship in "truth" – is to serve God for who He is and not who we want Him to be; to worship Him as He revealed Himself and in the manner that he wants to be worshipped.

·        God is not confined to a place and Jesus came to open up the new way by which all people everywhere can draw near to God through Him...!

Salvation doesn't come through doing something, it comes through knowing someone…!

STEP 6: The SAVIOUR Revealed! (v25-26)

·        This woman reveals something then about her understanding of that the Messiah must come and although she is still a little bit confused, she trusts and hopes that all would make sense then…

·        And then we find the climax of this encounter when Jesus reveals Himself for the first time, to a Samaritan woman as the Messiah, the Christ!

·        You could just imagine the shock on her face and the realization and even maybe clarity that comes to her in that moment…!

·        Jesus opens her eyes and reveals Himself to her…!

THIS IS AMAZING GRACE...!

·        Matt 11:27-28

STEP 7: SALVATION HAS COME! (v27-30)

·        I love verse 28…!

·        She forgets all about her temporary pursuit to satisfy her need and she is consumed with that thought that she has met the Messiah!

·        What does she do?

·        She goes back in to town and start witnessing – telling everyone about the man she met…

·        She has experienced what Matt 5:6 talks about…

Conclusion:

·        Where do you stand?

·        Are you still trying to satisfy your needs with the things of this world? They won't satisfy…

·        Maybe you have come to realize that it doesn’t and you are feeling so guilty because of everything that you have done – you are ashamed and just don’t feel like getting up and going on…

·        Then be encouraged by this encounter that happened between Jesus and this woman!

THERE IS HOPE and HIS name is JESUS!

·        There are three non-negotiable things that needs to happen for you to come to true salvation:

1) Realize you need spiritual life and there is nothing you can do to get it…

2) Repent of your sins and seek the forgives that only Jesus can give…

3) Embrace Jesus as the only One who can save you from your sin…!

·        If you do know Jesus, let us imitate Him in our efforts to reach the outcasts and those who are overwhelmed by their guilt with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

“Jesus & Matthew” (Part 4)

A Super Sinner Saved...!

Matt 9:9-13

Introduction:

·        In this study we will look at Matt 9:9-13 where we find Jesus calling a man called Matthew to follow him...

·        What is interesting about this man is that he had another name that he was known by as well... Levi...(cf. Luk 5:27)

·        That makes us think of jeans... and you thought jeans was a modern thing...!

·        When I grew up, jeans was still nice and whole... later it became trendy to buy brand new jeans that looked like the dog got hold of them...!

·        If you would wear these torn jeans, the older people would look funny at you... they would think that you are some or other criminal and rebel... you would be shamed...!

·        In general, when people think about followers of Jesus, those people that Jesus encounters, they think that mostly good people may or can follow Him... surely someone who wears these "messed up jeans"cannot be a follower of Jesus...!

·        Surely the good kids in school may or can follow Jesus, the good employees, the good bosses... the "good" guys... but surely not those bad kids, employees, or bosses... Right?

·        As we look at Matt 9:9-13, we will find that this man called Matthew, also known as Levi, he wasn't a good guy... as a matter of fact, we could classify him as a criminal and a traitor... a bad guy... even as a super sinner...!

·        And Jesus will encounter and call this super sinner to follow Him...!

·        And so, in Matt 9:9-13, we find a super sinner saved...

Study Points:

·        Let’s to look at four things in this encounter about following Jesus:

1. The CALL...

Jesus calls Matthew, a very bad man, to follow Him and be His friend!

·        Matthew was a tax collector...

·        You need to understand how the other Jews felt about tax collectors and what was true about these tax collectors...

·        They worked for the Roman empire and so they were viewed by their own people as traitors...

·        They sat in these booths all over Rome and could then tax people on everything... fish, amount of wheels and axles on their wagons, open their personal belongings, etc. There was really no limit on what they could tax the people.

·        They would then have to give a fixed amount to Rome, but whatever was extra were theirs, and so they would be know to over tax people for the sake of making money... they were nothing less than thieves...!

·        They were seen as the scum of society... the worst of the worst... they were super sinners...! And in general they were filthy rich...!

·        But then, Jesus saw him... he didn’t see Jesus... he wasn’t looking for Jesus or to follow Jesus...

He was not the first to seek Jesus, but Jesus was the one who first sought him...!

·        We can be sure that when Jesus saw him, He saw all of Him and knew exactly who he was concerning his reputation and his character.

·        And then Jesus did the unlikely and even unthinkable thing... He called Matthew to follow Him...!

2. The RESPONSE...

Matthew leaves everything for good to be Jesus’ follower and friend!

