Sermon Summary and Devotional
Matthew 4:18-25, Matthew 28:18-20
“Follow me.” Jesus’ invitation is clear. Direct simple. And yet bound up in these two words, is the doorway into an alternate universe, one where all our finite possibilities, ambitions, are put to death, and we are skyrocketed into the eternal infinite dimension of the kingdom of heaven. In these two words is where endless love, boundless joy, and eternity reside - within the personhood of Jesus, and eternally being with and following Him.
This is the arch with which any person who wants to find eternal life, must be willing to pass. It is the narrow way that few find. Whilst all around you the world self-destructs in swaths, as they give themselves over to their self-centered pursuits, the eye of the needle with which you can pass through, is held before you, Jesus’ invitation stands: “Follow me.”
To follow Jesus is to completely surrender, to step off into what may feel like “oblivion,” and let Jesus lead you to whatever, and wherever He pleases. As Andrew asked Jesus “where are you going?” Jesus’ invitation was: “Come and see(!)” We know the end result: Eternal resurrected joy with Him, forever and ever in the new heavens and the new earth! But until then, what does he have for you as you follow Him? I’m not completely sure. Everyone’s path will be unique (See the end of John 21). That being said, I do know if you are truly running after Jesus, you will experience discipleship. For He also commanded His disciples to follow His example (Matthew 28:18-20), both in being discipled and discipling others. Peter and the 12 followed Jesus, then Jesus commissioned them to follow Jesus’ example and disciple, so they did, and you can trace their following all the way down to us! I pray we obey Jesus’ gracious call daily.
Questions
Who are you letting disciple you? If no one, pray the Holy Spirit illuminate someone in our church to whom can come alongside you and help you on your path to Jesus.
Who are you discipling?
If no one, pray the Holy Spirit illuminate someone(s) you can approach and invite.
If you are discipling someone, how might you improve your approach to helping them follow Christ?
Supplemental studies
The Bible Project: ‘How to Read the Bible Videos’ – ‘How to Read Biblical Narrative’