Jesus Followers || Follow the Leader || September 8, 2024

• FOLLOW THE LEADER: 
• In today’s culture, many people claim to believe in Jesus. But there is a huge gap between mere belief and true discipleship and living a transformed life.
• 2000-2004: 80% of US adults identified as Christian 
• The late 2010s: 71%
• Around 63% of Americans self-identify as Christian
• Around 4-5% are truly Disciples or Jesus Followers.
• IN FACT, Jesus Himself warned that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven.
• Matt 7:21-23
• People want the jersey but they don’t want the work or practice to be on the team.
• TRUE FOLLOWERS: 
• TRUE FOLLOWERS:
• Are with Jesus
• See How He Lived
• Imitate Him
• EXAMPLE: Jesus didn’t just talk about God; He lived in total submission to Him through prayer, solitude, fasting, service, and obedience to Scripture. 
• THE PATH TO FOLLOWING JESUS - SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES/PRACTICES
• Spiritual Disciplines/Practices are Tools, Not Rules:
• Instead, they are pathways that enable us to truly follow Jesus and be transformed into His likeness.
• ABIDING IN HIM: They are about us fulfilling Jesus’ calling to abide in Him
• John 15:5
• REMINDER: This is not SALVATION. This is the practice that leads to Relationship and Sanctification.
• THE WAY TO FOLLOW: 
• Jesus gave His followers a clear and concise call before He went to die!
• Luke 9:23-25
• Jesus showed us what it was to TRULY FOLLOW

1. LET HIM DENY HIMSELF
2. Deny: Repudiate, disown; renounce; disregard; refuse
3. This is an alteration of one’s life.
4. It is setting aside MY desires, goals, plans, pursuits, yearnings, cravings and seeking EVERYTHING GOD has for me.
5. Jesus gave us the perfect example of this.
6. TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY
7. Take up your cross (DO IT NOW!)
8. This is not an emotional thing.
9. This is an act of the will
10. This is a choice.
11. Daily
12. Surrender
13. Obey
14. FOLLOW ME
15. It expresses “union with”
16. Follow like a disciple
17. Learn the ways of the leader
18. Be in relationship with the leader
19. Do as the leader does
20. Imitate the Leader
21. Jesus did not say follow a set of rules

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

• He is with us in this
• He has given us His Holy Spirit to lead us and empower us in this
• This is not of our own power, strength, wisdom, and might

ARE YOU TRULY A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?

Reflection/Application Questions

1. What small, practical changes can you make in your daily routine to prioritize spiritual disciplines without feeling overwhelmed?
2. How can you create a sacred space in your home or schedule that is free from distractions, where you can focus on connecting with God?
3. When have you experienced spiritual dryness or lack of motivation in the past, and what did you learn from that season that can help you now?
4. Who can you invite into your spiritual journey to hold you accountable and encourage you as you develop these disciplines?
5. What obstacles are preventing you from consistently practicing spiritual disciplines? How can you overcome the obstacles?
6. In what ways can you ask God for strength, guidance, and perseverance in your spiritual practices?

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE READING SCRIPTURE

What does this reveal about God?

What does this reveal about you in relation to God?

What do you need to do about it?