Andy Stanley’s been known to say, “If you speak from your weaknesses, you’ll never run out of material!” Isn’t that the truth? And, today, that’s what I’m doing … just so you know!
Folks, today I want to begin with this question: If you follow Jesus, where does it lead? What’s the end game or the goal of following? And if you get this following thing down perfectly, what difference does it make? What’s the reward?
Now, there are some of you here who already know. You’re 70-80 years old, and you’re looking back on your life thinking ‘I’m so glad I decided to follow Jesus all those years ago’ … because you know. You already know what the outcome of being a Jesus follower is all about; you already know what the end game is. But, for those of us not yet there, let me continue … by first telling you what the goal of following Jesus is not…
- It’s not being a better person … although that may happen too. As a follower of Jesus, you’ll forgive quicker … you’ll be more generous … you’ll be more loving and kind to everyone … you won’t worry about some things you worried about before you followed, but when you read the Gospels (Matthew-Mark-Luke-John), you don’t find Jesus going around saying, ‘Follow me; I’ll make you a better person.” So, being a better person is not specifically where Jesus is leading us…
- Also, it’s not heaven. Did you know that? Some people think that following Jesus is all about heaven. That’s the destination—the main goal! But is that right? Well, in the Gospels Jesus talks about going to heaven and teaches about the Kingdom of God, but if you read the Gospels in their entirety … you’ll notice that the theme of ‘follow me’ had nothing to do with where you spend eternity! It wasn’t the primary goal of being a Jesus follower…
- Lastly, following Jesus doesn’t lead to a pain-free, problem-free existence! NO! And let me say it this way, magic promises pain-free, problem-free … not Jesus! Anyone that offers you a formula (even if it includes Jesus) that guarantees a pain-free, problem-free life … is offering you magic! Let me explain:
All magic works some of the time. All magic, good luck charms, crossing your fingers, whatever it is—all magic works some of the time. And, unfortunately for some of us, we were raised in a Christian environment where magic thinking got mixed in with Jesus thinking and the next thing you know, we’re trying to do things a certain way to get God’s blessing! Here’s one of my favorite examples…
Now, if you know what this is, don’t confess that … because you’re going to give yourself away and I’m just going to make fun of you in a moment anyway. If you know what this is, just act like ‘Wow, what a cute little guy!’ or something, O.K.? Folks, this is St. Joseph, the carpenter … and you can buy St. Joseph the Carpenter for about $6.98 on Amazon … complete with instructions on how to bury him in your yard … to help you sell your home! You heard me right … and all the magic people in the room already knew who this was … and what he could do; he can help sell your house … if that’s what you need! You buy this little statue. You follow the instructions. You bury him in your yard. And he’ll help your house to sell. And if you believe that… Seriously, I think the only people that benefit from this little gimmick are the ones who sell it… And that’s magic; with magic, there’s always a price to pay…
Folks, none of these ideas are where Jesus is leading! Jesus did not come to be your magician; he didn’t come to offer you a pain-free, trouble-free existence. (As a matter of fact, following Jesus may create some new pain and problems in your life. What did Jesus say in John 16:33? “In this world you will have trouble.”) And Jesus did not ask you to follow just so you could be a better person—for that reason only… But, here’s the truth; if we’re going to be followers of Jesus…
We Need to Understand Where it All Leads. So, again, what’s the payoff for being a follower of Jesus? Where’s he taking us? The passage we’re going to today illustrates it pretty well, but first let me give you some background…
There were basically three groups of people who followed Jesus in his day…
- The first group was the people that lived in the town where Jesus showed up. When Jesus would arrive at a town, many of the ‘locals’ would follow him while he was there…
- The second group was the people who followed Jesus followed him from town to town; this group would include people like Lazarus, Mary, Martha, and some others who were friends with Jesus…
- The third group were those closest to Jesus—known as the 12 disciples or, later, the apostles. These were the famous guys, the ones Jesus would entrust with his message and ministry—very common in those days that a rabbi/teacher would have followers he hand-picked…
And that’s what was happening in Matthew, Chapter 10. Here, Jesus gets to the point where he says, “O.K., I’ve got to narrow down these followers of mine and hand-pick some leaders.” He does that, giving them instructions on what they’re going to do: He’s going to empower them, send them out with a message of Good News, tell them where to go, how long to stay, how much money to take, what to wear, how to respond if they’re rejected, and so forth. Then the story continues (v. 16)…
16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves…
Some of you’ve heard that saying before, and here’s where it originated…
16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
And the disciples are like ‘Whoa! This sounds like there might be some conflict involved here!’ And Jesus goes on (Matt. 10:17, NIV)…
17 “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.
