Cornerstone Church September 29, 2013
“Jesus Seeks Sinners”
Matthew 9:9-13
The following happened to Dr. Tony Campolo:
“He had flown into Honolulu and was unable to sleep, so he ventured into an all night diner, where he overheard a group of prostitutes talking. One mentioned to her friends that the next day was her thirty-ninth birthday. Another replied scornfully, ‘What do you want? A Birthday party?’ She retreated into her defensive shell: ‘I’ve never had one in my whole life. Why should I expect one now?’ It struck Campolo that it would be a good idea to conspire with the owner of the diner to throw her a surprise party the next night. A cake was baked, and all was prepared. The cries of ‘Happy Birthday!’ from her small group of friends and this stranger left her stunned. She was shocked that anyone would go to this much trouble just for her. She asked if she could take the cake home and then left with her prize. When she left, Campolo offered to pray and prayed for her salvation, for her life to change, and for God to be good to her.
The prayer startled the owner, who asked antagonistically, ‘You never told me you were a preacher. What kind of church do you belong to?’ He responded that he belonged to a church that threw birthday parties for prostitutes at 3:30 in the morning.”
The answer may meet with skepticism from outsiders: There is no church like that. It may meet with disdain from insiders: We would never do anything like that. But it parallels the kind of thing that Jesus did in reaching out to those who were lost and despised.
Life Application Commentary, pg. 120 paraphrasing Tony Campolo’s “THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS A PARTY.”
This story troubles us.
I believe it troubles us because somewhere in our heart, the Holy Spirit confirms and convicts us that this reflects the love the LORD Jesus Christ has for sinners.
* Sinners and outcasts of His time
* Sinners and outcasts of today
JESUS CHRIST LOVES SINNERS!
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS MORNING?
Jesus did not come to reach the religious and self-righteous that thinks they are respectable and deserving of God’s grace because of their good works, deeds and lifestyle.
There is little Jesus can do for the self-righteous until they are willing to forsake their pride and put their faith in trust in Jesus Christ Alone to save them.
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone
Luke 19:10 ESV “…For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
DID YOU CATCH WHAT WAS SAID IN THAT VERSE?
Jesus didn’t sit around waiting for people to come to Him.
* He didn’t say, “Here I am world, if you need help, I’m here!”
* Nor did He say, “I hope you find Me!”
* Jesus is always seeking lost sinners!
1 John 4:10 ESV In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
John 3:16 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus’ Mission was to save sinners!
* Biblical Christianity, the one revealed in the Word of God, teaches the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ was on a rescue mission, sent by God the Father, to save the lost.
* If we did not take the time to read through and teach through the gospel accounts every so often we would probably loose this great thought completely.
Jesus loves sinners and Jesus died to redeem lost sinners!
* All are destined to perish unless the Son of God saves them!
* All are sinners and are all ready condemned unless the Son of God saves them!
It is easy for us to forget Jesus’ primary mission
* As the years go by people and churches can forget about the Amazing Grace of God that brought about salvation.
* Soon we forget that the church is God’s Emergency Room. It is His M.A.S.H. Unit (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) ministering to the needs of the lost that are trapped by sin and live in bondage held captive by satan.
* When we lose this passion for seeing lives transformed by the grace of God we risk becoming a social club (Holy huddle for the Saints).
In 1739, John Wesley, took the gospel message to the coal miners. At dawn he would preach to 30,000 of them. The tears of the coal miners left streaks of white on their faces, which were black from the coal dust. The Episcopal Church had grown too respectable for these workingmen. Because of this he formed the Methodist-Episcopal Church. A church for common folk. Unfortunately, 100 years later, William Booth, was expelled from the Methodist Church. The reason, bringing the downtrodden to church. “Methodism had become respectable.”
Paraphrased from Dr. Kent R. Hughes – Preaching the Word Commentary
This is what happened to Israel.
* The religious leaders of Jesus day – The Pharisees, Scribes and Teachers of the Law missed Jesus’ message of forgiveness, transformation and hope.
* They were locked into a broken system and a life of works and religious practices.
