Courage to Follow

There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance.
He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note.

The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveller.” The man refilled the jug and added to the note: “ Please prime the pump, believe me it works”! 

We have the same choice to make, do we hold on to what we have because we don’t believe there are better things in store for us, and settle for immediate satisfaction? Or do we trust God and give up all that we have to get what God has promised us? I think the choice is obvious. We need to pour in all the water, trust God with everything. 
Then once we have experienced what God has to offer, the living water, we need to tell other people, “Go ahead prime the pump, believe me it works”!
 
John 10:1-5
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

What are the strange voices you follow? I am being serious, what are the things you follow that keep you from the voice of the Lord?

1. Jesus will bring you out.
John 10:4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

• You must trust Jesus to follow Jesus.
• You must belong to Jesus to follow Jesus.

How do you get to know someone's voice? Do you know the voice of God?

2.    Jesus will speak to you.
John 10:4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

• You must learn His voice.
• You will follow the voice you listen to.

What voices are you following and why are you following those voices? 

 3.    Belonging to the flock means Jesus will lead you.
John 10:3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

• Jesus takes ownership of you.
• Jesus knows you by name.
• Jesus leads you out.

Why do resist the ownership of Jesus? How were you purchased? Based on your answer then what are you rejecting? 

4.    Jesus goes out before you.
John 10:4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

• Your pathway is not by chance.
• Be Strong and of Good Courage…RAK CHAZAK
  

Who is leading you?

Deuteronomy 31:6-8 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

How are you strong and of good courage, list examples?

5. When He goes before you, He goes before you.
Isaiah 45:2 ‘I will go before you
 And make the crooked places straight; 
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze
 And cut the bars of iron.

Are your crooked places becoming straight? Give examples. Are the gates before you breaking and being cut up? Give examples.