The Promises and Warnings of Following Jesus

Jesus made it very clear what happens to those who believe in Him, follow Him, and obey Him. He gave great promises to those who trust Him, but He also gave serious warnings about the cost of being His disciple.

Many today want a version of Christianity that is easy, comfortable, and without sacrifice. But Jesus never taught that. In fact, He specifically said that following Him would be difficult. He never promised an easy life, but He did promise His presence, strength, and eternal rewards for those who endure.

I. The Promises of Jesus

1. Promises to Those Who Believe in Him

The first step to following Jesus is believing in Him—but belief in the Bible means more than just agreeing that Jesus exists. It means trusting Him as Savior, surrendering to Him, and depending on Him for eternal life.

A. Promise of Eternal Life

• John 3:16 (AMP) – “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

• John 6:47 (AMP) – “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who believes [in Me as Savior—who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me] has eternal life [that is, now possesses it].”

Jesus promises eternal life to those who truly believe in Him. This is not temporary life—it is life that lasts forever in God’s presence.

B. Promise of Resurrection

• John 11:25 (AMP) – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies.’”

Even though we will die physically, those who believe in Jesus will be raised again. Death is not the end for believers!

2. Promises to Those Who Follow Him

Believing in Jesus is the first step—but following Him means walking in obedience, making Him the Lord of your life.

A. Promise of Light and Guidance

• John 8:12 (AMP) – “Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, ‘I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’”

Jesus promises that if we follow Him, He will guide us out of spiritual darkness. We will no longer be confused about life’s purpose or lost in sin.

B. Promise of Great Rewards

• Matthew 19:29 (AMP) – “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake will receive many times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

Following Jesus may cost us relationships, comfort, or even material things, but He promises that the rewards will be far greater than anything we lose.

3. Promises to Those Who Obey Him

Jesus said that true love for Him is proven by obedience.

A. Promise of True Discipleship

• John 8:31 (AMP) – “So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them], then you are truly My disciples.’”

  
  

It’s not enough to say we follow Jesus—true disciples obey His Word and live by His teachings.

B. Promise of God’s Presence

• John 14:23 (AMP) – “Jesus answered, ‘If anyone [really] loves Me, he will keep My word (teaching); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling place with him.’”

  
  

Obedience brings intimacy with God—His presence will be in our lives when we follow His commands.

II. The Warnings of Jesus

While Jesus gave wonderful promises, He also gave serious warnings about what it means to follow Him.

1. Jesus Never Promised an Easy Life

• John 16:33 (AMP) – “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.”

  
  

Jesus promised peace in Him, but He also made it clear that we would face tribulation, distress, and suffering in this world. The Christian life is not a life of ease, but a life of faith, endurance, and overcoming through Christ.

2. The World Will Hate You

• John 15:18-19 (AMP) – “If the world hates you [and it does], know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”

  
  

If you follow Jesus, don’t expect the world to love you. The world rejected Jesus, so it will reject His followers too.

3. You Must Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross

• Luke 9:23 (AMP) – “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me.’”

  
  

Following Jesus requires sacrifice. It means giving up control of your life and surrendering to God’s will.

4. Even Families Will Be Divided

• Matthew 10:34-36 (AMP) – “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief]. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother.”

  
  

Following Jesus can cause conflict, even in families. Not everyone will accept Him, and this can create painful divisions.

5. Many Will Fall Away

• Matthew 24:9-10 (AMP) – “Then they will hand you over to endure tribulation and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away.”

  
  

Many people claim to follow Jesus but will fall away when things get hard. Jesus warns that only those who truly obey Him will enter Heaven.

III. The Narrow Way

Jesus summarized it all with this powerful statement:

“The gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14 AMP)

True discipleship is not easy—but the reward is eternal life. Will you follow Jesus no matter the cost?