Deciding to Follow Jesus: A Transformative Journey
Summary
As we embark on a new year, it's a fitting time to reflect on our lives and make decisions that align with our faith and purpose. The series "I Have Decided" encourages us to evaluate our past and consider changes for the future, focusing on four critical decisions that can transform our lives. The first and most crucial decision is to follow Jesus, a commitment that goes beyond mere belief or church attendance. It's about truly walking in His footsteps, being "covered in the dust of your rabbi," as the saying goes, meaning to follow so closely that His teachings and example become a part of us.
In Mark 8, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" This question challenges us to consider our personal understanding and relationship with Him. Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus as our Savior and Lord. However, following Jesus requires more than acknowledgment; it demands a life of self-denial and taking up our cross. This means embracing sacrifice and service, moving from being part of the crowd to becoming a committed disciple and active member of the church family.
The journey of following Jesus involves several stages: starting with curiosity and coming to see who He is, connecting with the church family, growing as a disciple, and ultimately serving others. Each step requires a willingness to die to self, letting go of our plans and embracing God's purpose for our lives. This transformation is not just about personal growth but about contributing to the mission of the church, turning the world upside down for Christ through our collective efforts.
Key Takeaways:
- Decisions Shape Our Lives: Our lives are largely the result of the decisions we make. While we can't control everything that happens to us, we can choose how we respond. This response shapes our character and destiny more than the events themselves. [21:52]
- True Discipleship: Following Jesus is more than attending church or believing in His existence. It involves a deep commitment to His teachings and example, being so close to Him that His influence is evident in our lives. [26:16]
- The Importance of Community: Being part of the church is essential for spiritual growth. The church is a family, and while imperfect, it provides the support and accountability needed to mature in faith. [43:35]
- Growth Through Devotion: Spiritual maturity comes from devotion to the teachings of Jesus, fellowship, communion, and prayer. These disciplines help us grow from spiritual infancy to maturity, enabling us to serve effectively. [58:39]
- Dying to Self: To truly follow Jesus, we must die to our old selves, embracing the new life He offers. This involves sacrifice and a willingness to let go of personal ambitions for the sake of His kingdom. [01:07:01]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[21:52] - Decisions Shape Our Lives
[24:55] - I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
[26:16] - True Discipleship
[28:00] - Who Do You Say I Am?
[29:18] - Rumors and Confessions
[30:24] - Understanding Jesus
[31:35] - The Great Confession
[43:35] - The Importance of Community
[46:10] - Come and See
[49:11] - Conviction and Response
[50:29] - Repentance and Baptism
[52:23] - Actions of Faith
[58:39] - Growth Through Devotion
[01:07:01] - Dying to Self
[01:13:17] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "I Have Decided"
Bible Reading:
- Mark 8:27-35
- Romans 6:3-4
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Observation Questions:
1. In Mark 8:27-29, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" How does Peter respond, and what does this reveal about his understanding of Jesus? [30:24]
2. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be "covered in the dust of your rabbi"? How does this relate to following Jesus? [26:16]
3. What are the four stages of following Jesus mentioned in the sermon, and how do they build upon each other? [28:00]
4. In Romans 6:3-4, what is the significance of being "baptized into His death"? How does this relate to the concept of new life in Christ?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah significant, and how does it challenge the disciples' understanding of Jesus' mission? [31:35]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community in spiritual growth. How does being part of a church family contribute to one's journey as a disciple of Jesus? [43:35]
3. What does it mean to "deny oneself and take up their cross" in the context of following Jesus, and how might this look in a believer's daily life? [01:07:01]
4. How does the concept of dying to self, as discussed in the sermon, align with the teachings in Romans 6:3-4 about baptism and new life?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal decision to follow Jesus. How closely are you "covered in the dust of your rabbi"? What steps can you take to deepen your commitment? [26:16]
2. Consider the role of community in your spiritual journey. How can you actively contribute to and benefit from your church family? [43:35]
3. Identify an area in your life where you need to practice self-denial. What practical steps can you take to embrace this aspect of discipleship? [01:07:01]
4. Think about a time when you had to make a significant decision. How did your faith influence your response, and what did you learn from that experience? [21:52]
5. The sermon discusses the importance of spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study. What specific discipline can you focus on this week to grow in your faith? [58:39]
6. Reflect on the idea of dying to self. What personal ambitions or desires might you need to let go of to fully embrace God's purpose for your life? [01:07:01]
7. How can you invite someone in your life to "come and see" Jesus? Identify one person and plan a way to engage them in a spiritual conversation or invite them to a church event. [46:10]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Decisions Define Our Path
Our lives are shaped by the decisions we make, and while we cannot control every circumstance, we can choose our responses. This choice is more powerful than the events themselves, as it molds our character and destiny. Reflecting on our past decisions can help us align our future choices with our faith and purpose. As we enter a new year, it's an opportune time to evaluate our lives and make decisions that reflect our commitment to following Jesus. [21:52]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that aligns more closely with your faith and purpose?
Day 2: The Depth of True Discipleship
True discipleship goes beyond mere church attendance or belief in Jesus' existence. It involves a profound commitment to His teachings and example, living so closely to Him that His influence is evident in our lives. This means being "covered in the dust of your rabbi," following Jesus so closely that His teachings become a part of us. This commitment requires self-denial and taking up our cross, moving from being part of the crowd to becoming a dedicated disciple. [26:16]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your commitment to following Jesus today, beyond attending church or acknowledging His existence?
