Walking with Jesus: An Invitation to Transformation
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound invitation Jesus extends to each of us to walk closely with Him, as illustrated in the Gospel of Mark. We began by acknowledging the sacredness of being in God's presence and the transformative power of His Word. The essence of our journey with Jesus is not about religious rituals but about a restored relationship with God, where His desires become our desires, and His heart becomes our heart. This journey is beautifully depicted in the calling of Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Jesus. Despite Matthew's past and societal status, Jesus invited him to walk alongside Him, demonstrating that His love and call are not limited by our past or others' opinions.
The story of Matthew is a powerful reminder that Jesus' invitation is open to all, regardless of our backgrounds or the labels society places on us. Jesus' call to "follow me" is not contingent on us having everything figured out or being perfect. Instead, it is an invitation to take the first step, to come as we are, and to allow His presence to transform us over time. This process of transformation, known as sanctification, is a journey where we become more like Jesus as we spend time with Him.
We also reflected on the importance of community and the influence of those we surround ourselves with. Just as Jesus walked with His disciples, inviting them into close proximity, we too are encouraged to walk with others who inspire and challenge us in our faith journey. The more time we spend with Jesus and His people, the more we reflect His character and love to the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
- Invitation to Relationship: Jesus invites us into a personal relationship, not based on our past or societal status, but on His love and grace. This invitation is open to all, and it begins with a simple step of faith to follow Him. [11:31]
- Transformation through Proximity: Walking with Jesus transforms us. As we spend time with Him, His heart becomes our heart, and His desires become our desires. This transformation is a gradual process called sanctification. [31:07]
- Community Influence: The people we surround ourselves with shape our journey. Jesus modeled the importance of community, and we are encouraged to walk with others who inspire and challenge us in our faith. [25:23]
- Unconditional Love: Jesus' love is not swayed by others' opinions or our past. He knows who we are and what we've done, yet He still invites us to follow Him. This love is a powerful force for change in our lives. [21:02]
- Taking the First Step: Jesus doesn't require us to have everything figured out before we follow Him. He asks us to take the first step, trusting that as we walk with Him, He will guide and transform us. [35:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:30] - Opening Prayer
- [03:45] - Greeting and Announcements
- [06:20] - Series Introduction: Walking with Jesus
- [08:50] - The Call of Matthew
- [11:31] - Jesus' Invitation to Matthew
- [14:00] - Cultural Context of Tax Collectors
- [17:45] - Jesus' Love Beyond Labels
- [21:02] - Community and Influence
- [25:23] - Jesus' Unconditional Love
- [28:10] - Transformation through Proximity
- [31:07] - The Process of Sanctification
- [33:45] - Taking the First Step
- [35:06] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
- [37:30] - Closing Prayer and Celebration
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Mark 2:13-17
Observation Questions:
1. What was Jesus' invitation to Matthew, and how did Matthew respond? [11:31]
2. How did the cultural context of tax collectors in Jesus' time affect the perception of Matthew's calling? [21:02]
3. What was the reaction of the Pharisees to Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners? [25:23]
4. How does the sermon describe the process of transformation when walking closely with Jesus? [31:07]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to call someone like Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him? What does this say about Jesus' mission and message? [11:31]
2. How does the concept of "Transformation through Proximity" challenge or encourage you in your personal faith journey? [31:07]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that community influences our spiritual growth? How can this be both positive and negative? [25:23]
4. How does Jesus' response to the Pharisees' criticism reflect His understanding of His mission on earth? [25:23]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there any "labels" or past experiences that you feel might hinder you from accepting Jesus' invitation to follow Him? How can you overcome these barriers? [11:31]
2. Consider the people you spend the most time with. How do they influence your faith journey? Are there changes you need to make to surround yourself with those who inspire and challenge you spiritually? [25:23]
3. Jesus' love is unconditional and not swayed by others' opinions. How can you practice this kind of love in your interactions with others this week? [21:02]
4. What is one specific step you can take this week to walk more closely with Jesus, even if you don't have everything figured out? [35:06]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of taking the first step in faith. What is a "first step" you feel called to take in your spiritual life right now? [35:06]
6. How can you actively participate in a community that reflects Jesus' character and love? What role can you play in fostering such an environment? [25:23]
7. Identify a person in your life who might feel like an outsider, much like Matthew. How can you extend an invitation of friendship or support to them this week? [21:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Invitation to a Transformative Relationship
Jesus extends an invitation to each of us to enter into a personal relationship with Him, one that is not defined by our past or societal status but by His love and grace. This invitation is open to all, and it begins with a simple step of faith to follow Him. The story of Matthew, a tax collector, illustrates this beautifully. Despite Matthew's past and the negative labels society placed on him, Jesus called him to walk alongside Him. This demonstrates that Jesus' love and call are not limited by our past or others' opinions. His invitation is about a restored relationship with God, where His desires become our desires, and His heart becomes our heart. [11:31]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a label or past mistake that you feel disqualifies you from a deeper relationship with Jesus? How can you take a step today to embrace His invitation to follow Him despite that?
