Sermon On the Net

FOLLOW ME

 

MATTHEW 4: Jesus had just finished 40 days of fasting in the desert and Satan showed up. He tried to tempt Jesus to change the stones into bread and Jesus’ reply inverse 4 was; “it is written that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

 

Then the devil took Him to the highest point of the temple and again tried to tempt Him, telling Him to jump from the temple and not be concerned because it is written that the angels will lift Him up. Jesus’ reply in verse 7 was, “It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Then Satan took Jesus to a very high mountain and said he would give Him all that He could see if He would only bow down and worship him. Jesus told Satan to get lost and that He would worship only God, as it is written: verse 10 says, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

 

When Jesus learned of John’s imprisonment He went to Galilee and then on to Capernaum to live, which was a fulfillment of prophecy found in Isaiah 9:1-2. From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near,” verse 17.

 

One day Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew and told them to follow Him: “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they followed Him, ( A demonstration of faith and obedience). As they continued to walk they came across James and John and they, also, followed Jesus.

 

This chapter is the beginning of Jesus’ preaching and the gathering of His disciples. A great lesson to be learned here is the response of the disciples He first recruited. They followed Him immediately without thinking about it; a sure sign of faith. People today need to do the same, ‘drop’ what they’re thinking and turn to Jesus in faith and He will do the rest. The second great lesson to be learned is Jesus’ words to Satan; “…man shall live on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.” And these words (God’s words) are found in the Bible, and we should live in accordance to His desire for us. Some people don’t take the Bible literally and that, in my opinion, is a grave mistake. Remember that Jesus said “every word.”

 

Personally I find it very comforting to follow that advice. I try to adhere to the instructions of the Bible and while it is not always possible, being human, it certainly is a goal to which I aspire. I do not try to change the Bible in any way. If you look in the book of Revelation, chapter 22, verses 18-19, you’ll read that God does not want anything added to or taken away from that book. If this advice is not followed the consequences are very severe.

 

Readers, I plead with you, keep it simple, and follow it. If you don’t know the Lord Jesus as Savior, please stop for a moment and pray that He will come into your heart as your personal Savior. This is a faith step, I’ll admit, but if you take it the evidence will follow.