HOW TO BECOME A FOLLOWER OF JESUS
1. Our Purpose
We were created for God’s pleasure – to know Him and worship Him. God breathed the breath of life into man and God gave man a spirit. Revelation 4:11 – Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. (KJV) Genesis 2:7 – The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
2. Our Problem
Man disobeyed God, and sin caused man’s spirit to die. Our spirit is the part of us that makes it possible to relate to God, but since that part has died, we can’t relate to Him. Ephesians 2:1 – As for you, you were dead in transgressions and sins. Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
3. God’s Plan
So in order for us to be able to relate to God, we must have a new birth – a spiritual birth. John 3:3-7 – Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he can’t enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.'”
4. God’s Provision
Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. This was necessary because of your sin and mine. John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Isaiah 53:5-6 – But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He rose from the grave to show He had power over death. He ascended to heaven, and from there He sent His Holy Spirit to bring man’s spirit to life AND to give His followers power to live for Him. Romans 8:9 – You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of God, he does not belong to Christ.
5. Our Part
Each person must REPENT of sins 2 Corinthians 7:10 – Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation . . .; HAVE FAITH in Jesus Ephesians 2:8-9 – For it is by faith you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast; and FOLLOW HIM Luke 9:23 – (Jesus) said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”