“Follow Me”

Following Christ“Follow Me”

Following Christ

Those who rejected Him As:Scribes and Pharisees

Those who rejected Him As:Scribes and Pharisees

Those who first followed Him but then left Him (Judas, Solomon)

Those who first followed Him but then left Him (Judas, Solomon)

Those who followed Him Caleb, John and JoshuaThose who followed Him Caleb, John and Joshua

First: Wrong Types Of Followings :First: Wrong Types Of Followings :

Eating The Loaves Eating The Loaves

Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were

filled (John 6 : 26)

Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were

filled (John 6 : 26)

1- Following For a Benefit:1- Following For a Benefit:

Simon The Sorcerer : (Buying God s Gifts) Simon The Sorcerer : (Buying God s Gifts)

1- Following For A Benefit:1- Following For A Benefit:

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a

sign from You" (Mat 12 : 38)

: Examples : Examples

Thanaweya Amma, Deaconism, Church Service ,Joining the Church Council

Thanaweya Amma, Deaconism, Church Service ,Joining the Church Council

How can u find out ?I follow Higher Interest

How can u find out ?I follow Higher Interest

:1 -Following For A Benefit :1 -Following For A Benefit

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ,

save Yourself and us" (Luke 23 : 39)

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ,

save Yourself and us" (Luke 23 : 39)

2 -Conditional Following 2 -Conditional Following

People who are frustrated by God ,the church or the Saints

People who are frustrated by God ,the church or the Saints

We do not ask of God, but we make conditions according to our wills

We do not ask of God, but we make conditions according to our wills

2- Conditional following:2- Conditional following:

OK, I will do this but on one conditionOK, I will do this but on one condition

A type examined by hard times)After Maspero – After the Elections(

A type examined by hard times)After Maspero – After the Elections(

Going along with the others without any vision or feelingsGoing along with the others

without any vision or feelings

Hosanna (Crucify Him)Hosanna (Crucify Him)

3- /Following the multitudepeople/ herd:

3-Following the multitude/ people/ herd:

Going to and from the church without meeting The Lord or beeing cut to the heart by His words

Going to and from the church without meeting The Lord or beeing cut to the heart by His words

Visiting Monasteries (Festivals)

Visiting Monasteries (Festivals)

A Type of following revealed at a situation or knowledgeA Type of following revealed at a situation or knowledge

3-Following the multitude/ people/ herd: 3-Following the multitude/ people/ herd:

4 -Nominal Following: 4 -Nominal Following:

The Scribes and PhariseesThe Scribes and Pharisees

)Trouble Makers( )Trouble Makers()Simon the Pharisee( )Simon the Pharisee(

Whose are you/? Whom do youfollow/belong to/

Whose are you/?Whom do you

follow/belong to/

)And you what do you say(7 husbands

)And you what do you say(7 husbands

)Who are they? Frequent church attendees( )Who are they? Frequent church attendees(

4 -Nominal Following: 4 -Nominal Following:

A type of following you can discover through : behavior and reaction

A type of following you can discover through : behavior and reaction

" And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ' These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name

that you are alive, but you are dead (Rev 3 : 1)

"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ' These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name

that you are alive, but you are dead (Rev 3 : 1)

5 -Fruitless Following: 5 -Fruitless Following:

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear !)Mat 11 : 15(

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear !)Mat 11 : 15(

" You will know them by their fruits. Do men gathergrapes from thorn or figs from thistles ?

)Mat 7 : 16(

"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn or figs from thistles ?

)Mat 7 : 16(

5 -Fruitless Following: 5 -Fruitless Following:

Extensive education/ sermonizing, but where is the fruit?

Extensive education/ sermonizing, but where is the fruit?

Word readWord read

Word heardWord heard

Word Acted UponWord Acted Upon

The Difference between the First church and the one of the present time

The Difference between the First church and the one of the present time

A type of following / proved by/ behavior

)The Good Samaritan(

A type of following / proved by/ behavior

)The Good Samaritan(

1 (Change: 1 (Change:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8 : 12)

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8 : 12)

Second: Fruits of Following Christ:Second: Fruits of Following Christ:

1 (Change 1 (Change

From a fishermanFrom a fisherman

From a Skeptic From a Skeptic

From Magdalene and a Thief From Magdalene and a Thief

)thrones( Habib Farag )thrones( Habib Farag

Anba Youannas Anba Youannas

A Change in Judgment (The Sabbath , The woman sinner, The heart)

A Change in Judgment (The Sabbath , The woman sinner, The heart)

His left hand [is] under my head, And his right hand embraces me (Sol 2 : 6)

His left hand [is] under my head, And his right hand embraces me (Sol 2 : 6)

2 (Enjoyable Company : 2 (Enjoyable Company :

The Transfiguration ... Miracles ... God’s HandsThe Transfiguration ... Miracles ... God’s Hands

What God is doing for my salvationWhat God is doing for my salvation

A Servant and A Priest ... Unhappy or Happy... A Servant and A Priest ... Unhappy or Happy...

