BS9H - WHAT WILL MY LIFE BECOME IF I FOLLOW JESUS?
There is a great misconception today – that somehow WE are the ones that choose Jesus. It’s true that we do need to make a decision --- but it’s really a decision to accept HIS choice of US! Jesus chose his disciples from his followers and it was up to them to respond to his call. It’s the same today. He tells us this:
John 15:16
So to be chosen by Jesus is a privilege and when times get tough it’s a comfort to know that we are doing what we’ve been called to do. God has prepared “good works” that we are to walk in and He will see us through to accomplishing our purpose.
Ephesians 2:10
When Jesus chose his disciples the gospel writer Mark records that, “they were to accompany him and (then) he would send them out to preach.” Jesus made the order here pretty clear.
Mark 3:14
Disciples first and foremost spend time with Him --- and then we go out to do his work.
First Jesus tells us to “come to Him”…….
Matthew 11:28
……and then he invites us to “abide in Him”, or “live in Him”, or “remain in Him”.
John 15:4
Spending time is the heart of any relationship and when we follow Jesus we start spending a lot more time with Him. Not because we have to but because we want to. When we spend time with Jesus we learn from him.
Matthew 11:29-30
In fact, disciples are perpetual learners. They hang on Christ’s every word either through the gospels or through another one of his servants he uses to teach us. Because Christ’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit) dwells within us, He will remind us of Christ’s words and interpret them to us.
John 14:26 / 16:13-15
From this kind of learning we can then form our decisions concerning marriage, family, politics, finances, and many other issues.
Besides spending a lot of time with Jesus, disciples spend time with each other. They learn and grow together in the things of our Lord and enjoy sharing with one another. Although we are all individuals learning, we are doing so in the company of others.
Acts 2:42-47
As disciples we learn how to follow. What we hear on Sunday must be walked out in practical situations Monday through Saturday. These are the days that we are especially called to serve and work for Jesus. When Jesus called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew to follow Him, what did He tell them He would make of them?
Matthew 4:18-20
While not all of us are called to be pastors or missionaries, ALL of us ARE called to be Christ’s witnesses and we can start doing this right where we work or go to school. We are to simply share our story with others in our own words when the opportunity comes.
Here is how the Apostle Paul shared his story:
Acts 22:1-16
Here are other examples of people having an encounter with Jesus and then just sharing it with their friends and family.
Luke 8:38-39 / John 4:39-42
People love to hear stories and we can all share about what God has done for us.
Psalm 66:16
Today there are many ways that we’ll serve Jesus. Some of us will get involved with business, some with teaching, healthcare, or even politics. We need to ask Jesus what he wants us to do and then count on him to guide us into that.
Proverbs 16:9 / James 1:5
Whatever you end up doing for the Master you’ll try your best to please him. We all do. Love for Jesus becomes our main aim. You won’t find a lot of rules and regulations to follow.
2 Corinthians 5:9
The King just asks that we love him and there is nothing that pleases him more than when we do that – however imperfect.
Finally, as a disciple of Jesus we must realize that we are not on our own. Jesus promised that after he died and rose from the dead that the Holy Spirit – Christ’s very own unseen self, would indwell every disciple and that includes us today!
Ezekiel 36:27 / 1 John 2:27
Christ’s spirit will remind us of what He said and then give us the power to carry it out. Every disciple of Jesus walks in partnership with Him through His Holy Spirit indwelling us.
Acts 1:8
And -- this is how Jesus continues his work today – through us.
Next Study: BS9I- Nobody Like You