WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.679 My name is Rudy Gray, and I'm the sorriest member of First Baptist Pickings. 00:00:08.919 --> 00:00:12.160 I have done four interims since we've been here. 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:16.660 Then we went through COVID, and when we were isolated, 00:00:17.059 --> 00:00:20.359 a couple of our grandkids would spend the night with us on Saturday night, 00:00:20.420 --> 00:00:23.460 and we would go upstairs and have family worship. 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:26.780 You might call it the variety hour, 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:30.440 because I would have children's sermons that I'd had over the years, 00:00:30.560 --> 00:00:31.840 some of them on flannel graph. 00:00:32.280 --> 00:00:35.900 They would sit down, and one would pray, and one would read Scripture, 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:38.780 and I'd play the saxophone. 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:40.960 Yeah, that's funny. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:45.079 It really is because I'm a perpetual beginner. 00:00:46.460 --> 00:00:48.340 After we got through with that, we'd give the sermon, 00:00:48.460 --> 00:00:50.260 and we'd have prayer, and then they're good to go. 00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:52.520 But those were such special times for us 00:00:52.520 --> 00:00:56.500 because the family worship like that, it just meant a lot to us, 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:58.439 especially with our grandkids during that time. 00:00:59.899 --> 00:01:03.280 Well, this morning I want to talk to you about something 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:08.599 that's especially important to the church, to a Christian. 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:14.039 Forty years I've prepared messages, 00:01:14.219 --> 00:01:16.420 and if you've prepared messages for 40 years, 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:18.120 and somebody calls you and says, 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:19.500 hey, would you preach for me? 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:21.340 Then you say, oh, sure, because, you know, 00:01:21.379 --> 00:01:23.319 I've got these filing cabinets full of sermons, 00:01:23.319 --> 00:01:25.239 and I just pull out a folder and say, 00:01:25.639 --> 00:01:28.000 now that's one of my sweet ones. 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:29.779 That's one of my special ones. 00:01:29.839 --> 00:01:31.079 I'll pull that out and preach. 00:01:31.839 --> 00:01:34.459 But several weeks ago I developed a brand new sermon. 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:36.359 I never preached it before. 00:01:36.979 --> 00:01:38.819 First time I preached it was a few weeks ago 00:01:38.819 --> 00:01:40.099 at Mount Moriah Baptist, 00:01:40.280 --> 00:01:42.060 and I'm going to be there next Sunday. 00:01:42.699 --> 00:01:43.899 Their pastor has COVID. 00:01:44.119 --> 00:01:46.199 Seven or eight people in their church have it, 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:49.480 and I'm going to preach to an empty auditorium 00:01:49.480 --> 00:01:50.719 with just the praise team, 00:01:51.260 --> 00:01:52.560 just me and the praise team 00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:54.020 and whoever's operating the camera. 00:01:54.820 --> 00:01:56.200 So pray with us about that. 00:01:57.159 --> 00:01:59.340 But if you have your Bibles, 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:02.620 turn with me to Mark chapter eight. 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:05.640 When I prepared this message, 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:07.500 three words captured my attention. 00:02:07.939 --> 00:02:10.180 I want to say that God gave them to me. 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:12.259 I want to say that God moved on my heart, 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:14.459 but if you find that it's no good, 00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:16.399 then you'll know it was all my own doing. 00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:21.899 But it was the word follow, point one, 00:02:22.519 --> 00:02:25.319 the word follower, point two, 00:02:25.959 --> 00:02:29.479 and the word followed, point three. 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:33.719 So I want you to look in Mark chapter eight, verse 34. 00:02:35.519 --> 00:02:38.500 And he summoned the crowd with his disciples 00:02:38.500 --> 00:02:39.899 and said to them, 00:02:39.979 --> 00:02:41.659 if anyone wishes to come after me, 00:02:41.659 --> 00:02:42.840 he must deny himself, 00:02:43.419 --> 00:02:45.560 take up his cross and follow me. 00:02:46.259 --> 00:02:48.599 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, 00:02:48.659 --> 00:02:50.659 but whoever loses his life for my sake 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:53.019 and the gospels will save it. 00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:54.939 For what does it profit a man 00:02:54.939 --> 00:02:56.099 to gain the whole world 00:02:56.099 --> 00:02:58.699 and forfeit his soul? 00:03:00.039 --> 00:03:01.599 In an article entitled, 00:03:01.819 --> 00:03:03.460 The Disciple Driven Church, 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:05.300 the writer made this observation. 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:08.680 The church growth movement has failed. 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:11.740 The church planning movement has failed. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:13.740 The decline in attendance 00:03:13.740 --> 00:03:16.819 in evangelical churches continues. 00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:19.180 He further observed this. 00:03:19.780 --> 00:03:21.360 The church has gone from a movement 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:23.680 that required the total commitment 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:25.640 of its members to the point of death 00:03:25.640 --> 00:03:27.680 to one that literally begs 00:03:28.219 --> 00:03:29.780 for anyone to enter its doors. 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:31.659 The church in America 00:03:31.659 --> 00:03:33.580 is not transforming society, 00:03:33.580 --> 00:03:37.060 but culture is transforming us. 00:03:38.260 --> 00:03:39.620 The great British theologian, 00:03:39.700 --> 00:03:41.080 John R. W. Stott said, 00:03:41.440 --> 00:03:42.600 God is not pleased 00:03:42.600 --> 00:03:44.580 with superficial discipleship. 00:03:46.160 --> 00:03:47.800 And Romans 12, 2 says, 00:03:48.200 --> 00:03:49.480 don't be conformed to this world, 00:03:49.540 --> 00:03:50.620 but be transformed 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:53.740 by the renewing of your mind. 00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:55.660 A disciple is a learner, 00:03:56.220 --> 00:03:56.840 a follower, 00:03:57.480 --> 00:03:58.580 a lifelong person 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:00.900 committed to Jesus Christ. 00:04:00.900 --> 00:04:03.560 And when churches do not make disciples, 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:05.460 we invariably end up 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:08.620 proclaiming a cheap grace. 00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:13.020 We cannot do discipleship. 00:04:13.740 --> 00:04:15.379 We cannot be disciples 00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:18.280 unless we're born again 00:04:18.280 --> 00:04:21.079 and we continue to focus 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:23.819 and follow Jesus Christ. 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:24.980 He's our leader. 00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:27.319 He's the head of the church. 00:04:27.960 --> 00:04:29.399 He's the Lord of our lives. 00:04:29.399 --> 00:04:30.599 He's our hope. 00:04:31.539 --> 00:04:32.399 He's our God. 00:04:33.179 --> 00:04:35.259 And he is the greatest servant leader 00:04:35.259 --> 00:04:36.799 that ever lived. 00:04:39.139 --> 00:04:40.939 Plato, if you remember, 00:04:41.179 --> 00:04:42.799 if you're into the Greek philosophers, 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:44.219 Plato had a disciple 00:04:44.219 --> 00:04:45.379 whose name was Aristotle. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:49.560 And when Rome conquered Greece, 00:04:50.859 --> 00:04:52.839 the philosophy of Aristotle, 00:04:52.979 --> 00:04:55.519 because Aristotle had disciples, 00:04:56.579 --> 00:04:58.579 the philosophy of Aristotle, 00:04:58.579 --> 00:04:59.959 which goes back to Plato, 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:02.339 permeated the Roman Empire 00:05:02.339 --> 00:05:03.139 so much so 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:04.639 that even though Greece was conquered, 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:10.180 then Rome was Hellenized 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:12.019 by the nation they conquered. 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:12.839 Why? 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:16.719 Because Plato had a disciple 00:05:16.719 --> 00:05:19.000 and Aristotle had disciples. 00:05:20.299 --> 00:05:21.799 Disciples of Jesus Christ 00:05:21.799 --> 00:05:22.599 should be making 00:05:22.599 --> 00:05:24.319 a more profound difference 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:25.139 in the world 00:05:25.139 --> 00:05:26.240 than the philosophy 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:27.779 of Plato and Aristotle 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:29.180 in the Roman Empire. 00:05:30.180 --> 00:05:32.199 We follow the King of Kings 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:33.979 and Lord of Lords. 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:36.800 I want you to look first 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:37.699 at this word 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:38.959 that I mentioned before. 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:42.060 The first point is follow. 00:05:44.479 --> 00:05:47.759 It's what every disciple of Jesus 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:49.379 is called to do. 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:50.699 And the word follow, 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:52.839 when we look at the meaning 00:05:52.839 --> 00:05:53.279 of the word 00:05:53.279 --> 00:05:54.079 and we get into it, 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:54.879 the word follow 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:56.099 means to chase 00:05:56.099 --> 00:05:57.199 or pursue. 00:05:57.920 --> 00:05:59.180 So we are to chase 00:05:59.180 --> 00:06:00.079 and pursue after 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:01.479 Jesus and His truth. 00:06:02.519 --> 00:06:03.079 It's something 00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:04.139 that requires commitment 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:04.879 and focus 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:06.240 in order to do. 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:08.980 Jesus said, 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:09.779 here's how you do it. 00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:11.360 It's not like He said, 00:06:11.579 --> 00:06:12.159 do this, 00:06:12.719 --> 00:06:13.199 love me, 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:13.860 follow me, 00:06:13.899 --> 00:06:14.779 and He didn't tell us how. 00:06:14.980 --> 00:06:16.560 He specifically said, 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:17.819 this is what you have to do 00:06:17.819 --> 00:06:19.099 to be a follower of mine. 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:20.500 I want you to look in the text. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:22.620 In Mark 8 and verse 34, 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:24.540 the first one is self-denial. 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:27.840 Absolute and complete commitment. 00:06:29.060 --> 00:06:31.040 A life of self-centeredness, 00:06:31.580 --> 00:06:33.060 a life of selfishness, 00:06:33.400 --> 00:06:34.920 a life of self-focus, 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:35.920 self-fulfillment, 00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:36.980 self-interest 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:38.260 is ruled out 00:06:38.260 --> 00:06:41.460 in order that we might have a life 00:06:41.460 --> 00:06:43.260 that is Christ-focused 00:06:43.260 --> 00:06:45.120 and Christ-centric. 