Day 2: Transformation through Proximity
Walking with Jesus transforms us. As we spend time with Him, His heart becomes our heart, and His desires become our desires. This transformation is a gradual process called sanctification, where we become more like Jesus as we spend time with Him. The more we immerse ourselves in His presence, the more we reflect His character and love to the world around us. This journey is not about achieving perfection but about allowing His presence to transform us over time. [31:07]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can spend more time in Jesus' presence this week to allow His transformation in your life?
Day 3: The Power of Community Influence
The people we surround ourselves with shape our journey. Jesus modeled the importance of community by walking closely with His disciples, inviting them into a relationship that inspired and challenged them in their faith. We are encouraged to walk with others who inspire and challenge us in our faith journey. The more time we spend with Jesus and His people, the more we reflect His character and love to the world around us. [25:23]
"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: Who in your life inspires and challenges you in your faith? How can you intentionally spend more time with them this week?
Day 4: Embracing Unconditional Love
Jesus' love is not swayed by others' opinions or our past. He knows who we are and what we've done, yet He still invites us to follow Him. This love is a powerful force for change in our lives. It is not contingent on us having everything figured out or being perfect. Instead, it is an invitation to take the first step, to come as we are, and to allow His presence to transform us over time. [21:02]
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you struggle to accept Jesus' unconditional love? How can you open your heart to His love today?
Day 5: Taking the First Step in Faith
Jesus doesn't require us to have everything figured out before we follow Him. He asks us to take the first step, trusting that as we walk with Him, He will guide and transform us. This journey of faith is about trusting in His guidance and allowing His presence to lead us. It is about taking that initial step, no matter how small, and trusting that He will be with us every step of the way. [35:06]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel hesitant to take a step of faith? How can you trust Jesus to guide you as you take that step today?
Quotes
"One of the direct results of following Jesus Christ and meaning walking with Christ living in close proximity with Christ is that his heart becomes our heart his mind becomes our mind and one of the things that we do is the things that Jesus Christ desires all the Sun and his desires become our desires and then we we kind of mimic Christ where the Apostle Paul said follow me as I follow Christ and that word follow there means it means mimic me as I mimic Christ and so the more time we spend with Jesus in close proximity walking with him we're gonna have the heart of God which means we're gonna have a heart for people somebody say amen and so when it comes to walking I know we got all different how many it how many of you enjoy walking raise your hand Rachel you just enjoy walking you're sick how many of you you're the occasional walker occasional walker okay how many of you are yeah I'm on a as -needed basis Walker yeah yeah yeah you're walking comes at Market Basket and Walmart right I get it you're my people right but but there are times I do enjoy walks I especially enjoy walking you know taking long walks on sandy beaches at Hampton Beach with my bride Christy you know hand -in -hand having conversation deep conversation silly cop she can't get enough of me as you can imagine and I just love spending that time together right I like I love walking on vacation you know a lot of times you go down to the Jersey Shore and there's this boardwalk there and I just get to walk with my" [00:05:45] (103 seconds)
"When I was a younger preacher, I would get invited to speak at youth camps and I would always use this line. I say, show me your friends and I'll show you your future. The Bible actually says, bad company corrupts good character. But it also says iron sharpens iron. Amen. In other words, birds of a feather, you know. And so when Jesus invites us to walk with him, he invites us to his side. He invites us into close proximity. And here's why. Because he knows something that we do know physically, but it's also true spiritually that the more time we spend with Jesus, the more like Jesus we're going to become. If you believe that, put your hands together. Come on, somebody. Amen. Amen." [00:08:29] (53 seconds)
"And so all of a sudden, Jesus inviting Matthew on to the team. This was, let me repeat, it was disturbing and confusing. Because everybody's allowed to follow Jesus except that all of a sudden, we have all these subcultures that aren't allowed to follow Jesus. We need to be careful. This was hard. It was hard for Simon Peter. I can't even imagine the guys that you learned about last week, the sons of thunder, who left their fathers decent up, you know, decent business. They're like, hold on, we left our father's good business. We left an honest family business to follow you, and you're inviting this thief and this traitor onto the team? What's going on here?" [00:20:06] (56 seconds)
