FOLLOW ME
. Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20 – [to Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John]
“Follow Me”
. Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27-28 – [Matthew (Levi)]
“Follow Me”
. John 1:43 – [Phillip]
“Follow Me”
. Matthew 16:24-27; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-26; cf. John 12:26a – [Disciples in general]
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and … “Follow Me”
John 21:1-22
1 After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus , and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said* to him, "We will also come with you." They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No." 6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish. 9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught." 11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. 15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said* to him, "Tend My lambs." 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said* to him, "Tend My sheep. 18 "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." 19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!" 20 Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" 21 So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!" [NASB]
OPENING REMARKS –
. How are you serving the Lord Jesus Christ?
. Have you heard Him say – “Follow Me” – if so, are you following Him?
. Christians so often start out – forsaking all to follow Him
Luke 5:11 - [after a fruitless night of fishing and then abundance through Christ’s word] When they brought their boat to land, they left everything and followed Him.
[cf.] Matthew 19:27 - [right after the passage concerning the rich young ruler]
Peter said to [Christ] – “Behold, we have left everything and followed You …”
. But somewhere down the line Christians can get sidetracked and end up being lulled into inactivity or going in another direction. In a sense instead of following him – they have “Gone Fishing.”
I. Gone Fishing – v. 1-3
Influencing others
NOTE:
. Do you have influence over anyone?
. Many of us may not be in a position of leadership, yet be aware that you influence most people that you come in contact with.
ILL. – I remember when I was a young boy. The pastor of the local church [Baptist – what else?], that my mother went to and “made me attend,” lived on the side street across from our house. Now my mother loved working in the yard and especially loved working with flowers. Well, I remember mom telling dad that she was worried what the neighbors would think if she wore shorts outside while working in the yard [Note: This was the early 60’s!]. Then one day she saw the pastor’s wife wearing shorts while working out in their yard – after that she felt that it would be okay for her to work in the yard wearing shorts too.
. We should always be aware of our influence as Christians - that it will have sway over others – especially other believers.
cf. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (Your Liberty) – examine chapter esp. v. 8-13
* Take care with how you exercise your liberty in Christ.
NOTE:
. Sheep are dumb animals – one goes over a cliff the others just follow.
. Sometimes it only takes “one person” to influence many.
. Peter is such an example – he went fishing – the others followed.
. Who looks up to you for leadership/guidance?
. Deacon
. Sunday school teacher
. Committee leader
. Worship leader
. Minister – pastor, youth minister, children’s church, etc.
NOTE:
. Whatever your position of responsibility – act like it matters.
Revelation 2:1-7 – Remember your first love.
James 3:1 – Teachers will be held accountable.
II. The Patient Lord is near – v. 4-14
(4) But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore …
. Though we may seemingly forsake the Lord – how comforting
. to know that He is always near
. to know that He is ever aware of what we are doing
. He knows where His own are and what they are up to.
Psalms 139:1-24 (His Omnipresence & His Omniscience) – 2 attributes of God displayed
(1) O Lord, You have searched me and known me … (7) Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? (8) If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol [hell], behold, You are there … (23) Search me, O God, and know my heart … see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave your nor forsake you.” [NKJV]
(12) Jesus said to them, “Come” …
. When the Lord bids us to “Come” fellowship with Him – our spirit knows who it is that is
beckoning us to approach.
. It does not matter whether one is lost or saved – we know the Lord’s voice, the wooing of His Spirit.
John 10:27
[Jesus speaking] – My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Romans 8:16
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God
III. Do you love me? – v. 15-17
. Play on the Greek words – agape, and phileo
. Agape – Godly love – unconditional total commitment
. Phileo – Earthly love – (deep affection) often referred to as brotherly love (Philadelphia)
Jesus to Peter - Simon agape me (more than these [?])
Simon agape me (absolute love for Christ)
Simon phileo me (down to Peter’s level)
Peter to Jesus - Lord phileo you – tend (feed) my lambs
Lord phileo you – shepherd (lead) my sheep
Lord phileo you – tend (feed) my sheep
IV. God knows us – v. 18-19a
. Nothing in our life escapes the Lord.
. From the moment of conception to death the Lord knows the boundaries of life.
Acts 17:26
[God] made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.
. We have been appointed unto good works – we should seek those out
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
V. Follow Me! – 19b-22
(19b) . The challenge to Peter and to us – “Follow Me”
. We are to “daily” to take up the cross and follow the Lord (Luke 9:23-26) – [ Just after,
Who do you think I am? & telling them He was to die.]
. Is the servant greater than his master (Matthew 10:24-25) – [Meaning of discipleship].
. Just follow me – wherever the Lord leads (Acts 23:1-11) – [Paul before the council at
Jerusalem (Jesus the night before telling him – “You “Must” witness at Rome)].
. Who are you following – Christ or someone – something – or anything else?
. Gk – akoloutheo- means: to follow one who proceeds, join him as his attendant, accompany him; to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple, side with his party (Strong # 190).
(20-21) … But, Lord, what about this man? [NKJV]
. The quickest way to get out from under the gun – inquire about someone else
. Why do you care how others are following the Lord?
. Instead mind your own business – you serve Him.
1Peter 4:16-17 - [Peter learned his lesson about serving the Lord]
… if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name [Christ – v. 13]. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
(22) … What is that to you? You follow Me!
. The Lord’s command to us – You Follow Me!
CONCLUSION –
. Where are we headed in serving the Lord?
. Are we following Him or are we going in another direction?
. I urge you as a disciple of Christ that you stop and examine your walk before the Lord – if it is
not following the path that He has laid down – may you do as “Christian” of Pilgrim’s Progress who had (after following the advice of Worldly Wisdom) gone off on the wrong path return to the good way that leads to the Wicket Gate, (i.e., the narrow gate).
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it, for the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
. To those who do not know Christ as their Savior – why walk down the broad way that leads to
destruction – may I urge you to be search out the narrow gate that leads to the way of life –
. Jesus of Nazareth –
John 14:6
Jesus said … “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but
through me.”
. Come to Him today.
. May you truly hear Jesus say to you – “Follow Me!”
Bruce Allen
Underwood Baptist Church
bea0210@hotmail.com
November 26, 2006