00:06:45.700 --> 00:06:47.040 Matthew 7 and verse 21, 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:47.740 Jesus said, 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:49.280 not everyone who says to me, 00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:49.800 Lord, Lord, 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:50.939 will enter the kingdom of heaven, 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:52.579 but he who does the will of my Father 00:06:52.579 --> 00:06:53.879 who is in heaven. 00:06:54.840 --> 00:06:55.540 Self-denial. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:55.879 He said, 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:57.019 you must deny yourself, 00:06:57.100 --> 00:06:58.160 but what does that look like? 00:06:58.780 --> 00:06:59.019 I mean, 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:00.040 in today's world, 00:07:00.420 --> 00:07:01.819 how do we translate that? 00:07:01.900 --> 00:07:03.040 What does it look like 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:04.620 to deny ourselves? 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:10.120 I came across a poem 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:12.340 by Bill Britton, 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:14.019 and I want to read it to you. 00:07:15.220 --> 00:07:16.079 You got it on the screen? 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:16.800 You got it, okay. 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:19.000 It's a little long. 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:19.860 Can you bear with me? 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:23.100 Maybe. 00:07:23.300 --> 00:07:23.920 Okay, here we go. 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:26.020 When you are forgotten 00:07:26.020 --> 00:07:26.680 or neglected 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:28.400 or purposely set at naught 00:07:28.400 --> 00:07:29.600 and you don't sting 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:30.040 or hurt 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:30.860 with the insult 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:31.800 of the oversight, 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:33.220 but your heart is happy 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:33.840 being counted 00:07:33.840 --> 00:07:35.280 worthy to suffer for Christ, 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:36.199 that is, 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:37.580 dying to self. 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:38.879 When your good 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:39.960 is evil spoken of, 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.199 when your wishes are crossed, 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:42.480 your advice disregarded, 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:44.540 or your opinions ridiculed, 00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:46.480 and you refuse to let anger 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:47.379 rise in your heart 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:48.720 or even to defend yourself, 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:50.300 but take it all in patient, 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:51.360 loving silence, 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:53.240 this is dying to self. 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:54.860 When you lovingly, 00:07:54.960 --> 00:07:56.420 patiently bear any disorder, 00:07:56.580 --> 00:07:57.540 any regularity, 00:07:57.780 --> 00:07:59.060 and impunctuality, 00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:00.060 or any annoyance, 00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:01.379 when you come face to face 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:02.379 with waste, 00:08:02.700 --> 00:08:02.960 folly, 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:03.879 extravagance, 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:05.720 spiritual insensibility, 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:06.520 and endure it 00:08:06.520 --> 00:08:07.620 as Jesus endured it, 00:08:07.940 --> 00:08:09.640 that's dying to self. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:11.140 When you are content 00:08:11.140 --> 00:08:11.960 with any food, 00:08:12.100 --> 00:08:12.620 any offering, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:13.260 any raiment, 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:13.940 any climate, 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:14.780 any society, 00:08:15.320 --> 00:08:16.060 any solitude, 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:16.960 any interruption 00:08:16.960 --> 00:08:18.020 by the will of God, 00:08:18.900 --> 00:08:20.100 that is dying to self. 00:08:21.020 --> 00:08:22.040 When you never refer 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:23.440 to yourself in conversation 00:08:23.440 --> 00:08:24.220 or to record 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:25.280 your own good works 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:27.280 or itch after commendation, 00:08:27.400 --> 00:08:28.620 when you can truly love 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:30.500 to go unknown, 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:31.880 that is dying to self. 00:08:32.560 --> 00:08:33.340 When you can see 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:34.300 your brother or sister 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:35.579 have his or her needs met 00:08:35.579 --> 00:08:36.579 and can honestly rejoice 00:08:36.579 --> 00:08:37.159 in spirit 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:38.620 and can feel no envy, 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:39.719 no question God, 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:40.959 while your own needs 00:08:40.959 --> 00:08:41.620 are far greater 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:42.500 and in more desperate 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:43.259 circumstances, 00:08:43.479 --> 00:08:45.240 that is dying to self. 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:46.899 When you can receive 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:48.000 correction and reproof 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:49.079 for one of less stature 00:08:49.079 --> 00:08:49.679 than yourself 00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:51.019 and can humbly submit 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:52.459 inwardly as well as outwardly, 00:08:52.699 --> 00:08:53.679 finding no rebellion 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:54.339 or resentment 00:08:54.339 --> 00:08:55.979 rising up within your heart, 00:08:56.079 --> 00:08:58.779 that is dying to self. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:00.759 Jesus said 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:02.819 that we are 00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:04.840 to deny 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:05.960 ourselves. 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:06.900 That's what 00:09:06.900 --> 00:09:07.800 we do 00:09:07.800 --> 00:09:08.760 when we follow Jesus. 00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:09.580 We deny ourselves. 00:09:09.700 --> 00:09:10.600 The second thing is 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:12.360 to bear the cross. 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:13.180 Notice what he says 00:09:13.180 --> 00:09:13.740 in the text. 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:14.940 If anyone wishes 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:15.700 to come after me, 00:09:15.760 --> 00:09:16.620 let him deny himself 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:17.480 and take up 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:18.320 his cross. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:19.940 That's been 00:09:19.940 --> 00:09:21.120 misinterpreted a lot. 00:09:21.820 --> 00:09:22.180 Some people 00:09:22.180 --> 00:09:23.000 will talk about this, 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:24.360 oh, that's my cross 00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:25.260 I have to bear. 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:26.620 And they talk about 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:27.540 an illness they have, 00:09:27.580 --> 00:09:28.480 a condition they have, 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:29.280 someone they have 00:09:29.280 --> 00:09:29.900 to care for 00:09:29.900 --> 00:09:31.060 or circumstances 00:09:31.060 --> 00:09:31.800 they're in. 00:09:31.799 --> 00:09:33.379 That's not the cross. 00:09:34.319 --> 00:09:35.479 And then other people say 00:09:35.479 --> 00:09:36.299 I'm going to carry 00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:37.099 the cross of Jesus. 00:09:37.319 --> 00:09:38.439 No, you can't. 00:09:39.319 --> 00:09:40.519 That one's already taken 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:41.740 and there was only one person 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:43.099 that could carry that cross. 00:09:44.099 --> 00:09:44.979 But what it says, 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:45.899 let him take up 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:47.259 his cross. 00:09:47.659 --> 00:09:49.000 And there's no question, 00:09:49.099 --> 00:09:49.799 there's no doubt 00:09:49.799 --> 00:09:50.459 that in the 00:09:50.459 --> 00:09:52.039 New Testament world 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:53.979 when they said cross, 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:54.859 what they meant 00:09:54.859 --> 00:09:55.979 was an instrument 00:09:55.979 --> 00:09:57.059 of execution. 00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:58.379 In other words, 00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:59.580 when you take up 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:00.259 your cross, 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:01.439 you are committed 00:10:01.439 --> 00:10:02.080 to something 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:02.919 to the point 00:10:02.919 --> 00:10:04.299 of death. 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:06.899 And that's what 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:07.559 Jesus meant. 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:09.960 The cross 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:11.080 was an instrument 00:10:11.080 --> 00:10:13.080 of capital punishment. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:16.000 The new 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:17.360 Greek international 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:18.000 commentary 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:19.720 said the phrase 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:20.860 is used literally 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:21.639 of carrying 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:22.879 one's cross 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:24.299 to the place 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:25.360 of execution. 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:27.039 and it's a daily 00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:28.019 experience. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:29.340 Not a one-time 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:29.940 experience, 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:31.680 but every day 00:10:31.680 --> 00:10:33.000 we pick up 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:33.500 our cross, 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.240 our commitment 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:34.820 to Christ 00:10:34.820 --> 00:10:35.399 to the point 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:35.860 of death 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:36.840 and we walk. 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.080 Deny ourselves, 00:10:40.180 --> 00:10:40.680 take up 00:10:40.680 --> 00:10:41.759 our cross 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:43.320 and then follow 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:44.159 Christ. 