INTRODUCTION
A. Sermon: “A Contagious Faith”
Series: “Becoming Contagious”
Part 1: “The Stockpile Factor”
Part 2: “A Contagious Heart” – A desire to be used
Part 3: “A Contagious Faith” – How do you have a contagious faith?
ILLUSTRATION: FAITH
I heard the story of three guys that were hiking in the woods. They came to a raging river. Not sure what to do next the first guy looked to the heavens and said, “God please make me strong enough to get across this river.” Poof he had big strong arms and legs and he jumped in and began swimming. Two hours later after a fierce struggle he made it to the other shore.
The second guy seeing that looked to the heavens and said, “Dear God give me enough tools to cross this river.” Poof he was given a rowboat. An hour later after nearly capsizing he made it to the other shore.
The third guy said, “Dear God please make me smart enough to cross this river.” Poof God made him a woman…..and then he looked at the map, walked five minutes upstream and crossed the bridge.”
B. A Working Definition
1. What is FAITH?
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
a. “the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen”.
b. begins with our faith in God through Christ
c. As it grows and matures it becomes a belief in a way of life; One that enables us to be used of God and able to stand up to the deceiver!
2. FAITH IS OUR SHIELD
a. In Eph 6:10-15, Paul describes the full armor for the Christian.
b. Purpose (vs.13) so that we are able to stand at the end of the day!
c. He adds in vs. 16 our “SHIELD OF FAITH”
Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)
16 In addition to all this, take up the “shield of faith”, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
ILLUSTRATION: YOUTH DRAMA TEAM! – THE SHIELD
(Have one in middle- rest around blocking, picking on, pushing, - she’s unhappy) Then the Bible is held up (she places on each person’s chest) and they fall down)
When the enemy, the ruler of this world sends his fiery arrows of temptation, doubt, wrath, lust, despair, vengeance, problems, and trials into our lives, we can hold up our shields and stop him. Faith gives us the strength to stand against Satan with the full armor of God – and at the end of the day, we will still be standing! FAITH IS THE LINK TO BRING ALL OF OUR ARMOR TOGETHER!
C. Looking At Understandings Surrounding Faith
Faith is a subject so large, so deep, so awesome, that it is almost impossible to really grab all of its attributes! So today, from the life of another NT character, I want us to look at …
3 UNDERSTANDINGS SURROUNDING FAITH
1. FAITH helps us “Understand the Call”
What does it mean to you to be called of the master, to be chosen?
2. FAITH helps us “Understand the Need to Mature”
What is required of your faith? Are you ready for God’s assignment?
3. FAITH helps us “Understand the Need to Practice Hospitality”
How does God use you?
D. TEXT: LUKE 5:27-32 – LEVI, A TAX COLLECTOR
1. LIFE OF A TAX COLLECTOR
a. Sent out tax bills for whatever base amount Rome wanted
b. But he would add 10, 20, 30, up to 100 percent to that base for his own use
c. He could also dispatch Roman Soldiers to assist in his collections.
d. A license for Extortion
2. LEVI MEETS JESUS AND THROWS A PARTY
a. Announces his closing up shop to follow a teacher named Jesus
b. His guests are fellow ‘sinners’
c. To draw some highlights surrounding the story
READ FULL TEXT
I. FAITH HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND THE CALL
WHY DID LEVI ACCEPT Jesus’ call? When Jesus called out to Levi, it’s interesting that Levi didn’t ask any questions: Who are you? Go where? What do you mean, ‘follow me’?
A. God Prepared the Way
1. Assume that Matthew (Levi) knew about Jesus.
2. H.S. had obviously already been active preparing his heart.
3. Simply got up and left all – He didn’t simply say ‘yes’ – he responded!
4. Other Disciples in Mark 1:16-20 – Same Method
5. Through FAITH, they understood the call! They gave their lives!
Upon receiving the call, they got up and left everything. They didn’t just sit still as many do who misunderstand the call!
C. Do You Understand The Call?
1. Levi immediately left his tax business and followed Jesus
2. They immediately left their nets and followed Him
3. What have YOU given up?
4. Understanding the CALL means understanding the OFFER!
APPLICATION: READ PHILIPPIANS 3:7-8
Paul was another who by the world’s standards had all!
7) ‘what was a profit is now considered loss’
- FAITH brings us to a point giving Christ all of our life and possessions.
8) ‘greatness of knowing Christ’ & ‘that I may gain Christ’ –
- Both words ‘knowing’ & that I may ‘gain’ Christ describe an ongoing relationship that continues to develop.
