Are you following Jesus? #1

Yesterday we talked about failing the test of being a follower of Jesus. If we do so it will be an eternity in hell but we can pass the test and know it! That's what we are going to jump into today. Over the next several days we will look deep into what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Warning: It will make you do some serious thinking and hopefully if changes need to be made you will do that too!



I have recently read a book called "Follow Me" by David Platt and some of the thoughts come from the book which come from the bible. So if you want a good book to dig much deeper on this subject go get yourself a copy.



The first question we need to ask ourselves is can I be deceived as in thinking I am a follower of Jesus but in reality I am not? Well think about these stats:



*4 out of 5 people in America claim to Christians. We know this is not true because of the morals of this country



*50% of Americans claim to be born again, well that don't even jive with the other statistic that I just gave. Plus is their any other kind of Christian than born again? Not according to Jesus:



John 3:1-7



You Must Be Born Again!

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’



* Many of these 50% believe good works will get them to heaven. Not according to the bible:



Ephesians 2:8-10



8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.



Our works do not save us, faith in Jesus Christ saves us and as a result we do good works for His glory!



*Another portion of that 50% believe Jesus sinner while on the earth. If anyone who calls themselves a Christian believes that, they believe a different gospel which automatically disqualifies them from being a follower of Jesus for the bible says:



2 Corinthians 5:21

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.



Hebrews 9:14

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?



Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.



If Jesus sinned then He could not be our lamb of sacrifice for it had to be perfect!



There are many more things that could disqualify one from being a follower of Jesus such as:



*not believing in the virgin birth



Matthew 1:23



“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).



*not believing Jesus died on cross for your sins



1 Peter 2:24



24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.



*not believing in the resurrection



John 11:25



Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,



*believing that there in more than one way to heaven



John 14:6



6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.



*believing that all you have to do is say a prayer and be baptized



Note: I believe faith alone by the grace of God saves you but the bible also teaches once you are saved works prove your faith. Fruit will fall from your trees!



James 2:26



26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.



These are essential to our being followers of Jesus. Non-negotiables!



Now here is where we end for today...a warning from Jesus to those who have been pretending to be followers but did not have a relationship with Jesus:





Matthew 7:22-24



22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.



Jesus says to these folks "I never knew you"!! They did works but did not listen to His words! No relationship to our Savior! Let us all heed this warning. Have you built your house on the rock?



We will dig deeper tomorrow of what following Jesus is! Much to chew on for today!



Tom