·        What would this super (and wealthy) sinner do...?

·        Matthew most probably knew something about Jesus – Jesus already did a few miracles in his town and he maybe even heard Jesus teach...

·        How would he respond to this call, this command of Jesus...?

·        Matt 9:9 says very simply – "And he rose and followed him..." Nothing dramatic or spectacular...

·        You need to understand that this Matthew is the same Matthew who wrote this Gospel... Matthew is basically writing his own testimony...!

·        And we need to see something of how humble this man became – he doesn’t place any unnecessary attention on himself...!

·        And so when we turn to the gospel of Luke 5:28, we find an important detail that Matthew in his humility left out... He left everything...!

·        His wealth and his position... he left it for good... there was no way he could go back to having the position and job that he had... when he got up and followed Jesus, he walked away from everything...!

We can deduce from this that all of his security, power and position he considered as worthless in comparison with the joy and privilege of following and knowing Jesus!

·        This has to help you see something of how precious Jesus is...! (cf. Matt 13:44; Phil 3:7-8)

·        And what happens next even further highlights how radical Matthew’s life was changed...

3. The RESULT...

Matthew wants all of his friends to get to know Jesus!

·        Luk 5:29 helps us again to have a better picture of what happened...

·        Matthew throw one huge party for all of his tax buddies because he wanted them to get to meet Jesus...!

·        This shows us just how excited he was about Jesus and how much joy Jesus brought to Matthew that he just wanted to share Jesus with all his friends...!

·        People who get to meet Jesus just can’t keep them to themselves...! If they can, they don’t understand whom they have met... and maybe they haven’t met Him at all...!

Whenever we see people getting to know Jesus in the Bible, they want to make Him known as well...!

·        When you experience the mercy and grace of Jesus, you desire others to experience it as well!

·        Someone who is following Jesus wants other people to follow Jesus as well... they are not ashamed of Jesus...!

4. The DECLARATION...

Jesus makes it clear that He came to save bad people, not good people!

·        The Pharisees didn’t like this at all...!

·        They just couldn’t accept the reality that Jesus was being friendly to these super sinners...!

·        They were so proud in what they were doing and they thought that it made them better than these bad people.

·        It is interesting to see that they said this to Jesus' disciples and not to Jesus Himself... they were maybe trying to give Jesus a bad reputation with His disciples...

·        But then Jesus answers with a logical analogy...

·        Who need a physician, a doctor – healthy people or sick people...? Obviously sick people...!

·        Who needs a Saviour – good people or bad people...? Bad people!

·        These Pharisees thought they were good but didn’t realize that they were bad – that is why they rejected Jesus!

·        They didn’t think that they needed Jesus... like many if not most people today...!

·        What is worse is that these Pharisees made a right diagnoses of these tax colletors – that they are super sinners. and yet they didn’t want to do anything about that...!

·        That is why Jesus exhorts them with Hos 6:6 – an Old Testament passage which explains that we should not be so focused on doing right things if our hearts aren’t right before God... all of our "good service" that we are doing means nothing if we don’t have mercy and compassion for other people... if our hearts aren’t filled with compassion and mercy for people who don't know Jesus, we don’t have the heart of God...!

·        And then Jesus makes this wonderful, hopeful declaration – He came for sinners... for bad people...

·        All of us are bad people... all of us are sinners... super sinners...

·        All of us are spiritually bankrupt before God and we need a Saviour...

·        The bad news is that you are bad and that you can do nothing about it from yourself...

The good news is that Jesus came for bad people, for sinners and He can do everything to save you... He did do everything to save sinners...!

·        That is the greatest miracle there is – when Jesus takes a super sinner and makes him a saint...!

Conclusion:

·        What do you need to be to qualify to become a follower of Jesus? A sinner...!

·        The question is: Will you answer the call of Jesus to follow Him...?

Only He can transform you to be His follower and so, if He encounters and calls you, get up and follow Him!

“Jesus & The Adulterous Woman” (Part 5)

How JESUS deals with CONDEMNED CRIMINALS...!

Joh 8:1-11

Introduction:

Q: How you ever been caught in the act while doing something really wrong?

·        In this study we will look at the encounter between Jesus and a woman who was caught in the act of adultery…!

·        We will see How Jesus deals with condemned criminals!

·        There are actually three parties involved in this encounter namely the fake, the faulty and the forgiver…

·        Please read Joh 8:1-11…

Study Points:

·        We will consider what we can learn from these three parties involved in this encounter:

1. The FAKE: Pharisees…

·        They most probably set a trap for this woman because they wanted to trap Jesus.

