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First Baptist Church, Spanish Fort

The crux of Christianity is a call repeated throughout the Gospel of John. Christianity without discipleship is not genuine Christianity, according to the Bible. “Follow Me” is one of the central themes of Jesus’ ministry recorded by John. 

We see the invitation of discipleship. In John 1:43 we read, “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’” Make certain that you have accepted Jesus’ invitation to follow Him or you will have eternity to regret it.

We see the illumination of discipleship. From John 8:12 we read, “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.’”

We see the identification of discipleship. Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”  

We see the itemization of discipleship. Jesus sets down the particulars of being a disciple. We find another particular of discipleship in John 12:26, where Jesus says, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”  

We see the immigration of discipleship. John writes in John 13:36, “Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, where are You going?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.’” Only genuine believers will immigrate to heaven, unbelievers will immigrate to hell. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” You will never get to heaven unless you follow Jesus.  

We see the isolation of discipleship. In John 21:19 we read, “This He spoke, signifying by what death [Peter] would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’” Jesus calls us to follow Him individually.  

Some are better disciples than others, but all genuine believers are disciples. Therefore, Jesus’ call to “Follow Me” is the crux of Christianity.