Guard Your Heart - - Follow The Pattern

 

1 Corinthians 11:1

Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3402

Followers: imitator, emulator

From the Greek word 'mimétés' (pronounced mim-ay-tace'): the root of the English word mimic. Properly, the positive imitation that arises by admiring the pattern set by someone worthy of emulation. Mimétés is always used positively in the NT (seven times) – of followers of Christ emulating a God-approved example. The supreme model is God Himself (see Eph 5:1). 

Ephesians 5:2 "Therefore, be followers of God, as dear children."

This word 'followers' is used only seven times in the New Testament. Though some translations use the word 'imitators' instead of 'followers', the meaning is the same. 

1. 1 Corinthians 4:16 - followers of Paul (his example)

2. 1 Corinthians 11:1 - followers of Paul even as he follows Christ

3. Ephesians 5:1 - followers of God

4. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 - followers of Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, and the Lord, with joy in the Holy Spirit

5. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 - followers of the churches of God in Christ Jesus who also suffer at the hands of their own nation

6. Hebrews 6:12 - followers of the faithful

7. 1 Peter 3:13 - followers of what is good

FOLLOW THE PATTERN

Philippians 3:17 

Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.

Philippians 4:9

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

2 Timothy 1:13

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD

John 10:3, 4

3. The gatekeeper opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen for His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.

4. When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.

FOLLOW THE SPIRIT's LEADING

Romans 8:3, 4

3. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,

4. so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

    We lead by example, whether we lead others in the way of death and destruction (Matthew 10:25) or in the Way of the Lord . The better way is God's Way. If we're going to be God's faithful leaders, then we need to be God's faithful followers. 

    A servant is not greater than his master. (Matthew 10:24; John 13:16; John 15:20). A faithful leader is a faithful servant. We follow Christ wherever He leads us, even to death. He is bringing us out of this world into His world, into our heavenly home. 

FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST, OUR PATTERN

    Knowing that Christ suffered at the hands of his own countrymen, why are we expecting not to suffer at the hands of our own countrymen, our own nation, our own cities and towns? Jesus Christ told His disciples (and us) to take up our crosses and follow Him.

Matthew 16:24

Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

1 Peter 2:21-23

21. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22. “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

23. When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

    Don't be surprised when the men and women you have called friends turn their backs on you when you profess Christ as your Lord and Savior; when your ways are not their ways. Don't be alarmed by family suddenly criticizing the change in you. Stand firm in your newfound faith in Christ. You are not alone.

    But continue to follow Christ faithfully. Read your Bible. Study your Bible. Highlight areas that make an impact on you. Underline verses that reach you. Date these things in your Bible, if you can. Use the flyleaf and the back blank pages. You should see my study Bibles. 

    Keep a journal or notebook with your Bible. There may be times when you need more space to write your thoughts and the insights you have gained in your studies. This will help you remember what you are learning.

     "​A faithful follower I would be​,"​ is what the hymnist wrote way back in 1862, when he penned the words to "He Leadeth Me." 

FOLLOW THE PATTERN MEDLEY

What Do I Do With Jesus?

     

      Many have heard of Jesus Christ and have made a conscious decision to either believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God for their salvation or they have chosen to not believe. I have had people tell me they don't want to hear about the grace by which we are all saved by faith in the only name under heaven by which we are saved ((Acts 4:12)). 

     Some people have heard the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ but don't want anything to do with the blood which was shed for sins. I have heard them say it's icky, gross and too awful to think about. Yes, the blood which Jesus shed for sinners is messy; it's so messy, that Christ was unrecognizable ((Isaiah 53; John 19:1-36)).

     Some have not yet heard this wonderful news. Hard to believe in this day and this age that there are still people who have not heard, but it's true. For when everyone has heard and been given the opportunity to make a decision regarding Jesus Christ's gospel ((Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 13:10)).

     But what do I do with Jesus? For me, it's what DID I do with Jesus? Well, I didn't become a firm believer until near the end of my first marriage. There's a line from a hymn that says, "I came to Jesus weary, worn and sad: He took my sins away." I did that. And when I did that, He came to me. And one by one my children accepted Christ, then the devil attacked my family and we were separated by force (divorce and distance). 

     But I didn't stop believing. I had a new firm foothold in the Word and the Lord brought me to a new city and a new church with some of my kiddos, where we were again separated. But I wasn't backing down (I'm still not). I came to a new church and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the last night of a revival.  

     Then another opportunity to serve God came up and put me in the church where I am established now. I was given another husband and another son. The marriage strengthened in the Word. The kids grew up and made their own life choices.  I pray that someday they make a life choice to follow Jesus Christ regardless of the cost. 

     

What Do I Do With Jesus?

