Follow Me | A Sermon on Matthew 4:19

Introduction
Last week, we looked at Jesus invitation “Come.”  We can see our world is broken.  The ways of the world don’t work. 

And we can look at our own lives and see we are broken too.  We’re part of the problem.  If we were alcoholics, we might as well start repeating the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous:

1.     We admit we are powerless over our problems—that our lives and our world have become unmanageable.

2.     We’ve come to realize it will take a Power greater than ourselves to restore us to sanity.

But now we come to the second part of Jesus’ invitation “follow me”.  And we must decide. 
Will we follow Him?

Matthew 4:19
¹⁹ Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Follow Me
Many people came out to see Jesus.  They were curious.  In a world full of mundane tasks and suffering, Jesus was a was a gifted speaker they could seek to distract them from their troubles and sometimes verbalize they own frustrations about the broken world.  And sometimes Jesus would do miracles:  healings, changing water into wine, and feed thousands of people.  So, many would answer the invitation to “Come and see” Jesus.

But standing on the sidelines watching doesn’t bring change.  So Jesus’ invitation—to those ready to hear—includes “follow me.

Jewish rabbis in Jesus’ day invited students to study under them, to leave everything behind and devote themselves fully to learning. Jesus was like other rabbis in some ways, but very different in others. He didn’t study under another rabbi—He wrote the book. He didn’t stay in one place—He was itinerant, moving from Galilee to Samaria to Jerusalem. His classroom was real life. His teaching came with authority. Mark 1:22 says: “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”

Jesus invited His disciples—and us—into real-life situations where they could watch Him work and learn to do the same.

So, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

What does it mean to follow? (Then & Now)

First, it means leaving everything to follow Him. Some, like Peter, James, and John, left their nets and careers. Others, like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, followed from their homes. Either way, following Jesus meant total commitment.  Whether or not they actually left their homes and careers behind (like Peter), all Jesus' followers left them behind figuratively because Jesus took first place in their list of priorities.  And the same is true for his

followers today.  

I am a full-time pastors. I left my career to follow Jesus full-time. It's a blessing for me to be able to do it. I do not regretting that I've left those other things. I'm thankful that I'm able to do it. But not everybody can do that. I mean, if everybody's a preacher, who's teaching the kids at school? Who's who's serving at the hospital? There are lots of ways that we serve the Lord. But if you're a disciple, if you follow Jesus, whether you're a pastor or a missionary or a teacher or a doctor or a business person, there still is a commitment that you follow him with your whole heart.  He becomes first in your life.

Second, following means you travel and live alongside Him. Following means giving Him constant attention every day—not just on Sundays.  You can't just follow him for one hour on Sunday, and go your own way the rest of the week.  No.  You follow Him all week long, wherever you are.

Third, it means you listen to His teaching and ask questions. The disciples asked when they didn’t understand. We too must study God’s Word daily and wrestle with it in faith.  How do we listen?  We read His Word, the Bible.  It's not just people's opinions about Jesus.  It's His actual words in the Bible.  And we, like the Twelve Disciples, ask questions, because we often (like them) won't understand.  It's ok to have doubts or not understand.  But do so from a place of faith.  Let the assumption be that Christ's Word is true.  Believe in Him and trust Him and ask questions.  That's how you learn.

Fourth, witness His miracles and compassion. As we walk with Him, we see His hand at work—and we begin to imitate His compassion.  We believe Jesus is alive.  So look for His amazing, good work.  Note it.  Praise it.  Share it. Magnify His name and be His witness.

Fifth, learn from mistakes. The disciples failed often and we will too.  But mistakes become lessons.--some of the most unforgettable and valuable ones.  Following Jesus doesn’t mean perfection—it means growth.  So don't be afraid to make mistakes.  Just be sure to learn from them.

Last, following Jesus means we witness His death and resurrection. Discipleship isn’t all joy and miracles (sugar and spice and everything nice). The disciples saw the darkness of Jesus hanging on the cross before they saw the empty tomb. We too will face suffering and we will see some darkness, but we hold fast to the hope of resurrection.  Don't let fear of failure or evil or suffering scare you away from following Jesus.  Because those who follow Him will also see resurrection.