·        The man most probably was in it with them and they let him "get away..."

1.1) Their HARDNESS…

·        They had absolutely no compassion or love or concern for this woman.

·        She was just simply a tool for them to get at Jesus…!

·        They humiliated her in front of everyone.

1.2) Their HAUGHTINESS…

·        We become judgemental when we start to think that our sin is less serious than someone else’s sin.

·        When we think too highly of ourselves and our "spirituality", we tend to inflate the sins of others and start to become critical on them.

·        Luk 18:9-14

1.3) Their HYPOCRISY…

·        They failed to apply Matt 7:5 to themselves.

·        It is always easier to see the sins and faults of another and it makes you feel better about yourself.

·        Jesus exposed them clearly in Matt 23:25-28 – looking good on the outside but being rotten on the inside.

·        Jesus called them out in John 8:7...!

1.4) Their HUMILIATION…

·        Jam 4:6 becomes true of them.

·        They were exposed by Jesus as fakes.

·        They came to make an example of this woman and to trap and discredit Jesus, but they are the ones who are made an example of and who is caught in their own trap and humiliated…!

2. The FAULTY: The Woman…

2.1) Her GUILT…

·        This woman was guilty and she deserved to be put to death… Exo 20:14; Lev 20:10

·        She committed a terrible sin against the holy God and so she was deserving of whatever punishment God did prescribe in His law.

·        She did not deserve anything good, nor to be part of the kingdom of God…!

·        1 Cor 6:9-10

·        The Pharisees and Scribes were fake, but they were right concerning what this woman deserved…!

2.2) Her GIFT…

·        Yet, although she was deserving of death, she was pardoned!

·        She would have had no hope when these scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus, yet she walked away a free and forgiven woman…!

·        Rom 6:23

3. The FORGIVER: Jesus…!!

·        This story illustrates Joh 1:1, 14, 17-18…

3.1) His FOCUS… (Truth)

·        Joh 18:2 – Jesus is teaching the people.

·        He knew how sinful they were, but He came not to condemn but to seek and save the lost…

·        It comes through making known the truth – the Gospel!

·        Rom 10:17

3.2) His KNOWLEDGE and WISDOM…

·        Jesus knows everything about everyone…!

·        Joh 2:23-25

·        You can hide your sin from your family and friends and other Christians, but you cannot hide your sins from God.

·        You can look good on the outside, but Jesus knows whether or not you are rotten on the inside…!

·        Heb 4:13; Prov 5:21; Jer 16:17

·        God sees the depth of your heart and He knows how sinful you are…!

3.3) His COMPASSION… (Mercy)

·        Jesus didn’t entertain their accusing of this woman in public as they did – He ignored them…!

·        He started writing in the sand…What?

·        We don't know…!

·        Maybe – the ten commandments; maybe their names; maybe their sins…! We don’t know...

·        But He showed compassion to this woman by drawing the attention away from her to Him and eventually to everyone else…

·        Jesus had compassion on this woman, by showing her mercy – withholding that which she deserves…

3.4) His FORGIVENESS… (Grace)

·        Instead He extended His grace in the form of forgiveness!

·        Jesus came to save sinners, not to condemn. He came in grace and truth…

·        1 Cor 6:11 became true for this woman!

·        What great joy and amazement she would have had!

·        What great gift is the gift of forgiveness – that God would clear our record of all our sins and not count them against us!

Jesus would be the one who would bore the penalty this woman’s sin deserved!

THIS WAS NO CHEAP VERDICT OF JESUS...!

3.5) His HOLINESS…

·        His command to this woman and all other whom He forgave is very clear – go and sin no more!

·        Note the order – first forgiveness that is completely unmerited and then obedience…!

·        Her pardon was not dependent on her behaviour.

·        Her pardon was however the motivation for her to change her behaviour!

·        Change is not a requirement for grace, but change stands as the result of grace!

·        Rom 12:1

·        His free grace becomes the motive for living a holy life, a life that pleases Him and is striving for holiness as He is holy! (cf. Heb 12:14; 1 Pet 1:15-16)

Conclusion:

·        You may be one of the fake…

·        You may be one of the faulty…

·        Both are lost and in need of Jesus' grace!!

·        His grace is still available – don’t stand as a condemned criminal anymore, but throw yourself upon Jesus and His grace and receive His pardon which He made possible by dying on the cross!

·        I pray and hope that you are part of the forgiven!

“Jesus & Zacchaeus” (Part 6)

Jesus SEEK and SAVES the LOST...!

Luk 19:1-10

Introduction:

·        Q: Have you ever felt unnoticed... or unimportant... or even unwanted...?

