Follow Me: The Blessing of Being Used for God’s Purpose

You are listening to a new beginning with Greg Laurie, a podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God. Visit our website and learn more about harvest partners@harvest.org zeal of a new believer, was why is it that those who know the most do the liens of those with no please do as much as long time believers may know Pastor Greg Laurie says we can learn from the example of those who come in recently brand-new believer with theological knowledge is immediately out there showing the trying to bring people to Christ because are so close. There will times from different backgrounds, but we are all united in finding forgiveness for our sins and sharing a calling to bring others saving relationship with God today on the new beginning after Greg Laurie helped the way Jesus bit his home probably will examine the calling costs and what it offers and will lessen by God to accomplish his brand-new series of calling the busy people based on the Gospel of Mark were in Mark chapter 2 the title of my messages follow me go to Mark chapter 2 verse 13 then Jesus went out to the Lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him as he walked along, he saw Levi so the ball for us sitting at the tax collectors group Jesus said to him, follow me and be my disciple and Levi got up and followed him. Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home is dinner guests along with many tax collectors and other disreputable center. Levi also known as Matthew collected taxes for Rome.

Rome was an occupying force of their forcing their will upon the people of Israel. So Levi or Matthew for some reason we don't know decided to work for the enemy. It would be thought of as a trainer, like a Benedict Arnold, a turncoat, even a bad fighter. How dare you work for these horrible people were oppressing us, and collect taxes for them. There was some good money in it. L that's what motivated Matthew to work for Rome, but it's interesting that he seemed all gone out of his way to offend his fellow Jews, and also he would have been familiar with Jesus because Jesus was doing his ministry right around that region. Being a tax collector, Matthew would sit at his table. He was aware what was going on around him and we also know that he was a great student of Scripture because he began to piece things together. We know it was a great student of Scripture because when we read his gospel.

It is filled with Old Testament prophecies are 99 Old Testament references in his gospel, showing how Jesus was the Messiah.

So this is a man who knew the word of God. What a chosen to rebel against but there was something that Jesus said and did in this moment when he said the Matthew follow me that's softened his heart that it grown so hard. Why do people turn from God. Why do people turn from the church to an interesting question. Maybe because a tragedy For people sable this tragedy happened that lost a loved one or something horrible happened to me and and I've lost my faith. I don't have faith anymore. Well, you might be surprised to hear me say this, but maybe it's good you lost that faith because of faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted and that sent a real faith but some people turn away from God because they say well I saw hypocrisy that person was not a good representative of Jesus Christ. Well, look, I know there are hypocrites in the church. I often say the church is filled with hypocrites, but there's always room for one more seriously than a fall short run in the mess up. But here's what I want to say to you that excuse and that's all it is an excuse will not hold water in Judgment Day when you stand before God Almighty, and the ask you what you did with the son, Jesus Christ, is a well, I didn't accept it because they were hypocrites.

You think that's going hope you Jesus never said follow my people, he said, follow me, which arise in Christ. That's exactly what Matthew did. He watched Jesus clearly. He admired Jesus he would love to have been one of the followers of Jesus, but he would never think of being so presumptuous and going up to Christ and saying don't know if you need that tax collector in your crew but I would love to join because he would be sure Jesus is a sorry I'm not that desperate yet the Road, Jack don't come back no more, no more, though he was shocked when Jesus came to him and called him. Look at verse 14 of March 2 as Jesus walked along, he saw Levi sitting the word that is used here for saw is very suggestive. It means literally to gaze intently upon, to stare, or to fix one's eyes constantly on an object never had someone stare at you just Gary, almost looking right through you. So here's Matthew sitting at his tax booth.

Most people when they walk by would avert their gaze. They don't make eye contact with them. They would glare at him and here comes Jesus from a distance Jesus is looking at Jesus doesn't break eye contact with them. Jesus comes right up to him, looking at him, staring intently, and then he says those two words that reverberate to the soul of Matthew.

Those words were follow me now Jesus is calling me. Jesus wants a person like me, a trainer, a turncoat, a backslider of failure.

