They Follow Me

 

 

   Many of my sermons are about GOALS in this life. Many if not most people have no real goals and if you are one who has no real goals in life then, based on God's word, you are wasting your life away. A goal is not just working, eating, and sleeping. A goal is a certain point in one's life, an aim, an action, an achievement to be reached.

   Moses had a goal to lead the Hebrew children out of Egypt and he met that goal. Joshua had a goal to take up where Moses left off and lead the Hebrew people across Jordan and take the promised land. Solomon had a goal to build the temple. Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, many others, and, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ. All had a goal, a Godly goal and they met their goal. Thank God they did! 

   Most have heard of Mt. Everest, the highest point on earth. 29,028 feet high (roughly 5 and 1/2 miles high). It is believed that until 1953 no man had ever climbed to the top, and came down to tell about it. On May 29, 1953 Sir Edmond Hilleary and Jenzing Norgay accomplished that goal which was Hilleary's main goal in his life. I know nothing of his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, as his goal was a worldly goal. But, it took much planning, and there were life threatening challenges. He didn't give up because of lack of oxygen, temperatures equivalent to the north pole, the fear of heights, he set his goal and set out determined to meet his goal.

   I want to challenge you about goals of a different nature, not worldly goals, but Scriptural goals. Sir Edmond Hilleary's goal was to climb the mountain, our goal should be to FOLLOW HIM WHO CREATED EVERY MOUNTAIN ON EARTH AND HAS THE POWER TO MOVE MOUNTAINS! I remind you that our God is a Mighty God!

   One characteristic of Our Lord Jesus Christ is that HE LEADS, not drives or pushes. I had in mind to bring a rope and use it to make a point (but I forgot to bring it). The point was to take the rope and lay it straight out on the floor and challenge anyone to come forward and try to push the rope, keeping it in a straight line. Pushing people is like trying to push a rope. 

   The Lord leads. What are we to do? We are to follow "...and they follow me..." One of the characteristics of a serious Christian is they follow Jesus, not some man, some religion, some popular figure, and such. THEY FOLLOW ME, He said. Think about it. We have a leader, a Saviour, the Perfect One, the Perfect Leader. Who could ask for anyone better? 

   Our Leader is not the problem. There is however, a follow-ship problem especially these days. There has never since Adam and Eve been a time of such confusion and disarray among some who call themselves a Christian. Can't get along, watching others to find fault, gossip, hatefulness, backbiting and the likes. Speaking as a Pastor, I've seen these things get in the craw and ruin testimonies, time after time, and the Devil laughs. 

   What happened? Eyes were not on the Leader. One of the overriding themes of the Bible is the subject of unity in the Lord's Churches. 

   Here at Fauquier Cowboy Church, we have unfortunately had quite a number who came but soon were drawn into the things mentioned above. Such behaviour hurts the Lord, deeply, and sooner or later destroys the testimony of the individual if not corrected.

   Set a goal in your Christian life, an eternal goal, a Scriptural goal. Let it begin with following Jesus Christ. Get in a Christ Centered, Bible Believing, Gospel preaching church, and get involved serving HIM and following HIM. It is to HIM we will answer and account to one day.

   Be FAITHFUL.

   Be OBEDIENT TO GOD.

   Be DEPENDABLE.

   Be TRUSTWORTHY in all things!

   Be a GOOD FOLLOWER.

   REMEMBER THE ROPE, no one is pushing you...

   May God richly bless you!