Body

LOVE CALLS US TO FOLLOW

John 6:66-71

INTRODUCTION:

a. Jack Eckerd illustration - Removed all "girlie" magazines from his stores at a great financial loss

b. Love calls each of us to follow in many ways as our lives are changed

c. Jesus' clarion call is to , "Follow Me and I will make you..."

d. His call is still the same

I. MANY FOLLOW

a. As Jesus traveled and preached many began to listen and follow

1. At the seashore He called fishermen and they followed

2. Others left what they were doing and followed, a tax collector and a political radical were among those he choose

3. At another time 70 followed

b. Many followed because of the miracles he performed and the food he gave them.

1. Their commitments were shallow

c. Jesus' popularity was growing rapidly throughout the land

d. Thousands would come to hear Him speak and teach

II. MANY TURN AWAY

a. As the crowds began to follow Jesus questioned their motives

1. He made them reexamine their reason for following

b. He revealed the purpose of His ministry and His ultimate death on a cross

1. He made it clear that He was mot the materialistic, military Messiah they were looking for

2. Many at this time were disillusioned and no longer followed

c. This is where we pick up the story we read this morning

1. The crowds and some of the followers are gone - Jesus turns to the twelve and says, "Are you going to leave, too?"

2. Peter's answer must have warmed Jesus' heart - "Where else can we go, You have the words of eternal life."

d. Then comes the thunderous challenge to discipleship - "If any man would come after me, let him take up his cross and follow me."

III. THE CALL OF DISCIPLESHIP

a. Two part call:

1. Deny self - Not self destruction but rather saying no to self and yes to God - Finding self-fulfillment in Christ

2. Take up cross

a. Not burden bearing - all bear burdens

b. Is a commitment to do the will of the Father

b. It is a personal choice to follow Christ or not to follow

c. Jesus left us with a beautiful picture of this call of discipleship:

1. We call it "The Lord's Supper" or "Communion"

2. In it we see both self denial and cross bearing