The Bravery to Commit

Let’s consider carefully what it means to Follow Jesus. We’re called to give up everything? What, or better, Who are we really committing ourselves to?

Who He is (the kind of God He is) is Established through His introduction in the OT -

specifically to Adam, Abraham, and Moses

Adam (Gen 1:27-31, 2:15-17, 3:14-22, 4:6-7)
establishes authority, justice, grace, care
Abraham (Gen 12:1-3, 15:6, 15:17-18
establishes promise, faith, sovereignty
Moses (Ex 3:7-9, 11-14, Deut 8:1-10, 9:6-8, 18:15-18)
establishes rescue, power, fulfillment, patience, plan (back to Abraham, back to Adam (Seed))

Covenant - what He says (promises) will come to pass (fulfillment) and so confidence in the future is guaranteed

what are we guaranteed as believers?
Life
Joy
Peace
Presence
Fullness
Fruitfullness
Forgiveness
Purpose
Comfort
Strength
Provision
Grace
Help

We have considered the cost of following Jesus, What’s the cost of not following Him?

you get to be in charge
you do things in your own power
you may even leave a mark

but it will all pass away

“Only one life, twill soon be past
Only what’s done for Christ will last”

Psalm 90
a prayer of Moses

He is everlasting to everlasting
an eternal God has offered eternity to us!

He has revealed Himself and invited us in through Faith.

oh that we would number our days, consider our lives and grow in wisdom

What will you be doing in 30 years?
What kind of person are you now? you good with that?

oh that the work of our hands will count for eternity! establish us Lord in your love that we may walk with you!

Small Group Questions:

1 What aspects of Gods character has He shown you in a personal way? What was the situation?
(maybe His patience during a time of selfishness... maybe His forgiveness when you had fallen into sin...)

2 consider your life, what have you made of it so far? any missed opportunities? any seized moments you look back on and can rejoice? what would you like your life to look like 10 years from now? 30?

3 how are you praying for the Lord to grow you? (try to have a personal example to share) (encourage them to speak it out loud, no not be embarrassed and pray for one another at the end)

4 what has following Jesus cost you so far? Why was it worth it?

5 anyone down for telling us when you met the Lord? How did He bring you to a place of repentance and belief? (be prepared to share your story first)