LOVING AND SERVING

Matthew 8:22

“Follow Me.”

It is sufficient to know that we are to follow Jesus. He will lead us along the unique and perfect path that He chose for us before time began. And along that path He will never leave us or forsake us. There will be moments when the flesh is weak, even though the spirit wills. There will be moments of stumbling, but in order to purify and refine. But there will never be a moment when He leaves or forsakes us. What does it really mean to follow Him? He seeks our whole-hearted commitment. He wants to live his life in us – loving and serving others through us.

Ø FOLLOWING WITHOUT HESITATION

o Matthew 9:9 - As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

Ø FOLLOWING AND DENYING YOURSELF

o NIV Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Ø FOLLOWING BY SERVING HIM

o John 12:25-26 - Whoever serves me must follow me… My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Ø FOLLOWING BY SERVING OTHERS

o Matthew 4:19 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

Ø FOLLOWING AND LETTING GO OF MATERIAL WORLD

o Matthew 19:21 - Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Our glory is the service of Christ in whatever capacity he has allotted to us.

Almighty Father, let me follow You without hesitation for your glory and the goodness of others. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do something, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen +

To him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.