COME, FOLLOW ME—III

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 deny himself, and 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.

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

This invitation comes in three parts: come, deny, and take.

“Come” is a review for those who have been following Jesus since He first extended His willingness to work with them.

“Deny”--deny yourself--—is a major step forward, however. 

These men were to learn from Jesus how “the Law and the Prophets” were to be used to open and examine the thoughts and motives of their hearts, just as He said in the Sermon (Mt. 5.17-20). They would learn in their time with Him to experience the searching of their hearts for anxious thoughts and offensive ways within them, as He led them to follow the ways of His Kingdom on Earth. Major changes would take place! (Psalm 139.23-24).

Grace and Truth in time the Lord Jesus would purify their heart, conscience, and faith.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1.5

“To take up our cross daily” sends us away from Jesus to give ourselves, in the form of time, to others for redemptive purposes, for discipling others.

Denying ourselves for the cross is, first, to spend time with Jesus. It is, second, to spend time with others. Sacrificing real time to be present with Jesus sends us to real time in the physical presence of someone He directs us to.

Cross time is to be “redemptive time” with others. Time with Jesus will transform us—

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Romans 12.1-2

Beholding...we are transformed...by the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3.18.

Transformed, we are to walk with others into the ways of transforming grace and truth of the Holy Spirit.

We can comfort others with the comfort

we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 1.3-7

We love God and keep His commands sacrificially because He loves us.

We love others, sacrificially, because He commands us to do so.

We learn of the love of God and love Him in return, and then we learn to love others in the love the Holy Spirit gives us for them for Him.

God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

Whom He has given us.

Romans 5.1-5

The One Who said, “As the Father has sent Me, so send I you,” requires daily sacrifice to

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

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