Yes it's interesting because this phrase. Follow me can be translated walk the same route would be almost as though Jesus said walk with me come with me, don't just stand behind me and follow the let's walk lives Road together and by the way, that word is in the imperative mode, meaning it's not just an invitation. It's also a command. It's also in the present tense, meaning you started and you continue in it habitually. In other words, Jesus is able only loosely paraphrase Matthew I want to follow me each and every day.

Guess what he says the same to you in the me that just follow me wants and then your good no follow me each and every day. Paul the apostle writes in the book of Romans 13 he says put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for your flesh, the JB Phillips translation translate sets as follows.

Let us be Christ's man from head to foot and give no chance for the flesh, they have splinting so the verbiage that Paul is using input on the Lord Jesus is like putting on clothes. You know like I like to wear jeans that are about you. Most of the time I'm wearing jeans or maybe a T-shirt or a comfortable shirt.

I don't like to wear shirts that are stiff or too heavy and the ideal clothing is clothing moves where you move and so what the Bible is saying when it says put on the Lord Jesus Christ is make Christ a part of your life each and every day were ever you go put on Jesus. Also, this phrase follow me could be translated follow with me. Follow with me which speaks of companionship, relationship and friendship does not just follow me do it.

You want to or not know.

Follow with me, let's enter into friendship. Let's enter into relationship together.

Yes I want obedience from you.

The Lord is saying. But I also want your companionship effectively. Jesus is a Matthew, I don't want you to just be one of my disciples. I want you to be one of my friends and did you know Jesus offered that same invitation year. We often you God is harsh and austere and angry. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is loving God is compassionate God is caring and he wants to enter into a friendship with you. You can bear your heart to him. You can tell your secrets to him, he will bear his heart to you, he will reveal his secrets. Also to you. Jesus said in John 1515.

No longer do I call you servants for servant doesn't know what his master is doing what I've called you friends, because whatever I've heard from my father. I've been known to you. Yes, follow me. Follow with me start and finish.

Don't just do it at the beginning of your life do it through your life right to the end.

I love how the apostle Paul wrote. I finished my race with joy. Keep following Jesus, each and every day, and look what happened.

Verse nine of March 2 Levi or Matthew got up follow it. I'm in kid thought about this for a while. He never thought he would be called by Jesus. But the moment Jesus said, follow me read you said Sir I'm on board let's go where you want to go. I love that now there's a little detail that is left out here in the gospel of Mark, and as a matter of fact, Matthew doesn't mention in his gospel either but it's an important thing for us to know. Luke fills us in any tells us Matthew left all rose up and followed him to understand tax collector is a pretty sweet business. He was making good money because a tax collector not only collected taxes for Rome. He also collected extra money for himself, so he was leaving and affluent luxurious lifestyle and all the friends that went with it. Then it gets interesting that in his own gospel. He doesn't mention what he gave up for Jesus. But it is mentioned to us by Lou. I think of all the disciples. Matthew materially at least gave up more. I mean yes Peter, James and John gave up their nets and their fishing business. But hey, this guy gave up a lucrative career and gave up everything to follow Jesus. He may of lost the career but he gained a destiny he lost his material possessions. But again, the spiritual fortune he lost his temporary security but he gain eternal life and he also losses emptiness and loneliness and found fulfillment and companionship. He gave up all the world has to offer and he found Mr. Greg Lord will have the second half of his message in just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here. You know my uncle Fred Jordan that one of the first Christian TV programs out there.

It was called church in the home. I remember watching it as a little boy when I was living with my grandparents we have church in the home for you every weekend is called harvest@homeinvitedtoharvest.org we have worship in a message of God's word. So join us this weekend for harvested home harvest.over in Mark chapter 2 today as Pastor Greg presents a message simply called follow me.

Let's continue. I love the final movement of the story in verse 15, Levi invited Jesus and the disciples to his home is dinner guests along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners so invited Jesus over to us all. The ball is weird friends he had some pretty unsavory people. He hung out with fellow tax collectors. Birds of a feather flock together. Other people that were known for wickedness and Jesus, seemingly with great comfort walks right into this setting. Don't forget Jesus was called the friend of sinners. By the way, that wasn't a compliment that was a criticism, but I think it is a compliment when a godly person can be some of the nonbeliever is drawn to.

