Follow the Leader
Being a disciple of Jesus
The Confidence of a Disciple
June 25, 2023 • Maceo Lewis • Mark 14:27–31
Do you have enough confidence to follow Jesus? One thing is clear — if JUST having a lot of confidence was the key, Peter would pass with flying colors. But while confidence is important, the arrest of Jesus lets us know that self-confidence is not enough. That's a lesson Peter would learn the hard way. Prior to his arrest, Jesus told the disciples that they would all fall away, but Peter was confident that he would be with him all the way to the end, even if it meant dying for him. But when the time came, Peter and the others did just as Jesus had stated. Following Jesus requires that we put our confidence in him rather than in ourselves.
The Character of a Disciple
June 18, 2023 • Maceo Lewis • John 13:34–35
Out of all the things Jesus could have been doing prior to his crucifixion, he chose to spend his last precious hours with his disciples. During that time, he would further demonstrate his love as he served, prayed for, and encouraged them. In setting this example of love, he would also leave them with a final command: Love one another as he loved them. It's that type of love, he said, that would identify them as his followers. As disciples of Jesus, we're called to love everyone. But there is to be a special love between those who are brothers and sisters in Christ that is evident to everyone. How do others know that you follow Jesus?
The Cost of a Disciple
June 11, 2023 • Maceo Lewis • Luke 14:25–27
Many who choose to follow Jesus aren't aware that there's a cost to being his disciple. While we might be tempted to lower the bar of discipleship to make following Jesus more appealing to all, Jesus does the exact opposite. Just when he has an opportunity to increase his number of followers, he responds with a message that actually threatens to reduce the number by letting the crowd know that there's a cost to being his disciple. Are you willing to pay the cost to follow Jesus?