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Matthew 5:9-16 (KJV)   Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.   [10]   Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   [11]   Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.   [12]   Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.   [13]   Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.   [14]   Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.   [15]   Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.   [16]   Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Sunday we began to look at the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ message to His Church. The sermon – as we noted – begins with nine “Supreme Blessings” or “Beautitudes” (μακάριος makarios). I want to start where I left off last Sunday:

Matthew 5:9-11 (KJV)   Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS: for they shall be called the children of God.   [10]   Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   [11]   Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

The Seventh “Beautitude” seems to be contradicted by the Eighth and Ninth Beatitudes. If those who are the peacemakers shall be called the Children of God then why is persecution and reviling and defaming and false witnessing in the last two beatitudes? If we are “peacemakers” then why would the world be at war with us?

The Greek word translated “peacemaker” is the Adjective εἰρηνοποιός eirēnopoios which means “someone who loves and makes peace”. The verb form of this same word is found in

Colossians 1:20 (KJV)  And, HAVING MADE PEACE through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

When you read the context around this verse you see the Apostle Paul draw a picture of how man NATURALLY is with God, and how Christ SUPERNATURALLY offers a solution to our problem. Man is NATURALLY alienated from God, at war with God. The Apostle said:

Colossians 1:21 (KJV)  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Man is naturally born a sinner, separated from God by selfishness. In our unsaved state every person walks through this life …

Ephesians 2:2-3 (KJV) …. according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  [3]  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

We are born sinners into this world. We are born in opposition to God. We are born hating righteousness and loving unrighteousness. The Bible says:

Romans 3:23 (KJV)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

How can we get better? Some suggest that we can just try harder. We can work our way toward God. We can do penance. We can go to Church. We can dress up. We can be more religious. But any outward action without an inward change does nothing to draw us closer to God. We read in:

Titus 1:15-16 (ESV) To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). If there has been no supernatural change, no change of the heart, then a lost person doing good works is like one of those circus acts where you see a dog riding a unicycle. The dog looks cute, and is entertaining. The seal may do tricks, and the lion may walk the tightrope. But the dog is still a dog, the seal a seal, and the bear a bear. Nothing has changed. If you lay down with the cute tiger resting on its stomach as a pillow you may wake up in its stomach as a marshmallow!

Born Once, You Are Of This World. You Must Be Born Again.

The Peacemaker is the person who has found peace with God by finding Jesus. When Christ was born in Bethlehem the angels praised God saying:

Luke 2:10-11 (KJV)  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  [11]  For UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOUR, WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD.

And

Luke 2:14 (KJV)  Glory to God in the highest, and ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN.

The King of Peace came to earth for us. Jesus tells all who will heed Him:

John 16:33 (KJV)   These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME YE MIGHT HAVE PEACE. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Jesus came to this earth to give us peace with God. He purchased that peace for us with His Blood. He died on Calvary for every person. He paid the penalty of sin so that He could be our Ambassador, our Representative, our Attorney before the Father. The Bible says:

John 1:12 (KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Receiving Christ as He is – both Lord and Savior – the Christ follower is changed and being changed from a child of wrath to a Child of God. Because of Christ we have peace with God. Because we are brothers and sisters together in His Kingdom we have peace with one another. The Apostle Paul told the Romans:

Romans 14:17-19 (KJV)  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and PEACE, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  [18]  For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.  [19]  Let us therefore FOLLOW AFTER THE THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR PEACE, and things wherewith one may edify another.

We who are His are not at war with our Father, and are not to be at war with ourselves. His is a Kingdom of Love, and every member should edify or build up the other. The God of peace is with us (Romans 15:33) and shall bruise Satan under our feet shortly (Romans 16:20). Because we have grace, we also have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:3). One of my favorite verses is:

1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)  For God is NOT the author of confusion, BUT OF PEACE, as in all churches of the saints.

Through the Gospel of salvation we are saved.

Through the Blood of the old Rugged Cross we are redeemed.