·        I think all of us have experienced situations in our lives where we felt that nobody notices us and that nobody really cares about us... where people just pass you by and ignores you...

·        We sometimes do it with other people too... we ignore them and don’t really give them our undivided attention... they tell us their names, but we soon forget it... we don’t really care...

·        This is the wonderful thing to see in the Gospels namely how Jesus cared about individuals.

·        We are looking at the Gospels where we find some of these one-on-one encounters that Jesus had with people... people with names and a history... and needs...!

·        Jesus notices and cares for individuals...!

·        In this study we look at the encounter that Jesus had with Zacchaeus – a very small and unpopular little man that wasn’t liked by many people...!

·        We read about this encounter in Luk 19:1-10...

Study Points:

·        I want to make three observations:

1. The SINNER... (v1-4)

·        Three things about Zacchaeus:

a) He was a tax collector – working for Rome and would collect taxes. they were known for overcharging people and so they were hated by many.

b) He was rich – the obvious result of being crooked.

c) He was a sinner – He wasn't a good man, but rather a thief and a liar...

·        He wanted to see Jesus... we don’t know exactly why... maybe he was curious... heard what Jesus did... Jesus called another tax collector to follow Him (Matthew)... he was maybe hoping that Jesus could do something for him... maybe it was that despite all the riches that he had, he wasn't happy... he wasn't satisfied... he was looking for something more...

·        And so he makes a plan... he climbs in a tree... and he waits...!

·        He simply wanted to see Jesus, but so much more were going to happen...!

·        Whatever his motives may have been, we know from the rest of the story and from the rest of the Bible, that God the Father was busy "drawing" him to Jesus...! (cf. Joh 6:44)

2. The SAVIOUR of sinners... (v5)

·        Imagine you were Zacchaeus... you wait and here comes Jesus... closer and closer... and then He stops right underneath your tree... and then Jesus looks up into your eyes...

·        Jesus called Zacchaeus... by name...!

Zacchaeus didn't know Jesus and only wanted to see Him, but Jesus already knew everything about Zacchaeus...!

·        Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but he had no prior clue that Jesus actually wanted to see him...!

·        Long before Zacchaeus was looking for Jesus, Jesus was looking for him! It was no accident that Zacchaeus was in that Sycamore tree that day...!

·        "Must" – there was a divine appointment that needed to happen between Jesus and Zacchaeus.

·        Jesus wanted much more than just having a quick coffee with Zacchaeus... He wanted to get into his life so as to save him and become part of his life...!

Jesus is not just a quick fix, but He is a Person who is callling sinners into a relationship with Him.

·        Many people still just want to "see" Jesus on the WhatsApp groups, in listening to the sermon, by reading a Bible Study now and again... they are curious about Jesus and they maybe even realize they need something from Him...

·        But when Jesus calls someone and saves someone, He goes home with them...!

·        Jesus made this personal, plain and promising call to Zacchaeus... that is how Jesus always saves people – He calls them to Himself... He calls them to follow Him...!

·        Jesus was calling Zacchaeus personally into a realtionship with Him.

·        What was he going to do...?

3. SALVATION has come... (v6-10)

·        Zacchaeus responded... immediately!

·        He obeyed Jesus – he got down...

·        He received Jesus joyfully – not just into his home, but into his life... to answer the call of Jesus requires that you put your trust in Jesus and that you commit your life to Him. That is implied in this "receiving" of Jesus...

·        He repented – when someone receives Jesus and trusts in Him, it is revealed by a changed life!

·        This tax collector who cheated people, now realized that all his money could not bring him the joy he now found in Jesus, and so he started giving away that which he didn’t need anymore!

·        Also, he shows how sincere his repentance was by being willing to give back that which he has stolen... to bring about restoration... when you are really sorry about what you have done wrong, you will do what is needed to make it right.

·        He was therefore forgiven of his sins and adopted as a child of God! (cf. Joh 1:12-13)

Closing Thoughts:

·        This is why Jesus has come – to seek and save the lost...!

Many people think that it is they who found Jesus... when actually it is Jesus who found them...!

·        Jesus was never lost... we are the ones who are lost...

·        The issue is that people don’t realize that they are lost... that they are sinners...

·        Jesus only came to save sinners and lost people... not good people or found people...

·        If you don’t know Jesus and haven’t been saved yet, you need to realize that you are lost and a sinner – that is where salvation begins...!

·        And when Jesus then calls you, you need to respond by receiving Him and repenting from your sins...! You need to obey His call...!

·        That is what our Acts 17:30-31 also teaches...

·        When someone do that, salvation has come...!

