The Way: Who or What Are You Really Following?
At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, we recently celebrated 28 new lives in Christ through baptism. Baptism is a powerful step of faith—but it’s also a starting line, not the finish. The real question is: Now what?
That’s where our new series, Do As I Do, begins. Jesus never said, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Instead, He invited us to actually live the way He lived.
What Are You Following Right Now?
Whether we admit it or not, we’re all following something.
- Culture and its shifting opinions 📺
- Family and friends’ expectations 👪
- Money and success 💼
- Our own version of the “American dream” 🏡
But can these things really satisfy? Jesus said:
Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
In other words, you can’t follow both. At some point, you’ll have to decide which path you’re really on.
What Did Jesus Actually Invite People Into?
In the first century, rabbis (teachers) never pursued students. Students had to beg to follow a rabbi, like applying to an Ivy League school.
But Jesus flipped the script. He went out of His way to call people personally:
Mark 1:16–20 (NIV)
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.
20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Mark 2:13–15 (NIV)
13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.
14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.
Notice—He didn’t invite them to “become Christians” (that word came later). He invited them to apprentice under Him—to learn a whole new way of living.
What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus Today?
Pastor Zoe laid out three rhythms for what it really looks like:
- Be with Jesus
- Become like Jesus
- Do what Jesus did
This isn’t a program or a checklist. It’s a way of life. Spend time with Him, let that time transform you, and then live differently because of it.
How Do I Actually Spend Time With God?
Being with Jesus starts with simple, practical steps:
- Prayer: Talking and listening.
- Abiding (meno in Greek means “stay”): Staying close to Him, like a loyal friend or even a lapdog at your feet.
- Contemplation: Fixing your thoughts and emotions on Him. Making Him your true home.
An old peasant once described his prayer this way: “I look at Him, He looks at me, and we are happy.” That kind of relationship is what Jesus invites you into.
How Do I Become More Like Jesus?
Being with Him naturally leads to becoming like Him. That happens through:
- Teaching: Reading Scripture, hearing preaching, listening for God’s voice.
- Practice: Engaging in rhythms like Sabbath, prayer, fasting, solitude, generosity, and service.
- Community: Real transformation happens with others, not in isolation. God Himself exists in community (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
And there’s one clear test: Am I becoming more loving? Ask yourself—and even better, ask the people around you. If love is growing, you’re on the right track.
Why Does Following Jesus Involve Struggle?
Becoming like Jesus is not instant—it takes time, surrender, and yes, even suffering.
Matthew 10:24–25 (NLT)
24 Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master.
25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!
Matthew 10:24–25 (MSG)
A student doesn’t get a better desk than her teacher. A laborer doesn’t make more money than his boss. Be content—pleased, even—when you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment I get. If they call me, the Master, ‘Dungface,’ what can the workers expect?
If Jesus suffered, why would we think we get out of it? Hardship is often where real growth happens.
But here’s the encouragement: change doesn’t come from our willpower—it comes from surrender to the Holy Spirit.
What’s More Important: My Resume or My Legacy?
When life is over, people won’t remember us for our accomplishments as much as how we loved them. Are you living for your résumé, or your eulogy?
Funerals remind us of this truth: people share stories not of achievements, but of kindness, love, and presence. That’s what lasts.
What Did Jesus Actually Do?
We don’t just be with Him and become like Him for ourselves—we do it so we can do what He did.
- Hospitality: Making people feel welcome.
- Preaching the Gospel: Sharing good news with our words.
- Demonstrating the Gospel: Showing God’s love through miracles, healing, justice, and compassion.
The end goal? To grow into the kind of person who can say and do the things Jesus said and did.
Am I Ready to Follow Jesus?
Following Jesus isn’t about trying harder—it’s about training with Him as your coach. Like preparing for a 10K, it takes small steps, consistency, and daily commitment.
As St. Augustine said: “Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not.”
The same Spirit who empowered Jesus is available to empower you today. But discipleship means counting the cost:
Luke 14:25–33 (MSG)
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple. … Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.”
It sounds harsh, but Jesus is honest: following Him means leaving behind competing loves. Are you ready?
What Do You Really Want?
In John’s gospel, Jesus asked a life-changing question:
John 1:35–39 (NIV)
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
Jesus still asks the same today: What do you want?
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’ve been chasing culture, money, or success and still feel empty, Jesus is inviting you into a better way.
➡️ You can watch this full message on our Open Arms YouTube channel.
🙌 Or better yet, join us in person Sunday mornings at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA. Find service times and plan your visit here.
At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, you’ll find a community where hope, healing, and purpose are waiting for you.