Through the Holy Spirit released on us we are set apart from the world.

We are His Children by the Lamb and by the Spirit.

We have peace with God, and peace with one another.

But not peace with a fallen world.

The World Is Fallen Still

Matthew 5:9 (KJV)   Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS: for they shall be called the children of God.

We who are not ashamed to come out of the multitudes and to climb up to where Christ is, sitting at His feet, we are peacemakers. We carry His message of peace through faith in Him to a lost and dying world. We are not ashamed of His message.

Romans 1:16-23 (KJV)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  [17]  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  [18]  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  [19]  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  [20]  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  [21]  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  [22]  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  [23]  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

The world is at war with God, but we who are saved are the Peacemakers. We share His Gospel with the lost. We stand unashamed to declare Christ alone the Way unto salvation. His Gospel has the power to bring anyone to Peace with God.

But the world does not like the Gospel.

God saves people FROM their sins.

God saves people FROM darkness.

The world hates that message.

Matthew 5:10 (KJV) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

If you are saved from a world of darkness and into His Kingdom of light then your lifestyle and beliefs will be persecuted. You will be persecuted for righteousness sake. For calling sin “sin” the world will brand you:

Homophobe

Racist

Islamophobe

Self Righteous

Jesus was “persecuted for righteousness sake” by Pharisees, Sadducees, and Roman Authorities. Persecution will come. This is why the eighth and ninth beatitudes are so similar. The ninth beatitude is the longest:

Matthew 5:9-11 (KJV) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.   [12]   Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

The Christian who is indeed a Christian can expect to be:

Reviled or Insulted

Persecuted

Slandered for Christ’s sake

The world attacked the Prophets that came before us. Herod beheaded John the Baptist. Jeremiah was sawn in two. Ambassadors of light will always be attacked by the darkness. Be light anyway.

You Are The Salt Of The Earth, Dear Christian

Matthew 5:13 (KJV) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Billy Graham once wrote: “Many churches of all persuasions are hiring research agencies to poll neighborhoods, asking what kind of church they prefer. Then the local churches design themselves to fit the desires of the people. True faith in God that demands selflessness is being replaced by trendy religion that serves the selfish.”

The Church of Christ is “the salt of the earth”. When Jesus preached His Sermon on the Mount there were no refrigerators or freezers in the land. Food was both seasoned and preserved by SALT. Armies fought over salt mines. Salt was a precious thing. Soldiers in the Roman Army were paid not coins nor gold but SALT for their service. That’s where the phrase:

“He’s not worth his salt”

came from. When Jesus said “You are the salt of the earth” He wanted His Church to understand that THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED GOD FROM DESTROYING THE WORLD WAS US. We are His Peacemakers. We are His Kingdom on the earth. When did God destroy the world by a Great Flood in Noah’s Day? The Bible says:

Genesis 6:2 (NASB) …. the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, WHOMEVER THEY CHOSE.

Righteousness blended with unrighteousness, light blended with dark. And as righteousness and light died out on the earth …

Genesis 6:5-6 (NASB) … the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

There was no Light, or very little Light. So God Who causes Light to spring out of darkness decided to purify the earth. Had Noah not been a man of faith God would have destroyed all of Creation.

Beloved, you who are Christ’s are the salt of the earth.

Do not lose your saltiness.

Church after Church has lost its saltiness. It has blended with the world. “It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be TRODDEN UNDER FOOT OF MEN”. The world is preserved as long as God’s Church is in it. When will the Great Tribulation come? When God’s Church leaves this earth. You are God’s Preservative, God’s Peacemakers, God’s People.

Matthew 5:14 (KJV)   Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

We are the “Light of the World” because God lit us up. A candle does not light itself. The match must be put to the wick and held until the flame catches. God starts the Bible by saying “let there be light”. It is He Who gives us light when we call on Jesus.