During the past month Pastor Jim taught on:
* The Women at the Well – John 4 in 3D
* “Can You See Me Now?” from the last part of Matthew 9
This morning I would like us to continue to look at God’s love and care for the lost continuing to build on the theme:
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matt. 9:37-38 ESV
Outline:
JESUS LOVES SINNERS – Matt. 9:9-13
* Jesus – The Friend of Sinners Matthew 9:9-10
* Jesus – The Antagonist of the Self-Righteous Matthew 9:11
* Jesus – The Savior For the Lost Matthew 9:12-13
NEW CREATIONS IN CHRIST – 2 Cor. 5:17-21
STILL WORK TO DO – Matt. 9:36-38
JESUS LOVES SINNERS
Matt. 9:9-13
Jesus – The Friend of Sinners Matthew 9:9-10
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.
Matt. 9:9 ESV
The backstory (context)
Jesus made Capernaum his home and center of His ministry.
Capernaum was at the north end of the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus performed many miracles throughout the area to authenticate that he was the Messiah! He was God the son, God in human flesh. We observe His ministry in Matthew 8-10.
* Leper cleansed
* Roman Centurion’s servant – healed
* Demon processed people – set free
* Calmed the storm while crossing the Sea of Galilee
* Paralytic was healed
The Pharisees were watching and hearing about Jesus.
But it was His claim that he had power to forgive sin that really got their attention.
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
Matt. 9:5 NIV
Imagine Matthew sitting in his tollbooth hearing the buzz around Capernaum every day.
* He was plugged into the social pipeline and network (gossip around town)
* He was Jewish – his Hebrew name is Levi.
* He was raised going to the Synagogue (probably at Capernaum) where he learned the Old Testament.
You will not find that last point in the text. You can see it in the construction of the Gospel of Matthew. He clearly understood the Old Testament. His gospel record bridges the gap from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Matthew quotes the Old Testament 99 times (Law, Prophets, Psalms) more than Mark, Luke and John combined.
* It is my belief that he made a bad decision when he was starting out in life.
A decision to go after money!
* He heard that Rome was offering Tax Collecting Franchises as the new rulers of the area and he wanted to get in on the ground floor.
* 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.
Peter, James and John could return to fishing. Matthew’s career was over! He burned the bridge when he left his toll plaza! No Turning Back!
* This should be a part of our gospel presentation. Before you decide to be a Christian you need to stop, count the cost, and then decide.
* For some people we need the guts to say, you aren’t ready to follow Christ. Why? Because your motive is wrong!
* Jesus wasn’t just offering Matthew fire insurance - Cheap Grace at no cost to Matthew.
* He was asking Matthew to be His disciple - to exchange his wretched life for Christ’s righteousness! He wanted Matthew to be a living sacrifice (a living burnt offering) to God.
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.
Matt. 9:10 ESV
DID YOU CATCH WHAT MATTHEW DID?
He throws a party (a huge banquet)!
Luke 5:29 NIV Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.
Who is on his guest list? Sinners, tax collectors, sinners, maybe a few prostitutes, sinners, some local political connections and more sinners!
Jesus was also there!
Matthew is so excited about his salvation! He is set free!
John 8:36 NIV So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Matthew wants other sinners to find forgiveness and freedom!
Jesus – The Antagonist of the Self-Righteous Matthew 9:11
And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Matt. 9:11 ESV
“No good deed goes unpunished!”
Guess who is coming to dinner?
Here they come to suck the joy out of the life of someone who was transformed from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God!
Matthew’s sins were forgiven! He was rejoicing!
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Psa. 40:2-3 NIV
Do you remember the joy when you gave your heart to Christ?
Do you remember the freedom when you knew your sins were forgiven?
I hope that this doesn’t shock your sensibilities!
* When Jesus was present at a party, He was a fun person to be with!
* Just reading about the way the lost flocked to Him should tell you this!
The Pharisees had defined table fellowship rules.
Just like the defined table rules in school cafeterias:
* Nerds
* Jocks
* Geeks
* Plastics
The surprise wasn’t that sinners were willing to sit with Jesus but that Jesus sat and interacted with sinners!
