Follow Me - Part 2 of 2

In the solution ready Junior welcoming you to another broadcast of the Baptist Bible. Our during the time of this pandemic. Churches have faced a very real and an unusual challenge and I would like to be able to send you this current edition of our publication. The Baptist witness all the articles address to how churches are the function and honor Christ and what they mean in our lives. I wrote an article entitled a singing church is another one on the discipling church and the receiving church just requests that publication when you address your letter to the Baptist Bible. Our box 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217. Today we continue with the message from the Gospel of John, entitled follow me says that it means to take up your cross daily nine golden times when people were being crucified on a regular basis. If an individual was observed going down the road carrying across. There was only one thought that came to mind. That is a condemned criminal. That person is going to die. So when he says, take up your cross is not talking about wearing cross as a religious symbol is talking about taking up the cross, dying to self dying out to your pride dying out to your lust dying out to your desires. That would lead you in the wrong direction. People interpreted this way and talk about a certain situation of their life.

It's painful, some difficult trial and there's a lot I guess that's just my cross to bear, is not what Jesus is talking about not talking about some situation that you can't change or adjust.

He says take up your cross.

This is something that you willfully do this. This is something that is an act of obedience on your part. You are responding to his command. You take up your cross on a daily basis.

You can work through some issues. One day feel like you've drawn closer to the Lord, and if you don't stand at the next day.

Your mind will wander in your flesh will rise up in various temptations will come your way.

In Europe soon moving once more in the wrong direction taking up this cross is a daily process, not of fatalistic view; just resigned to. I would like to have a better life. I like to have an easier life.

I'd like to have this or that, but that gets just my cross to bear, I just just have to endure know it's it's not upon the fatalistic outlook. It's a willing acceptance of doing whatever Jesus Christ orders.

I take up my cross because I want to honor him.

I want to serve him. I'm not going to let other things get in the way that once again after saying deny yourself, take up your cross daily events as follow me, follow me.

You follow him in serving him and Artie instructed Peter about her work for you to do you to feed my sheep and feed my lambs.

So you to follow me in doing that segment. Only a few are called to the public ministry to preach the word from the pulpit but every follower of Jesus Christ can be a witness and ought to be and give a testimony to others around are you following Jesus in a matter of service do you serve him on a day-to-day basis do you pray for opportunities to speak to others about the site when those opportunities available sales are you intimidated are you fearful of being considered a religious fanatic you hold back or do you deny yourself. Deny your pride and speak the truth concerning Jesus Christ, follow me, follow me in the afflictions that you may encounter Jesus never at any time made the kind of promise that's being made by many today who claimed that if you become a follower of Jesus Christ.

Your life is going to be smoother easier. You're going to be more prosperous to the contrary, Jesus said in the world ye shall have tribulation in Maine. You will have peace but in the world you have trouble going to be those troubles that all men encounter because were living in a fallen world, but there will be those particular ones that belong to the people of God because they are living righteously, and godly and will endure certain persecution. Follow me, follow me in those difficult days. Don't murmur and complain. Don't give up in despair, be not weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap if you think says Paul in writing church. It of glaciers follow me, follow me, even in death, the looking to that time, Peter will glorify God by the death of the.X probably little more difficult for us to fathom than the rest of God and understand how to be following him and glorifying him in serving him on a daily basis in the midst of our suffering strives afflictions out to glorify him. But think about death, particularly if I should be persecuted and by a painful dance I split was going to die. That's that's hard to grasp, but it nevertheless was a truth spoken by Jesus Christ himself that in Europe � Peter, because you will not deny me at that point I knew will be willing to go even to death itself rather than the turn your back on the testimony concerning your Savior.

In this you will glorify me now. Further, we would consider that not only is this a basic command, but it is often difficult to follow Street have to concede that's the case, hopefully everyone of you would say this morning. I do want to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Most of you would say I'm I'm already making the effort. Some of the woods have been trying to follow for you. If that's the case, you certainly are ready to admit that it is often difficult.

We see an example of the force here in this passage. It is difficult because of destruction. After Jesus informs Peter about what's going to happen to him were going to be. According to history about 30 years in which Peter would be active in ministry within is going to die to be crucified, and so Peter turned around and sees John walking along, there was a problem were to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and we get our eyes off him and start looking at other people legally create some problem so Peter says Kyle Bartel about John what's going to happen to him. On one hand, if we didn't have all the information that's in the text we might make the assumption that Baker's displaying a good spirit here is concerned about his fellow labor hasn't deep interest in him and we have an interest in other people. Well, not to be set focused. There's a place for us to be concerned about what's happening to. But Jesus was able of course to read Peter's heart and know this was not just a sincere inquiry about his brother for his brothers welfare.

