A Sermon For You
A Ministry of Huckaby’s Evangelism
Today’s Sermon Title
"Following Jesus"
By- Evangelist Gary Huckaby
Read with me from the book of Mark 1:16-20, and you will see from where we get out title to this message today.
"Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him." Mark 1:16-20.
Our sermon title comes from verse 18, "And straightway they forsook their nets, and "Followed him." Please pay close attention to this message for it is the way to know that you are
"Following Jesus."
As Jesus began His earthly ministry, He needed someone to be His disciples. Someone who would love Him, listen to Him as He preached, someone who would spread His words after His ministry on earth was finished. Someone who would tell people what the truth is. Someone who would behold enough to stand against false teachings of their day. Someone who could show in their life that God is greater than puny man could ever know, and one who would give God the glory and praise for His wondrous works in them. Someone who would complete His bride, the Church. And God is still calling people all over this world to still, "Follow Him." Therefore our title is "Following Jesus!"
As Jesus alone walked by the sea of Galilee, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, the two brothers, followed him. A little farther on He saw James and John, two more brothers in a ship with their farther, and they answered His call to Follow Him.
Now we look ahead in this chapter and we see in verses 35-36 that these called out disciples paid close attention to this man who had called them, for they watched Him rise up early and go to a solitary place for prayer, and verse 36, says, "And Simon and they that were with him followed after him."
This little band of disciples wanted to tell Him that a crowd was looking for Him, but His reply was "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for therefore came I forth. Verse 38.
In Mark 2:13-15, As Jesus passed by He saw Livi (Matthew) sitting at the receipt of customs, and said to him, "Follow Me." He arose and followed Jesus."
Again in Mark 3:13-19, we can see the twelve disciples ordained, and each name is the given in these verses. Each one of these twelve disciples followed His call, even the one who betrayed Him.
The Multitude Followed Him
The multitudes followed Jesus! Many times in the Bible we see that He was thronged about by people. Notice a few of those examples please.
Mark 3:7, "But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea; and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea" The next verse also tells us the names of other cities which followed Him, and also states that it was a great multitude of people.
Mark 5:24, "And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him." Jesus on His way to Jarius (the ruler of the synagogue) house to raise the daughter of this man, we see a woman sneaking in behind Jesus and touching His clothes. All the while, the multitude was following Jesus.
Mark 5:37, "And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James." Jesus only allows three of His disciples to Follow Him when He raised Jarius daughter from the dead. Maybe it was to holy of a moment to show to the multitude. Nevertheless they knew what had been done right after she was raised. They heard because even though they did not go in with the four, they had Followed Him there.
Disciples Followed Him
The disciples were followers of Jesus Christ. Eleven of Twelve were believers, and there was only one of the twelve that was lost. Only Judas Iscariot, was a devil among the close group. Let me give you a few scriptures here to show you that the disciples "Followed Him."
Mark 6:1, "And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples followed him."
Mark 10:28, "Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee."
Mark 10:32, "And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them; and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him."
Mark 11:9, "And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying; Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."
Mark 14:51-52, "And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him; And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked."
First, He went to his own country and the twelve followed Him. Second, Peter makes the statement, "We have left all, and have followed thee." Third, We see that as they followed, they were afraid." Fourth, The triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where the people who went before Him and who followed Him. Fifth, A certain young man followed Him, but fled away naked.
Women Followed Him
Women often followed Jesus! He knew their pains and sufferings, their heartaches. He who created woman from Adam knew them, and they in turn loved Jesus and they "Followed Him."
Mark 15:40-41, "There were also women looking on afar off; among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome. (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem." These women followed Him even when they took Him and nailed Him to the Cross, on Golgotha. So women followed Him too!
Now that you have a foundation for following Jesus, here is the message God has given me to give to you.
If You Are Going To Following Jesus Here Are Some Things You Must Face.
(1) First you must know Him as Lord and Saviour. This is an absolute essential to following Him. Many in His day followed Him that didn’t personally know Him. Judas Iscariot followed Him, but didn’t know His saving Grace. Many among the multitudes who followed didn’t know Him as God. These all left Him, these all walked away from Him when it would have seemed that He needed them most. Today if you are going to follow Jesus, you must have a personal relationship with Him. He must be number one in your heart and life.
(2) Second, to follow Jesus means sacrifice. If you are His blood bought possession, you can’t do the things that the unsaved do. Your desires will be different from theirs. Your goals will be different from theirs. You will look different from most of the unbelievers, because you want to represent Him in this world.
(3) Third, to follow Jesus means taking up your cross and following Him. I think our cross is this old nature. The sinful nature which is with us until we soar into the heavens by death, or in His coming again to catch us out of this world. Paul the Apostle described this in Romans when speaking of the two natures of the believer. A believer has a new nature, that is what is meant by being "Born Again." A spiritual nature is born the moment we receive Jesus Christ as Saviour, but still the old nature, the flesh, the cross we are bound to bear is still with us.
(4) Forth, to follow Jesus means a life of faith. Hebrews 11:6, says,"For without faith it is impossible to please Him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." " Faith is believing in something that is not presently there, but will be there in time. Hebrews 11:1, says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Please remember dear Christian, "So then Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17.
(5) Fifth, following Jesus means you tell others of the great salvation which is in the Gospel. You will tell others what Jesus has done for you. Jesus said in Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." If you are going to follow Jesus you will share the good news of salvation through Him to all that you can. He did! That is why so many followed Him during His ministry on earth. Are you following Him today? Do you know Him as your Lord and Saviour?
If you are not a Christian, please bow your heart and head, and confess Him right now. Pray something like this; Come into my heart Lord Jesus. I repent of my sins, and confess that I believe you died for me, and rose from the dead, to save me from my sins. The best that I know how, I receive your gift of eternal life.
In Jesus name I ask it. Amen!
If you have made a decision to follow Jesus, please write and let us rejoice with you in this the greatest decision that you will ever make in life.
I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus- No turning back, No turning back!
Tho no one join me, still I will follow, Tho no one join me, still I will follow, Tho no one join me, still I will follow- No turning back, No turning back!
The world behind me, the cross be-fore me, The world behind me, the cross be-fore me, The world behind me the cross be-fore me-
No turning back, No turning back!
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Huckaby’s Evangelism Inc.
P.O.Box 1011
Pine Mountain, GA. 31822
