Footprints of Jesus

TEXT: 1 Pet. 2: 21

INTRODUCTION:

A. WE ARE TOLD OFTEN TO FOLLOW JESUS.

1. His example( Phil. 2:5; 1 Cor. 11:1 ).

2. His teachings.

B. TO FOLLOW JESUS IS TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT( John 8:12 ).

C. BUT WHERE DO HIS FOOTPRINTS LEAD? WHERE MUST WE GO?

I. TO COMPLETE OBEDIENCE.

A. JESUS CAME TO DO GOD'S WILL( John 5:30; 6:38 ).

1. Necessitated a sacrifice of his own will( Phil. 2:6-7 ).

2. He saw it through( John 17:4 ).

3. Obedience had terrible consequences( Phil. 2:8 )and great reward (vs. 9-11).

B. WE MUST BE OBEDIENT THE SAME WAY( John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-4 ).

II. TO PRAYER.

A. JESUS PRAYED BEFORE "BIG" EVENTS.

1. Choosing the 12( Luke 6:12-13 ).

2. Luke 9:18, 28; John 17; Mat. 26:36.

3. On the cross( Luke 23:34 ).

B. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING( 1 Thes. 5:17; Luke 18:1 ).

1. Times of suffering( James 5:13 ).

2. Times of need( Phil. 4:6 ).

3. Times of abundance and joy( Co1. 2:7; 4:2 ).

C. PRAYER WORKS( James 5:16-18 ).

III. TO SERVICE IN THE KINGDOM.

A. Mat. 20:28 - JESUS IS OUR SERVANT( Phil. 2:6-8 ).

B. JESUS WASHED THE DISCIPLES' FEET( John 13:1-11, .12-17 ).

C. WHAT'S THE POINT?( Mat. 20:26-27 ).

IV. TO CONFLICT.

A. JESUS WAS DIRECTLY TEMPTED BY SATAN( Mat. 4 ).

B. THE JEWS:

1. Dishonest questions( Mat. 22:15, 23, 34-35; John 8:1-11 ).

2. Spontaneous attempts on his life( John 5:18; 8:59; 10:39 ).

3. Planned treachery( John 11:53, 57; Mat. 26:59-68 ).

C. THE ROMANS.

D. HIS OWN DISCIPLES( Mat. 26:56 ).

E. WE MUST FACE CONFLICT, TOO( John 15:20 ).

1. Persecution( 2 Tim. 3:12 ).

2. Error( 2 Tim. 4:3-4; 2:16-18 ).

F. WE MUST STAND!( Eph. 6:10-13 ).

V. TO THE CROSS.

A. THIS IS WHY HE CAME( John 8:28; John 3:16 ).

B. JESUS SAID( Luke 9:23 ).

C. IT IS FAIR( Rom. 12:1; Gal. 2: 20 ).

D. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?( 1 Pet. 4:1-2; 2 Cor. 4:14-15 ).

VI. TO VICTORY.

A. THE GRAVE COULDN'T HOLD HIM!( Acts 2:24 ).

B. HIS VICTORY IS OUR VICTORY( 1 Cor. 15:55-57 ).

C. MORE THAN CONQUERORS( Rom. 8:37 ).

CONCLUSION: WHO WILL FOLLOW JESUS?