Following Jesus (Luke 9:21-27)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
06 October 2024
Jesus challenges you to follow him. He has gone ahead. To follow Jesus is to walk behind him.
He came into the world with a cause--to save his people from their sins. To walk behind Jesus is to walk with him in his cause.
What Jesus asks us to do he has done himself. That is, Jesus does not ask anything of you which he himself has not done.
He challenged his disciples to deny themselves. He has already denied himself. He denied his heavenly glory when he came to live in this fallen world. He had nowhere to lay his head. He had no money. He lived simply. His life was one of self-denial. When you deny yourself you are following Jesus.
Jesus told his followers to take up their cross daily. He himself took up his cross literally. He endured suffering. He was rejected by his own people. Abused. Spat on. Nailed to a cross and left to die. He knows what cross-carrying is about. We all have to carry crosses which are the trials and burdens of life. Jesus carried his. He is here to help us.
He taught that if you try and save your life you will lose it. Conversely, if you die to self you will find life. Jesus died to self. He came from heaven not to do his own will but the will of the Father. His death appeased the wrath of God. His death gives us life.
Jesus taught people not to live for the things of the world. You may gain worldly things but lose your soul. Jesus resisted worldly things when the devil offered him the whole world. He resisted this temptation. He knows we are tempted with earthly things. He is not a priest with no sympathy for our weaknesses but was tempted as we are yet without sin.
Jesus taught his disciples not to be ashamed of him. Shame is associated with the fear of man. Jesus was never ashamed of the heavenly Father. We ought never to be ashamed of our Lord lest when he returns he is ashamed of us. Own the Lord now and not be disowned by him later.
Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God. He said some of his hearers would not taste death till they see the kingdom. He spoke of his death, resurrection, ascension, and the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit for all these factors would be accomplished in the inauguration of the glorious gospel age.
It is encouraging to know that Jesus has gone before us and has tasted everything for us. He has tasted death for everyone. He has resisted temptation and defeated the devil. He has appeared before the Father and is our great high priest. We may approach the heavenly throne with boldness since Jesus is there on our behalf.
What a Saviour! Walk behind him! You will be safe. You will find grace to help in time of need.