I fear many in the church today, through a undeveloped faith feel that their calling is only about receiving Christ. They fail to understand that this is only the beginning step but it is ONE STEP OF MANY!
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE CALLING?
Eph 4:1 “live a life worthy of the calling you have received”
II. FAITH HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO MATURE
One of the important nuggets of this story is what takes place in Matthew’s life for the next 3 ½ years. All of the disciples went through a vigorous training schedule!
Immediately upon receiving the call, Jesus began to grow their faith. The great Sermon on the Mount began to teach the requirements of the heart!
Once such is in Luke 9:18-27 (an exchange between Christ and the disciples)
a. ‘who do crowds say I am” (18)
b. ‘who do YOU say I am’ (20)
c. ‘The Christ of God’ (20b)
d. READ VERSE 23
A. FAITH REQUIRES A DAILY CROSS! (VERSE 23)
1. To shoulder one’s cross daily means to follow Jesus to the death if necessary.
Death on a cross was a form of execution used by Rome for dangerous criminals. A prisoner would carry his own cross to the place of execution.
2. Following Jesus means dying to self and renewing ourselves each and every day to Him! Our “CALL” is a way of life and not merely a decision of acceptance. (Levi gave up his business, Disciples gave up their career, etc)
APPLICATION: WE ARE CALLED TO A LIFE OF SUBMISSION
1 PETER 2.13-25 talks about “SUBMISSION” OR “SERVANTHOOD” and how our lives should be such a contagious example that the tongues of others are silenced because of your integrity.
READ VERSE 21
1. ‘you were called’ (not a call to just receive but respond to)
2. ‘leaving you an example’ (a new way of life)
3. ‘you should follow in His footsteps’ (live as He lived – Contagious!)
III. FAITH Understands the Need to PRACTICE HOSPITALITY
Notice what Matthew did upon receiving the call!
A. MATTHEW announced a Banquet!
1. Matthew invited Friends to ‘a great banquet’
a. A rookie concerned about the condition of his friends
b. He took the scorn and risk of being ridiculed
Vs. 30 - The Pharisse fussed
c. A growing faith doesn’t loose the passion of hospitality because of others!
2. Jesus Responded using the role of a doctor (Vs. 31)
a. doctor goes where one is sick or hurt not well
b. Jesus would do the same!
c. So should WE!
3. His Response to the Pharisees (Vs. 31-2)
a. Matt. 9.13 (my paraphrase) – ‘you teachers go and learn!’
b. Compare the rookie Matthew to seasoned Christians.
c. “to call sinners to repentance” – a new way of life!
Has your ‘decision to follow’ gotten old? Maybe we need to be the one Jesus says ‘you go and learn’. Too often, it’s the seasoned Christians that you see acting like a Pharisee. Fingers of Judgment, Too comfortable to get out of that easy spot. Or simply NOT PRACTICING HOSPITALITY TO MAINTAIN A CONTAGIOUS HEART THAT CARES THAT WE LIVE IN A WORLD THAT IS DYING AND GOING TO HELL!
SUMMARY
What is the temperature of your heart towards those without Christ or without the church? Does it hurt you?
Statistic: Christ met unbelievers where they were.
He realized what many Christians today still don’t seem to understand. Cultivators have to get out in the field.
According to one count, the gospels record 132 contacts that Jesus had with people. Six were in the Temple; four in the synagogues and 122 were out with the people in the mainstream of life.
HOW DO WE DEVELOP A CONTAGIOUS FAITH?
1. REFOCUS on your CALLING! What was it? What did He call You to Do?
2. REKINDLE your desire TO BE USED! SHARPEN YOUR GIFT – Work to BECOME CONTAGIOUS
3. PRACTICE HOSPITALITY!
1. How?
Build relationships at the gas station, restaurant, stores so that you are able to establish a rapport with the personnel. I am guessing that many of you are here because someone long ago cared about you.
2. Be Willing to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Allow your faith to relax you by trusting that God (just as He did with Matthew) will prepare the way.
APPLEBEES
Friday Night the staff took Sharon out for her birthday. We were all a bunch of nuts at Applebees and this poor waitress came up to wait on us. I jokingly responded that she didn’t know what she was getting into in serving our table and that I would pray for her!
She began to share how it was her first night. We definitely needed to pray for her! But before the night was over Debbie began to share with her and asked her if she was involved in church anyway. She was not. We invited her! She responded she had to work today but that next week she would be there!
I HAD A NEW EXPERIENCE THIS WEEK IN BEING CONTAGIOUS!
Fayette medical center!
