Jamie discusses three things we should know about Jesus: First, Jesus was not successful by today’s standards; second, Jesus never intended to build an earthly kingdom; and third, Jesus’ commission to “go” still stands today.
Topic: Following Jesus
Jesus Is Lord
We must always allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us individually and not take our beliefs from an institution only. We must be wary of anything that tries to pull us away from the Lordship of Jesus.
The Call to Follow Jesus
Jamie identifies 5 ways in which we are called to follow Jesus.
Effective Editing
We can cut much from our lives but we can’t cut Jesus out and still live.
No Excuses
Jamie discusses the costs and sacrifices necessary to truly be a follower of Jesus. “God never works on changing our behavior,” Jamie says. “God works on changing our desires. And once our desires are changed, we will do what God wants us to do. That is why following Jesus is risky living.”
The Lordship of Jesus
When you decide to follow Jesus, you voluntarily surrender the right to choose or the power to vary the consequences. Salvation is obedience to Jesus but we cannot follow Jesus on our terms. We can only follow Him by being totally committed to Him and on His terms.
Yoked in Love
Jamie states that the task of God’s people is to point others to Jesus, not to teach them how to live. Teaching and correcting people is God’s task. Jamie then demonstrates what it means to be yoked with God. Jesus said we are to take his yoke upon us and learn from him (Matt. 11:29).