A Follower of Christ

John 10: 1-5 nkjv 

1“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 

❓How does your everyday life show that you’re not just a believer in Jesus, but a true follower of Him❓ 

👉  "A true follower of Christ is not recognized by the words they speak on Sunday, but by the life they live on Monday."  

➤💥 In our day and time it is easy to forget the real call Jesus makes upon our lives. 

⭐    He not only calls us to believe, but He also calls us to follow.

• The distinguishing mark of a true disciple of Christ possessing true faith is not just their belief in Him but the fact that they follow Him as well!

➤  vJames 2:19) You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons       believe—and tremble! 

➤  vJohn 12:26) If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be       also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. 

➤  vJohn 10:27)  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” True followers       recognize and obey His voice 

➤  vMatthew 28:19-20) 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the       name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I       have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  

💥⭐   So by these verses we see that it is of the utmost importance that we not only believe in Jesus and trust Him for our salvation, but that we follow of Him as well.

💥   How do you become a follower of Christ?( According to John 10)

1.   Follow the Right Jesus! v1-2) 1“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

A.   Matthew 24:5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 

B.   Mark 13:32) For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to                                         deceive even the elect, if that were possible.    

➤  1 John 4:1) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. ➤  2 Corinthians 11:14-15) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.  💥

A  John 14:21) "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." (NKJV) 

2.    Hear His voice! v3)    v3)  To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 

➤ vJohn 16:13) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 

➤  v John 8:31-32)  Those who believe, IF YOU CONTINUE IN MY WORD!As we read and put the Word within us, we begin to understand, and YES even hear and recognize the voice of God when He speaks to our heart and mind.

➤ 2 Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

3.   FOLLOW)v4) And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

➤  2 Timothy 2:15)  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

➤  Revelations 3:8)‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

➤  John 14:15) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

➤  Psalms 119:105) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

➤  Matthew 28:19-20)Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to (observe) (follow, keep, do) all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

4.   FLEE THE VOICE OF THE STRANGER)  5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

➤  1 John 4:1) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

➤  2 Corinthians 11:14-15) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.  

💥   1 Corinthians 3:18-20) 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 

• A marked characteristic of being a follower of Christ is to flee from the stranger’s voice.

What does this teach?

I.   Belong to Jesus! v3)  3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name…. Calls His own by name 

II.  Read, study, and meditate to be approved by God.v4) 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him,  FOLLOW HIS TEACHINGS.  2 Timothy 2:15)  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

III.  Walk in the Spirit.  Have the Holy Spirit.v5)  They know His voiceJohn 16: 12-15) “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  

IV.   They stay away from evil. Content! v5) Will not follow a stranger! 👉 "The richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who has Christ and needs nothing more." A follower of Jesus: ➣ Hears His voice through Scripture. ➣ Believes His promises. ➣ Obeys His commands. ➣ Loves others sacrificially. ➣ Repents quickly when they sin. ➣ Trusts Him through trials. ➣ Perseveres to the end. ➣ None of these qualities are lived out perfectly, but they characterize a heart that belongs to Christ.