Today on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. Matthew wants us to know what it means to follow Jesus. We are to follow Jesus. This is what being a Christian is. This is authentic Christianity, following Jesus Welcome to the verdict with Pastor John Monroe.
When our Lord Jesus Christ invites us to follow Him, He isn't asking for a part-time commitment. Following Him involves obedience in every area of our lives. We have to be all in. Today, on the verdict, we're learning from two encounters with Jesus what it really means to follow Him. There's a choice and a cost.
Let's join Pastor John Monroe for the second part of a message titled Follow Me. There's a vast difference between convenient, comfortable, cultural Christianity and authentic Christianity. which not only professes faith, but follows Jesus with our hearts and lives. Last time we saw in Matthew Jesus interacting with two different men who say they want to follow him but appear not to do so. It's one thing to say we're going to follow Jesus.
but it is another thing to do so with our lives. Following Jesus involves a cost. and a decisive choice.
Some people always talk about it. but never actually live as authentic followers of Jesus. We'll learn today that even when we do follow Jesus, there is often a crisis of faith. Yet Jesus still says, Follow me. The question is.
Are you following Jesus now? Today. The devil always wants you to wait till tomorrow. Tomorrow you can work out what you're going to do. Tomorrow you can make that decision.
And Jesus is saying to this man, No, follow me. Let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead. There's a choice to be made. It's a personal choice. It's a costly choice.
But follow Jesus Christ. Don't stay in your comfortable, cultural, convenient Christianity. We sang based on Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ. It's not I who live, says Paul, but Christ living in me. This is your top priority.
There can be no competition with anyone or anything, Jesus is saying. And this man is going to live a life of compromise. Lord, me first. And Jesus is saying no. Dumb.
I'm Lord. I'm the king. I'm the commander in in chief. I'm the boss. Follow.
Uh B. Do you realize that? Everything you have. And our belongs to Jesus. Counting the cost.
Making the choice. Facing a crisis of faith. And if you face a crisis of faith, And have you done that? Anyone in a crisis at the moment in your life? Verse twenty-three.
Matthew 8. And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. Notice the way that Matthew's writing is, he wants us to understand. That the disciples are following Jesus. He gets into the boat, they follow.
That's very important. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea.
so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, Save us. Lord, we're perishing. And they said to them, Why are you afraid?
O you of little faith, Then he rose. Can you see it? Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great Come And the men marvel, saying, what sort of man is this? Let even winds and seal him It's not a marvelous story. Facing a crisis of faith.
Yeah. Many of you understand this, but you may not always feel it emotionally. And if you're a recent follower of Jesus Christ, this may come as a bit of a shock to you. But here it is. Following Jesus.
Yeah. Obediently following Jesus does not exempt us from crisis. Don't think. That because you're following Jesus, life is going to be easy. Don't think if you follow Jesus as Jesus is calling you to do, that there's going to be no problems in your life.
These disciples have counted the cost. They've made the choice. They heard the call, follow Jesus, and they're following him. He's the one, verse 18, who gave orders to go over to the other side.
Some translations say he commanded to go to the other side. They're in the lake. of uh Galilee. And he's saying, well, we're going to go over to the other side. That was his idea, not theirs.
He commands them. They follow him. He gets into the boat and they get into the boat. Everything's grey, isn't it? There's going to be no problems because I'm doing exactly what Jesus tells me to do.
And He's really going to bless us. We're going to have a wonderful sale. And life is absolutely wonderful because we're following Jesus. No, this important point. The disciples are obediently following Jesus.
But they're going to be in the storm. of their life. They find themselves in a life Threatening Crisis. Have you ever been there? When your life is turned upside down.
Some of you know very, very well What I mean Some of you are right there today.
Now sometimes crises come into our life when we're disobedient. We sin, we make foolish decisions, and we reap the consequences of our own sin. What a man sows, he reaps. But that's not the point Matthew is making here. But it's also true, and this is difficult for us.