·        If you are saved, see and understand how personal your salvation is...!

Understand that it wasn't you who found Jesus, but God who drew you to Jesus and Jesus who actually found you...!

“Jesus & The Demon Possessed Man” (Part 7)

The Worth of a Soul to Jesus!

Luk 8:26-39

Introduction:

Q: What do you see when you look at other people? What do you notice about them?

·        Their clothes or shoes or jewellery or stuff; whether they are rich or poor; if they are beautiful or maybe not so beautiful; maybe you look at whether they are happy or sad; wearing a ring while they are driving…

·        Maybe you see people as an inconvenience… burdensome… an irritation… or, just as people…

·        One thing that we need to remember is that every person who ever lived has an eternal soul!

·        Every person is made by God and that gives them worth and will spend eternity somewhere – either in heaven or in hell…

Q: What does Jesus see when He looks at people? What is a soul worth to Him?

·        In this study we will look at an encounter that Jesus had with a very wild man! A very troubled soul…!

·        We will look at the encounter of Jesus & The Demon Possessed Man under the theme:

The Worth of a Soul to Jesus!

·        Please read Luk 8:26-39

Study Points:

·        We will look at three truths concerning Jesus’ dealings with lost souls:

1. Jesus is PASSIONATE about lost souls!

1.1) The CIRCUMSTANCES involved in reaching this soul…

·        Jesus and the disciples had to weather a storm – it was not an easy thing to get to him!

·        In crossing the sea and going through the storm Jesus performed a miracle showing that He has power over nature and His disciples were already in awe and fear… (cf. Luk 8:25)

·        Were they in for a surprise...!

·        They would learn that not only does he have power over nature, but He has power over the supernatural as well.

Not only can He tame the wild sea, He can tame a wild man; not only can He bring peace to the storm, but He can also bring peace to a soul…!

·        The moment they set foot on shore, either in the night or early morning, they are met by a naked man running towards them who had uncut hair and an untrimmed beard! His body covered in sores and blood…!

·        This would have been a terrifying sight! Very uncomfortable circumstances indeed...!

·        When Jesus askes the name of the man he gives the answer of "Legion" because he was filled with many demons!

·        This is for many not the kind of person they would have a conversation with, yet Jesus goes out of His way to a gentile land, crosses the sea through a storm to teach His disciples and us that:

No sinner is beyond the grace of God and that He is passionate about showing lost souls His grace!

1.2) The COST of reaching this lost soul…

Q: How do we know that Jesus is in a gentile, non-Jewish land?

·        There is a herd of pigs – about 2000 of them! (cf. Mark 5:13)

·        The demons immediately knew who Jesus was – it is not only Christians who know who Jesus is...

·        Take note: Knowing who Jesus is doesn’t automatically make you a Christian…!

·        They begged Him not to send them to the abyss and Jesus granted them their request – we don’t know exactly why – but maybe it is because the final judgement of Satan and his forces is a future event.

·        Here Jesus clearly shows that He has dominion over the Devil and all his minions. But that they are not cast in hell yet… our enemy is still alive and active…!

·        But we do see that Jesus drives out these demons from this man into a herd of pigs – about 2000 – and they all run over the cliff and into the sea!!

·        This would have been a huge financial loss for their owners and we do see that they are cross with Jesus for doing this.

·        But learn and understand this: ONE SOUL IS WORTH MORE TO JESUS THAN 2,000 PIGS!

·        Now someone might say that it was easy for Jesus to "pay the price" to free this man from his demons because it wasn’t His pigs… you’re right it wasn’t, but it was His life and His blood that He gave in order to save sinners from the punishment they do deserve!

Jesus is the lover of souls and He proved His love for lost souls by dying for them!

·        But many people don't get it… and the people in this story didn’t get it either…THEY CHASED JESUS AWAY...!

·        This was the shortest short term-outreach in the ministry of Jesus and He did it all to show us how passionate He is about lost souls!

2. Jesus has the POWER to TRANSFORM lost souls!

2.1) MAN’S EFFORTS at transformation falls short…

·        Luk 8:29

·        Trying to change yourself by trying to change your behaviour and your attitude and your speech is like putting a lion on a leish – you may think you are in control, but you’re not!

·        To try and change your behaviour is like apple nailing – it may work for a little while but it won't last!

·        The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation!

If Jesus doesn't change your heart, there is no lasting change!

2.2) All those who need transformation are in Satan’s domain…

·        It is very clear that "legion" was under the domain of Satan – he was possessed by demons – they were in control of him…

·        You get people like that who are openly associating themselves with Satan…!