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:45.860 I'm not a 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:46.680 Greek grammarian 00:10:46.680 --> 00:10:47.779 or a Greek scholar 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:48.940 but I own 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:50.220 shelves of books 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:51.360 by people who are. 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:53.620 So when I studied 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.300 this passage, 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.060 I realized 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:55.539 that this is 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:56.059 a present 00:10:56.059 --> 00:10:56.899 tense verb 00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:57.619 that's in the 00:10:57.619 --> 00:10:58.119 imperative 00:10:58.119 --> 00:10:58.959 which means 00:10:58.959 --> 00:11:00.299 it is a commandment 00:11:00.299 --> 00:11:01.659 to keep on doing, 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:02.859 keep on doing, 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:04.479 keep on doing. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:05.959 We sing 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:07.519 wherever he leads, 00:11:08.359 --> 00:11:08.979 I'll go. 00:11:10.599 --> 00:11:11.939 But far too often 00:11:11.939 --> 00:11:12.839 we don't mean 00:11:12.839 --> 00:11:13.519 a word of it 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:15.139 when we sing it. 00:11:16.699 --> 00:11:17.859 We're called 00:11:17.859 --> 00:11:19.000 to live the life 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:19.919 of love. 00:11:20.679 --> 00:11:22.259 Not a feeling 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:23.399 that rises up 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:24.379 inside of us 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:25.740 not something 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:26.480 the culture 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.720 has defined 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:28.480 for us 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:29.759 but love 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:31.059 as exhibited 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:32.639 and explained 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:35.600 in Jesus Christ 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:37.059 and his word. 00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:38.859 in fact, 00:11:39.319 --> 00:11:40.439 1 John 4, 19 00:11:40.439 --> 00:11:41.779 says we love 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:43.219 because he first 00:11:43.219 --> 00:11:44.939 loved us. 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:46.699 Follow. 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:47.879 That's what we're 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:48.459 called to do. 00:11:49.459 --> 00:11:50.439 Deny ourselves. 00:11:50.979 --> 00:11:52.079 Take up our cross 00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:55.019 and follow him. 00:11:55.979 --> 00:11:56.899 The second thing 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:58.119 is follower. 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:00.559 It is who a disciple is. 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:02.299 If you are a Christian, 00:12:02.439 --> 00:12:03.579 if you are born again, 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:04.959 you are a follower 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:06.160 follower of Jesus 00:12:06.160 --> 00:12:07.060 and part of that word 00:12:07.060 --> 00:12:08.360 disciple means to follow, 00:12:08.660 --> 00:12:09.180 means to learn 00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:09.620 and follow. 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:13.740 If you and I 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:14.440 and we do 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:15.420 and we for many, 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:16.900 many years 00:12:16.900 --> 00:12:18.740 across centuries, 00:12:19.540 --> 00:12:20.860 when we have a relationship 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.340 with Christ, 00:12:21.420 --> 00:12:22.480 we call ourselves what? 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:28.700 Christian. 00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:29.139 Thank you. 00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:29.720 Christian. 00:12:29.900 --> 00:12:30.200 Christian. 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:30.780 Do you know 00:12:30.780 --> 00:12:31.460 the word Christian 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:32.160 is only mentioned 00:12:32.160 --> 00:12:33.320 three times in the Bible? 00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:34.740 Three times 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:36.500 and in every situation 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:38.680 it seems that it's used 00:12:38.680 --> 00:12:40.020 as a term of derision, 00:12:40.420 --> 00:12:41.200 little Christ. 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:42.840 Used to put them down. 00:12:43.060 --> 00:12:44.240 But the term follower 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.080 or disciple 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:47.000 is used nearly 300 times 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:48.100 in the New Testament. 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:50.800 Imagine if you and I 00:12:50.800 --> 00:12:52.259 are talking to someone 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.820 and they say, 00:12:53.940 --> 00:12:54.080 well, 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:54.860 tell me something 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:55.440 about yourself 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:55.920 and you say, 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:56.220 well, 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:58.740 I'm a follower of Jesus. 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:00.620 What do you think 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.240 they're going to think? 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:02.600 That you're a nut? 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.159 Maybe. 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:07.139 But if you say, 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:09.159 I'm a follower of Jesus 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.659 and they have enough 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:13.279 respect for you, 00:13:13.560 --> 00:13:13.759 they'll say, 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:14.680 what does that mean? 00:13:15.340 --> 00:13:16.120 Then you get to share 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:16.940 the gospel with them. 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:17.580 If you say, 00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:18.259 I'm a Christian, 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:19.779 they just kind of like 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:21.200 water off a duck's back. 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:22.220 It just rolls off. 00:13:23.220 --> 00:13:24.560 We are followers 00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:26.399 of Jesus Christ 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.779 and that means four things. 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:30.980 A follower of Jesus Christ 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.700 is a person 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:34.180 who is more than a crowd. 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:37.060 More than a crowd. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.460 In Matthew chapter 8 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.159 and verse 1, 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:40.620 when he came down 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.159 from the mountain, 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.960 great multitudes 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:44.080 followed him. 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:45.039 But here's the question. 00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:46.720 Were they all disciples? 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:48.480 When he came down 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:49.080 from the mountain, 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:50.700 great multitudes 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:51.259 followed him 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:53.000 and even in Mark 8 here, 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.399 he said with the crowd 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.220 and his disciples, 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:58.080 once Jesus got his momentum 00:13:58.080 --> 00:13:58.900 on this earth, 00:13:59.080 --> 00:13:59.660 there was always 00:13:59.660 --> 00:14:00.600 a crowd around him. 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:02.060 Were they disciples? 00:14:03.540 --> 00:14:04.420 And the answer is no, 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.520 they weren't 00:14:05.520 --> 00:14:07.400 because they didn't 00:14:07.400 --> 00:14:08.160 follow him. 00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:09.540 In fact, 00:14:09.680 --> 00:14:10.720 they even turned on him. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:12.000 In Matthew 27 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.740 and verse 22, 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:13.720 Pilate said to them, 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:14.700 that is the crowd 00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:15.340 of the multitude, 00:14:16.420 --> 00:14:17.280 what shall I do 00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:17.900 with Jesus 00:14:17.900 --> 00:14:18.960 who is called the Christ? 00:14:19.040 --> 00:14:20.379 And they all said, 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.580 crucify him. 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:22.600 You remember 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.379 what many days 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.080 removed from that 00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:24.780 when he came 00:14:24.780 --> 00:14:25.520 into Jerusalem 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:26.259 and the crowds 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.100 lined the street 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:28.019 and they praised him 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.860 and now 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:30.840 some of the same people 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.399 are saying, 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.620 crucify him. 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:35.579 A disciple is more 00:14:35.579 --> 00:14:37.179 than part of a crowd 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:39.600 and crowd mentality 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:42.120 is a dangerous thing. 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:44.159 Do you remember 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:47.120 1977, 1978, 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:48.799 there was a man 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:50.220 named Jim Jones. 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:51.199 Does anybody 00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:51.960 remember that? 