November 3, 2024 Sermon
Who are you following?
When I went to basic training, our platoon was made up of men of every shape form and size. Our cloths were every color and style. The drill sargent called us rainbows, Until, we were given our green fatigues. Every where we went, we had to march as a group. We looked like a bunch of bobble heads bouncing up and down. For six weeks we learned how to march, eat, run together. We learned to follow instruction. To do what we were told to do and to trust the man next to you.
Two Sundays ago, we talked about having head knowledge, last Sunday we talked about whose voice are we are listening to.
The question this Sunday is who are you following? We follow actors, sports hero’s Singers. Are you following the things in this world?
28 times Jesus said come follow me.
Matthew 4:17-19
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 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.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Did Jesus know his disciples before he called them. Matthew knew Jesus for he was a tax collector.
Why did Jesus call his disciples? To help him in his mission to win souls for God.
For a person to make life’s journey meaningful and worthwhile he must have at least two things in sight: a destination, somewhere to go; and a direction, a way to get there.
- The Destination- to the Father.
- Any journey that is worthwhile must have a destination. Without one we are doom, to oneself to wonder aimless in this life.
- One of the greatest tragedies of our time is that we do not know where we are going. Do you know where you are going today.
- Not all goals we pursue in life are the right ones. Sometimes the things we seek are not really worthwhile once we have them.
- According to Jesus there is only one destination that is truly worthwhile is the -Father’s house.
The Direction- No one comes to the Father, except through me. Jesus said.
- Some people who have the Father’s house in their sights never gets there because they get lost on some side street.
- Some people try to get there by living a good life.
- Some people try to get there by being religious.
There is only one way to God’s house.
- It is why Christ commissioned His followers to preach the gospel to every person.
- It is why Paul was driven to take the gospel to his world.
- It is why the church is so important in our community, where people can come in and learn about the love of God.
- Where we can find hope, healing and people who really care for them.
Which course are you on?
The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint light in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message;
“Promptly a return message was received. “Alter your 10 degrees north” The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: “Alter your course 10 degrees south– I am a the captain!” Soon another message was received. ”Alter your course 10 degrees north—I am a seaman third class Jones.”
Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would cause. I am a battleship.
Then the voice said “Alter your course 10 degrees south—I am a lighthouse.”
In the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives. Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite the rest—something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the light of the world, and we ignore it at our peril.