Jesus didn't lower his standards to walk in this room he was building a bridge instead of burning one and he was assessable to them and we see this another passages of Scripture as well get Jesus in John four with the woman at the well of womanhood been married and divorced five times and was living with some dude and Jesus engages in a conversation about the first deep in her soul looking Jesus with another tax collector named Zach. She is was a little guy who scurried up a tree and saw Jesus passing through and Jesus suddenly stop the looks of executives and says come on down I'm going over to your house today and what happened was Zacchaeus put his faith in Jesus and was transformed look at Jesus with the woman caught in the act of adultery caught in the actual said and the thrower in front of Christ and the looks at her and says let him that is without sin among you cast the first stone.

The Bible says they left from the oldest to the youngest Jesus looks at her and says woman and it's interesting the phrase that is user for woman means lady or man. So it's not just girl it's like man lady where are your accusers. I don't think she'd been called lady or man, for her entire life, but he didn't just see her for what she was. He saw her for what she would become man, lady, where your accusers. She says I have the Lord. He says neither do I accuse you go and sin no more. That's Jesus entering into people's lives, not condemning them a getting to the heart of the problem which is their sin which he alone can forget. I love the fact that Matthew invited him over to his house right after he believed I love the zeal of a new believer, new believers are the best at evangelism question.

Why is it that those who know the most do the least, and those that know the least to the most.

Let me explain those that know the least to the most.

The brand-new believer with a thimbleful of theological knowledge is immediately out there sharing the gospel trying to bring people to Christ because are so close to what God is done in their life. They realize that he for gave them.

They want others to know. Then there are believers of known the Lord for 10 years, 20 years 30 years or longer. Who can even remember the last time we engage in a conversation about Jesus, the zeal, the excitement, the passion of the new believer. It's sad when we lose that seal is in it, let me conclude by re-asking the question I started this message with which is are you a follower of Jesus. You might've initially said yes I am now as you discover what it means to follow him.

Maybe rethinking again. What is it mean it means to follow him. Each and every day it means to obey him, and needs to complete what you started. Are you following Jim or are you fair weather follower or following from a distance. I want you to know no matter what your status right now God can forgive you and give you a second chance. Maybe I'm talking to somebody right now, who's been hurt in life. A tragedy has befallen you and you don't know why this is happening you're mad at God, why did you do this to me I can answer that question but I can tell you this, God loves you and even your tragedy can in some way. Ultimately we work together for good. If you love him if that thing will bring you to Christ that is something that God is used, to get your attention, but here's a reality. Sometimes we go out and make a lot of bad decisions and then we get mad at God because of what happened.

So you got your unfaithful your wife and in a marriage falls apart. I met a doorway medic God be mad at you man, you did it. God gave your free will. But listen, even though you've messed up he can turn your mess into a message she can turn things around your condo and say Lord I failed at. I'm sorry. Are you running from God like Matthew was if you will call out to him right now. He will forgive you. Just as surely as Jesus looked at Matthew and said follow me. Jesus is saying the same view right now were ever you are.

He wants a relationship with you. He wants friendship with you. He wants to walk with you through life. So you'll never be alone again but he can't force his way in your life Matthew whether Joyce Jesus said, follow me met together said no way.

I'm not going anywhere. I have a pretty nice life. You're making a lot of money. I don't want to follow you and he could've done that but he said follow me and Matthew bolted bolted from the table Gamble were we going to go, not a moments hesitation. I hope that you will follow Jesus reviewed not done that yet.

I like to give you an opportunity to do so. Jesus had a goal and the other purpose. Jesus said the Son of Man, speaking of himself is come to seek and save that which was lost. In other words, Jesus came to this earth with the express purpose of going to the cross and dying for the sin of the world. Yes, he healed the sick.

Yes he cleanse the lepers. Yes he raise the dead.

Jesse cast demons out of people. But his ultimate purpose was to die for our sin and then the rise again from the dead nipple turn from our sin and put our faith in him we can be forgiven.