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:55.019 He started out 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.800 in either Indiana 00:14:55.800 --> 00:14:56.540 or Illinois 00:14:56.540 --> 00:14:57.220 and he moved 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:58.720 to California 00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:00.120 and he started 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:00.800 something called 00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:01.680 a People's Temple 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:04.160 and he gained 00:15:04.160 --> 00:15:05.620 the support 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.840 of local politicians 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:08.660 and even state politicians 00:15:08.660 --> 00:15:09.600 and even 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:11.240 some in Congress 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:13.680 and he had 00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:15.420 followers, 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.139 lots of followers 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:18.320 and they were 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:19.139 brainwashed 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:20.759 and the man 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:22.019 became so enamored 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:23.059 with his own power 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:24.480 that he began 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:25.539 to ask people 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.220 to call him 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:26.819 Father. 00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:29.100 He implied to them 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:30.059 that he was 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:31.179 God. 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:32.779 He performed 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.919 phony miracles. 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.899 One that is 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:36.799 noted, 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:38.299 is certified, 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:39.539 is he 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.679 purportedly 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:41.659 removed 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:42.819 a cancerous tumor 00:15:42.819 --> 00:15:44.419 from somebody's side 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:46.500 behind this sheet 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.659 and he had 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:49.500 his assistants 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.179 helping him 00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:50.919 and what they 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:51.700 found out later 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:52.600 was he took 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.360 a bloody chicken 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:53.679 liver 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:55.779 and put it 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.279 on the side 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:56.700 of the person 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:57.299 and pulled it 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:57.659 out 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:59.039 and the person 00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.299 said, 00:15:59.399 --> 00:15:59.779 I'm healed 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.360 and he held 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:00.879 up the chicken 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.120 liver 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:01.539 and threw it 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:01.860 away. 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:03.620 False prophet. 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.480 When things 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.059 got hot in 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:06.519 California, 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.080 he moved 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.720 down to 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:09.159 South America 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:11.440 and created 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:12.600 a place 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.139 in Guyana 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:13.580 called 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.320 Jonestown. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:16.780 Congressman 00:16:16.780 --> 00:16:17.520 Leo Ryan 00:16:17.520 --> 00:16:17.879 and some 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:18.400 other people 00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:18.700 on the 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.120 delegation, 00:16:19.260 --> 00:16:19.520 they heard 00:16:19.520 --> 00:16:19.960 so many 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:20.520 reports of 00:16:20.520 --> 00:16:20.820 abuse, 00:16:20.920 --> 00:16:21.220 they flew 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:21.600 down there 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:21.860 to see 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.180 what was 00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:22.820 going on 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:23.760 and the 00:16:23.760 --> 00:16:24.240 result of 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:24.780 that is 00:16:24.780 --> 00:16:25.560 the congressman 00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:26.200 was killed, 00:16:26.760 --> 00:16:27.260 many other 00:16:27.260 --> 00:16:28.400 people and 00:16:28.400 --> 00:16:29.000 by the end 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.680 of the time, 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:31.400 918 people 00:16:31.400 --> 00:16:32.200 either were 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:33.220 shot or 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:34.140 committed suicide 00:16:34.140 --> 00:16:35.100 including Jones 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.620 himself. 00:16:37.060 --> 00:16:37.760 He was a 00:16:37.760 --> 00:16:38.360 false prophet. 00:16:39.780 --> 00:16:40.340 Jonestown 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.480 was a false 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.340 coalition of 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.640 people. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:44.480 They found 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.279 themselves not 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.139 following Jesus 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:47.059 but following a 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.600 man and they 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.240 found themselves 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.860 following a 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.539 man that was 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:50.319 not only 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:51.559 deluded but 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:52.519 was himself 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.539 evil. 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.879 But it was 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.419 a crowd 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:57.340 and crowd 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.419 mentality is 00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:58.980 dangerous. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:16:59.740 J. 00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:00.000 Vernon 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.460 McGee and 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:00.759 what I'm 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.139 going to read 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:01.399 to you, 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.039 he wrote 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.080 about 25 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:03.659 or 30 00:17:03.659 --> 00:17:04.460 years ago. 00:17:05.379 --> 00:17:05.819 He said, 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:06.700 freedom is 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.379 not following 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:07.879 a multitude 00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:08.680 to do evil. 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:09.639 If we were 00:17:09.639 --> 00:17:10.000 to follow 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.940 God's precept, 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.400 it would put 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:11.799 us out of 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.480 the marching, 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:13.579 protesting, 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.700 and rioting 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.419 business. 00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:18.759 Because it's 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.119 not the 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.519 crowd, 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.220 it's 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.960 disciples, 00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:23.319 it's people 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.119 who follow 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.039 Jesus and 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.619 it's one 00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.220 by one, 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:26.680 a change 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.039 of heart, 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:27.440 a change 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:27.740 of heart, 00:17:27.899 --> 00:17:28.279 a change 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:28.579 of heart 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.440 that continues 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.259 to deny 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:30.779 self and 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.299 take up the 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:32.519 cross and 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.159 follow him. 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:34.779 It's a 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.200 person that's 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:35.599 more than a 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:35.919 crowd. 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:36.940 But a 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.659 disciple is 00:17:37.659 --> 00:17:38.299 someone who 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:38.899 believes, 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.559 not just 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.319 reacts. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:42.359 I've 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:42.740 seen it 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:44.099 in my 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.460 ministry 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:44.859 through the 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:45.240 years. 00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:45.619 There are 00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:46.039 people that 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:46.399 will come 00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:46.659 to a 00:17:46.659 --> 00:17:46.960 service, 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:47.379 maybe the 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:47.839 music is 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.319 just right, 00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:48.700 maybe the 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.179 preaching is 00:17:49.179 --> 00:17:49.879 real strong, 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.359 maybe there's 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:50.819 an emotional 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.240 appeal, 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:52.519 and somebody 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.960 will respond, 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.200 and they'll 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.519 get all 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.019 excited, 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.539 and they 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:57.980 burn out 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.359 quickly, 00:17:59.159 --> 00:17:59.659 and you 00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:00.039 don't see 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:00.480 them again. 