·        But he wasn’t the only one under the domain of Satan – there was another group of people involved here – the herdsmen and the people (cf. Luk 8:34-35) who came out to saw what Jesus had done to this demon possessed man... They were just as much under the dominion of Satan – they even asked Him to depart from them…!

·        Even very religious people like the Pharisees are under the domain of Satan – Joh 8:44…

·        This is what Jesus’ glorious rescue mission is all about!

·        Listen to Col 1:13-14

Every person without Jesus is in Satan’s domain and needs His mighty power to deliver them!

2.3) NONE are too difficult for Jesus to transform…

·        This encounter makes it clear that even a man with an army of demons in him is no match for Jesus!

·        But we must realize that it takes the same amount of power to rescue a "good sinner" and that it is very often the "good sinners" that are more difficult to reach, humanly speaking, because they don’t think they need Jesus…!

·        They think they are "ok" because they never did anything really bad, they even go to church now and again and they even do their homework, sometimes, and don’t steal from their jobs... that much…

·        Jesus can save even the most self-righteous person there is…! Look at the apostle Paul!

·        Phil 3:7-9

·        Note the complete transformation that Jesus brought about in this man – from begging Jesus to leave him alone and not torment him (v28), to where he sits at Jesus’ feet, being taught by Jesus! (v35)

·        During the time it took these men to run back to town and report what happened and for the people to get there, Jesus was busy teaching this man, discipling him.

·        Steven Cole: "Salvation must be followed by sound doctrine so that the new convert can be transformed through the renewing of his mind."

3. Jesus COMMANDS those whom He transformed to PROCLAIM what He has done for them!

·        When this man asked Jesus if he can come with Him, Jesus says no and commands him to go back to his home and tell everyone what Jesus had done for him,

·        Many Christian struggle with this – I do!

Q: How can we do it?

·        Two very normal things:

3.1) Live or exhibit a transformed life.

·        Live out the change that Jesus has brought about in you.

·        It was very obvious that this man was not the same anymore – he had clothes on!

·        For many it may not be that they were so "radically" lost and therefore the change at first won’t be so obvious, but here is where we should exhibit the change Jesus has made in us:

▪ In our attitudes – having a cheerful and thankful heart in all circumstances…

▪ In our words – encouraging and buidling up other people and not using foul language…

▪ In our behaviour – being a servant and living according to God's values, not the worlds…

If you walk in reality with Jesus as your Lord every day, your life will be a witness.

3.2) Return home and tell what Jesus had done for you.

·        How do you go? In obedience and with zeal…

▪ This man wanted to follow Jesus, but he then submitted himself under Jesus’ command…

▪ He went throughout the whole city to tell what Jesus did…

·        To whom do you go? To your home and the people you already know…

▪ You go to your circle of influence – family and friends – those who knew you before you became a Christian…

▪ Go and live your new life before them and when they ask you why you are so different, then you tell them!

·        What do you say? Tell them your story and the Gospel of God's grace…

▪ Tell them your personal testimony – you should never underestimate the importance of your personal testimony!

▪ Explain the Gospel to them.

▪ Emphasize God's grace! Grace means the God freely gives His salvation to those who deserve His judgement apart from any merit of their own…! He saves people just as they are!

Conclusion:

·        Here are three questions that you need to think about:

1. To what extent are you experiencing the transforming power of Jesus?

2. To what extent are you proclaiming the transforming power of Jesus?

3. Do you see people as Jesus sees them and to you realize the what a soul is worth?

“Jesus & Peter” (Part 8)

FOLLOW ME...!

Joh 21:15-22

Introduction:

·        At the beginning of this study series, we started with the question: What is a Christian?

·        The answer to this question being – Most basically, a Christian is someone who knows and follows Jesus...

·        Christianity truly is all about Jesus… knowing Him and following Him.

·        In all of our studies, we have looked at people who encountered Jesus and how their lives were completely changed by Him.

·        As we come to the end of this series, it leaves you with just one question:

What are you going to do with Jesus?

·        There are just two basic reactions: Either you reject Him of you follow Him...

·        To call yourself a Christian means to be a follower of Jesus – that is you want to become just like Him.

·        It is nothing less than being a disciple of Jesus – a student of Jesus to learn from Him how to live and then to go and life like that!

·        In the Bible, there is no difference between a Christian and a disciple – to be a Christian means that you are a disciple of Jesus and that you are following Him!

·        One preacher comments on the reality that many people today realize that to be "church" doesn’t just mean that to get together in a building once a week, but rather that we should be followers of Jesus.