Closing
You’ve heard Jesus’ invitation: “Come, follow Me.” Coming is only the first step. Following means making a decision—today, right now—to put your life under His authority and truth.

The disciples had to make that decision. They left nets, tax booths, and old lives behind.  Some, like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, followed from their homes, offering what they had.  No matter the form, following meant a wholehearted “yes.”

And that’s the invitation for us today. Not just to come and watch from the sidelines.  Not just to admire Jesus or be curious about Him. But to commit—maybe for the first time, or maybe as a renewal of faith you’ve let slip.

So let me ask you:  Will you follow Him? Will you trust His authority, His truth, and His way of life?

I invite you to bow your heads and pray. Maybe you’ve never truly made that commitment, or maybe you’ve drifted and today is the day to renew it.  In your heart, you can pray something like this:

“Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died and rose again for me. I’ve tried my way, and it hasn’t worked. Today I choose to follow You. Lead me, Lord, and help me walk in Your way. Amen.”

A Prayer of Commitment
Leader: Jesus calls us, saying, “Come, follow Me.”
People: Lord, we will follow You.

Leader: We confess that our ways are broken and cannot save us.
People: Lord, we will follow You.

Leader: You alone are the way, the truth, and the life.
People: Lord, we will follow You.

Leader: We lay down our anger, our fear, and our sin at Your feet.
People: Lord, we will follow You.

Leader: With our whole hearts, we say yes to Your authority and truth.
People: Lord, we will follow You.

Leader: Today, and every day, we choose to walk in Your steps.
People: Lord, we will follow You.

 

The Doubting Thomas Story | A Sermon from John 20:24-29

Introduction
We’ve been studying stories from Scripture about the resurrected Christ.  And I think it is fitting today for graduate Sunday that we look at the famous story of “doubting Thomas”.  Although graduation is a time of great celebration and joy, it can also be a time of doubts, fear, and anxiety because graduation marks a significant time of life change.  Graduates, and their families, are walking into an unknown future.  We believe, by faith, it is a bright future.  We are excited for the new challenges ahead, but the unknown is a foggy mist that clouds what lies ahead and can make the road an anxious one to travel.

The Disciple Thomas wrestled with what he could not see.  He was absent the first time the resurrected Jesus appeared to the other disciples.  Though they testified he cold not believe something he had not yet seen.  Perhaps his story will encourage our graduates, their families, and all of us today.

John 20;24-29
²⁴ One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),^[a] was not with the others when Jesus came. ²⁵ They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

²⁶ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

²⁸ “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Show Up to Go Up
Thomas had doubts, but he still showed up.  I don’t know why Thomas was absent the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples, but I’m glad he didn’t give up.  He’s quite honest in sharing his doubt.  Even though the other Disciples are adamant:  “We have seen the Lord!”  Thomas was skeptical:  “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”  He doubted, but he didn’t walk away.  He stayed connected with the other disciples.  And because of that, Thomas eventually saw Jesus too.

In uncertain times, it’s so important that we keep showing up—in worship, in prayer, in Christian community.  It’s ok to have your doubts, but don’t give up.  Show up.  Eventually, Jesus showed up for Thomas. He’ll show up for you, too.

Graduates, your young adult years are some of the most formative of your whole life.  Today, you are just barely out of high school—still children in your own thinking.  Over the next 4-5 years, you will have some of the most important experiences and make some of the most important decisions of your life.  Decisions about college, work, career, marriage, children…  Choices that will chart the course of the rest of your life.  And you will be making these decisions for yourselves as adults, not under the direction of your parents.  (Of course your parents will still love and support and advise you, but it will be different than when you were a child.)  These are years you need faith and direction from God.  Don’t walk away from Him in these years when you need God the most.  Show up for Him (even if you doubt) and Jesus will show up for you just as He showed up for Thomas.