The Pharisees do not confront Jesus directly. They took a passive-aggressive approach and addressed Jesus’ disciples.
You can almost hear the whine in their voice or see the snarling look on their face.
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus – The Savior For the Lost Matthew 9:12-13
But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matt. 9:12-13 ESV
My translation says He told them: “Get A Life!”
On hearing this, Jesus said,
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
Matt. 9:12 NIV
Jesus the Great Physician and Savior is making a house call!
* The spiritually sick need a doctor.
* Sinners who are perishing need a Savior!
* Since you Pharisees are well you do not need a doctor! I can’t help you!
We look at the outward person! Jesus looks on the heart!
* I make so many mistakes!
* We as Christians make so many mistakes!
Because we do not compare ourselves to God who is absolutely Holy and Righteous!
Because we do not comprehend the fullness of our salvation Jesus provided us.
We often misdirect our focus missing the real needs of people!
In the 1960’s Christians met the Beatles with what Alistair Begg calls “Bonfire Evangelism.”
Christians gathered to burn their records and albums!
John Lennon died in 1980. Just prior to his death Rolling Stone Magazine interviewed John about, Help!, a song he had written.
“I remember when I was younger
So much younger than today.
I never needed any body’s help in anyway.
But now I’m older and not so self-assured
Now I’ve finally changed my mind
I’ve opened up the doors.
Help me if you can I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being around
Help me get my feet back on the ground.
Won’t you Please, Please, Help Me!
What about Help, in 1965? John answered: “When I wrote Help in 1965 they hailed it as another expression of the advance of Rock and Roll.
It was the cry of my heart
and no one came to answer me.”
Jesus quotes the Old Testament to the Pharisees:
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God
rather than burnt offerings.
Hos. 6:6 NIV
NEW CREATIONS IN CHRIST
2 Cor. 5:17-21
2 Cor. 5:17-21 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Matthew’s life was transformed that day!
* He began following Jesus that day and followed Him the rest of his life!
* He witnessed the crucified and resurrected Christ!
* The LORD Jesus Christ transformed his life and allowed him the privilege of writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit one of the four Gospel Records in the New Testament.
Perhaps you are here this morning and you are a Christian but you veered off a pathway away from God or got entangled in sin so badly that you think God can no longer use you!
* That is a lie from satan! God loves you! He hasn’t changed His mind about you!
* You simply need to seek God’s forgiveness and ask Him to restore your relationship with Him!
It isn’t how you start that is important.
It is how you finish!
If you do not know Jesus as your Savior please know that He loves you and is seeking you!
Jesus told Nicodemus a Pharisee:
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” John 3:3 NIV
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph. 2:8-9 NIV
STILL WORK TO DO
Matt. 9:36-38
Matt. 9:36-38 NIV When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
We still need to take the Gospel – The “Good-News” of Salvation locally and globally!
We have been striving more and more to reach out to the neighborhoods surrounding the church and to the community and world.
* Operation Christmas Child – Kindness in Jesus Name around the world
* Living Water International Missionary Trip – Cold Water in Jesus Name
* Free Community Car Wash
* Trunk or Treat
* R.E.S.T. Ministry to the Homeless
* Christian Assistance Network - benevolence for those hurting in the community
* Ministry to hurting people in our local manifestation of the Body of Christ
I praise the LORD for all of these acts of Kindness!
We need to continue to find ways to let individuals know that Jesus loves them and so do we!
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Refrain
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
Rescue the Pershing
Words: Fanny Crosby / Music: W. Howard Donne
Here is love, vast as the ocean
Loving kindness as the flood
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom
Shed for us His precious blood
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout Heaven's eternal days
On the mount of crucifixion
Fountains opened deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God's mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide
Grace and love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
And Heaven's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love
“Here is Love”
Words: William Rees, William Williams, William Edwards, Music: Robert Lowry
Jesus Loves Sinners!
Jesus Seeks Sinners!
Jesus Saves Sinners!
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore,
to send out workers into his harvest field.”