Psalm 119:130 (KJV) The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple

Psalm 27:1 (KJV) The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

When the Gospel is received we who “were sometimes darkness” are now made “light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8). Christ has given us life and light.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Darkness cannot create light. Christ created us. We are His Church. We focus on Him. We praise Him. We climb the mountain to Him and sit at His feet. Jesus did not say to the multitudes “You are the Light of the world” but those Disciples who sat at His feet. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehends it not. We are His city on His hill and cannot be hid. Let His light shine.

Matthew 5:15 (KJV) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

No one lights a candle and then covers it up. That is foolish! When the candle is lit it is held high so all can benefit by its light. God lit us up, brought us into His Kingdom, to light the world. As we shine for Him we do so without shame. God divided the light from the darkness, and called the light “Day” and the darkness “Night”. The darkness and the light are at war with one another.

Spurgeon said “Conflict is expected but conquest is assured”.

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)   Let YOUR light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

If you have been born again you are to let YOUR light shine before men. People must see the difference. The Church must not blend with the world. Jesus said:

John 13:35 (KJV) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Our light shines when we show love for one another. Our light shines when we do good works for Jesus. The purpose of a lamp is to be seen. God did not save us and leave us on this earth for nothing. We are here to serve Him, to be members of His Kingdom. We are not to hide our Christianity, but to shine. If you are saved, be baptized. If you are born again, cherish His Word. Let others see Jesus in you.

Let YOUR Light SO Shine.

Not just a little, but a bunch. Spurgeon said “Good works are works of love, unselfish works, works done for the benefit of others and the glory of God. Deeds of charity, kindness, and brotherly love are good works. As also careful attendance to duty, and all service honestly done; together with all courses which promote the moral and spiritual good of our fellow men”.

Letting our light shine does not mean blending with the darkness, but to confess sin and turn fully to Christ. This is where power is – in Jesus. Draw near to Him, and SHINE!

May God touch your hearts with His Word.

Preached The Evening Of January 25, 2017 at Riverview, 798 Santa Fe Pike, Columbia, TN

Matthew 4:12-20 (KJV)12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by {Isaiah} the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 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. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

Jesus’ Ministry Did Not Begin In Earnest Until John’s Ministry Ended

The Bible tells us that:

Mark 6:20 (KJV) … Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Though Herod enjoyed hearing John’s preaching he would not repent. So when John told Herod “it is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” Herod threw John in prison. Jesus was in Nazareth. Hearing this Jesus did not hide, but moved toward the darkness. The Light does not hide from the darkness, but confronts it, drives it away. As Jesus moved guided by the Spirit of God the Bible says that His movements were

Matthew 4:14 …. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by {Isaiah} the prophet …

There’s something very interesting here. Matthew inspired of God quotes:

Isaiah 9:2 (KJV) The people that WALKED in darkness have seen a great light: they that DWELL in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

But God through Matthew changes the text slightly. He writes:

Matthew 4:16 The people which SAT in darkness saw great light; and to them which SAT in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

God wrote the Bible, so God can change the words if He wants. God changed “the people that WALKED in darkness” to “the people that SAT in darkness” because this is what darkness and evil does.

When You WALK In Darkness It Drains You, And Eventually You SIT In Darkness

… hopelessly hoping someone will save you. The Bible is clear that:

The wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23)

… sin when it is finished it brings forth death (James 1:15)

In Isaiah’s day the people WALKED in darkness. Now many years later the nation is stagnant. The people walked, wandered, and now SIT in darkness.

They are used to the darkness.

Evangelist Vance Havner once preached “People get so used to the dark that they think it’s growing brighter”. Just as the person in physical darkness will adjust to it over time, those in darkness now SIT in darkness and are satisfied to DWELL in darkness.