It's also true that sometimes Jesus leads us into the storm. You see, why would he do that? Many, many answers to that. Most fundamentally, sometimes we don't know. I think we get a glimpse of it here.
But it is clear that Jesus led them into the storm. And so here you are, faithfully following Jesus. and you're in the crisis of your life. The waves are Coming into the boat. Can you picture it?
These are seasoned sailors. Certainly some of them are, they're fishermen. They're used to this. This is a routine sail across the lake. They've done it many, many times.
Maybe we can't heal lepers. Maybe we can't cast out demons, but we can certainly handle a boat from one side to another. And Jesus wants us to go. We'll take him over. We can handle this.
This is just a routine. Experience of life. You ever found That you're Well ordered. routine life. can be changed in a moment.
An accident. One phone call. a visit to the doctor. A tough meeting with your boss at work. and your whole life.
in a moment. is changed. Not because you're disobedient. Not because God is punishing you. No, of course He's not.
He's a God of love. You know that, you know your theology. But you find yourself in a storm. Have you been there? I'd been there.
Many of you have been there. And you think, why? Why me? Why me? And we face a crisis of faith.
Not because we're disobedient, we're still following the Lord. And in the crisis, what happens to the disciples? They are fearful. and have little faith. Why are you afraid?
We're afraid. O you of little faith.
Now, this was no ordinary storm. No, this was a great storm. This was a seismic. Shaking. This was a we might say a hurricane at sea.
The same word seismos is used in Acts chapter 16. Remember the earthquake? Paul and Silas are in prison at Philippi and there's an earthquake. No, the word earthquake size was same word. There's an earthquake at sea.
There's a great storm. and they are being swamped by the waves. Of course they're afraid. And notice this. experienced Fishermen though they were, They are totally unable to handle the situation.
Things are out of control. They tried with the sails, with the oars. I'm sure they worked very, very hard, but there's nothing they can do. The storm is so great, the boat is filling up with water, and there is Jesus fast asleep with them. They think they're going to die.
And Jesus seems totally unconcerned. We're perishing. And you're sleeping, Lord. You're the one who gave the orders to go to the other side. We're just doing what you tell us.
And in the middle of the storm, they are powerless. And they are Fearful. Anyone identify in your crisis? Your power you can't change the situation. And you're afraid what's going to happen to you.
Good enough we're down at the beach, Curie Beach with our grandchildren. Our son, his wife, and our Grandchildren. And it hit just eight miles south of us. We were at Curie Beach. Oak Island is eight miles from us.
And about five, six o'clock, we're hit by this hurricane.
Now, I've seen storms, and I've certainly seen a lot of rain, but I've never seen anything like this. It was category one. I can't imagine what the category two or three, the power of the wind. And the star. And our son said, Dad, we've got to experience this.
I said, I'm experiencing it. I'm looking out the window, I can see the ocean, and I experienced it. He said, No, you come outside and try it. You know, think, okay, I'm not a wimp. Uh so I'll take off my T-shirt.
And I go out. Probably foolishly, right? Pastor dies in hurricane trying to prove his masculinity. With his son, your son. I mean You're not gonna Good.
Get the advantage over me. Um Even though he's bigger and heavier than I am.
So we we go out. Incredible, the power of the wind. I was glad I did it. It felt like a thousand needles. Are against my body with the power of the rain.
and the wind absolutely unbelievable. Around 10, 10.30, the lights started going in and out, and Goodness said, I think we should get ready for bed before the power goes off, and so we did. We go into bed. And just as we've been in bed for a few minutes, the power goes off. It's about eleven o'clock at night.
We're lying there. hearing the wind and the rain. And I hear this little voice beside me. Granddad. My bed is shaking.
This is our little granddaughter who turned eight when we were down there.
Okay, Cara, get into bed. Nice big king-sized bed, get into bed between Oma and Grandad. I said, You're safe here. I'm thinking, not really, but I'll tell her that. Uh you're safe here.
