COME, FOLLOW ME--II

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.

Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

If anyone would come after Me, he must take up his cross (daily) and follow Me.

...go and make disciples of all nations...

teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you....

Abide in Me and I in you, and you will bear much fruit.

Walk in the Spirit....Be filled with the Spirit.

You will bear much fruit—30,60, 100 fold.

Jesus offers to help us make the changes that will bring peace and joy with one simple but powerful word: Repent. With one word Jesus promises to bring all the resources of His Eternal Kingdom to our behalf.

For those who say, “Yes. I need Your help,” He says,

Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

And those who would follow, He takes to the Sermon on the Mount.

This “Sermon” condenses how He transforms the hearts of men for His kingdom. After three and half years of teachings that transformed those first disciples, He tells them to go and make disciples to be taught to obey teachings and commandments.

Now the Lord Jesus from this Sermon teaches us the grace and truth that bring us peace and love.

The Sermon (in eleven divisions):

The process of how He changes us—the Beatitudes, 5.3-12

The “bait” of the fisherman—salt and light, 5.13-16

The manual of how the changes take place—the Law and Prophets (and, including the Apostles), 5.17-20.

The application of the changes from Law to Heart—

           Relationship with others, 5.21-48

           Relationship with God, 6.1-18

The benefits to be gained—Treasures in Heaven, 6.19-24

The focus—His kingdom and righteousness, 6.24-34

The responsibility to others—7.1-6

The steps of answered prayer—A.S.K., 7.7-12

The road—Narrow, 7.13-14

The dangers of the road—False prophets and professions, 7.15-23

The builders—wise and foolish, 7.24-27

Jesus spent three and a half years, seven days a week teaching men and women how to follow Him according to this Sermon.

The Holy Spirit stands ready seven days a week to teach each of us as much as we are willing to wisely put into practice.

The invitation now stands ready:

If anyone would come after Me,

he must take up his cross (daily) and follow Me.