600,000 to 1,000,000. That’s how many business books are published each year in the U.S. alone, according to a recent Forbes article.
Not to denigrate the importance of leadership, but the most important thing about you (what really makes you successful) isn’t your leadership, it’s your followership. Who you follow determines where you are going, how you get there (the Journey) and who you give authority to.
Continuing with our 3rd Sunday in Lent today posing the question, “Who am I following?”
“What or who you follow will determine your destination. Follow Christ, and you’ll find yourself on the narrow path that leads to life.” - Paraphrase of Matthew 7:13-14
This morning, we will look at Jesus ‘words as he describes himself as the Good Shephard and see what that means in terms of answering the question, “Who am I following?”. Because the truth is, how this question is answered also effects the following questions:
1) Who are you
Proverbs 5:1-2 (NLT) My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned.
John 10:7, 11 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
When you follow Jesus, you are following the appropriate one/right one. Jesus is not simply making a shallow point about his care and compassion; he is making a prophetic declaration that he is in fact the Messiah.
2) What do you want the
The guide determines the ride- white water rafting trips.
Jesus as the Good Shepherd guides us, protects us and gives himself for us. See Psalm 23
As sheep we get lost, we get ourselves into danger, we need protecton- When we listen to and follow Jesus, we walks ahead of us!
3) Where do you want to
“You become like those you spend most of your time with. Choose wisely.” - Rick Warren
“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” - anonymous
Who we follow determines where we end up. Following Jesus changes the trajectory of your life.
The way of the kingdom looks like the way of the Good Shepherd, which is through the gate of compassion, of love, of sacrifice, of laying down power—then anything that doesn’t embody those things is not of the Good Shepherd.
If we follow the voice of the Good Shepherd, what is that voice calling us to do?
Might Christ be calling us away from habits, places, or things that keep us separated from God in this season of Lent .