Follow Me - Part 1 of 2

In a fire, additional Sherry Bradley Junior welcoming you to another broadcast of the Baptist Bible. Our during these times of struggle and conflict to discouragement.

We all are having to deal with. We need to keep her hope fixed on the Lord and I want to encourage you to write for a booklet. I have the title things can be better today.

I know that sounds like a tall promise. How can things be better today when they appear to be in such a mess, but I would like for you to read this booklet and see if it is not a help and a source of encouragement.

Hope is not sustained because we understand all that God is doing through our trial because of the promises of his word.

We can trust him to see us through our address is the Baptist Bible. Our box 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217 requests. The booklet things can be better today and now we continuing our series in the Gospel of John, with the message entitled, follow me preaching from the Gospel of John for quite some time now. The last chapter. Sure there multitudes of blessings we have received. In studying this portion of God's word. Jesus Christ is exalted throughout observe many things about his life, his ministry, the things that he talked in this last chapter. They've already looked at that beautiful experience for the resurrected Jesus had breakfast with his disciples and then the conversation that ensued between Jesus and Peter as Jesus asked Peter three times your lovely deal of and then said, feed my sheep. So we take up there today. Still, words spoken by Jesus to Peter, we will look at verses 18 through 23. That will leave us to verses to conclude with next week.

There's quite a sense of sadness when we come to the end of the book that we can't go back to John as a trust will repeatedly over time to come but some wonderful journey through this gospel and their number things to be said in the concluding message next time let's we are reading in John chapter 21 in the 18th verse. Verily, verily I say unto the wind, I was young that Curtis thyself and walk is whether thou would. But when the house of the old national script for five hand and another shall gird the and carry the whether thou would not this spake he signified by what he should glorify God and when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, follow me. Then Peter turning about, see if the disciple whom Jesus loved, follow, which also leaned on his breath at supper and said, Lord, which is he that Tracy Peter seeing him saved for Jesus Lord, what shall this man Jesus saith unto him, if I will believe that he tarried to come. What is that to the final thou me then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. Yet Jesus said not unto him, he shall not die, but if I will 90 tarried till I come. What is that to the Peter had miserably failed it boastfully said, Lord, I'm willing to die for. I will stand with you to the very end. But he had denied the Lord three times so three times Jesus on this occasion asked him do you love me is restoring him is assuring him that in spite of Peter's failure. Jesus loves not only that, but commissions him to move forward as a preacher of the gospel. When you then follow his labors in the book of acts you see that he was use in a mighty way 3000 souls converted on the day of Pentecost, Peter having boldness that was beyond anything that was in him. By nature, people that heard were amazed men took knowledge of these men that they had been with Jesus. So Jesus is letting the other apostles know also that Peter has been restored and that he is in a place of leadership, which indeed he was, throughout his lifetime. In the early church.

But now he is also looking forward and reminding Peter that they're going to be some changes it says when you were young you basically made your choice, you decided where you were going to go when you were going to go but when you're old you go to be stretching forth your hands and somebody else will gird you and will take you where you don't want to go look at that as though there is a lot of information to be gained about the differences between the activity of the young man and the limitations of an old man, and indeed those facts are to be observed but there's no need to spend a lot of time speculating about what else might be in the tax when the context tells us what Jesus was talking about. This spake he signified what death he should glorify God.

He is telling Peter you're going to be stretching forth your arms which is another way of saying you are going to be crucified now.

On one hand you could think that might be a rather depressing information Jesus has just commissioned him to go forward be given his kingdom feed his sheep, but not tells it that you are going to die. Of course he knew that to find out he's going to be crucified, which is terribly painful way to die might say that's a terrible burden for this man to carry. But Peter had learned a lot through his downfall and his ultimate restoration, and obviously he didn't carry that as a difficult burden because he was active.

