Only Believe? 

I.        What does it mean to truly believe?

A.     Agrippa mentally assented to the truthfulness of Christianity

1.      Paul preaching Jesus from OT – Acts 26:22, 23

2.      King Agrippa believed – Acts 26:27

3.      Almost persuaded, but fully lost – Acts 26:28

4.      Agrippa believed, but belief was not enough

B.     Belief must be shown by our works

1.      Belief alone does not save – James 2:14

2.      Belief must have works or it is dead – James 2:15-17

3.      Belief is shown by works – James 2:18

4.      Even the demons believe, but does not save – James 2:19

5.      Belief & works must go hand in hand – James 2:21, 22

6.      Belief alone is not enough, must be accompanied by action

7.      Action does not save; action reveals true belief

II.     Jesus commands us to follow Him

A.     Rich young ruler

1.      Called Jesus “Good Master” – Matt. 19:16

2.      Jesus did not say only believe, but keep commandments – Matt. 19:17

3.      Still needed to follow – Matt. 19:18-21

4.      Rich young ruler lost – Matt. 19:22

5.      Believed, but did not follow Jesus

B.     Jesus is repeatedly calling for us to follow

1.      True sheep follow Jesus – John 10:27

2.      If we serve Jesus, we must follow – John 12:26

3.      Disciples had to leave everything behind to follow Jesus – Matt. 4:19

4.      Follow Him even unto death – John 21:19

C.     Take up your cross

1.      Take up cross daily – Luke 9:23

2.      If we do not take our cross, not His disciple – Luke 14:27, 33

3.      What will it profit us if gain whole world & lose soul – Mark 8:34-36

D.     Are you following Jesus?

1.      Believing in Him as our Savior & Lord is the first step, but not enough

2.      Jesus says, come & follow Me

3.      Are we willing to follow Jesus all the way? Are we willing to follow Jesus if it costs job, family, friends, even life itself?

4.      Will you choose to follow Jesus today?