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:03.500 Matthew 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:03.839 8 and 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.559 verse 19, 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.339 Scripture 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:05.839 says, 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.819 a certain 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.599 scribe came 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.039 to him and 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.220 said, 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:08.539 Teacher, 00:18:08.699 --> 00:18:09.179 I will 00:18:09.179 --> 00:18:09.859 follow you 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.559 wherever you 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:10.879 go. 00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:11.919 Now, 00:18:11.959 --> 00:18:12.159 if you'll 00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:12.699 notice something 00:18:12.699 --> 00:18:13.099 in that, 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:13.720 this is a 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:13.879 guy, 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.399 Jesus is 00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:15.039 walking along 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.500 the road, 00:18:15.699 --> 00:18:15.980 and there's 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.339 a crowd, 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:16.799 and he 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.240 comes by 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.679 this guy, 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:17.879 and he 00:18:17.879 --> 00:18:18.079 says, 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.480 Teacher, 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:18.919 I'll follow 00:18:18.919 --> 00:18:19.339 you wherever 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:19.759 you go. 00:18:19.919 --> 00:18:20.179 Jesus 00:18:20.179 --> 00:18:20.639 didn't even 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.139 call him. 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.119 He 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:23.740 volunteered. 00:18:24.959 --> 00:18:25.399 I'll 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:25.819 follow you 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:26.299 wherever you 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:26.399 go. 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.480 He reacted. 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.319 He wasn't 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.019 committed to, 00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.740 but he was 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.720 reacting to 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:33.759 something inside 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:35.220 of himself. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:36.980 In fact, 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:37.619 Jesus would 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:38.079 tell that 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:38.439 man, 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:39.679 in verse 00:18:39.679 --> 00:18:40.019 20, 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:40.639 the foxes 00:18:40.639 --> 00:18:41.159 have holes 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:41.439 and the 00:18:41.439 --> 00:18:41.779 birds of 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.059 the air 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.519 have nests, 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.079 but the 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.379 Son of 00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:43.740 Man has 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.240 nowhere to 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.559 lay his 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:44.799 head. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.459 It was 00:18:45.459 --> 00:18:45.939 like Jesus 00:18:45.939 --> 00:18:46.419 was saying, 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:46.639 look, 00:18:46.699 --> 00:18:46.959 you don't 00:18:46.959 --> 00:18:47.319 know what 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:47.619 you're getting 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:47.919 into. 00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:49.159 You don't 00:18:49.159 --> 00:18:49.659 know what 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:50.159 it means to 00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:50.699 follow me. 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.500 You've just 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.139 volunteered for 00:18:52.139 --> 00:18:52.619 something that 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.119 you have no 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:53.859 idea what 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:54.379 it's about. 00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:58.939 And you 00:18:58.939 --> 00:18:59.459 notice something 00:18:59.459 --> 00:19:00.019 else about 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:00.559 this when 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.759 this person 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.379 volunteered. 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.799 Jesus didn't 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.359 jump up and 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:04.839 down and say, 00:19:04.959 --> 00:19:05.079 oh, 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.399 goody, 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:05.819 I've got 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.700 another one 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.019 in my 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:07.379 group. 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.399 He didn't 00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:09.960 say that. 00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:11.259 He said, 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:11.519 you better 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.019 watch it. 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.179 Do you 00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:13.419 know what 00:19:13.419 --> 00:19:13.740 you're getting 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.179 in for? 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.299 I don't 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.740 even have a 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.159 place to 00:19:16.159 --> 00:19:16.859 sleep tonight. 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:18.960 Disciple is 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.480 someone who 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.039 believes, 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.019 not just 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.559 reacts. 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:22.899 And then it's 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.619 a witness who 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:25.039 realizes dangers 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.679 occur. 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:27.079 It's dangerous 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:28.500 to be a 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.599 follower of 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:29.919 Jesus. 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.519 You will get 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.299 your feelings 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:32.720 hurt. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.279 You will be 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:34.939 misunderstood. 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:36.539 You will 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.320 be persecuted 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:38.100 for something 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:38.580 that you 00:19:38.580 --> 00:19:39.160 didn't even 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:39.640 know you 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.000 did. 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:40.640 You will 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.360 be lied 00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:43.880 about if 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:44.279 you follow 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:44.820 Jesus. 00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:48.299 The 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:48.700 disciples 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.840 learned this. 00:19:50.580 --> 00:19:51.360 They learned 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:52.380 their dangers 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:52.980 in following 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.400 Jesus. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.220 Here's one of 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:54.660 the ways they 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.100 learned it. 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:55.779 Back in 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.400 Matthew chapter 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:56.880 8 and verse 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:57.380 23, 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:58.840 he got into 00:19:58.840 --> 00:19:59.480 the boat and 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.000 the disciples 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.600 followed him. 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:00.939 they did 00:20:00.939 --> 00:20:01.359 not know 00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:01.740 what was 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.599 coming but 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:03.039 a sea 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:03.319 quake 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:03.980 occurred. 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:04.699 A lay 00:20:04.699 --> 00:20:05.199 lapse and 00:20:05.199 --> 00:20:05.500 it says 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.079 and they 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.619 were very 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:06.959 afraid. 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.399 Here they 00:20:07.399 --> 00:20:08.139 are sailing 00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:08.579 out on the 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:08.859 sea of 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:09.319 Galilee. 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.259 Everything's 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:10.759 going good. 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.459 Jesus is 00:20:11.459 --> 00:20:11.980 asleep in 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.299 the stern 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:12.519 of the 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:12.779 boat. 