John was a single star of light in the midst of that great darkness. But now he is imprisoned for speaking the truth. It looks as if the darkness has won. But it has not. As the father of John the Baptist prophesied:

Luke 1:78-79 (ESV2011) … because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the Sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

John went to prison, and the sun, it seemed, set. It looked as if evil would win. But blessed be the Name of the Lord our Heavenly Sunrise came. As He walked from Nazareth to Galilee and ever closer to Jerusalem the darkness departed. As Christ came He preached the first word of that glorious Gospel:

Matthew 4:17 (KJV) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 Jesus BEGAN to preach. The word “Began” is the Greek ἄρχομαι archomai which means He started preaching, making this the preeminence. Jesus focused on that word:

Repent

μετανοέω metanoeō – META (change) + NOEO (mind). “Change your mind”. You are SITTING in darkness. Quit sitting in it. Get up, and move toward the Light. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. You have a decision to make. You can WALK in darkness till it takes your strength away, then SIT in it until you DIE. Or you can change your mind and go to Jesus. You can run to His embrace. Jesus told those Jews who would reject Christ:

John 8:12 (ESV2011) … I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life….

John 8:23-24 (ESV2011) …. You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.

Here is the Sunrise of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. He comes demanding “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. Time is fleeting. Do not hesitate. Run to His arms, loved Him as He loves you. “Repent”.

Preaching “Repent” Jesus Now Illustrates It

Matthew 4:18 (KJV) 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.

Jesus sees two fishermen casting their net into the Sea of Galilee. Jesus walks to where they are, and says to them …

Matthew 4:19 (KJV) …. Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

There are two parts to what Jesus said. There is a COMMAND, and there is a PROMISE. The two go together. The COMMAND is “Follow Christ”. That is what the believer must do. You stop following self, and begin to follow Christ. You bind yourself to Him. Jesus told us:

Matthew 11:28 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Most people stop at this point.

“All right, I am burdened,

so I will go to Jesus and He will give me rest.

He will kiss my boo boo. He will make me feel better.”

But this is not where Jesus stopped. He said:

Matthew 11:29 (KJV) Take MY YOKE UPON YOU, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Jesus did not call these fishermen to come to Him like He was a HOSPITAL or like He was a GROCERY STORE or like He was a WALMART. No, Jesus said “Follow Me”. How can God transform the lowly fishermen into Apostles? They must follow Him.

It seems to me as if our Beloved Baptists are always looking for another program, another method, another thing to do to impact our world. I am not saying that programs are necessarily bad. But listen Beloved, until you Follow Jesus He will not make you into anything.

Following Jesus Means That He Is Most Important

Jesus said “Follow ME”. Let Christ be your focus. Work is important, but following Christ more important. I want you all to prosper, to be blessed, to have material and physical needs met. But following Christ must be the most important. Jesus told these fishermen “Follow Me”. What did they do? Did they say

Let us get washed up, then we’ll follow.

Let us put up our fish, and we’ll follow.

Let us string out our nets to dry, and we’ll follow.

No, they did none of these things. The Bible says:

Matthew 4:20 (KJV) And they STRAIGHTWAY left their nets, and followed Him.

These men were tired of sitting in darkness. They STRAIGHTWAY left their nets. They dropped the nets where they were. If you know anything about fishing nets you know that if they are dropped on the grounds and left in piles they will rot. These men didn’t make excuses. We read that:

Matthew 4:21-22 (KJV)21 And going on from thence, {Jesus} saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

These men not only left the family business, but they left the ship and their father. Jesus said:

Luke 14:26 (KJV) If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

The American Church has modified this Scripture to make it suit our culture. I have heard preachers say “Jesus really didn’t mean hate, but to love less. And you can be saved but not a disciple.” I’m sorry, but you are putting words in Christ’s mouth. “Hate” means “to choose one over the other”. The Bible says of Jacob and Esau:

Romans 9:12-13 (KJV) {God told Rebecca} … The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

The word “hate” means to leave one to prefer another one. James and John left their father holding the net by himself. They heard Jesus and ran toward the light. Zebedee could have come as well, but chose instead to stay where he was. The people who sat in darkness saw a Great Light. Zebedee kept sitting, his sons ran toward the light.