1. Believe & Receive The Lord Jesus Christ 
1. John 1:12, 13 "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
2. Follow Jesus
1. Mark 1:17 “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
2. Luke 9:23, 24 "Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."
3. Love Like Jesus
1. John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you should love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another."
2. Matthew 5:44 "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
3. Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another."
4. Worship & Praise Jesus
1. Philippians 2:9-11 "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
2. Romans 14:11 "It is written: "As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.""
3. Psalm 150:6 "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."
4. Psalm 34:1 "....... I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips."
5. Serve Jesus
1. Psalm 100:2 "Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs."
2. Ephesians 6:7 "With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men."
3. Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men."
4. John 12:26 "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."
6. Share Jesus
1. Mark 16:15 "And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
2. Acts 22:15 "You will be His witness to everyone of what you have seen and heard."
3. Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."
7. Last but not least, I will Talk to Jesus
1. Acts 6:4 "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word."
2. Romans 1:9 "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers."
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
4. Ephesians 6:18 "Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints."

That's what I do with Jesus.

     

Tho' None Go With Me Still I Will Follow

      

We have reached that stage in life, and in our world, 

where we must make a decision to either 

follow the demands the world makes on us

or follow Jesus. But how should I follow Jesus? 

First, I must follow Him in LOVE, unconditionally and without exception Loving everybody, regardless of their identity, race, gender, ethnicity or politics.

1 Corinthians 14:1

LOVE should be your guide. Be eager to have the gifts that come from the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy. (CEV)

1 Corinthians 13:2

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not LOVE, I am nothing.

Second, I must follow Him in RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

Proverbs 15:9

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Proverbs 21:21

He who follows RIGHTEOUSNESS and mercy Finds life, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and honor.

Proverbs 3:21-22

My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment (Godly wisdom). 

They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.

Thirdly, I must follow Jesus in FAITH.

1 Timothy 6:11

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, FAITH, love, endurance, and gentleness.

2 Timothy 2:22

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, FAITH, charity, peace, with them that call on 

the Lord out of a pure heart.

Fourthly, I must choose to FOLLOW Christ when He calls me. 

Matthew 4:19

And he said unto them, 

"FOLLOW Me, 

and I will make you fishers of men."

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone wants to FOLLOW after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and FOLLOW Me.

While these steps may seem difficult to do, we were given a HELPER to help us accomplish the tasks God gives the Church to fulfill: His Holy Spirit. 

John 15:26

“But when the HELPER comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."

Acts 5:32

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.

Luke 12:12

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour

 what you ought to say. 

And what is the number one thing we see about the Holy Spirit whom God has given us? He is HOLY. Therefore, we must be HOLY, too.

Hebrews 12:14

Follow PEACE with all men, and HOLINESS, without which no man shall see the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-6

For it is God’s will that you should be HOLY: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in HOLINESS and honor,

not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;

and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.

1 Peter 1:15-16

But as He which has called you is HOLY, so you be HOLY in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be HOLY; for I AM HOLY. 

1 Thessalonians 5:23

And the very God of Peace SANCTIFY you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved BLAMELESS unto the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Though none go with me, I will FOLLOW CHRIST. 

Some Folks

Not every follower of Jesus Christ was a believer. Some followed skeptically, not quite sure what to believe, though they could see the miracles happening right in front of them. Some followed to catch Him in a lie, hoping to dissuade others from listening.

 (John 10:20)

Some folks who followed Christ only wanted a healing, but left soon after. Some folks believed that not only could He do a miracle for they who pursued Him and surrounded Him, but for their families, as well. (John 4:46-53)

Some folks who followed Him wanted to kill Him; (John 8:59: 10:31) they tried to stone Him before they actually were able to get Him crucified. Some folks who followed Jesus wanted to believe but found it hard to obey what He said to do, so they stopped following. (the rich young ruler: Matthew 19:16-22)

Some folks who follow Jesus only wanted the money that came into the treasury, not the One who owned the cattle on a thousand hills, or paved the streets of heaven with gold. For a handful of silver coin, that man betrayed Jesus and turned Him over to the authorities. 

Some folks follow Jesus while the journey is easy, but leave when the journey becomes personal and difficult, as when Peter betrayed Jesus when He was arrested. (John 18:17-27)

Some folks followed Jesus everywhere but in prayer. For the disciples He chose to pray with Him or stay near Him fell asleep. It was exhausting to be on the go all the time and try to stay awake long enough to be with The Father, too.  ( Luke 22:39-46)

Some folks who follow Jesus are not of any Israelite tribe, but still they seek to be in His presence. (John 12:20; John 4:39) Some folks follow Jesus because a family member told them about Him. (John 1:40-42, 45)

When we begin to follow Jesus, we must decide for ourselves which of these “some folks” we are. I want to follow Jesus so close I am stuck like glue (Psalm 63:8).