We can hear Jesus say son daughter, your sins are forgiven.

Can you imagine that can happen for you right now the Bible says that we will confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us arson and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What is it mean to confess your sin, it just means to acknowledge your responsible and means to realize that you've done this in.

You need to get right with God it means to agree with God that sin is bad and destructive. Stop making excuses for it.

Stop blaming people and other things just take responsibility for God in the center and I ask you to forgive me if you would like to do that on the collegial to prayer some of the time. This prayer is done you can have the confidence that your sin is forgiven. You can have the confidence that you are a child of God you can have the confidence that you will go to heaven when you die if you don't know that frame of me right now. Let's get this settled and you be so glad you did. As you begin to follow Jesus Christ.

If you want Jesus to come in your life if you want him to cleanse you of your sin if you want to go to heaven when you die, I want you to pray this prayer after me back if you even prayed out loud if you like. Let's pray together, pray these words or Jesus. I know that I'm a sinner but I know that you're the Savior who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead, I'd sure and from that sin. Now I choose to follow you from this moment forward.

Thank you for hearing this answering this prayer in Jesus name I pray you prayed along with Pastor Greg Laurie just now entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you did would like to first of all, say congratulations you just made the best decision of your life but would also like to make available our new believers growth packet that will help answer some questions you might have and help you build a solid foundation for your relationship with the Lord, you can request it free of charge. When you write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or you can call us anytime at 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click the two words no God and I were so excited to make available a brand-new book from popular news anchor Shannon bream. You may see her on Fox News at night.

She's also the chief legal correspondent for the network at Pastor Greg is talking with Shannon about her new book, the women of the Bible speak a Shannon in your book you write about some of the women that interacted with Jesus Christ and curses the woman caught in the act of adultery. The woman at the well would you say to a woman who has a past that she's ashamed of what hope can she find from the stories of these women you write about your book chapter and she picks up the bulk will be the first when she turns to because Jesus went to women who were considered outcasts or undesirable who on the fringes of society who are accused Jerry publicly sang shy away from & clean up your act and then you can hang out with me and it seemed broke all kinds of norms and going to see showed up and that woman with a balcony stone for adultery and he just started to ask simple questions about the religious leaders who are so pious and ready to take her out, saying you who among you is without sin right hand cast the first stone to receive interaction with her and wasn't he sent her.

What a terrible thing you've done. You must now go banish yourself from society. See Frank Avery had compassion on her.

He did tell her to go and sin no more, so he didn't out right after that part of the equation, but she treat her with such compassion. The woman at the well, the Samaritan, and Jewish people were not friendly to say the least. The fact that he went into Samaria he went to that. Well, knowing he would see her.

She fornicated the day with the rest of the women because she machined and she was shameful with many relationships and husbands and broken relationships that she had still not really getting going speak and interact with the Samaritan woman. She had compassion on her cheeks. He identifies himself as the Messiah to her now. She has such a transformed life. Think about all the people that she then goes back to knowing her as this woman who has how shame and has had circumstances that are not amiable and her life but to see how she is changed incredibly in a moment by her interaction with this name with the Messiah simply went to people who were in pain and that were unacceptable and were cleaned out and that's what he wants from us. We can't get her act together without him. So we shouldn't say I need to straighten out all the messes I've made, then go to crises now come bring them with you to me and let me help you put your life back together and not his own interactions with these women in the New Testament were less well-known news anchor Shannon bream talking about her brand-new book, the women of the Bible speak.

The subtitle is the wisdom of 16 women and their lessons for today is full of great inspiration for Christian women really for all of us. The truths are universal and we like to send a copy of this new book your way to say thank you for your partnership and bringing Pastor Greg studies each day. It's only through listener support that that's possible.

So send your donation today and ask for the new book the women of the Bible speak you can write us at a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300.

We can take your call anytime around-the-clock, seven days a week. Again, 1-800-821-3300 go online to harvest.org flextime Pastor Greg continues his series the gospel for busy people look at the unique privilege we have being a part of the family of God.

Join us for important insight. Next time you beginning and thanks for the to a new beginning.

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