He was zealous he was powerful in his preaching, and as a matter of fact, since Jesus said in your death. He will glorify me, he is receiving assurance that though he had failed initially, this time he will not even one staring death in the face even when he's going to be crucified and tradition said that Peter asked if they would crucified him upside down is that I'm not worthy to die in the same manner that my Lord so fondly crucified crucified me upside and he anticipated that when that moment of death came rather than to think about the excruciating pain in the horrors of it all that in that process he would glorify God that we don't often think about glorifying God in that but there are a number of references to it in the Scripture look at John chapter 11 verse four concerning lashes when Jesus heard that heard about the sickness of Lazarus. He said, this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God that the son of God might be glorified, thereby this sickness this � and this resurrection. All were that God's name might be glorified. Verse 11 these things said he and after that he saith unto them, our friend Lazarus sleep. But I go that I may awake him out of his sleep. Jesus was going to raise him from the dead and thereby the name of God would be the same thing is said concerning the death of Jesus, which maybe is a little easier to understand. John chapter 12 verse 23 and Jesus answered them, saying, the power is come that the Son of Man should be glorified. There were numerous attempts to arrest him before he was finally arrested after Judas betrayed, but he said repeatedly. Mine hour is not yet come down.

He says that power has arrive, the time is near at hand when I am to go to the cross when I am to be crucified and offered up as a sacrifice and in this I will be glorified and the father would be glorified because he was fulfilling the will of the father that sent him and the apostle Paul speaks of the same manner. Philippians chapter 1 reading of the 20th verse. According to my earnest expectation and my hope that in nothing. I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness is always so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body whether it be by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain understood none of us know when we're going to die.

We don't know the manner of our death, but should not be our desire that whenever that moment comes in. However, it occurs that we might glorify the in our death.

Both thought what a beautiful testimony. It is what a Christian is aware I'm nearing the end is not will be long now.

But rather than expressing a lot of fear and anxiety there happily looking to that moment when they will leave this body. And Paul says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Surely it glorifies the Lord. When one is able at the end of the journey to be able to give praise and honor to him to show a calm and peaceful spirit because they're expecting soon to be at home with the law so that after Jesus informs Peter about what is coming and how he's going to die event simply says follow me. So, first looking at that text, we note that it is a basic command. In fact, it is found not only here at the end of John's Gospel. It is found in the beginning of it as well.

Look at chapter 1 of the gospel of John, verse 41 at the 40th verse, verse 41 of the two which heard John speak, that is John the Baptist and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, and he first find of his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, we have found the Messiah switch is being interpreted, the Christ, and he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said our assignment, the son of Jonah, somebody called Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone the day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee and find the Philip, and saith unto him, follow me. So as Jesus met these individuals who were being blocked again.

He says follow me on another occasion, he said follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Now he's repeating this here in the latter part of this gospel. After this conversation with Peter after encouraging him now giving him direction. He is to go forward feeding the sheep, says follow me very basic command. Nothing terribly complicated.

Sometimes people make the whole matter of Christianity more complicated than it needs to be of the churches to make it somewhat difficult for a person to become a member that they would be required to read certain materials be interviewed thoroughly and they will answer all the questions correctly for being admitted. I think it's in order somebody who's interested in becoming a member of the church. Somebody is interested in being baptized, have conversation with the pastor. So where satisfied about their experience of grace their commitment to follow Christ testimony before the church then needs to be very brief, but it can become so demanding that a little lamb of the flock would be intimidated or the Moors being required than what we found by biblical example find over and over again. Examples of baptism is recorded in the New Testament. It was a simple matter. Do you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you believe is the son of God is there evidence. This person is repetitive sin and wants to follow Jesus.

So Jesus simply says follow me. These are the last words of Jesus in John's Gospel.

Now there's some other word spoken is recorded in the first chapter the book of acts at the time of his ascension, but it seems to be of special significance that Jesus would have these were these basic word's recorded not only the beginning of this gospel, but at the end of it as well and then there is a further explanation. Somebody might say well okay that's basic enough that's simple enough. It's not hard to understand. He says follow me.

But what really does that involve one of the specifics of Luke chapter 9 verse 23 and he said to them all. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me is giving us a little further insight as to what it means to follow him. If you want to come after me difficult to follow me. You deny yourself and you take up your cross date for whosoever will save his life shall lose it. But whosoever will lose his life for my sake. The same child safe for what is a man advantage if you gain the whole world and lose himself or be cast away what proclivities the man should be a multimillionaire have accumulated great wealth.

