Following Jesus: From Admirers to True Disciples

 

Summary

In wrapping up the series "Investigating Jesus," the focus is on the pivotal question of whether the accounts of Jesus' life, as documented in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are reliable. This question is crucial because the credibility of Christianity hinges on the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. If even one of these accounts is true, it demands our attention and consideration of Jesus' teachings and his call to follow him. The Gospel of Luke, in particular, is highlighted as a historical document, not a religious text, aiming to provide an account of events that happened in the author's lifetime.

Luke's narrative emphasizes that the story of Jesus is worth telling because of how it ends. The crucifixion, a common and brutal form of execution in the Roman Empire, is presented not with detailed descriptions but as a known reality of the time. The significance lies in Jesus' response to his crucifixion, where he forgives those who are executing him, embodying the very teachings he preached throughout his life. This act of forgiveness is a profound invitation for us to live differently, to refuse to retaliate against those who wrong us, and to embody a posture of grace and love.

The sermon challenges us to consider whether we are merely admirers of Jesus or true followers. Following Jesus requires daily decisions to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and live in a way that reflects his teachings. This path is not about personal gain but about living a life that is noticeable and noteworthy, one that contributes to something greater than ourselves. The invitation is to live a life that is not consumed by personal ambition but is aligned with the kingdom of God, characterized by service and sacrifice.

The message concludes with a call to action: to follow Jesus is to make a daily decision to submit to his lordship, to live a life that is not about self-preservation but about giving ourselves to a greater cause. This is the way to truly make a difference in the world, as demonstrated by Jesus and his early followers.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Reliability of the Gospels: The credibility of Christianity rests on the reliability of the Gospel accounts. If even one is true, it validates Jesus' teachings and his call to follow him, demanding our attention and commitment. [02:10]

2. The Significance of the Crucifixion: Jesus' crucifixion is not just a historical event but a demonstration of his teachings. His forgiveness from the cross invites us to live a life of grace, refusing to retaliate against those who wrong us. [09:58]

3. Admirer vs. Follower: The challenge is to move from being admirers of Jesus to true followers. This requires daily decisions to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and live in a way that reflects Jesus' teachings. [18:33]

4. Living a Life of Service: Following Jesus means living a life that is not about personal gain but about contributing to something greater. It is an invitation to live a life that is noticeable and noteworthy, characterized by service and sacrifice. [24:02]

5. Daily Submission to Jesus: The call to follow Jesus is a daily decision to submit to his lordship, living a life that is not about self-preservation but about giving ourselves to a greater cause. This is the way to truly make a difference in the world. [33:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to the Series
- [00:24] - The Central Question
- [01:05] - The Identity of Jesus
- [01:55] - The Reliability of the Gospels
- [02:33] - Exploring the Gospel of Luke
- [03:15] - Luke's Intentions
- [04:28] - The Crucifixion's Significance
- [06:49] - Jesus' Remarkable Words
- [08:16] - The Invitation to Follow
- [12:30] - Admirer vs. Follower
- [17:21] - Denying Ourselves
- [19:09] - Daily Decision to Follow
- [24:02] - Living a Life of Service
- [33:21] - Daily Submission to Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 23:33-34 - "When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."
2. Luke 9:23 - "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'"

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Luke emphasize about the nature of his Gospel account, and how does he differentiate it from religious texts? [03:03]

2. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus' crucifixion, particularly in terms of how it was perceived in the first century? [05:28]

3. What was Jesus' response to those who crucified him, and why is this response considered remarkable? [09:58]

4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between being an admirer of Jesus and a follower? [18:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the reliability of the Gospel accounts impact the credibility of Christianity, according to the sermon? [02:10]

2. In what ways does Jesus' act of forgiveness on the cross challenge conventional responses to wrongdoing? [09:58]

3. What does it mean to "take up your cross daily" in the context of following Jesus, and how might this look in a modern setting? [19:09]

4. How does the sermon suggest that living a life of service and sacrifice aligns with the teachings of Jesus? [24:02]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are more of an admirer of Jesus rather than a follower? What steps can you take to move towards true discipleship? [12:30]

2. Consider a situation where you have been wronged. How can Jesus' example of forgiveness on the cross inspire you to respond differently? [09:58]