Peter was furious Peter was delving into something which was not his business, and Jesus rebukes he would after his failure earlier and now he is being restored and then Jesus speaks to them once again follow me. Peter stayed on track for a while but it didn't take long for. Here is bringing up the wrong subject. Once again, well thought down about John. I want to know what happened him. Jesus said basically Peter is not in your business what I do with John is my business handle John.

I told you what to do so. The second time he says follow me. Some of us are by the slowest people to think we have to be told more than once. The lesson is finally follow Jesus and then you start looking around as I well but what about this person and you may be a little envious at times.

Why was this person have a more prominent role in the kingdom of God finds this person seems to be blessed so abundantly. Why do they seem to be prospering materially far more than I am on the smartest ARI work harder than they do and why is it, what, what's the problem here Jesus is long black. Your job is to follow me you're not to be comparing yourself with others and not even to be comparing spiritual gifts to say I don't I don't understand and I'm, I'm sincere.

I want to be use I want to serve God in this other person seems to be so much more effective they seem always to have some story to tell about how they had a great exchange with an individual about the gospel and think they've actually seen some conversions in their experience with.

These are some preacher some time with equipment finance and Eileen were so hard and I have a few to speak to and hear others. It harms churches can get scores. Jesus is how all those other cases you follow me. You follow me where you are. You use what spiritual gift. I've given you, you use the opportunities I make available to you.

Don't we always comparing your self and your situation to other must be concerned about God's plan for our life's board. What would you have me to do what you want me to be. If my place is on the back row instead of outfront. If my place is to diligently serve and nobody ever notices it but I'm pleasing you at all correctly, trying to figure out the details of somebody else's situation and then not only can the be that distraction by trying to compare ourselves with others, but even distracted by focusing on the faults of others. Some people spent a lot of time analyzing other people's failings.

You know they do because they're ready to talk about to have a very lengthy conversation that will soon tell you about other people that irritate them other people to disappoint them other people that frustrate them if you're spending your time analyzing for somebody else's failing. You need to be reminded the messages follow me, that I can see there's an area where there ought to be concerned and even labor. Paul writes the deletion letter is about to be overtaken in a fault either spiritual go to such a one restoring him in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself let's not also be there's a place for that. But when you get to the point that you're just focusing on other people's failings, their lack of spiritual maturity.

The fact that they don't say things just like you sent your just not sure that they are where they are the be see your focus is wrong and that can be done even in an attitude toward other churches I take in this day when we see the falling away when we see so many things taking place in our country that are alarming when we see how often Christianity is ridiculed in the media when you find another church that believes basically the fundamental gospel that they love God's word believe it's authoritative that believes it. God is sovereign. They believe in the Trinity. They believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God the one and only Savior that salvation is by grace through faith there might be some other things where there are differences. What you can appreciate that body of believers in certain should want to pray for them, follow me, and then possible to be distracted by the love of money and possessions. Man justifies in his mind will have to provide frontal song doing the right thing going to work and work, but when you go the next step and you want to be constantly climbing the ladder of success and you work more hours than necessary, and you work because you are accumulating wealth and that ultimately is your goal and in the process you neglect your marriage and neglected children become sinful people just love possessions. I just got a have seen I want to counsel a lady one time. I've never seen anything like walked in her house. You could barely get inside. It was piled up boxes everywhere. She went shopping all the time. She wanted more and more material thing furniture, doodads, trinkets, everything imaginable room room in the house hunt to find a place that was barely room for us to sit down and have conversation the whole house every bit of truck full of possessions and not concede that is an extreme case, but some people border on it because only think about that have more time have more you're being distracted. Jesus says follow me and then sometimes it's difficult because of confusion. Somebody says I'm following Jesus, but really what the following is a set of man-made rules. Jesus said that the Pharisees drew knocking him with their mouth at the heart was far from it. Somebody establishes their own set of legalistic requirements in the Sam following Jesus are not following Jesus there following rules. Either they themselves are made or somebody else gave it to them and they thought this is the way of quality might have following Jesus.

But no, they really following man-made tradition down following Jesus, but there really following the rules of the nomination not following Jesus. Some say I'm following Jesus, but they deny what Jesus talked about a follower of Jesus. But no, I don't believe that he was the son of God. I think it was a great prophet. I think it was a good teacher think it was a good man but he was not God person says that is not following Jesus. If you follow Jesus you believe what he said what he said wasn't true then you can even say it was a good man.

He was an imposter and sometimes there is confusion because of a false report cases right before some text Jesus had said if I will.

