Following God

Ephesians 5:1

Intro:  We are all followers...of one thing or another, of one person or another.  Even those with great leadership skills and independent spirits are followers to a certain extent.  We have either deliberately or inadvertently allowed someone else or something else to be a pattern in our life.  This brings up several questions.  First of all, what kind of follower are you?  Secondly, what exactly are you following?  And do you need to change what you're following and start following something else?  Here are a couple of points that brings our attention to these questions.

I. The Meaning of Following

            According to the Webster's 1828, here is the definition of "following":  One that takes another as his guide in doctrines, opinions or example; one who receives the opinions and imitates the example of another; an adherent; an imitator.  We say we are followers of Christ, but according to this definition, are we REALLY?  To follow means much more than to be in approval of, or in agreement with; it means imitating!

II. The Mandate of Following

            We see in the Scripture that we don't have an option; we are commanded to follow.  It is not a choice of the believer.  We see many times in Scripture where we are ordered to follow.  Here are only a few.

            A. The Priority Aspect   Matt. 8:22 "But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."

            B. The Personal Aspect    Matt. 9:9 "And as Jesus passed for the from hence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him".  That brings us to the next point concerning the "Mandate".

            C. The Prompt Aspect   We see Matthew immediately followed him. Remember: Delayed obedience is Disobedience.

            D. The Pain Aspect   Matt. 16:24  "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."  He never said it would be easier or fun...it is sometimes painful.

III.  The Measure of Following

            Paul said in I Cor. 11:1, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."  Here are the limitations and the measure of our following. There is a difference in Example and Ensample: Note the difference here.

            * Example: Greek word hupodeigma, which is an exhibit for imitation: a pattern

            * Ensample: Greek word tupos; meaning literally a stamp or a scar, an impression made by something else such as a die that has been struck.

            A. Our Example: Christ     John 13:15 "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."  I Peter 2:21 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps:

            B. Our Ensamples: Other followers of Christ   I Peter 5:3 "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."

 I Thess. 1:6, 7 "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that we were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonian and Achaia."  II Thess. 3:9 "Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us."

Conclusion Questions and Invitation Appeal:

            A. What are you following?  3 John 11 "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good..."

            B. Who are you following?  2 Peter 2:1, 2 "But there were false prophets also among you...and many shall follow their pernicious ways..."

            C. What are you waiting for if you are not following?

            D. Who is following you?

            E. Are you able to honestly say to new converts and other believers as Paul said in I Cor. 11:1...Be ye followers of me???