#instafollow

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

#INSTAFOLLOW
For a while I was pretty obsessed with getting as much “likes” as possible on every one of my Instagram pictures.  That’s the whole reason I wanted people to follow me, is so they can “like” my photos.  Now, I still post about 30 hashtags to get as much “likes” as possible, but I think I can say that I’m not as obsessed as I used to be…but just so you know my most liked photos each have 66 likes.
Hipster Jesus: Had followers before Twitter

When we talk about following Jesus, what’s the point?  What’s the benefit or endgame?  To get as many “likes” as possible?  To become a better person?  To make it to heaven?  To live a problem-free / pain-free life?  When we read Matthew 10, Jesus seems to make it sound like following Him can end in arrest, torture and possibly death.

Can anyone say #instafollow?

STORMS OF LIFE
The famous story of Jesus calming the storm is found in Mark 4:35-41.


35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.  There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 
41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

FEARLESS
The reason Jesus tells us to follow Him is so that we don’t have to be afraid.  In this story, Jesus does not prevent the storm from happening.  Instead, He wanted the disciples to trust Him in the midst of the storm.  Jesus clearly showed them that He has power over the storm, so their trust shouldn’t be in the storm, but rather in Him.

In Matthew 10:28-31 Jesus says:

28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Jesus says that our trust should be in Him, NOT the storms of life.  Even though we will face scary situations in our life, He is with us and has power over the storm.  Unfortunately, we will still have arguments, face heartbreak, and have times where we really have no idea what to do next.  But instead of fearing our situation, “the storm,” we can focus on the one who has power over the storm:  Jesus.

Other places Jesus Himself says “do not be afraid”:
Matthew 10:26
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 14:27
Matthew 28:5
Matthew 28:10
Mark 6:50
Luke 12:4
Luke 12:32
John 14:27
Acts 18:9
Revelation 1:17
Revelation 2:10

WHY WE FOLLOW
So the reason we follow Jesus?
-It’s not about being a better person (although that happens).
-It’s not about getting into heaven (although that happens).
-It’s not about have a problem-free / pain-free life.

Following Jesus means we can have peace and confidence in the midst of the storms of life!


“In this world you will have trouble.  Take heart!  I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

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