And they’re like ‘O.K., what?’ And Jesus says, ‘Yeah, you’re going to be arrested’ … and then Jesus kind of peers into the future here. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are all about … Jesus. The Book of Acts, however, is about these guys in the future … and what Jesus is saying here takes place later on—recorded in Acts…
Right now, they’re popular; thousands of people want to follow Jesus, and the closer to Jesus you are, the more popular you are. That’s what they’re experiencing right now, but Jesus is telling them that’s all going to change … and eventually it does. They’re going to be arrested … and flogged in the synagogue. People die from that! That’s going to leave a permanent mark! Every time they’d go to the beach, people will say … ‘Oh man, you must’ve broken the law!’ Then, Jesus goes on (Matt. 10:18, NIV)…
18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings [actually what happened] … as witnesses…
Because they were going to be witnesses of what Jesus did … not just what he said…
18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
Jesus had just told them … I want you to stick with the Jews, but eventually you’re going to be my witnesses to the Gentiles too! Now, check this out (Matt. 10:19, NIV)…
19 But when they arrest you…
Not if, but when… These guys have got to be nervous at this point. They’re setting there thinking to themselves, ‘Arrested? I thought the Kingdom of God was coming! What do you mean … arrested?’
19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it…
Now, let me tell you what I’d be thinking: I’d be thinking … I won’t be worried about what to say or how to say it; I’ll be more worried about the shackles around my ankles—being arrested! What I’m going to say will be the least of my worries…
19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say.
I think most of them would be more interested in a ‘Get out of Jail Free’ card, don’t you? ‘What do you mean we won’t have to worry about what to say? Jesus, you didn’t tell us about this part.’ And Jesus probably said, ‘Hey, you’re the one that raised your hand when I asked who wanted to be in my inner circle!’ Then, listen (Matt. 10:20, NIV)…
20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
And they’ve got to be thinking to themselves … ‘So, in the middle of our trial, then God is going to get involved?’ If God knows I’m going to be arrested, and knows I’m going to be flogged, and he’s planning on giving me the right words to say … and God can do that … why doesn’t he just get me un-arrested, or better yet, why didn’t God prevent me from getting arrested in the first place? Then Jesus looks to the future again (Matt. 10:21, NIV)…
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death [and Jesus summarizes…]. 22 All men will hate you because of me…
And they’ve got to be thinking to themselves, ‘No one told us about this part of the deal!’ They’re in the midst of all this popularity, but Jesus is dropping a bomb; he’s letting them know that the tide is eventually going to turn. Let me jump to verse 28, where Jesus says this (Matt. 10:28, NIV)…
28 Do not be afraid…
But … we’re going to be arrested … and flogged! ‘I know,’ Jesus says, ‘and when you’re arrested … don’t be afraid!’ You told us we’re going on trial for our lives and everyone’s going to turn on us! And Jesus says, ‘Yeah, and in the midst of that … do not be afraid!’
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
And here Jesus introduces them (& us) to something he’ll go back to over and over and over again. And these guys didn’t get it ‘til the very end. This wasn’t a lecture they wrote down and said, ‘Got it. What else you got for us?’ This was an ongoing process (Good News for you & me)—the whole idea of finding themselves in very difficult situations, yet refusing to allow fear to get the upper hand. Jesus continues (Matt. 10:29, NIV)…
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Sparrows were almost worthless. No matter what you’re in the middle of, don’t be afraid. You’re worth more than a couple of sparrows; I take care of them. So don’t be afraid. This is where Jesus was taking them—those who followed…
The Destination is Faith That Overwhelms Fear. The end game is faith so big and so deeply rooted in your Heavenly Father’s love for you that fear will no longer be an issue in your life; worry will be replaced by peace. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:30d-32, NIV)…
…O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
In Mark 4 (40, NIV), they’re crossing the Sea of Galilee and a storm blows up; Jesus is asleep; do you remember this story?
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
What if your confidence in God were that big—that firm? Folks, imagine … no fear … and no worry—period! Imagine not ‘worrying about tomorrow’ because you really believe God is in control and will meet your tomorrow … with whatever grace you need! This is where Jesus is leading those who choose to follow! So…
Why Faith That Overwhelms Fear? Why Lead Us There? (A couple ideas…)
- First, overwhelming faith honors God. Have you ever overheard one of your children say something like “My Dad will take care of that” or “My Mom always comes through; just trust her”? Think of how you’d feel if your children showed faith in you like that; it’s that kind of faith that also honors God; and…
- Overwhelming faith frees us to love. As fear decreases, the ability to love increases; think of 1 John 4:18 (NIV)…
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear….
You can’t love your enemies and fear them at the same time; you can’t forgive those who’ve hurt you and fear them at the same time. Only extraordinary faith in the sovereignty of God empowers a person to do that!
Here’s the bottom line—the end game: As you follow Jesus, your faith will get bigger … and your fears will get smaller! 25 years or so after Jesus, Paul says something that once again paints a clear picture of where Jesus is leading those who choose to follow (Romans 8:28, NIV)…
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I want you to notice something here. It wasn’t a question. Paul didn’t even say, ‘We believe that.’ He said, ‘We know….’ Then he said in verse 31…
31 …If God is for us, who can be against us?
Yep. That’s what Jesus was trying to teach his disciples. And ‘if God is for us’ … what is there to fear?
As we decide to become true followers of Jesus—accepting his invitation to follow, our faith will get bigger, and our fears will get smaller. That’s the end game; that’s the real goal—where Jesus wants to take us. So in the midst of all the stuff life throws our way, fear no longer has the upper hand! We no longer have to worry (a form of fear), as we place our faith in the One who can calm every storm that comes our way! Jesus simply says, “Follow me … and trust me.” Are you ready?