Faith and doubt can coexist.  Thomas’ story names our doubts and reminds us doubt isn’t the enemy of faith.  Honest questions can lead to stronger, deeper faith.  Jesus isn’t afraid of your questions; He welcomes them because he knows they are opportunities to be real and go deeper. 

Seek a Personal Faith
Being honest about your doubts and yet continuing to show up is how we seek a personal faith that’s real and makes a difference.  Thomas didn’t want to hang his hopes on the faith of the other apostles.  No, Thomas didn’t just want hearsay—he wanted his own experience with Jesus.  He wanted to touch Jesus’ wounds.  He wanted to see for himself.

And for us, seeing for ourselves builds a faith that is firm and real.  Having experienced the risen Christ for myself over the years steadies me through whatever difficulties I face.  I know Jesus is real because I talk to Him every day.  I have seen Him in countless moments of ministry.  And I have felt His comfort in the darkest nights of my soul.  But I want all of you to have your own personal faith in Jesus.  When troubles come or you ultimately face the dark day of death, you don’t want your faith to be something you borrowed from me (or anyone else).  You want it to be your own personal experience of the risen Jesus.  So keep on seeking your own personal relationship with Jesus.

For We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight
But even with that being said, I want you to know that relationship comes by faith, not by sight.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.”  Doubting Thomas was given a rare opportunity when Jesus showed up and said, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side.”  It doesn’t happen that way for most of us.  Most of us must learn to believe without seeing, but Jesus says it is a greater blessing when we do.

It is not that we believe blindly.  The evidence is there.  We can “see” Jesus in a myriad of moments.  I hope our graduates have “seen” Jesus in their parents’ love, in our congregation’s support, and in the ways we’ve worked together to bless our community.  Perhaps they have seen Jesus in their friends or in the way someone has walked through adversity.  When we view life through the lens of faith it can reveal the risen Christ among us and can equip us to face the unknown with incredible spiritual fortitude.  This is true blessing.

After graduation (and in life in general), the path is rarely clear.  There is very little growth or reward if we always remain hidden in the mediocrity of our comfort zones.  We must at least occasionally be bold and have the faith to step out and take some risks to be rewarded with the full blessing Jesus wants to bestow.

Doubting Thomas learned to walk by faith too.  His faith in Christ led him to walk all the way from Jerusalem to India (over 3,000 miles), sharing his faith in the resurrected Christ’s all along the way.  To this day, there are churches in Syria and India that trace their founding to Thomas’ ministry.

Where will your faith in Jesus lead you?  Learn to trust Jesus step by step, even when you can’t see the full picture.

Beautiful Scars
Thomas touched Jesus’ wounds.  How do we “touch” Jesus now?  I can think of several ways.  We can touch Him through worship.  We can touch Him through Scripture.  We can touch Him through the Church and through loving service.  We can touch Him through the sacraments—as we encourage one another through baptism and as we partake of His body and blood in Holy Communion.  We touch Him whenever we participate in any of these by faith and we can touch Him through the relationships we have with each other.

Notice, that Jesus didn’t hide His scars from Thomas or any of the disciples.  Jesus’ scars became proof of His identity.  His scars were beautiful scars because they showed how much He loves us.  Graduates (and everyone):  Perhaps you have some wounds of your own.  Perhaps you will receive new wounds in the days and years ahead.  But don’t forget this truth Jesus reveals:  Your wounds and experiences shape you. Jesus’ scars are proof that suffering is not erased by resurrection but transformed through it into something beautiful.

If you put your faith in Jesus, the scars you have now and whatever wounds you receive in the future can have meaning.  The pain is real, but Christ has the power to transform it all into something for which you will be eternally thankful and proudly display as a testament to the goodness of God.

The Call Forward
Jesus commissions all His disciples—even doubters.  As we read in Matthew 28:19-20 last week, Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all the nations,^[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Graduation is not the end—it’s the beginning of your mission.  Walk by faith.  Live with hope.  Go forth with courage.  And trust in the risen Lord.  This is a call forward for our graduates and for all of us.