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:13.839 This 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.839 terrible storm 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:15.559 comes up and 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:15.980 some of these 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.539 experienced 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.359 fishermen are 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:17.759 afraid. 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.119 They said 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:18.579 Lord we 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:20.099 perish unless 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:20.579 you help 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:20.679 them. 00:20:20.719 --> 00:20:20.939 So they 00:20:20.939 --> 00:20:21.279 woke them 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:21.399 up. 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:22.139 Jesus woke 00:20:22.139 --> 00:20:22.519 up. 00:20:23.139 --> 00:20:23.299 You know 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:23.740 I often 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.139 wonder how 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:24.419 could he 00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:24.819 sleep through 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.379 a storm like 00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:25.659 that? 00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:26.939 Because he's 00:20:26.939 --> 00:20:27.259 God. 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.719 He is the 00:20:28.719 --> 00:20:29.539 embodiment of 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.299 perfect peace. 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.839 So he gets 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:33.139 up and he 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:33.779 says to the 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:35.500 wind stop and 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.180 he says to the 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:37.639 sea be still and 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.019 now they're 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.619 sailing on 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:40.799 mirror water and 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.599 there's no wind. 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.200 It was a 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.819 miracle but then 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.399 he turned and 00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:44.940 he looked to his 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.680 disciples and he 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.559 said why are 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:48.240 you timid ye 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.819 men of little 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:50.379 faith? 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.740 They were his 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.519 chosen disciples. 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:53.839 They would 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.319 grow. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.319 They would 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:55.960 change. 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.559 They would 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.559 continue being 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.440 disciples and 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:58.920 growing and 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.180 growing. 00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:00.680 until as far 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.220 as we know 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.140 all of them 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:04.120 died, were 00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.820 martyred for 00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:07.080 their faith, for 00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:08.820 following Jesus. 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.620 A witness who 00:21:10.620 --> 00:21:12.279 realizes this 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:12.660 danger. 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.539 But then the 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.400 fourth thing is a 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:15.740 believer who is 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.799 growing in faith. 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.420 You look at the 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:20.039 life of Jesus and 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:21.000 he finally comes to 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.539 that place where 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.200 he's arrested, 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:23.900 goes to the 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:24.480 mockery of a 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:24.860 trial. 00:21:25.560 --> 00:21:26.180 They find him 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.500 guilty. 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.340 They sentence 00:21:27.340 --> 00:21:27.680 him to 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.259 execution. 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:30.720 He dies on 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.279 the cross. 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:32.420 They thought 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:32.839 they killed 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.200 him but it 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:33.500 was a 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.140 predetermined 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:34.539 plan of 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.099 God that he 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:35.619 died in our 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.339 place for our 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:36.740 sins. 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:38.799 Put him in a 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:39.279 grave and he 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:39.819 rose from the 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.319 dead and then 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:40.819 he appeared to 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.559 the disciples and 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.339 then move forward 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.200 in the scene and 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.099 Peter and some of 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:44.879 the others go out 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.779 fishing one morning 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:47.759 and they look just 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.940 on the shore and 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.700 they see a figure 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:51.259 and Peter realizes 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.480 it's Jesus. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.859 And he said it's 00:21:53.859 --> 00:21:54.879 the master and he 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.720 jumps in the water 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.579 and goes to Jesus 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.199 and sits there. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.079 Jesus made 00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:59.000 breakfast for them 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:01.259 and after breakfast 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:03.139 Jesus asked Simon 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:03.639 Peter three 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.139 questions. 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.119 I think it makes 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.819 a difference in 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.720 the Greek because 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.879 there are two 00:22:08.879 --> 00:22:09.339 different Greek 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:10.019 words in play 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:10.319 here. 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:12.500 Jesus said Simon 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.220 do you love me? 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:13.919 And he used that 00:22:13.919 --> 00:22:14.439 word agape. 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:16.000 Simon do you love 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.119 me? 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.119 Simon Peter answered 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:17.819 and said Lord you 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:20.240 know I have great 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.039 affection for you. 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.339 Jesus said then 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:22.899 take care of my 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:23.059 sheep. 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:24.779 Second time Jesus 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.960 said do you love me? 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:27.299 Do you agape me? 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.000 Simon Peter said 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.779 Lord you know I 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.180 have a great 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:29.960 affection for you. 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:31.180 He said well take 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:31.700 care of my sheep. 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.940 The third time Jesus 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.920 said Peter do you 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:34.400 have a great 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:35.299 affection for me? 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.740 And Peter said 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.299 Lord you know. 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:39.799 He said then 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.539 tend my sheep. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:44.079 Now after that 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:47.079 Jesus has some 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:48.180 tough news for 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:48.440 Peter. 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.240 He told him 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.759 Peter this is how 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.400 you're going to die. 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.440 You're going to die 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:55.140 following me. 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:56.320 This is what they're 00:22:56.320 --> 00:22:57.120 going to do to you. 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.320 They're going to 00:22:58.320 --> 00:22:59.060 crucify you. 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.480 You're going to die 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.120 following me. 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:02.340 That's hard news. 00:23:03.020 --> 00:23:04.000 That's tough news to 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.280 get. 00:23:04.780 --> 00:23:05.640 What was his future 00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:05.960 like? 00:23:06.020 --> 00:23:06.440 He knew he was going 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.200 to die for Jesus. 