Walking With Christ Introduction Series

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

- Welcome Guests

- Make sure to invite friends to join us in the new year! 2023 is going to be special as we move into our new theme called: Walking with Christ.

- EXPLAIN: Sermon on the Mount, walk with Christ that week—live out what we’ve learned, each lesson ending with a Challenge, Bible Reading Plan, etc.

NATURE’S IMITATIONS

We have such an amazing world. God has created the earth with creatures that can do amazing things to protect themselves from predators. Two examples I want to show you this morning.

1. Owl Butterfly

This butterfly is native to Central and South America. It is recognizable by the large eye spots on its wings that resemble the eyes of an owl. Its predators would see these spots and think it was another owl. Other predators as well as the prey of these owls like lizards would also see these eye spots as danger and not seek out to attack these butterflies. The Owl Butterfly tends to fly short distances at a time to prevent predators from knowing where they are going and to be able to follow them. They also tend to fly at dusk when the natural predators are not out feeding.

2. Atlas Moth

As opposed to the metal band with the same name, this moth can be found in the forests of Southern Asia. The Atlas Moth grows to a wingspan of 9 ½”. Its wings mimic two cobra snakes guarding this moth and would naturally be feared by any predator that would be interested in a moth snack.

There are so many more fascinating creatures on earth created by God to protect themselves with their natural defense mechanisms. The most interesting part of these two creatures is the way they imitate other animals. Their imitation protects them. And today, we begin a series that goes along with our theme for the year: Walking with Christ.

We want to be hearers of the word but not just hearers. As James 1:22 tells us:

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Our goal this year is to take the words we hear and to put them into action.

Let’s begin with our text this morning. Turn to Matthew 9:9-13

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

We are going to spend an entire year in the Sermon on the Mount. But in our introduction, we are going to pass by the Sermon and into the ministry Jesus had begun in calling his disciples. Notably, Jesus calls Levi, also known as Matthew to a simple act: “Follow me.”

What do we notice about Matthew’s response? He rose, and he follows Jesus. No questions. No comments. But a willingness to go with Jesus wherever he goes and to do what he’s doing.

And that is what I want us to see as we prepare for our 2023 theme of Walking with Christ. Let’s look at this text a bit more closely and see what it is that Jesus is calling not just Matthew to do, but for us as his disciples in the 21st century.

CALLING MATTHEW

At this point in Jesus’ ministry, he has already given the Great Sermon on the Mount and has shown his ability to heal the sick and drive out demons. Now he is being followed by large crowds of people interested in what he is doing. However, Jesus isn’t finished calling together the twelve men who would be his closest pupils called his disciples; later, his apostles.

Jesus comes to a place where Jesus passes by Matthew’s tax collector booth. This would be the place where the native Jews would bring their taxes for the government. The place where native Jews, like Levi Matthew could take care of their own needs by charging more than someone owed, so he could skim off the top a portion for himself.

Jesus, sees Matthew and pursues him. What a wonderful demonstration of Jesus’ love of sinners. Why choose Matthew? Jesus is already surrounded by sinners. People who were in need of a Savior. Why choose someone ripping off their fellow man? He chose fishermen before: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John. This is the Good News of Jesus. Pursuing someone far off to himself.