Goodmorning and welcome in everyone. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to share something with you.
There are numerous people today who claim to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet they completely reject the things that He taught. They profess that they know Him, while the real truth is, they deny Him. The Lord Jesus Christ, who laid down His own life for our sins, gives certain commands in the New Testament. Some people quickly claim to be His followers, but they really don’t follow Him at all. Their lives are a walking contradiction, completely opposing biblical truth. Scripture teaches us to go one way, yet they go the other. How can you claim to follow anything if you are really not going to follow what you claim? Following somebody else means to obey what they tell you to do.
Matthew 4:18-20 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Jesus called the disciples to follow Him, but that is for more than just a physical statement because there is a spiritual message behind it. The word “follow” means to go after, to pursue; or move behind in the same path or direction and to adhere mentally to the opinions, ideas or teachings of another. A follower is an imitator, who follows anothers example. So again I ask you, how can one claim to be a follower of Jesus, yet really have no desire to follow the things that He teaches? Its because people want eternal life, but they don’t want to do the things required on their part to obtain it. Christianity is a process of rejecting the opinions and philosophies of this temporary world in order to embrace the eternal will of God. This is a process of conversion to biblical truth. Conversion is not optional, it is mandatory.
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
There is more that is required on our part than a simple profession of faith, it’s a lifestyle of loving obedience to the commands and teachings of Jesus. It’s about faithfully obeying Him from our hearts which is the proof of our love.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:21, 23-24 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
The Lord Jesus loves and cares for this world because He shed His own blood at the cross so that we could have forgiveness for our sins. His love for this world is evident, but obtaining eternal life has to do with our reaction to His love. It’s about loving Him in return. Keeping His commands and doing His will is the proof of our love towards him. Christianity is not about living your own life, its about living the life that God has granted you, to become what He wants you to be. This requires self denial. His will must become greater, and ours must become lesser. People who don’t understand that are going to miss out on paradise. They can claim to be a follower of Jesus, but if they are genuinely not going to do His will, they are only lying to themselves.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Those who don’t love Jesus Christ will be cursed and castaway into eternal punishment.
1 Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
Christianity is far more than just claiming that we love God, it’s about doing the things that God commands us to do. Its about possessing a good and obedient heart.
John 21:15-17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Without obedience from the heart, it is only an exterior religion.
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Titus 1:15- They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Disobedience is a complete refusal to obey. Its open rebellion which is something that God hates.
1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry……..
Rebellion is resistance to an established authority, or defiance of authority or control. Many people who profess the Christian faith don’t want to be controlled by the teachings of scripture. They don’t want to be confined to a certain set of rules, ideals and doctrines because it is in interferes with their worldly living. Salvation depends on humbling oneself under the teachings of Christ.
James 1:21-22 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Without obedience to scripture, conversion can’t happen. Without conversion, salvation can’t happen.
Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
We have the promise of eternal life, but it requires fulfilling certain obligations and requirements on our part. Its more than just saying that you love God, it’s about becoming obedient to His will and…….
……. Proving Your Love.
Let’s think about these things for right now, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️
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Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 