1. Whom Do You Follow? Part One Matthew 16:24

2. Introduction Matt. 16:24: Take up your cross daily and follow Me. Matt. 28:19: Make disciples of all the nations. Jesus’ point is that those who desire salvation through Him must not only believe in Him, they must follow Him. Are you following Jesus Christ? Let us consider who Jesus is, that we may know what it means to follow Him.

3. Jesus of Nazareth He is not ‘Jesus the Great’ (like Alexander or Napoleon), He is ‘Jesus the Only’ – No other like Him – No other leader had the same effect that He did

4. Jesus of Nazareth He is ‘Jesus the Only’ He was sinless: – Great leaders of the world can claim many things: smartest, fastest, strongest, richest. – How many can claim to be sinless? – John 8:46: He challenged others to find fault in Him. – Matt. 26:27-28: Others must repent, He, on the other hand, is the Savior—the source of forgiveness. – John 8:29: He always pleased the Father. – Heb. 4:15-16: Being sinless, He was able to offer Himself for the world.

5. Jesus of Nazareth He is ‘Jesus the Only’ He was sinless He was the center of His teachings: – “I am the bread of life”: John 6:35 – “I am the light of the world”: John 8:12 – “I am the resurrection and the life”: John 11:25 – “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”: John 14:6 – “Come unto Me…I will give you rest…learn from Me”: Matt. 11:28-30 – Luke 24:27: He is the center of the whole Bible!

6. Jesus of Nazareth He is ‘Jesus the Only’ He was sinless He was the center of His teachings His amazing attitude: – No worldly ambitions: John 16:15; Mk 10:17-22 – Always knew the answer: Mt 7:29; 19; 22 – Free from prejudice: Mk 16:15-16; Mt 9:10-14 – Did not reject the humble: Mt 5:3-5; Lk 7:36-48 – Impressed by faith, not physical things: Mt 8:10

7. Jesus of Nazareth He is ‘Jesus the Only’ He was sinless He was the center of His teachings His amazing attitude Amazing claims that we must believe:

8. Jesus of Nazareth Amazing claims that we must believe: – The ability to forgive sins: Mark 2:1-12 – The ability to bestow spiritual life: John 14:6; 10:28 – He is the Son of God: John 5:17-23 – Pre-existence: John 8:58 – We know God through Jesus’ life: John 14:8-11 – He will be the Judge at the last day: John 5:22 – He must be the object of man’s faith: John 8:24 – He must be the object of man’s love: Mt 10:37-39

9. Conclusion Jesus is either all good or all bad—there is no middle ground. If we acknowledge that He is good, then we must follow Him (Mark 16:15-16). If we will not follow Him, by our actions we deny Him as Lord and Christ. Are you following Him the way you should? In the next lesson we will learn what He says about that.