·        He then makes the following remark: "Where it gets weird is that nowadays there are millions of people on this earth who call themselves followers of Jesus, but their lives look nothing like His, and they’re not obeying the things that He called them to do..."

·        To end of this series, we will then answer just one last question tonight:

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

·        To answer this question, we will look at one last encounter with Jesus, right at the end of the Gospel according to John... the encounter between Jesus and Peter!

·        The context of this encounter is that after Jesus has risen from the dead and has appeared first to the ten disciples, without Thomas, and then again later to the eleven when Thomas was present, we find Peter and six of the other disciples... went fishing...!

·        We can only speculate what Peter was thinking and feeling at this stage...

·        He has denied Jesus three times just a few nights ago, just before Jesus was crucified...

·        Then Jesus rose from the dead!

·        The angel told the women who first discovered that Jesus has risen that they must tell the disciples, and Peter, that He is going ahead of them to Galilee, and that they will see Him there. (cf Mark 16:7)

·        Peter has seen Jesus at least two times already after He has risen, yet there was no significant conversation that is recorded for us between him and Jesus.

·        His denial of Jesus maybe still fresh in his head, he may have felt like a failure as a disciple, so he decides to go fishing – returning to what he was before he started following Jesus.

·        But even here he is met with an even greater frustration – THEY CATCH NOTHING...!

·        He is now even a failure at this as well!

·        That morning Jesus arrives on the shore and tell them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat – they catch 153 fish just there and then!

·        John realizes it is Jesus and tells Peter who can’t wait and swim all the way back to shore...

·        There is an echo of Peter’s initial calling in Luk 5:4-11 in this encounter.

·        There it ended with Jesus calling Peter to follow Him and here in Joh 21, Jesus ends this encounter by restoring Peter to his initial calling namely: FOLLOW ME!

·        Please read Joh 21:15-22...

Study Points:

To follow Jesus means:

1. That you LOVE Him more than anything or anyone else! (v 15-17)

·        We see that Jesus asked Peter the same question three times namely:

"...do you love me...?"

·        The purpose of this question was to help Peter discern if he is truly saved.

·        Just recently he has denied Jesus three times and sinned greatly by doing this, and now he is confronted with this question three times, "...do you love me...?", to finally determine if Peter, in light of this tremendous failure, can truly still believe he is saved...

·        You see, this question brings out the reality whether we truly believe in Jesus or not, because our love for Jesus stands as the proof of our faith in Jesus.

·        Love for Jesus stands as the fruit of someone who has truly been born again, because it is a characteristic that someone who has not been born again cannot have and that will be present in everyone who has been saved!

·        Gal 5:22; 1 Joh 4:7-8

·        This is a simple question that requires a yes or no answer – THERE IS NO INBETWEEN!

·        With the answer to this question, you cannot lie to Jesus, for He knows your heart!

·        Peter’s answer testifies of complete sincerity and a clean conscience in giving the same answer three times – "Yes Lord, you know that I love you..." and Jesus, who knows Peters’ heart, doesn’t question his answer, but each time gives him a command to care for His flock.

It is this sincere answer of Peter that gives him assurance of his salvation, for the reality that there is any love at all in his heart for Jesus, shows that he has received grace...!

·        Phil Newton: "At the heart of it all is that glorious truth that we are saved by grace, that Christ loved us before we ever loved Him, that His love for us is not rooted in our performance. So often when someone struggles with assurance of salvation, they will cast themselves into a frenzy of service and good deeds, hoping that such efforts will merit the love of Christ and gain divine approval. Peter had nothing to offer Jesus Christ after his fall. He was empty and bankrupt of any merit. He could only search the depths of his heart to see if any lingering evidence of grace remained. There it was! The love of Christ born into his heart by the Holy Spirit was still there, so that Peter could say in all honesty, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." Peter was reminded that his acceptance with Jesus Christ was not on his performance but upon the merits of Him who died in his place, who bore his sin in His own body on the cross. He needed the fresh confession of love for Christ to rekindle within him a new sense of assurance of belonging to Christ and being in fellowship with Him."

·        1 Joh 4:19

·        But we need to note the character of this love, because Jesus’ first question was: "...Simon, son of John, do you love me MORE THAN THESE...?"

·        Not primarily in the sense of loving Him more than the others love Him, (how would he be able to judge that...), although this might be a question about the intensity of his love, but rather in the sense of loving Jesus more than he loves these, either these men or these things... it is a question about the priority of his love... (cf. Rev 2:4)

·        To follow Jesus means that you must love Him more than you love anyone or anything else!

·        Mark 12:30; Luk 14:26...

·        To follow Jesus means that there would be no other love in your heart that would be able to conquer or dethrone your love for Jesus!