3. What are some practical ways you can deny yourself and take up your cross daily in your current circumstances? [19:09]

4. Identify a personal ambition or goal that might be hindering your ability to live a life aligned with the kingdom of God. How can you adjust your priorities to focus more on service and sacrifice? [24:02]

5. Think about a recent decision you made. Was it driven by self-preservation or by a desire to contribute to something greater? How can you ensure future decisions align with Jesus' teachings? [33:21]

6. How can you incorporate daily submission to Jesus' lordship into your routine? What specific changes can you make to prioritize this practice? [33:21]

7. Reflect on a time when you witnessed someone embodying the teachings of Jesus in a challenging situation. How did it impact you, and how can you emulate that behavior in your own life? [13:25]

Devotional

Day 1: The Foundation of Faith: Gospel Reliability
The reliability of the Gospel accounts is foundational to the Christian faith. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide the narrative of Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection. If even one of these accounts is true, it validates the teachings of Jesus and his call to follow him. The Gospel of Luke is particularly noted for its historical approach, aiming to provide an accurate account of events that occurred during the author's lifetime. This reliability is crucial because it underpins the identity of Jesus of Nazareth, upon which the credibility of Christianity rests. As believers, we are invited to examine these accounts with an open heart and mind, allowing the truth of Jesus' life and message to transform us. [02:10]

Luke 1:3-4 (ESV): "It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."

Reflection: How does the reliability of the Gospel accounts impact your faith in Jesus? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of these accounts today?


Day 2: The Power of Forgiveness: Jesus' Crucifixion
The crucifixion of Jesus is not merely a historical event but a profound demonstration of his teachings. In the face of unimaginable suffering, Jesus chose to forgive those who were executing him, embodying the grace and love he preached throughout his life. This act of forgiveness from the cross is a powerful invitation for us to live differently, to refuse retaliation, and to embrace a posture of grace and love towards those who wrong us. It challenges us to consider how we can embody this same spirit of forgiveness in our own lives, transforming our relationships and communities. [09:58]

Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?


Day 3: From Admirer to Follower: A Call to Commitment
The challenge for believers is to move from being mere admirers of Jesus to true followers. This requires daily decisions to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and live in a way that reflects Jesus' teachings. Being a follower of Jesus is not about personal gain but about living a life that is noticeable and noteworthy, contributing to something greater than ourselves. It involves a commitment to align our lives with the kingdom of God, characterized by service and sacrifice. This path invites us to examine our motivations and priorities, ensuring they are aligned with the teachings of Jesus. [18:33]

Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 4: A Life of Service: Living for a Greater Cause
Following Jesus means living a life that is not about personal gain but about contributing to something greater. It is an invitation to live a life that is noticeable and noteworthy, characterized by service and sacrifice. This involves a shift in focus from self-preservation to giving ourselves to a greater cause, aligning our lives with the kingdom of God. As we serve others and prioritize the needs of those around us, we reflect the love and compassion of Jesus, making a tangible difference in the world. This call to service challenges us to evaluate how we can use our time, talents, and resources to serve others. [24:02]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts and resources to serve others in your community this week? What specific actions can you take to prioritize the needs of those around you?


Day 5: Daily Submission: Embracing Jesus' Lordship
The call to follow Jesus is a daily decision to submit to his lordship, living a life that is not about self-preservation but about giving ourselves to a greater cause. This involves a conscious choice to align our lives with the teachings of Jesus, allowing his lordship to guide our decisions and actions. As we submit to Jesus daily, we open ourselves to the transformative power of his love and grace, enabling us to make a meaningful impact in the world. This path of submission invites us to examine our hearts and lives, ensuring they are fully surrendered to Jesus. [33:21]

James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to submit more fully to Jesus' lordship in your life? How can this step help you draw closer to God and make a difference in the world around you?

