Are You a Follower
of Jesus?
Palm Sunday
John 12:17-19
Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him.19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
3 Types of Followers on that first Palm Sunday
· Intense Pursuit (vs. 17)
· Inspired Participation (vs.18)
· Intended Persecution (vs. 19)
For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. - Galatians 1:13
A Profile of the Believer
1. The Command to a Believer: Flee and Follow
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. - 2 Timothy 2:22
2. The Condition of a Believer: Burdened but Blessed
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Matthew 5:10-12
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
3. The Commitment of a Believer: Persevere until Perfected
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Phil.3:12-14