Day 3: The Necessity of Spiritual Community
Being part of a church community is essential for spiritual growth. The church, though imperfect, provides the support and accountability needed to mature in faith. It is a family where believers can connect, grow, and serve together, contributing to the mission of the church. This community helps us move from spiritual infancy to maturity, enabling us to serve effectively and turn the world upside down for Christ. [43:35]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively engage with your church community this week to foster spiritual growth and accountability?
Day 4: Growing Through Devotion
Spiritual maturity comes from devotion to the teachings of Jesus, fellowship, communion, and prayer. These disciplines help us grow from spiritual infancy to maturity, enabling us to serve effectively. As we devote ourselves to these practices, we become more aligned with God's purpose for our lives, contributing to the mission of the church and impacting the world for Christ. [58:39]
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: What specific spiritual discipline can you commit to this week to foster your growth in grace and knowledge of Jesus?
Day 5: Embracing Sacrifice and New Life
To truly follow Jesus, we must die to our old selves and embrace the new life He offers. This involves sacrifice and a willingness to let go of personal ambitions for the sake of His kingdom. By dying to self, we align our lives with God's purpose, experiencing transformation that goes beyond personal growth to impact the world for Christ. [01:07:01]
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
Reflection: What personal ambition or desire do you need to surrender to God today to fully embrace the new life He offers?
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Quotes
"Because here's the bottom line. All of our lives. All of our lives are made up of the decisions we've made along the way. So wherever we are right now, the biggest contributing factor to where we are right now is the decisions we made that brought us here. Now, you say, Pastor, I couldn't, you know, things happened that I didn't know about. I couldn't plan for. Of course, we all have stuff that happens in our lives. But here's the key. You can't control what happens to you, but what you can control is how you decide to respond." [00:23:52] (34 seconds)
"Now, I want you to understand something. I want to give clarity here. A lot of you are sitting here thinking, well, I did that a long time ago. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe you did and you did good with that for a while. And then you kind of fell back a little bit from that. Maybe you did. But what you really decided. It was not necessarily to follow Jesus, but maybe to follow other Christians. How they were doing and what they were doing. Thinking that you were following Jesus." [00:25:07] (29 seconds)
"You can believe that the Bible tells you the truth about Jesus and not really surrender to following Jesus. I heard another. A teacher used this phrase a long time ago, and I, I've adapted it from my life, adopted it for my life. And it's something you might want to think about too. And it's ask yourself this question. Are you covered in the dust of your rabbi? Now, what that means is a rabbi is a teacher. What was Jesus most known as? What was the title? They use most for him teacher rabbi." [00:26:16] (34 seconds)
"Peter answered, You are the Messiah. Different translations translate Messiah different ways. Messiah means Deliverer, Anointed One, Savior. So Peter is saying, We believe you're the one that was promised by God that he would sin to be the Anointed One of God, the Savior, the Deliverer of his people. That's the testimony of Peter and who he says that Jesus is. Verse 30, Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. Now, people often get confused about that. But Jesus had a mission that he was on." [00:31:09] (38 seconds)
"Now, Jesus is not flawed, but the church is always going to be flawed, because flawed people need Jesus. And everybody has sinned and has those flaws. I love how this all got started when people started coming to see Jesus and hear His teaching. Then Jesus ascended back to the Father. He told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem. As He was going back to the Father. And He said, wait here until you're empowered by the Holy Spirit. Then you're going to become my witnesses for me, right? To call people to me." [00:45:01] (35 seconds)
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, the one that they crucified, the one that God has made both Lord, and Messiah. You get baptized in the name of Him, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and there's a promise connected to it, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. So here's an amazing promise, that if you would repent, which means to turn from your past, turn from your sin, turn from the mistakes and the failures of your life, turn from those things, and decide to be baptized into Christ, here's what's going to happen, God gives you the forgiveness of your sins, and He gives you the Holy Spirit Himself, and He wants everybody to understand." [00:50:29] (47 seconds)
"Part of connecting with Christ is becoming His disciple, joining other disciples in the growth process of being transformed by learning and following His teachings. Go back to Acts chapter 2. Those 3 ,000 that were baptized, you remember, that were added to their number that day? Look at verse 42, the very next thing they did. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to breaking of bread, and to prayer. They devoted themselves to the spiritual disciplines that will allow them to grow up as Christians." [00:58:39] (36 seconds)
"Now, steps two through four only happen if we do what I have here for number five. I'm going to close with this real quick. It's come and die. See, the only way we're going to move from the crowd to the family, to the disciple, to the place where we're serving, to the church, is if we're willing to come and die. come and die first. And when it says come and when I say come and die, I'm talking about dying to self. You die to yourself. That's the only way you're going to be willing to go through this whole process to become the servant that God has called you to be, because it requires you to stop living for yourself. To do that." [01:07:01] (50 seconds)
"When you die to self and you embrace that. In Romans 6, verses 3 and 4, there's a beautiful passage there that talks about the picture of those who came from the crowd. They've heard, they've made a decision about Jesus that they want to follow after him and accept what he's done for them on the cross. He's talking about those who made that decision. He says in verse 3, don't you know that all of us who were baptized into, Christ Jesus, were baptized into his what? Death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into what? Death. In order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. There is no new life without crucifying the old one, friends." [01:10:00] (52 seconds)
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