01
Jul '24
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
01
Jul '24
Text: Luke 9:56-62
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
John 6:66-69
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Introduction: A missionary once said, “If your CHRISTianity COSTS nothing, GIVES nothing or SUFFERS nothing, it is WORTH NOTHING.” Jesus describes (3) kinds of people today:
1. COUNTERFEIT CHRISTians (Luke 9:57-58)
“Though none go with me… I still will follow… no turning back.”
2. BARGAINING BROTHERS (Luke 9:59-61)
“The cross before me… the world behind me… no turning back!”
3. DEDICATED DISCIPLES (Luke 9:62)
“I have decided to follow Jesus…”
Conclusion: “No man putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). A person plowing -“hand to the plow” – does not LOOK backward but rather FORWARD!
The BEST is yet to come!!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
27
May '20
Faith Worth Fighting For
27
May '20
Psalm 11:1-7
“In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord‘s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”
Introduction: While others saw a shepherd boy, God saw a King! A warrior! A Leader! A Servant! David fought and killed a bear, a lion, and a giant… every Christian is in a FIGHT! Can you feel it? How can we win over the enemy? Consider (3) strategies for FIGHTING the Good FIGHT of FAITH:
1. Who’s FIGHTING Who? Prepare for Battle! (Psa 11:1-2)
“In the Lord put I my trust:….For lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.”
- Facing an Internal enemy – fighting your testimony
- Facing an External enemy – fighting your family
- Facing an Infernal enemy – fighting your legacy
2. How much will it COST? Count the COST! (Psa 11:3)
“If the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
- The COST of compromise
- The PRICE that’s RIGHT for the fight
3. Where is our help? Do the math! (Psa 11:4-7)
“The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men….For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”
- God’s in control
- We shall behold Him
Conclusion: Is there a cost to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? What’s the cost to follow Jesus? Death to SELF! There’s a PRICE to follow CHRIST!! But there’s a higher COST for lower living…. Ultimately it COSTS more not to follow Jesus, regardless of the fierce fight of faith.
Keep fighting soldier.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese