Follow the Leader

"Follow me!" That was the invitation given by Marshall Applewhite, leader of the Heaven's Gate cult. “He promised to those who would become his disciples that he would teach them how they could move on to a higher level of life in a new world. Sincere but gullible men and women heeded his call. They left families, friends, homes, and jobs to live and work together and to obey their leader's teachings.”¹

In March of 1997, thirty-eight disciples followed him even when he told them to commit suicide.  The mass suicide was undertaken in the apparent belief that their souls would be transported onto a spaceship, which was thought to be hiding behind the Comet Hale-Bopp.  All 39 members were dressed in identical black shirts and sweat pants along with brand new black-and-white Nike tennis shoes and purple armbands reading       
                                        “Heaven’s Gate Away Team.”²

It is vitally important to follow the RIGHT Leader....

The TRUE Leader, Jesus Christ, gives the invitation, "Follow Me."  
This is not some instruction from a delusional psychotic; Jesus is the Son of God!   When we respond to His call to follow Him as our Savior and Lord, He forgives all our sins (Ephesians 1:7) and promises an abundant life of joy and hope.  Jesus said, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have LIFE, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).  Jesus also promises ETERNAL LIFE to come (Matthew 25:46; John 3:16).  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

If we would follow Jesus, we must: believe and trust Him (Acts 16:30-31; Hebrews 11:6), turn from sin in repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, we must CONTINUE to follow Him – living obediently to His Will as revealed in the Scriptures – for the rest of our lives (Matthew 7:21).

There are many “voices” saying “Follow me.”  Be sure to follow the RIGHT Leader: JESUS CHRIST.

God bless you!

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

¹ Vernon C. Grounds
² From Wikipedia.org -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven's_Gate_(cult)

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