Jesus must be first. Jesus will be first. We are told in:

Matthew 8:18-22 (KJV) Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. … 21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Zebedee stayed with the boat and lost the Light. The man in Matthew 8 wanted to go bury his father before serving Jesus, and missed the boat! If you be blessed of Christ you must “Follow Him”, separate yourself unto Him.

Following Jesus Means Following Jesus, Not The World

Jesus said “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”. You cannot be fishers of men if you are in the same element as those men.

Fish do not fish for fish.

When I go fishing, I pull fish out of the water to where I am. I don’t jump in the water, but pull them out. One reason that the Church is so ineffective in America today is that there is as much world in the Church as there is in the world. The worldly Church and the worldly Christian cannot convert the world. When you were saved Jesus said “Come follow Me”. The Bible says:

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (KJV) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

And James sharply said:

James 4:4 (NASB77) You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

The moon shines brightest when it is closest to the sun, but as the world comes between it and the sun the moon shines less and less. The same is true for the Child of God. Christ calls “Follow Me”, not “Follow Me and the world”. Follow Christ in His love for God’s Word. Jesus is called “The Word”.

John 1:1 (NASB77) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Why is Jesus called “The Word”? Because Jesus wrote the Bible. He loves the Bible. He is “the Word became flesh”. His movements were directed by the Word. The reason that He left Nazareth and went to Galilee was because the Word directed it.

He was born of a Virgin because God’s Word said so.

He was born in Bethlehem because God’s Word said so.

He became flesh because God’s Word said so.

He ministered where God’s Word told Him.

When He was 12 years old He taught the Word to the Scribes in the Temple.

Jesus lived, loved, and laid His life down because of the Word.

How many of you have your cell phones with you tonight? Don’t raise your hands, just think. Now, how many of you have the Bibles you study during the week with you tonight? How many of you will read His Word outside of the Church? How many of you carry His Word to work with you? How many have His Word in your hearts?

He said “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”. When we follow Him – not the world but Him – then He promises to use us as catalysts to change a darkened world. Jesus reached out to sinners, but never became part of their sin. He is:

Hebrews 7:26 (KJV) …. holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Christ never bound with the darkness. We are to cling to Him as a branch clings to the Vine. The world will hate us for it, but who cares what the world thinks? To live with Christ is the best way to learn how to win souls. Learn soul winning at His feet. He has said “Follow Me, and I WILL MAKE YOU fishers of men”. Jesus asked 12 men to follow Him, to cling to Him, to receive Him as Lord and Savior.

11 followed and became Apostles.

1 tagged along, and ended up murdering himself.

As Peter said Acts 1:17-18 (KJV) {Judas} was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

There is a difference between FOLLOWING and BEING IN PROXIMITY. Judas was in proximity with Jesus, but Judas was like many of Israel, of whom Jesus said:

Matthew 15:8 (KJV) This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.

Jesus calls us to FOLLOW Him, not just with our bodies, but with our hearts. To receive Him, His Words, His behavior. Following Jesus means to IMITATE GOD, for Jesus is God.

To Follow Jesus Is To Both Imitate And To OBEY Him

When Jesus said “Follow Me” He expected immediate obedience. Christ is to be Master and Lord of everything in our lives.

John 14:15 (KJV) If ye love me, Keep My Commandments.

John 14:23-24 (KJV) … If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

Do not say that you love Jesus yet will not do what He says. What He says is in this Book, this Bible. When you follow Christ in love then The Spirit of God comes to indwell you. The Father and the Son come to you, and take up residence in your life. As you obey Jesus, as you follow Him by reading & meditating on His Word and by praying, God comes to you and fills you. The Light of God grows in you. And you become fishers of men.

Our community and our America will only change when we commit to Follow Him, to cling to Him, to love Him above all else. Here is the Way to victory, blessed believer. Follow Him, and He will change you. May God through His Spirit drive this Word home to our hearts.