Fear ... Discipline ... Striving and most of all LOVE

Fear ... Discipline ... Striving and most of all LOVE

The fruits of companionship and fellowship are peace and joy

The fruits of companionship and fellowship are peace and joy

Surrendering puts an end to diseasesSurrendering puts an end to diseases

3 (Heartfelt/ Inner peace: 3 (Heartfelt/ Inner peace:

I desire nothing Diamonds (Glass) ... Gold ... Hay

I desire nothing Diamonds (Glass) ... Gold ... Hay

4 (Worthlessnessof the world : 4 (Worthlessness of the world:

And a lot of People Followed HimAnd a lot of People Followed Him

5 ( HeHealedthem there 5 (He Healed them there

25- Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,.26- "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.27- "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14)

25- Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,.26- "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.27- "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14)

Third: Price Of Following Christ:Third: Price Of Following Christ:

Then He said to [them] all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up

his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9 : 23)

Then He said to [them] all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up

his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9 : 23)

How can He command us to hate ?, even though ..He was the one who said :

How can He command us to hate ?, even though ..He was the one who said :

Love your neighbour like yourself/ Honour your father and motherLove your neighbour like yourself/ Honour your father and mother

As I have loved you ... / Love your enemiesAs I have loved you ... / Love your enemies

1-Hatred

What does hatred mean then, as a condition for following Christ?

What does hatred mean then, as a condition for following Christ?

A Devoted Heart: No Love comes before or competes with loving Christ

A Devoted Heart: No Love comes before or competes with loving Christ

Martyrs whose children where killedMartyrs whose children where killed

Origen and his FatherOrigen and his Father

1-Hatred

They immediately left [their] nets and followed Him (Mat 4 : 20)

They immediately left [their] nets and followed Him (Mat 4 : 20)

2-Forsaking

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, [that] someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You

wherever You go“ And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air [have] nests, but the

Son of Man has nowhere to lay [His] head ")Luke 9 : 57 - 58(

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, [that] someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You

wherever You go“ And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air [have] nests, but the

Son of Man has nowhere to lay [His] head ")Luke 9 : 57 - 58(

Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will

have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me ")Mat 19 : 21(

Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will

have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me ")Mat 19 : 21(

)Father Salib Sorial’s dad( )Father Salib Sorial’s dad(

2-Forsaking

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me" So he arose and followed Him

(Mat 9 : 9)

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me" So he arose and followed Him

(Mat 9 : 9)

Abram and Haran Abram and Haran

2-Forsaking

Then He said to another, "Follow Me" But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father”

(Luke 9:59)

Then He said to another, "Follow Me" But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father”

(Luke 9:59)

Why do we accept that the bride leaves her mum and dad for her bridegroom!!

Why do we accept that the bride leaves her mum and dad for her bridegroom!!

What should I leave?What should I leave?How can I leave?How can I leave?

2-Forsaking

" And he who does not take his cross and followafter Me is not worthy of Me (Mat 10 : 38)

"And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me (Mat 10 : 38)

Then He said to [them] all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his

cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9 : 23)

Then He said to [them] all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his

cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9 : 23)

3-Bearing/ Taking the Cross

Types of CrossesTypes of CrossesThe Cross and Spiritual stature Rule

The Cross and Spiritual stature Rule

Counting the CostCounting the CostThe Rich young manThe Rich

young man

3-Bearing/ Taking the Cross

" And whoever does not bear his cross and come afterMe cannot be My disciple (Luke 14 : 27)

"And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple (Luke 14 : 27)

Everyday Everyday

Against my nature ... The most difficult thingAgainst my nature ... The most difficult thing

Examples of self denialExamples of self denial

4-Deny himself

1 (Keeping my eyes on you: 1 (Keeping my eyes on you:

Looking unto Jesus, the author of our faithLooking unto Jesus, the author of our faith

Keeping my eyes on your Cross

Keeping my eyes on your Cross

Fourth: How can we Follow YouFourth: How can we Follow You

Keeping my eyes on your beauty

Keeping my eyes on your beauty

Keeping my eyes on your actions

Keeping my eyes on your actions

2 (Footsteps of the Flock 2 (Footsteps of the Flock

Like all those who preceded usand reached their goal and left us their...

Like all those who preceded usand reached their goal and left us their...

A roadmaps ... Their experiences and feelingsA roadmaps ... Their experiences and feelings

Their striving... Their endurance ... Their victoryTheir striving... Their endurance ... Their victory

3 (Two are better than one and thethreefold cord is not broken

3 (Two are better than one and the threefold cord is not broken

The CompanionThe CompanionThe Guide... The Guide...

My family ... But me and my householdMy family ... But me and my household

4 (With all our hearts 4 (With all our hearts

Devoting the HeartDevoting the Heart

Purifying the Heart.... Purifying the Heart....