Follow Me

Matt.9:9

Introduction:

• Read Passage and Pray
• Each of us has at some point been asked to “Follow Me”
• Very simple request and Matthew and others did it
• Are you doing it? Do you ever remember a time when?
• God has his arm out, looking back at you, and pleading for you to Follow Him.
• Let us look at two requirements needed to “Follow Me”

[Matt.19:16-22]               Be Dead to Sin

• Read passage
• Problem is this man kept most of the law, Jesus knew his sin, He knows yours
• Just as the young man thought he was really doing well, we too may need to take a closer look
• No murder, adultery, stealing, drunkenness but Covetousness, unforgiveness?
• It is impossible to Grab God’s hand and follow him if your hands are defiled, [Isa.59:1-3]
• The first time you are invited to “Follow me” you get that sin forgiven! Born Again!
• For a short time, you are dead to sin, but it keeps coming back!
• That is why Paul said [Gal.2:16-20] and he died daily
• Israel in the wilderness had a pillar and a cloud to follow, but sin messed them up at Jericho
• [Rom.6:1-2] “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

[Matt.16:24]                     Be Dead to Self

• Read Verse
• Deny yourself! Wow, for many of us that is harder than losing the sin!
• That is why “taking up his cross” is a huge part of “Follow Me”
• The Lord has been dealing with me in this area!
• [Ps.46:10] “Be Still, and know that I am God”
• Illustration of Shepard and Sheep dog
• Illustration of Following one step at a time.
• [Matt.4:18-20] “I will make you fishers of men”
• Illustration of Port Ministry and God’s hand!

Conclusion:

• Review points
• Challenge folks to leave here today following God!