JESUS CALLS THE SINNER (Outline)
June 17, 2007
PENTECOST 3
Matthew 9:9-13
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INTRO: Jesus was always, always busy about his father’s business. That is to say – his heavenly Father. Not matter where Jesus would always seek out and save the lost. Today’s text speaks about the tax collector Matthew. Jesus also found another lost tax collector, Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus and was excited to see him. Being short, Zacchaeus climbed a tree. Jesus also ate at the house of this tax collector. The church leaders were disgusted once again with this bad habit of Jesus. Jesus wants everyone to know of his purpose in being busy about his father’s work. "Jesus said to him, ’Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost’"(LUKE 19:9,10).
Today’s text also reveals to us how Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost. Our simple theme is:
JESUS CALLS THE SINNER.
I. Unto eternal life,
II. Into kingdom work.
I. (CALLED) UNTO ETERNAL LIFE
A. The verses of our text follow a miracle of Jesus -- the healing of the paralytic.
1. You may recall how the friends of the paralyzed man had to lower him through the roof.
2. Jesus’ ministry was popular at this time. This did not mean Jesus was without enemies.
3. The Pharisees accused Jesus of blasphemy because he healed the paralyzed man.
B. The Pharisees were always looking to blame Jesus for something – even in the midst of a miracle.
1. Our text continues with the reaction of Jesus’ detractors when Jesus ate with Matthew.
2. The Pharisees could not understand nor believe why Jesus ate with sinners, verse 11.
C. The Pharisees would never lower themselves to associate with such low-lifes.
1. Verse 12. Jesus knew the Pharisees thought they were healthy – not sin-sick at all.
2. Verse 13b echoes that statement. The self-righteous Pharisees did not need/want help.
3. The Pharisees had forgotten the importance of a merciful, loving heart. Verse 13a.
D. Sadly, it is all too easy to become like a Pharisee. We look at others and are glad we are not like them. We like to put ourselves on our own pedestal so that we can look down on others. This is the attitude today of our society: I am number one. Today’s world does not want to hear about sin. People today want to do what they want, whenever they want as long as it pleases them. Sin is not a pleasant. Too many today try to dismiss sin, deny sin or act as if they do not care at all. Sin cannot be swept under the rug. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives"(1 JOHN 1:8, 10). There it is – today’s people in today’s society make God out to be a liar by denying sin. Without recognizing and admitting sin – no one will need any Savior to save. All too many do not hear Jesus call them.
E. Again, like the Pharisees, we tend to think that our lives can be important enough to save us. We like to think that our lives are not that bad. We have not done any big sins. After all we even try to avoid sin. We may even feel that our good, Christian lives ought to give us a free pass into heaven. Remember God does not look at the number of sins we commit. God does not measure sin as great or small. To God sin is sin is sin. Scripture reminds us. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it"(JAMES 2:10). One sin condemns us. Rejoice – Christ our Savior saves us!
F. Jesus also does not consider a person’s background when calling. Jesus does not look at the outward appearance before calling anyone unto eternal life. The fact is it makes not difference at all concerning a person’s nationality, background or standing in society. Rather the Lord Jesus calls the sinner, every sinner to repentance and unto eternal life. "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth"(1 TIMOTHY 2:3,4).
The lost is now found. The condemned is now forgiven. JESUS CALLS THE SINNER unto eternal life.
II. (CALLED) INTO KINGDOM WORK
A. The apostle Paul never expected to be called into God’s kingdom work. But he was.
1. Matthew was the same. Matthew was busy about his own business – cheating people.
2. Tax collectors overcharged everyone. The more they collected the more they kept as pay.
B. Now everything changes for Matthew in verse 9. Follow me spoke Jesus to this social outcast.
1. Matthew got up, left everything and followed Jesus. His reaction left no regrets.
2. The original verb tense (imperfect) reveals that Matthew kept on following Jesus.
C. Matthew was not only now called unto eternal life but also into God’s kingdom work.
1. Verse 10a shows us Matthew’s reaction of faith. Matthew invites Jesus to eat with him.
2. Verse 10b. Matthew invites his friends to the meal and to come and listen to Jesus.
3. Matthew begins working in God’s kingdom to bring in those who need salvation the most.
D. Did you notice the joyous reaction of Matthew? The lost is now found. He is anxious and excited to busy about the heavenly Father’s work, rather than his own. We are also to be just as excited about carrying out the mission God has entrusted to us. Sometimes, we may lose that excitement of the lost being found. For many of us we have been found believers for quite a while. The newness of our changed lives may have worn off a bit. Take to heart this verse that reminds us how valuable and important we are in God’s eyes. List for yourself the titles God bestows on the believer. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light"(1 PETER 2:9). Not only are considered special in God’s eyes but now our lives also have a purpose. We may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light! What a privilege. What a blessing. What an opportunity.
E. To declare God’s praises on earth is not given to anyone else other than those called unto eternal life – believers. As believers we are now also called into God’s kingdom work. We get to tell others that even though sinful, God through Christ has forgiven their sins. This is the sweet, gospel message that is to come from our hearts and lives and through our lips. Angels once announced that message at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Now it is our blessed turn. "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"(ROMANS 10:14).
F. Scripture is alive with verses that encourage and motivate us to be busy about our heavenly Father’s work. Scripture restores to us the excitement of no longer being lost in the dark but living in the light. We have seen the glory of God in the face of Christ. By the free grace of God we have been called out of that darkness and grip of sin into God’s light of love and forgiveness. All of this our gracious God does for us without any merit or worthiness on our part at all. Listen to Paul describe our reaction to the love of God for us. "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again"(2 CORINTHIANS 5:15).
CONC.: Yes, we are sinners – everyone. We are born into this world as the very enemies of God because of our inherited sinful nature. Daily we are condemned by our sinful thoughts, words, and actions. BUT by the grace of God we are forgiven. By the love of God Jesus calls each one of us unto eternal life. Heaven is truly our home because of God’s gift of forgiveness. Our reaction is joy and thanksgiving for all that Jesus has done for us. Our reaction is to be busy about our heavenly Father’s work. "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever"(DANIEL 12:3). You have been made wise unto salvation. You will shine like the brightness of the heavens and like the stars for ever and ever. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
PENTECOST 3 readings:
1 KINGS 17:17-24; GALATIANS 1:11-24; LUKE 7:11-17
