Follow MeㅣMatthew

20250112 [Sunday Service]
*Title: Follow Me*
[Matthew 8:18-22]
*Introduction: What is the life of a true disciple?*
It is a life of continually following Jesus, known as *discipleship*.
Jesus called the crowd, saying, "Follow Me." This is a call to live as His disciples.
1. Most believers live faithfully in the realities of their daily lives but do not take up the challenges of being a disciple. As a result, they fail to grow.
2. Some believers disregard reality entirely, losing their footing in life. This makes it impossible for them to sustain their faith.
3. So, what is the way of discipleship? Disciples engage with reality but are not bound by it. They transcend reality and strive toward Jesus’ vision. Such individuals live the life of a disciple.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands us, not to “make all nations believers,” but to “make disciples of all nations.”
Crowds live for themselves, but disciples live for Jesus. One cannot live as a disciple without surrendering their own desires.
Jesus declared:
"Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me" (Luke 9:23).
A disciple must deny themselves, take up the cross (their God-given mission), and follow Jesus. Without a sense of mission, one loses their reason for being. But those with a mission find joy in life and a dynamic tension as they strive toward their calling.
*Main Message: What is required to truly follow Jesus?*
Let us reflect on today’s passage and examine the life of discipleship.
1. The First Requirement: A Decision to Surrender Comfort (Matthew 8:19-20)
A teacher of the law came to Jesus, saying:
"Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go."
Jesus replied:
"Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head."
This response does not merely highlight poverty or hardship. Jesus emphasizes that the path of discipleship does not pursue worldly comfort or stability.
Jesus challenges us: “Are you ready to give up your comfort and follow My path?”
Even today, we must ask ourselves: Are we willing to surrender our comforts and securities to follow Jesus wholeheartedly?
2. The Second Requirement: A Shift in Priorities (Matthew 8:21-22)
Another disciple said to Jesus:
"Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
But Jesus replied:
"Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
This does not mean neglecting familial responsibilities. Rather, Jesus challenges the disciple’s priorities. God’s call must take precedence in our lives.
Following Jesus requires a commitment to put God’s work above all else.
We are often tempted to prioritize our families, careers, possessions, or plans over Jesus. True disciples, however, place Jesus at the center of their lives.
3. The Essence of Discipleship: Walking with Jesus
When Jesus says, “Follow Me,” it means more than physically following Him. Discipleship is about a relationship with Jesus:
Spending time with Him daily
Learning from His teachings and living by them
Sharing in His mission
To live as true disciples, we must commune with Jesus daily through His Word and prayer, faithfully following His guidance.
*Conclusion: Respond to the Call to “Follow Me”*
The life of following Jesus demands sacrifice and devotion but leads to true joy and life.
1. Commitment: Resolve to surrender comfort and follow Jesus.
2. Prioritization: Place Jesus above all else in your life.
3. Daily Walk: Walk with Jesus each day, obeying His call and mission.
Let us respond to Jesus’ call today with the confession:
"Yes, Lord. I will follow You."
*Prayer Topics for Our Church in 2025*
Let us prepare our hearts and vessels for God’s answers.
1. Pray for three disciples who will receive the light of economic blessings.
1) The disciples in the Early Church didn’t just give tithes-they gave all their possessions. These were “The Secret Squad” who sustained the church. We must become a “The Secret Squad” sustaining the church with our tithes.
2) Pray for “Holy Masons” who take responsibility for renting or building church facilities to influence culture. These individuals are essential for maintaining the church.
3) Pray for “Next-Generation Ministers” who will establish platforms to nurture future generations.
2. Let us resolve this year: “I will always be part of the gathering of light.”
3. Let us pray to build the “Tower of Light” as watchmen for multiethnic ministries, healing ministries, and the next generation ministries.
4. Pray for the successful establishment of the “GTS Kindergarten”
5. Pray for our young people and students to grow as spiritual summits through “Remnant Meditation School” training. The ones who meditate on God’s Word will move this generation.