Learning to Follow Jesus

Learning to Follow Jesus

Luke 9:51-62

-Christian life = following the Lord Jesus Christ as we navigate the journey of life.

-What does that mean? What does that look like? Are there instructions for doing it? What are the benefits and apparent drawbacks? Who is eligible to do it?

-Following Jesus is the what we are created to do and life functions at its best when we are doing it God’s way.

-Jesus points out 4 things we need to learn if we’re going to follow Him the way He has intended. 

I. Handle Like Jesus (Luke 9:51-56)

Rejection can be…

A. Surprising (Luke 9:51-53)

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

B. (Luke 9:54)

And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

-When you take rejection personally, it does something to your emotions and stirs up your personal system of injustice.

-Be careful of letting the of anger in your heart take you places it shouldn’t!

C. Sobering (Luke 9:55-56)

But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

-Jesus, redirects their hearts and points out that without the Gospel of Christ, these people are for an eternity in hell.

-This is a transition from personal justice over some earthly wrong to passionate sobriety that leads us to point that person to Christ. 

-Let the Lord produce a sobriety in you instead of a strategy to fight back!

II. Don’t Get in It for the (Luke 9:57-58)

-Jesus gives 3 very eye-opening truths about the reality of following Jesus:

A. Compelling (Luke 9:57)

–And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

-We don’t choose to follow Christ for what we can out of the deal!

B. Challenging (Luke 9:58)

-And Jesus said unto him…but the Son of man…

-(C. Ryrie) “Son of God is Jesus’ divine name, Son of David is His Jewish name, but Son of man is the name that links Him to the earth and to His mission…It emphasizes (1) His lowliness and humanity, (2) His suffering and death, and (3) His future reign as King.”

-Signing up for Jesus is not like signing up for a vacation–it’s a challenging journey at times (but oh so it for all of eternity!).

–Romans 8:18, For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

C. Constraining (Luke 9:58)

–And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

-Following Jesus is likely not going bring you a fat bank account, mansions, yachts, and private jets in life, but it will bring you right standing with God both now and for eternity!

–Mark 8:36, For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

III. Prioritize the Gospel (Luke 9:59-60)

-3 reasons to prioritize the Gospel as we follow Jesus:

A. by Jesus (Luke 9:59) And he said unto another, Follow me.

-Following Jesus is a privilege offered to all who will but accept His free gift of salvation!

B. Opposed by Alternatives (Luke 9:59) But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

-There is no greater option for this life than that of following Jesus Christ.

C. Optimal for (Luke 9:60) Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

-Jesus wants to make sure we are not putting our roots down in this life alone.

IV. Beware of Along the Journey (Luke 9:61-62)

-2 things stand out about Jesus’ final lesson in this section:

A. Distractions can be legitimate, but not always necessary (Luke 9:61)

–And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

-What we see as urgent, may not even be necessary if it is getting in the way of following Christ.

B. Distractions can seem worthwhile, but ultimately may be (Luke 9:62)

–And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

-Keeping one eye on following Jesus and one eye in some other direction can wreak major havoc on what you’re trying to do.

* In all 3 of these scenarios, Jesus’ message is loud and clear: if you’re not ready to jump in -heartedly to follow Christ, you’re not ready to jump in at all!

-2 applications:

1. Need to decide Jesus is the answer for your sin and accept Him alone as your Savior.

2. You’ve started following Christ, but your focus has drifted and needs a reset today.