Carson Valley Bible Church

The third week in a series of 4 weeks of what God wants us to BE...

First, we heard "Be a Worshipper" followed by "Be in Community", which naturally flows into "Be a Discipler", doesn't it?

"You, follow Me" John 21:22

This week's Recap is simply this:

Orland Quote

To catch up, or to hear it again, listen to:

Vimeo Channel: Vimeo video link

Spotify Audio: Spotify 5.21.23

Many thanks to Ben Eddis who graciously led us in musical worship last Sunday!

"The Power of the Cross"

Keith Getty and Stuart Townend record the following about their hymn, written in 2005 - "The Power of the Cross" is a meditation on the sufferings of Christ. Over the past couple of years, we have been working through the Apostles Creed and writing hymns teaching the fundamental beliefs of Christianity. The Creed teaches that "He suffered under Pontius Pilate," and in communion we are commanded to "remember his death 'til he comes." In the New Testament, Paul and the Apostles often preached and prayed in more detailed and visual ways about the cross, turning all of our senses to Christ's sufferings and their significance. Stuart and I considered how the reality of His sufferings should penetrate our worship services and were challenged by the need to explain the overwhelming significance and implications these have for our lives. In our congregational worship the sufferings of Christ have often only been given a surface glance, and it is hardly surprising that the theological meaning often remains confused. We say thank you for clarifying to this famous duo, who have written many true hymns!

This will be the second time we will be singing this hymn and you will learn why as you read through them!

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the power of the cross:
Christ became sin for us,
Took the blame, bore the wrath:
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin;
Every bitter thought,
Every evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees,
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
‘Finished!’ the victory cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death,
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This, the power of the cross:
Son of God, slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

... Your worship team!

CCLI# 11519802

Well that's an attention getting headline, isn't it?

We spend a substantial amount of time following others. It begins as infants. Our families smile at us, we learn to smile back. We learn to crawl, walk, run. We learn to follow our parents where they go (well, sometimes).

We go to school, where there are lines literally drawn on playgrounds, in classrooms, cafeterias, etc., where we must line up and wait to follow someone.

We follow our teachers. We follow our friends. We follow school rules (there's that sometimes again).

We graduate - and while doing so, still follow someone else to get our diplomas.

We grow up, get jobs, follow rules there to stay employed and get paychecks.

We follow the government rules to remain upstanding citizens.

We have our own families sometimes, we follow our parents.

We follow the current culture mostly.

So what's the big deal about following then?

Like Pastor Luke said in his last sermon, the first words Peter heard Jesus say was "follow Me"(or come and see in some versions). The disciples dropped everything to follow Him. They did so, for three entire years.

Then, when it was time at the end of Jesus' ministry here on earth, Jesus was talking with the disciples and telling them where He was going (begining John 13:36). These guys must have been really surprised about Jesus talking about leaving right then, at the height of their ministry. After all, they had been increasing in number together, following Jesus, teaching, performing signs and wonders themselves. Following Jesus was probably all they knew after three years. That's what we do, right? Follow.

Now, suddenly, Jesus was going somewhere, where they could not come at the time, but later.

Then this happens "When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” John 21:22

The point here is that none of those things are really any of our business. We don't need to put our noses in Jesus' business with others. We are to follow Him.

Why is it so hard, though? Why was it easy to follow things all our lives, but now that we are asked to follow the King, it's so hard?

Well, it's not the first rodeo for people to have such a hard time of it. Let's look at Luke 9:59 "To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And just two verses later in 9:61 - "Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” And there's more, too!

Do you think Jesus knew it would be hard to do?

There's not enough digital space in this column to share the verses that say exactly that.

It was even hard for Jesus Himself, while he hung on the cross and asked the Father why He was being forsaken...

So, You.

Follow Him.

Help others to do the same.

Disciple.

Be discipled.

You'll be amazed where He takes you.

Till He comes again,

Julie

"I Will Follow" Chris Tomlin: https://youtu.be/1ohvhmGSfxI

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You! Follow Me!

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