"that's not encouraging but what encourages me in the Texas what Jesus didn't say you know what Jesus didn't say he didn't say hey Matt Matthew I'm gonna invite you to follow me but first hold on wait a minute I need you to change before you come by my side he didn't say that hey Matthew I'm inviting you to follow me you need to stop doing what you're doing before you follow me Matthew I want you to, I'm inviting you to follow me. Wait, wait, hold on. You need to give that up first before you come by my side. He didn't say that. Matthew, I'm gonna invite you to follow me. Wait, wait, wait, hold on. I need to know that you're fully surrendered and dedicated to this before you take your first step. That's not what Jesus said. Amen." [00:29:04] (71 seconds)
"What I love is Jesus said, I love what Jesus asked him, Matthew, I'm gonna ask you to do the one thing. Somebody say one thing. One thing. The one thing you can do right now. And that is simply take your first step and come by my side. Because here's what Jesus knew. This is huge. Study your Bible and you understand. Just like this walk, as we walk with Jesus, when we're in close proximity to God, Jesus is like, hey man, let's go. Let's just walk. Let's just talk about it. Let's spend time together. Let's spend quantity and quality time together. You see, the more we spend time together, my heart will become your heart. My thoughts will become your thoughts." [00:30:15] (52 seconds)
"My desires will become your desires. This is an instant perfection. It's called sanctification. See, your salvation has three parts to it. If you're saved and you know it, say amen. That's justification. The second part is sanctification, which means there's a daily process of me day by day becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. Why? Because the more time I spend with him, the more Jesus rubs off on me. And then there's glorification. One day that's the ultimate. But here's the good news. And be careful. by this no matter who you are no matter what you've done no matter where you've been he knows who you are he knows what you've done and he invites you to follow him" [00:31:06] (58 seconds)
"and Matthew me yes Matthew now yes Matthew you see because the Bible says this the Bible says hey literally the Bible says that we all need a savior right if you study the word of God you'll realize that the Bible tells us that we have a need to be rescued that we're lost we have to be found we can't make our way back to God so God provided a way by sending his son Jesus to be crucified buried three days later rising again from the dead that's all what Jesus did that's the state we find ourselves in but here's the deal you need to do more than know what Christ did you got to respond to the work of Christ that's why the Bible somebody say the Bible says that by faith I have to respond to Christ I need to ask Jesus for the forgiveness of my sins I got to open up my heart and I got to invite him in I got to trust Christ and trust Christ alone why because the Bible says but to all who believed him and somebody say and accept him I got to believe he is who he is that he did what he did but I have to accept him and then he gives the right next two words to become the children of God just because Jesus did what he did doesn't make you a child of God you have to accept him into your life and then he gives you a child of God and he gives you a child of God and he gives you a child of God and he gives you a child of God and he gives you a child of God and he gives you a child of God and he gives you a child of God and he gives you a child of God" [00:32:08] (96 seconds)
"Will you be willing, if you don't know Christ as your Savior, to invite Jesus Christ into your life and take your first step, come by his side, start walking with him in close proximity and watch what Jesus will do. Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer. If that's you and you say, preacher, that's me. I need to take that step in my life. I'm not mad at God. I'm just not sure I'm in a relationship with him. And I would like to do that today. I'm going to lead you in a prayer. Prayer is just talking to God. Just pray something like this. Say this in your heart. Jesus, today, I admit that I'm a sinner. Today, I believe you are the risen Savior." [00:34:24] (42 seconds)
"Today, I'm asking you to forgive me of my sins. Today, I'm opening up the door of my heart and I'm inviting you in and I am taking my first step. And like Matthew, today I say yes. Today, I changed the direction of my life, taking this first step in this new relationship to follow you. So thank you for the gift of forgiveness. Thank you for a clean heart and a brand new start, I pray. With heads bowed and eyes closed, if you just prayed that prayer, the Bible says you just became... a child of God you may not you you don't have any idea of all that entails but your life will never be the same I promise you but what I want to do is I'm going to give you a little card today that says today I suggest to Jesus and what I'm going to ask you to do in the privacy of this moment with heads bowed and eyes closed when I count to three if you prayed that prayer I'm going to ask you to raise your hand you're going to get a little card put your hand down on the card there's a place for you later today to rate today's date so if you just prayed that prayer ready one two three nice and high today I'm saying yes to Jesus that's awesome and when you get the card you can just put your hand down very cool anybody else I don't miss you cool anyone else welcome to the family of God that's really awesome welcome for all of us sitting here today you may not be where Matthew was but eventually Matthew in his life had to continue making decisions for Christ and for some of you the Lord is asking you as you walk with him to take a particular step in a certain area it's just your next thing to do don't worry about what's way down the road" [00:35:06] (119 seconds)
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