Summary: This series examines how Jesus interacted with his followers, and draws principles we can learn from. #1 - Investigate His Claims Honestly. *HANDOUT INCLUDED*

For a CD of over 100 of sermons by Darrell Stetler II (most complete with handouts), please e-mail darrellstetler2@sbcglobal.net.

How to Follow Jesus - Sermon #1

The temptation is to think that we can’t follow Jesus, because there’s too much that we don’t understand. Too much we don’t know. . . too many mistakes I’ve made in the past. . .

Each Sunday I will give you an example that proves these guys were no different than you or me. They had problems. . . they had things they didn’t understand.

Really, we may look at these guys, and say, “They were morons. Even I know better than that!” Let me give you an example:

> Two of them had their mom come to Jesus and ask if they could be second in command when He set up His kingdom on this earth. Now that’s just sick. I mean, it’s bad enough if you’re enough of a kiss-up to go ask if you can be the top dog. . . but to have your MOM go ask for you?

> Jesus tried again and again to explain to them that he had to die so that he could rise again and defeat death. They never understood.

Here’s the big idea of this sermon:

I can be a Christ-follower, if I will investigate his claims honestly.

Joh 1:29 ¶ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

30 "This is He of whom I said, ’After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’

Joh 1:35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.

36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"

Joh 1:37 ¶ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?"

39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day

These guys heard John speak, and got curious. So they decided to check out Jesus.

He invites you today to come and see. The Bible says, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)

What were Jesus’ claims?

1. Jesus claims to be God.

Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:57-58)

This statement in Greek, “I AM”, was the Old Testament name for God.

2. Jesus claimed to be the only way to forgivness.

“...if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)

3. Jesus claims to be the only Way to the Father.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

4. Jesus claims to be the source of all contentment.

Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14)

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)

HOW to honestly investigate Jesus’ claim.

1. Decide that you’re willing to follow Jesus.

Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. (John 7:17, NLT)

Notice that I didn’t say that you WILL follow Jesus. I just said to decide that you’re WILLING to if that’s the way the evidence points. You see, Jesus’ statement here reveals a great insight into the human mind. We see only what we’re mentally prepared to see.

The Loch Ness monster. . . Tourists were taken out on a boat, told that the monster had been sighted that morning, and they were hoping to get another glimpse of it. A diver was ready, and at a signal, raised a board out of the water a few feet. After the boat got back to shore, the tourists were asked to draw their impression of the “sighting.” Almost all drew a neck with a head, even though the board was plain – nothing resembling a head.

If you’re investigating whether you are going to follow Jesus,

2. Consider the evidence – read the Bible.

“For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:31)

One religion will tell you, “Just pray, and God will reveal to you in your heart that it is true.” Christianity says, “Jesus Christ is God, whether you ever believe it or not, and God proved it by raising Jesus from the dead.”

I encourage you to pray and ask God to show you the truth. . . but why not start by reading the book of John in the Bible, that tells the story? Read that this week, and see what you think.

C.S. Lewis, the author of the Chronicles of Narnia, set out to investigate the evidence for Jesus. He thought he was going to disprove it. Instead, he wound up convinced the Jesus was exactly who He said He was. Lewis’ words were that he was “dragged, kicking and screaming, into the Kingdom.” After he became a Christian, however, he was shocked at how much peace and joy he had, and he wrote a book about his journey called “Surprised by Joy.”

Lee Strobel was an investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune. His wife became a Christian, and he decided to investigate Jesus just like he did any other case. He ended up becoming a Christian, and today is a pastor and author of a book called, The Case For Christ – which I highly recommend.

3. Consider the implications if it’s true.

"How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him...” (I Kings 18:21)

If he’s wrong, then he’s just another guru who has wise teaching.

If He’s right, then he’s the only way to be truly content and fulfilled.

If He’s wrong, then he’s just another crazy man who claimed to be God.

If He’s right, then he’s the one who has all the power you’ll ever need.

If He’s wrong, then he’s

Pascal’s Wager:

If you bet that Jesus Christ is God, and build your life around it:

* If you’re right, you win everything.

* If you’re wrong, you lose nothing.

If you bet that Jesus Christ is NOT God, and build your life around yourself:

* If you’re right, you gain nothing except a little “fun.”

* If you’re wrong, you lose everything.

Working with a guy, who found out I had never had sex before marriage, and never had drunk alcohol. He said, “Man, you don’t know what you’re missing.”

4. Realize that you must make a decision.

Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:22)

I know that you may need time to make a decision. But you do have to realize this: That EVERYONE makes a decision, either for or against Jesus Christ.

5. Find someone to help you sort it out.

“When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” (Acts 18:26)

This is too important of a decision to make alone, though ultimately you’re the only one that can make it. The Bible says,

“...a man of understanding will get wise counsel.” (Proverbs 1:5)

Go ahead and consult. Ask someone who is already a solid Christian to help you sort it all out.

6. Make your decision, and don’t look back.

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

The day will come when you make your decision. Here’s the reason I want you to consider it carefully. My theme for this month is this:

95% commitment to Jesus Christ is 5% short.

Come and check out Jesus. I know you’ll find that He’s everything he claimed to be.

Here’s what I want you to do:

If you would say today, “I know that I don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ, but I am committing today seriously consider it.” If that’s you – tear off a corner of your handout, write your name on it, and give it to me on the way out – let me know that you’re considering. You’re just saying by that, “I know not everything is right between me and God, but I am really thinking and investigating whether I want to follow Him!”

If you’ll do that, here’s what I’ll do for you:

* I’ll pray for you every day this week.

__________________________

HANDOUT

__________________________

How to Follow Jesus

#1: Honestly investigate His claims.“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)

What claims of Jesus do I need to think seriously about?

1. Jesus claims to ____________________.

Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:57-58)

This statement in Greek, “I AM”, was the Old Testament name for ____________.

2. Jesus claimed to be _____________________________.

“...if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)

3. Jesus claims to be ______________________________.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

4. Jesus claims to be ______________________________.

Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14)

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)

HOW to honestly investigate Jesus’ claims:

1. Decide that you’re _____________________________.

Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. (John 7:17, NLT)

2. Consider the _____________ – read the ____________.

“For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:31)

3. Consider the implications if it’s __________.

"How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him...” (I Kings 18:21)

4. Realize that you must ________________________.

Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:22)

5. Find someone to help you _______________________.

“When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” (Acts 18:26)

“...a man of understanding will get wise counsel.” (Proverbs 1:5)

6. Make your decision, and ________________________.

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

_______% commitment to Jesus Christ is ______ ______________.