Do you know? that that powerful house Beautiful house. Strong house. Was shaking. Can you imagine being on a lake In the middle.
of a hurricane. Let's see. What do the disciples say? Save us, Lord. We're perishing.
And when he awakes, what does he say to them? Why are you afraid, O you of little? Faith. See, when things are out of control. We do panic, don't we?
What can we do? No. See, there's. situations in life. that are totally out of your control.
But I'm following Jesus. Are things out of control with Jesus? In the middle of the hurricane, there's nothing I can do. Jesus is sleeping. He seems totally unconcerned.
Do you think you would show some sympathy to me? After all, he's the one that told us to go to the other side of the lake. We're obeying him. He seems to have abandoned us. He doesn't care.
He's asleep. God is asleep. I'm praying and there's no answer. Isn't that how you often feel in the crisis of faith? Your world is shaking, your world is turned upside down, and you're praying, and it seems there's no answer, it seems that God has abandoned you.
And the Lord Jesus comes and says to them, Why are you afraid? Oh, you have little faith. Can I ask you, you're in the middle of the crisis at the moment? Why are you afraid? Oh, you have little faith.
Is God's power diminished? Has the great God abandoned you? Is Jesus with you? Of course, he is. Jesus is always Always in control of the crisis.
And what does he do?
Well, first of all, he speaks to the disciples. Why are you afraid oh, you have little faith? And then it says he rose. Can you imagine standing on a boat in a hurricane? See it.
No, you'll be sitting down, you'll be lying down. He stands up. And what does Matthew say? He rebuked. the winds and this and the sea.
Can you see our magnificent Christ? Can you see the one that we're following? This is what you can do. He rebukes the wind and the sea, and there was a great Come. He heals a leper.
He heals the centurion's servant from a distance. He casts out demons. He heals the sick with a word. Matthew is explaining that we must understand that as we follow King Jesus, He has authority over the demons, he's authority over the disease, and he's also authority over all of creation. He calms the storm.
How does he do it? By his spoken word. The power of the word of God. That's why I preach the Bible. Because when the Bible speaks, God speaks.
The power of the word of God, he speaks. Hebrews says he upholds the whole universe. By the word of his power. Psalm 33, verse 9 says, He speaks and it's done. He commands and it stands fast.
He speaks. Peace be still. Adderez. Not just a calm. There is a great storm.
Now there is a great Come. I like that Matthew puts that little adjective, great. Great storm, great calm. You know, this hurricane, when we got up and looked out after the hurricane, it had passed. It was quiet.
Ah, but the sea. was still raging. Wasn't a day to go swimming. In fact, it wasn't until Friday Or Saturday, the day we left, that the sea then became almost perfectly calm. See, after a storm, it takes a long time.
For the sea to come down, doesn't it? Not in this case. In a minute. Aren't you glad? You're following as well.
Aren't you glad this is our friend? Aren't you glad this is our Saviour? Aren't you glad that in the crisis of faith he is with us? Matthew has reminded us that Jesus is Emmanuel God with us, that God never, ever, ever abandons his people. Yes, I know you don't always feel his presence.
Yes, I know that you pray and sometimes the answer doesn't come. I know you feel sometimes that God has abandoned you, but I tell you, on the authority of the Word of God, He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He's our magnificent Savior, and He has promised His people, I will never leave you, I will never forsake you. And he is with us.
What a god. Let me read the Old Testament, Isaiah 41. Verse 10. Fear not. For I am with you, that's it.
You're afraid? Who hasn't been afraid? Fear not, for I'm with you. Be not dismayed. Why?
For I'm your God. Remember who God is. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isn't it wonderful to know this is our God? That he is with us and for us. And then Isaiah 43. But now, thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel, fear not, there is, for I've redeemed you.