00:23:07.780 --> 00:23:08.700 He just got some 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:10.560 really bad news. 00:23:11.100 --> 00:23:12.000 And then Jesus said 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.400 to Peter follow me. 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:17.020 And Peter still 00:23:17.020 --> 00:23:18.000 hasn't grown to the 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.640 point that he would 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.380 grow one day. 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:21.420 He says looking at 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:23.360 John Lord what about 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:23.959 that man? 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.979 Doesn't that sound 00:23:25.979 --> 00:23:26.839 like us? 00:23:28.479 --> 00:23:29.119 There's some bad 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:30.079 things happen to us 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:30.879 and we may pray to 00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:31.500 God and say what 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.159 about him? 00:23:32.219 --> 00:23:33.439 He's worse than I am. 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:38.000 Jesus' answer is 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:40.039 well it's perfect. 00:23:40.979 --> 00:23:42.359 Jesus said to Peter 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:43.939 if I want him to 00:23:43.939 --> 00:23:45.279 remain until I come 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:47.159 what is that to you? 00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:48.819 Follow me. 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:50.919 It's not what's 00:23:50.919 --> 00:23:51.939 happening to somebody 00:23:51.939 --> 00:23:53.179 else that determines 00:23:53.179 --> 00:23:54.419 our relationship with 00:23:54.419 --> 00:23:54.859 God. 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.539 It's the quality of 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:58.279 our following him 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.200 ourselves. 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:05.079 Followers of Jesus. 00:24:06.439 --> 00:24:07.339 That's what we're 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:07.799 called to be. 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:08.439 And the last thing I 00:24:08.439 --> 00:24:09.299 want you to see is 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:09.980 followed. 00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.759 If I weren't a 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.599 Baptist I'd get 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.879 excited about this 00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.220 verse. 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.319 The most forgotten 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.799 verse is the 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.460 probably in the 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:19.940 whole book of 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.220 Psalms. 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.659 Certainly in 00:24:20.659 --> 00:24:21.259 Psalm 23 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.059 verse 6. 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:23.980 Surely or only 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:25.019 goodness and 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.579 loving kindness 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:27.139 mercy will follow 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:28.099 me all the days of 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:29.940 my life and I 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.700 will dwell in the 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.539 house of the Lord 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.539 forever. 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.039 The older 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.119 theologians used 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:36.099 to call this 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.339 loving kindness 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.440 or goodness and 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:38.759 mercy. 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.960 They used to call 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.919 that the hounds 00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:41.480 of heaven. 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.399 And he says 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:43.319 will follow me. 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.240 Same emphasis 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.659 of the word. 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.659 Will chase after 00:24:45.659 --> 00:24:45.980 me. 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.919 Will hunt me 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.380 down. 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.900 That's for us who 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.519 follow Jesus. 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.560 Something's following 00:24:51.560 --> 00:24:52.000 us. 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.980 And God's put on 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.660 our trail 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:57.779 goodness and 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.160 mercy. 00:24:58.840 --> 00:24:59.580 We don't usually 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:01.080 see it until we 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:02.259 look back but it's 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.759 always following 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.279 us. 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:06.480 It's a promise we 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:06.960 can believe. 00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:08.160 Goodness supplies our 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:08.640 needs. 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.080 And loving kindness 00:25:11.080 --> 00:25:13.259 or mercy blots out 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.840 our sins. 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:15.819 They follow us. 00:25:16.399 --> 00:25:17.099 That's comforting. 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.919 That's encouraging. 00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:20.539 That's helpful to 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.500 know that whatever 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.279 I'm going through or 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:23.179 whatever I'm facing 00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:24.419 whatever turn the 00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:25.579 road takes in life 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.240 that I'm traveling 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.500 behind me following 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.939 on my trail pursuing 00:25:28.939 --> 00:25:31.939 me chasing after me 00:25:31.939 --> 00:25:35.740 is goodness and 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.039 mercy. 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:39.399 I asked Brian if he 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:40.500 would sing that song 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.339 Angels from the 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:42.759 Realm of Glory this 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.079 morning. 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:43.980 You might wonder 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.480 why are we singing 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.259 a Christmas song and 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.700 it's not even 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.160 December? 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.180 Well I asked him 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:47.339 to. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.200 And the reason I 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:51.359 did is because I 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:53.220 think there's a 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.400 story that illustrates 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:56.619 Psalm 23 6 very 00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:56.980 good. 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.920 There was a man who 00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:00.299 lived in the 1800s. 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:01.519 He died in 1864. 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.059 His name is a 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.720 British journalist 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.460 named James 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.079 Montgomery. 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.420 His parents were 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.500 Moravian missionaries. 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.180 They died on the 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.400 mission field and as a 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:11.839 result he ended up 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.759 going from house to 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.279 house sometimes 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.139 living on the street 00:26:14.139 --> 00:26:15.059 sometimes homeless. 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:17.259 At 21 he was a 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.079 failure at school. 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.379 He kept trying to 00:26:19.379 --> 00:26:19.779 keep failing. 00:26:19.899 --> 00:26:21.079 At 21 he got a job 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:22.059 at a radical 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.639 newspaper. 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.259 I think that's what 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:24.899 happened to people 00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:25.720 that can't get a job 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.319 anywhere else. 00:26:26.439 --> 00:26:27.159 They get a job with 00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:27.980 the Baptist Courier 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.039 or newspaper or 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.299 something. 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:32.059 But he got a job at 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.859 a radical newspaper 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.679 called the Sheffield 00:26:33.679 --> 00:26:34.199 Register. 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:35.859 Under pressure the 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:36.679 editor sold the 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:37.779 paper to Montgomery. 00:26:37.919 --> 00:26:39.319 He somehow got 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.019 enough money together 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.460 and bought the 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:40.720 paper. 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:43.420 At 23 he was 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.940 fined $100 and 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:45.559 sentenced to three 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.660 months in jail for 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.339 his writings. 00:26:48.379 --> 00:26:49.339 Radical writings. 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:49.940 And they were 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.839 radical because they 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.740 were so Christian. 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.759 At age 25 he was 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:56.379 fined $150 and 00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:57.119 sentenced to six 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:58.200 months in prison. 