"Jesus Seeks Sinners"

* The money was great.

* It was a good business decision. He had the tollbooth right near the port of Capernaum where the ships were unloading freight and commodities like fish and perhaps wine and Olive Oil.

* It was also at the cross roads of the trade routes.

* It was a good business decision but a bad spiritual and social decision.

He was banned or barred from the synagogue because he was considered unclean. He was unclean because of his constant interaction with the Gentiles.

His own people despised him as a traitor.

It was not lawful for him to give testimony in the courts of Law of that day.

I would add that even the Romans didn’t trust him. What kind of person wants to make a buck from his own people?

A wall or barrier existed between him and society. While he had friends that were sinners, other tax collectors and business contacts his life was like a leper.

So as he sat in his tollbooth, hearing the stories, he may have been longing from the inner most depths of his heart for a way to break out, break free or break through the wall that was keeping him from knowing God.

He may have been reading the Old Testament faithfully or picked up a copy of the “Purpose Driven Life” at a bookstore.

Can you identify with Matthew?

Was there ever a time that poor decisions left you feeling separated?

Do you think this is how the lost in our community might feel?

They say to themselves I know I’m a sinner.

* They understand they are trapped by sin and chose to stay away from Church (God’s E.R.) because they perceive it is a place for “Holy people!”

* I’m too far-gone to ever live like those Christians!

* Or they fear being condemned or judged!

We all need to know we were born sinners!

* Because of this unless we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior we are bound for a Christ-less Eternity without hope and without God.

* This is the default pathway!

* A life of moral perfection of good works and deeds without having Christ as your Savior is just as bad off as the worst sinners.

We need to remember:

“We are beggars, telling other beggars

where we found food.”

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.

He (Jesus) saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

Jesus Saw him (really saw him and his need)!

Jesus Seeks him!

Jesus Calls him: “Follow Me!”

Matthew rose and followed him!

* This was an “all in” or nothing decision for Matthew!

* It was a decision like Cortez’ order to scuttle his fleet to avoid retreat.

Matthew left everything for the sake of Christ!

* His Income!

* His Position!

* His Influence and Friends!

Phil. 3:7-9 NIV But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ —the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.