Speaking of John that he tarried to live, what is that to the other word went out. John is not barred by and this went out among the brethren. This dismissal wasn't among the critics. This wasn't in the world. This was an old John is not now if that word then widely circulated was believed and John ultimately died which of course he was God and Jesus had come back. Their faith would be shaken than what Jesus said didn't panic well the fact is, they had it wrong that's not what Jesus said, but one that heard it that way and they told somebody else and they accepted it as being truth and so it got circulated and on the rent and never been guilty and picking up on something that you later find out just one so was one of these things, you know those games the kids used to play where they'd sit together and they whisper something in the person next to them and then that person would whisper in that person was Myrna goes around the room when you get savanna something totally different, totally different makes me think about Amanda call me up one day and said well hello Brad I was very disappointed to hear your messages as to what you preached.

I just never thought that I hear you put something like that. I can remember now just what was I salon ever preached that only said, but I know you did well on what it I said I got the record I sent.

I danced with this modern technology.

Maybe there's some way that people can pick words often rearrangement make me say some plants, but I know I didn't say what you sent us out because I want to do some want to go back. I got the original here so I want to go back and listen to it and you tell me how many minutes in that message that statement is goal that many minutes into the regional and see just what say you calling back a couple days said you know you are right.

I listen to that tape again and you didn't say what I said you sent out on the eye again with a sigh. I guess I just heard enough people say that that will not listen to it. I just thought I was hearing you say how easy it is to pick up on something that's not so. You speculate it say it appears to me this is what I think.

I believe this is what this person is up to.

I suspect they're moving all of that is sinful speculation.

All that is dishonest and that means that you've been distracted from following Jesus and that another problem is procrastination. So my says yes. I intend to follow Jesus. Hi, I've got to get some things worked out. I've got I've got the get fit.

Some things put together and what I can can get this problem worked out for this question. Resolved, I'll be ready to follow in this look at Luke chapter 9 verse 57 and it came to pass, that, as they went in the way a certain man said in him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. I hear somebody that said I'm ready to move wherever you go whatever situation I will finally Jesus said unto him, foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man have not where to lay his head and he said into another follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. I like to go but I'm not one of the father dies and be there for the funeral.

I can't.

I can't go right now. Jesus said in the him let the dead bury the dead. But go allowing preach the kingdom of God, and another also said, Lord, I will follow the but let me first go and bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said in the him no man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God. All of these excuses smart. I will follow you, but I gotta go here. Gotta take care this, take care that. How many of you are gifted that today. Lord, I will finally become a time in my life I can I can make that commitment.

The right now some you young people say I'm too young. I've got I got a lot of the things take care of some. You fathers may say I've got a big responsibility. I got a family to feed some of you may say well I'm getting so old is not much I can do. They take wherever you are in life, whatever your age. Whatever your situation, you listen to the words of Jesus just to words.

Although me, follow me the exact is set follow him and submission Jesus had in mind meet is to do the will of him that sent me. That's what my life is all about how I came here not to do. I know you will with the will of him that sent me, and that's my pleasure that's my life that's that's what I do like to. I don't feel like it's being imposed on me. It's not a burden is not a problem. The light do the will of my father and then follow him in humility laid aside the glories that he had in heaven, humbled himself, took upon himself the form of a servant and humbled himself, even to the death of the cross. Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus. According to Philippians chapter 2 verses 5 to 8 follow human love John chapter 13, he says love one another as high have loved you. Oh what love Jesus had for these disciples. Sometimes going through the gospel.

You just think how could they say some of the things that they say how could they draw the wrong conclusions. How could they so often be on the wrong road. How could it be, but in spite of all of their faith. It says, having loved his own love them. Think about your life. Look back over the road you've traveled, how many discrepancies do you see how many things if you had to live over.

You do it differently. Decisions that you've made that you just stand appalled. How could ever have taken you see your failing your faults, but he still loves and says nothing can separate us from the love of God which is given us in Christ Jesus. In like manner, if you're following him. You will love others the same way you love your wife, your husband, your children, brothers and sisters in Christ. Even your enemies. Follow me is one here today who has struggled.

You've heard the gospel preached many times you've had deep internal struggles over you haven't know just exactly where you stand. You haven't been able to fit in the end and apply to yourself. Hear his words follow me, they all need that labor and are heavily then I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I meek and lowly in heart, find rest, Jesus is Sam not worth it. You're right. You're not worth Saturn have anything to offer your right you don't have anything, but he says, by faith, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm glad you been with us for another broadcast today with the message is a blessing to you. We certainly would appreciate your help in supporting the work that we can continue on this station which will write us at the Baptist Bible Auerbach 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217 32 this is Lucero Bradley Junior bidding goodbye and may God bless you and I and and all