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.079 And during those 00:26:59.079 --> 00:27:00.139 six months in prison 00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:01.480 he started writing a 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:01.740 book. 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.299 He called it, 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:04.639 he called his book 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:06.000 Prison Amusements 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:07.879 and had it published. 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:09.240 And when he got 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:10.280 out of prison to 00:27:10.280 --> 00:27:11.820 his surprise the 00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:12.360 book was a 00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:12.860 bestseller. 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.120 The newspaper 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:16.620 circulation was the 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:17.260 highest it had ever 00:27:17.260 --> 00:27:18.580 been and he had 00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:19.600 become a celebrity. 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:22.640 He said I almost 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:23.740 wrote the judge who 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.640 sentenced me a 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:25.760 thank you note for 00:27:25.760 --> 00:27:26.580 sending me to prison. 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:32.260 He grew stronger and 00:27:32.260 --> 00:27:33.500 stronger in his 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.320 Christian faith. 00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:35.880 By the age of 40 00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.960 it's written of him 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.960 that he was the 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.980 leading citizen in 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.440 Sheffield. 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.720 He was recognized 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.420 even though he was 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.039 not a preacher. 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.920 He was recognized as 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:46.079 a careful student of 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.920 the word of God. 00:27:47.860 --> 00:27:50.500 And at 45 he wrote 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.160 something that was 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:54.640 in 1816 that continues 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.600 to live today. 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.400 Angels from the 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.140 realm of glory. 00:27:58.920 --> 00:28:00.940 He wrote that on the 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:02.600 Christmas Eve edition 00:28:02.600 --> 00:28:04.000 of the Sheffield 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.539 Register. 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:08.220 in James Montgomery's 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.960 life as he followed 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:11.379 Jesus and all the 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.740 bad things that 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.480 happened to him 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.859 there were hounds 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.980 from heaven that 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:17.119 kept on his trail 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:19.259 and he was blessed. 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:23.500 And he gave us a 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:25.420 song that lives on 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.599 until today. 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.839 Well the last part of 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:30.240 followed the reality 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.759 of hope. 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:33.299 I will dwell in the 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.779 house of the Lord 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.700 forever. 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:37.079 Or I will dwell in the 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:39.099 family of the Lord 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:40.220 forever. 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:43.819 It's confident assurance. 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:45.759 The reality of hope. 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.680 Goodness and mercy will 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.839 follow me all the days 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.480 of my life. 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.379 That's encouraging 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:52.900 enough. 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:55.299 And then I will dwell in 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.480 the house of the Lord 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:56.759 forever. 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.940 forever. 00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.099 Can I tell you 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:00.379 something? 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.140 It doesn't get any 00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:01.819 better than that. 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:04.220 That's good. 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:06.220 That's encouraging. 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:08.279 That gives us 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.220 confidence. 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.339 Charles Spurgeon is my 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.160 pastor of history. 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.599 And I've been going 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.460 through Spurgeon for the 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.500 last two years reading 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.299 in my devotions. 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.960 But Spurgeon said 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.359 this. 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.160 Question. 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:21.960 When we die. 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:23.920 Then he said. 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.420 While I'm here I will 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:26.580 be a child of God at 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:28.039 home with my God. 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.759 The whole world will 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:31.000 be his house to me. 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.800 And when I ascend into 00:29:32.800 --> 00:29:33.880 the upper chamber I 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:34.880 shall not change my 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:36.100 company nor even change 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:36.640 the house. 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:38.779 I'll only go to dwell in 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:40.440 the upper story of the 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.160 house of the Lord 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:41.600 forever. 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.640 Boy that blessed me when 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.380 I read that. 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:46.060 It says I'm in the 00:29:46.060 --> 00:29:46.779 house of God now. 00:29:46.820 --> 00:29:47.560 I'm in the family of 00:29:47.560 --> 00:29:48.160 God now. 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:50.140 And then when I die I'm 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:50.580 just going to go 00:29:50.580 --> 00:29:51.140 upstairs. 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:53.480 What a thought. 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:56.500 What a God. 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.300 What a great opportunity 00:29:59.300 --> 00:30:02.220 to be a follower of 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:03.039 Jesus Christ. 00:30:04.300 --> 00:30:05.600 That's the path of 00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:06.380 discipleship. 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.640 Something follows us. 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.779 Goodness and mercy. 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.539 Someone has called us 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.500 Jesus Christ. 00:30:12.860 --> 00:30:13.539 Something has been 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.940 explained very vividly 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.460 to us. 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:17.539 Deny yourself. 00:30:18.800 --> 00:30:19.720 Take up your cross. 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.600 Follow him. 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.240 Simple isn't it? 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:25.140 But we can't do it 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:27.960 without the power of 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.820 his Holy Spirit. 00:30:29.300 --> 00:30:30.120 Not just one day. 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.660 But every single day. 00:30:33.820 --> 00:30:34.680 I want you to bow your 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.340 heads with me. 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.360 Our musicians are going 00:30:40.360 --> 00:30:41.500 to play something for us. 00:30:43.080 --> 00:30:43.960 And Roger Smith is going 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.800 to come and lead us in 00:30:44.800 --> 00:30:45.060 prayer. 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.980 But I want you to think 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.600 about this. 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.779 Think about these words. 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.600 Deny myself. 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:52.779 Take up my cross. 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:54.939 Be committed to the point 00:30:54.939 --> 00:30:55.379 of death. 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:58.159 And follow Jesus. 00:30:58.419 --> 00:30:59.159 Deny myself. 00:30:59.719 --> 00:31:00.559 Take up the cross. 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.899 Follow Jesus. 00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:04.179 Think about those words. 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.679 Ask yourself, 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.359 am I doing it? 00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:08.559 Lord, help me 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.699 to do it. 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.799 Father, take your word. 00:31:11.939 --> 00:31:12.919 Apply it to our heart. 00:31:13.179 --> 00:31:13.879 Move us 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:15.659 to see and do 00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:16.919 what you want us to be. 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:19.000 help us truly 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:21.300 to be disciples of yours 00:31:21.300 --> 00:31:21.920 who deny ourselves 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:24.279 and take up our cross 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:25.820 and follow you.