Now, this is to Israel, but think of the redemption that we have, not from Egyptian captivity. We've been redeemed by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. I've called you by name. Yes, he knows your name. He knows your address.
He knows your social security number. He knows everything about you. You're mine. When you pass through the waters, I'll be with you. Through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.
I love that. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. And the flame shall not consume you, for I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. And in the midst of the storm. The disciples receive a fresh revelation Of the power and majesty of the magnificent Lord Jesus Christ.
And they marvel, verse 27. What kind of man is this? What manner of man is this? That even the wind And the sea obey him. What kind of person can stand in the middle of a hurricane at sea and say, peace be still, and immediately there's a calm?
Who is this? What would your answer be? He is no ordinary man. There's none like him, nor will there ever be anyone like him. Who is this man who rebukes the winds?
Who is this man who can produce a calm in a split second? As you face your crisis of faith, remember this. Matthew's telling us Jesus is the Christ. He's the Messiah. He's a king.
He is God incarnate. He's the one who comes to save his people from their sins. He not only has all authority in his teaching. He not only has all authority over demons and disease, he has authority over every circumstance of life, over all of creation. He calms the storm.
And I can assure you this, my dear brother or sister, When Jesus is on board, As your Saviour and Lord. When he's in your ship, there is absolutely no possibility of you sinking. In your crisis of faith, Be encouraged, brother and sister, today. You will not sink. He will hold you fast.
He will Never leave you. He will never forsake you. He is your helper. Therefore, do not be afraid, but keep following Jesus. That's what Jesus is saying.
Keep following him. Do you hear his voice? The choice, the crisis. In the storms of life, the majestic Son of God is with you. He still stands supreme over every crisis, over every storm, over every circumstance.
And whether he immediately calms the storm as he can do, or whether. You are in the storm for a long time. Jesus is in control. He will not abandon you. You're loved with an everlasting love because God.
is always with his people. And Paul says, if God is for us, He is. He's with us. He's for us. If God is for us, who can be against us?
And here it is. In following Jesus. There is no promise of a calm voyage. But there is the magnificent promise of a safe arrival on the other side. That's the promise of the gospel.
That you will not sink. That he will hold you. That He gives you eternal life and you shall never perish. Yes, God leads us through some storms that are difficult for us.
Sometimes we don't understand them, but He is with us, He is for us. And he'll take us safely. to the other side. For God so loved the world. But he gave his only son.
That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Therefore, Follow Jesus. Amaker Michael puts it this way. I heard his call. Come follow.
That was all. My gold grew dim. My heart went after him. I rose and followed. That was all.
Jesus today is saying to you, do you hear him? Follow. Maybe. This is the verdict featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe. There's still more to hear when John returns in just a moment, so stay with us.
From matters of truth and identity, to the subjects of love and grace, our world seems more confused than ever. But to find truth and certainty about who we are, and find peace, we find We must turn our attention away from the world and look to the Word of God. To help you do that, John wrote a booklet titled Eternal Security, Finding Certainty in a Chaotic World. Through this special resource John shares his personal testimony, along with a careful examination of Scripture, to offer us clarity on matters of eternity. Get your copy today by visiting our website at the verdict.org.
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Again, that's theverdict.org. The verdict is a ministry of Calvary Church in South Charlotte. We're located on the corner of Highway 51 and Ray Road. If you've been looking for a church home or a community to help you grow in your walk with Christ, We invite you to join us for our Sunday services. For more details about Calvary and our service times, visit theverdict.org.
Now, here's Pastor John Monroe. Yeah. Well, what's your verdict? Have you counted the cost of following Jesus? Don't say you're going to follow Jesus if you haven't heard him explain that anyone who follows him must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him.
I pray you will make the right choice and follow Jesus knowing the cost. And don't be surprised when a crisis of faith hits you. Following Jesus doesn't mean that life is always easy. But we do know. That Jesus is with us and He's always in control.
So, Keep following Jesus. Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict. I'm Michelle Davies. Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