Quotes

"Christianity or the credibility of Christianity rises and falls really specifically on the identity or the supposed identity of one individual, Jesus of Nazareth. The whole thing rises and falls on this, which means, as we've said throughout, and this is such an important part, and it's why I've repeated it throughout the series, which means that if you're considering Christianity or you're reconsidering Christianity, because you walked away and you're thinking about coming back, or if you are unconsidering Christianity, there's really just one question to wrestle to the ground." [00:51:15]

"And the question is really this, is Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, a reliable account of actual events? These are the four first century documents that document the life of Jesus from different angles, different perspectives with different stories, different parables, and different approach. But if even if just one of these is a reliable account, or even mostly reliable account of actual events, then everybody needs to sit up straight and pay attention, because it means that what Jesus said about his himself is true, and if what Jesus said about himself is true, then he is in fact worth following and worth devoting our entire lives to." [01:18:49]

"Luke basically says, no, I'm documenting events that happened in my lifetime. I'm documenting a life. I'm documenting something that happened. And Luke was quick to tell us right up front, he's very honest. And he says, I'm not the only one. I'm not in some corner somewhere just making stuff up. Many, many, how many is many? I don't know, is many just four? Four doesn't sound like many to me, but, 'Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled or the things that happened among us,' not long ago somewhere far, far away, the things that have happened right here among us." [03:10:12]

"And Jesus said the most remarkable, unsettling thing imaginable. In fact, what comes next? What Jesus said next, what comes next is actually end to which Jesus invites all of us to follow. And I would imagine, I don't know, but I imagine that when Luke who wrote this was told what Jesus said, perhaps he didn't believe the first person who told him, but we know that Luke knew Peter. We know that Luke knew James, the brother of Jesus. We know that Luke John and James, the apostles. We know that Luke knew Mary." [06:49:15]

"He invites us to refuse to be like the people who don't like us. He invites us to refuse to be threatened by the people who attempt to threaten us. He invites us not to be like the people who take their insecurity out on us. He invites us not to be like the people who mistreat us and power up on us, that if we understand what Jesus taught, when someone considers you their enemy, Jesus invites you not to return the favor. And right up to the very end he did exactly that." [08:20:33]

"Following Jesus will cost you something. It's why Jesus has so many admirers and so few followers. So here's the question. Which one are you? Which one am I? Which one are we? The way of Jesus, it's disturbing. It's unnerving. It's really unAmerican. It's really kind of, if I could be honest, it's kind of unmanly, but when you see it played out, when you see it rolled out in real time with a real person in the 21st century, somebody who understands what it means to really follow Jesus, and they're up against the wall and suddenly things aren't going their way." [12:22:36]

"And Jesus is inviting us to sow our lives, our time, our talent, our resources, so that there's something more to show, to give our lives away to something other than us that's bigger than us, so we'll have something other than us to show for us. Come on, if this sounds threatening, if this sounds terrible, it's because we don't understand it. And if this sounds threatening and terrible, it's because we've never seen it lived out or we haven't recognized it, and we have, because when you see it, it is amazing." [22:53:05]

"And Jesus is saying this is what I'm inviting you to do, because whatever it is you're clinging to, you're gonna lose anyway, and whatever you're clinging to and hoping it never slips out of your hands, it's just going to diminish. And I am inviting you to something bigger and something better and something far more significant. It is the invitation. It really is the invitation of a lifetime, an invitation to do something noticeable and noteworthy that's not about you." [23:39:27]

"Jesus invites all of us to be that better. And in the end, he died that better. Luke actually documents Jesus' specific invitation to his followers to live that kind of life and to demonstrate that posture and to demonstrate that kind of reaction when life goes in the opposite direction, Luke chapter nine, here was Jesus' invitation. And again, when they heard these words, they could not possibly have understood exactly what he was talking about." [16:15:37]

"This is a daily decision. This is every single morning. Thy kingdom come, not my kingdom. Every single morning, thy will be done, not my will be done. This is every single morning in my life as it is in heaven, because you not just my savior, not just the forgiver of my sins. You are my Lord and you are my king, and I submit all I am to all of you, my hands, my feet, my eyes, my ears, my thoughts, my resources. I am 100% yours." [19:28:00]

"At the epicenter of the Christian experience is a daily decision to submit to our king. 'It was about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon for the sun stopped shining.' And nobody saw this coming. There was no prophecy. This was like what? 'And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.' Now, there were two giant curtains in the temple. We don't know which one Luke's referring to, but two other gospel writers say, hey, the curtain was ripped in two." [33:49:09]

"Luke would tell you follow. Following makes all the difference. And his followers changed the world." [36:39:57]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?