Jesus Says

Father - Child

Vine - Branch

Shepherd - Sheep

Matthew 9:9 (NLT)

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth.

Matthew 9:9 (NLT)

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me...

Matthew 9:9 NLT

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.

Am I following?

Matthew 9:10 (NLT)

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests...

Matthew 9:10 NLT

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.

Matthew 9:11 NLT

But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

Matthew 9:12 NLT

When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”

Matthew 9:13 NLT

Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Pharisees: Change and you can join us!

Jesus: Join us and you will change!

Following Jesus - 1. Being a sinner does not disqualify you. It’s a prerequisite.

Following Jesus - 2. Being and unbeliever doesn’t disqualify you. None of Jesus’ earliest followers believed.

Following Jesus - 3. The invitation to follow is an invitation to relationship.

God’s kindness is what leads us to repentance.

Following Jesus - 4. Following forces me to focus on where I am rather than where you are not.

The more conscious I am of the work God has yet to do in me, the less critical I am of what God has yet to do in you.

Am I following?