Be a man of prominence, position power, have all of these things are so highly esteemed and start after the war games all of that but loses himself first castaway prophetess, for whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he shall come in his own glory right. The simple basic words that Jesus speaks to Peter, follow me, that when we get the additional information from the record in the gospel of Luke received involves denying yourself initially when you become a follower of Christ, you must deny your self-righteousness.

There is a tendency in our fallen human nature to think that somehow we can offer something to God that will be acceptable. You start talking about salvation by grace and salvation. Being free, it just doesn't compute. Man thinks I'm going to have something so great and wonderful as I'm going to have eternal life.

Surely going to have to do something to secure there must be something required on my part and self-righteous person like that Pharisee that Jesus described fields to be Pharisee said I frankly that I'm not as other men I'm not unjust. I'm not an extortionate fast price of the week and give times of all that I'm particularly glad that I'm not like this publican who is smiling upon his breast, crying out for mercy, but for only a follower of Jesus, you have to deny self deny that self-righteous pharisaical spirit.

That spirit not put you exalt yourself about what that attitude that brings you to feel that God is a complicated that you haven't done some of the horrible things others have done so surely you're on the level above denying self means denying self-righteousness and turning from relying on your works, your religious exercises. Anything that you can generate and produce yourself and understand I am a bankrupt, fallen dissenter have nothing to offer. I come as the hymn says, just as I am out one nothing to offer as far as your own efforts or concern.

It means to denying sinful desires going to deny yourself. You deny sinful desires. Now the philosophy of the world is felt deny yourself anything you you deserve it. Whatever you want if you deny yourself. Things repeatedly. It's it's not it's not good it's emotionally harmful.

It's going to distort your personality. Life is short, enjoy live to the fullest by this is meant whatever your personal interests. Whatever you think is going to take to make you happy.

Go far on some of these old-timers and tell you. Maybe you were raised in a home that parents had a narrow view and they say this thing is wrong and that thing is wrong to say posted judging people like to hear that, philosophy because the fallen Adam nature that is in us is extremely receptive to that way of thinking that asked what sinful men prefer just want to do my own thing. I do want to be accountable to anybody unwanted by the minute we will still music is wrong. But if you want to follow Jesus. You deny you turn away from sin, sinful desires can be a follower of Jesus Christ without forsaking sin. Person may say, his follower yes I'm a Christian, but they continued to pursue a life of sinful red button. There is no evidence that they know the son of God, no evidence that they have had an experience of grace. Yes, God's children still sin. Sometimes they have major failures. Just as Peter Dan which we have talked about his experience, but I don't stay on that sinful course.

The evidence that they have had a true experience of grace is that when they sin, they are repented they are bringing in the promise is that if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness fact. John declares if we claim we are without sin, we deceive ourselves. The truth is not in us. He tells us not to sin.

And that goes on to say in that first epistle that if any man sins. He had an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the right, but the true proof that you are a follower of Jesus is that you deny yourself when it comes to the sinful appetite the desires of the flesh that plagued you. It means that you deny anything that is not God's will for your life.

There might be some things that are not sinful in and of themselves, but maybe something that is not for you. It may be evidenced by the unfolding of divine providence that there is something that you have desired and sought after, but for whatever reason God is not blessing you, you must be willing to deny yourself. Not saying I am so determined to have everything that I want to have. I'll make whatever sacrifices necessary to have it. I'm determined no this matter of denying self means I'm going to be yielded up to Jesus Christ. Following Jesus is a true test of grace a person may claim that their Christian love Jesus Christ, but if they do not follow him.

There is no evidence of. We follow him because of his great love because of his grace that has been bestowed upon us. If you would like to get this complete message on CD requested when writing this. Our address is the Baptist Bible. Our box 17 old 37 Cincinnati, OH 45217 two a greater next time. This was Herr Bradley Junior bidding goodbye and may God bless you and and she and in a in all