·        Your love for all other people will be inferior to your love for Jesus...! NO EXCEPTIONS!

2. That you will remain FAITHFUL to Him, no matter what the cost! (v 18-19)

·        Jesus was very honest with Peter and He is very honest with you too – to follow Him will cost you!

·        Jesus is revealing to Peter in which way he would die if he were to follow Him. Jesus didn’t deceive or make any false promises towards Peter...!

·        There is something important to remeber in following Jesus – to follow Jesus is a calculated risk!

·        Luk 14:27+33... it may cost you your life and on the way there, it will cost you your desires, dreams and ambitions...!

·        Your hobbies, entertainment, sport, comfort, reputation, friends – it may cost you all of these things to follow Jesus, but if you are truly a follower of Jesus, you will remain faithful to Him through all of these things.

Q: Why...?

·        Joh 6:66-69 – Jesus alone has the words of eternal life – who else are you going to follow...?

·        Heb 10:32-39 – you know what you have in Him and that those who perservere to the end will be saved...!

·        1 Cor 6:19-20 – you belong to Him! He has bought you with a price so that you may do whatever will glorify Him by following Him wherever He may lead! (cf Rom 14:7-8; Joh 21:19a)

·        Phil 1:19-21 – your desire is to glorify Him in everything – whether in life or in death...!

·        Joh 14:15 – you will life out your love for Him by obeying Him and submitting under His loving leadership – not because you are scared of His punishment, but because you want to please Him and proof your love for Him...!

3. That YOU will follow Him with a SINGLE-MINDED devotion! (v 20-22)

·        When you follow Jesus, you will note and consider other Christians – their examples and where they can build you up and where you can build them up, but you will follow Jesus alone – He will be your focus!

·        Heb 10:24; 12:1-2

·        There is always the danger that we want to measure ourselves against other Christians...

·        Sometimes we even get jealous over the spiritual success that someone else has... (cf. Rom 12:3, 6)

·        Other times we stand guilty of trying to judge each other in everything...

·        At other times we may even cross the line and start meddling in each other’s lives... sticking our fingers in someone else’s pie where our fingers are not supposed to be...

·        Here are some Scriptures to remember concerning these sinful actions: Gal 6:4-5; Rom 14:1-4, 10- 12; Jam 4:11-12 1 Pet 4:15

·        There is a danger that you become so fascinated and focused with other Christians around you in an un-Biblical manner that you do not obey the Lord in what He has given you to do!

·        Peter immediately was concerned with what would happen to John – what would Jesus have him do...

·        Jesus’ answer is meant to stop Peter with being focused on sorting out John and rather focus on obeying Him!

·        Some people are so set on "sorting out" other Christians, they forget that they need to follow Jesus as well.

·        You need to be content in what the Lord in His sovereignty has given you to do. Stop looking around all the time at what God has given other Christians to do and do what He has given you to do. (cf. Eccl 9:10)

·        Be a witness where you are; obey your parents; do your school work and studies and job to glorify Him; read your Bible and spent time in prayer as much as possible – follow Jesus!

·        There is a further thought here that we need to take note off concerning following Jesus with a single minded devotion – to really follow Jesus means that you will do it even if you have to do it alone!

·        As Christians we need to have fellowship with one another – we are interdependent on one another, but we are dependent on Jesus and therefore we should be able to stand on our own if that is what Jesus would require of us! (cf. 2 Tim 4:16-18)

·        We cannot become dependent upon one another for our relationship with Jesus, because then we are not following Jesus with a single minded devotion anymore...

Your obedience to Jesus cannot and may not be on condition of what OTHER people say and think.

·        What you understand His revealed will to be – which we find in the Bible – you must do that, no matter what your friends may say or think about it!

·        We should have the same attitude as Paul had - Acts 20:22-24; 21:10-14 and 2 Tim 4:7-8

Conclusion:

So, I close with the same question I started with: What are you going to do with Jesus?

▪ If you call yourself a Christian, are you busy loving Jesus more than you love anything or anyone else?

▪ If you call yourself a disciple of Jesus, are you busy being faithful to Jesus, no matter what the cost?

▪ If you call yourself a follower of Jesus are you busy following Him with a single minded devotion?

·        If you don't consider yourself a Christian, or disciple or follower of Jesus, know this: Jesus died for our sins on the cross so that He can bring about our forgiveness and grant us a new life in Him! Don’t be foolish and hard headed any longer – come to Jesus so that He may save you from your sin and the penalty you deserve!

·        Jesus’ invitation and command is very simple and clear:

“FOLLOW ME...!”