1. “Follow Me”  Mt.8:22  Mt.9:9  Mt.16:24  Mt.19:21 Rv.14:4 I. Why Do So Many Refuse To Follow Jesus?

2. 1. Distracted by worldly things, Lk.8:14  Choked Mt. and Mk.: choke the word Lk.8: choke the victims  Lk.8:42  Worldly cares prevent spir- itual growth – Lk.18:18-23

3. 2. Turned off by self-denial, Lk.9:23  Deny: to refuse  Hb.11:24 To act in a selfless manner (opposite of selfishness)

4. 3. Frightened by opposition. Lk.9:23-26  Cross  Cross = horrifying death  Lose  Lose life  Ashamed  Ashamed (includes fear of suffering and dying; Hb.12:2)

5. 4. Discouraged by family, Lk.9:  57-58, he hoped to share the glories of the Messiah Jesus honestly told him what he could expect  59-60, ordinarily it’s not wrong to bury parents Jesus knew his heart

6. 5. Confused by conflicting voices, Jn.10:4, 27 II. To Follow Jesus, We Must Know Which Way He Went

7. 1. Baptism, Lk.3  Lk.3:3, 7 15-17, John’s mission can’t compare to Messiah’s, yet: v.21  Mk.1:9  Mt.3:14-15, John hesitated; his baptism didn’t fit Jesus “Righteousness” = sum total of requirements of God

8. Can we follow His example?  “If Jesus had no sins, how can we follow His example?” Denominational “baptism” We follow His example because:  Baptized for forgiveness of our sins (Ac.2:38)  He obeyed. No obedience, no salvation (Hb.5:8-9)

9. 2. Temptation, Lk.4  Satan doesn’t object to our bap- tism if we continue to practice old sins; his temptations are designed to keep us lost 1-4, lack of trust (Gn.3; Hb.4:15) 5-8, mistrust  V.8, Satan = Mt.16:23 9-12, false trust

10. 3. House of God, Lk.4:16  Synagogue: assembled to worship  Sabbath: weekly  Read: emphasis on Scripture  Custom: habitual conduct (Hb.10) “I don’t get anything out of it” Jesus knew everything

11. 4. Lost souls, Lk.5  It is written – His own obedience (Lk.3) His own protection (Lk.4) His worship (Lk.4) His teaching (Lk.5)  Lk.5:1-3, multitudes; 4-11, a few (Lk.19:10)

12. III. Key To Following Jesus: Total Commitment  Lk.10:27, all… (18:28) Gn.24:5…39 Ru.1:16-17  Lk.14:17-18...33  1 Pt.2:21