Jesus Can Change The Sinner

Matthew 9:1-13

Matthew describes his conversion in his Gospel. This is the only time he is mentioned.

Jesus is passing by and with his eyes of compassion, He sees Matthew and cares for his soul.

This event in the life of Matthew marked a change in his life, that He wrote in his Gospel so that in ages to comes, people may hear his story and be changed like he was

1) The Man He heard

Matthew 9:1-8 KJV 9 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

A) The Forgiveness of Jesus

Matthew 9:1–2 (KJV 1900)

And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Matthew 9:6 (KJV 1900)

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

B) The Favor of Jesus

Matthew 9:2 (KJV 1900)

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Matthew 9:6–7 (KJV 1900)

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house.

C) The Fame of Jesus

Matthew 9:8 (KJV 1900)

But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

2) The Message He Heard

Matthew 9:9  And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

A) Jesus’ Compassion

Matthew 9:9 (KJV 1900)

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Jesus is known to have shown compassion to people. When we see the story of the man sick of palsy, we can tell in verse 2 of this chapter: Jesus saw their faith.

Matthew 9:36 (KJV 1900)

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

B) Jesus’ Calling

Matthew 9:9 (KJV 1900)

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Jesus sees the need of the heart and he acts upon it. Matthew tells us in his story, He only called unto him and his calling was to Follow Jesus.

May I remind us, the Gospel call is to follow Jesus, not religion, not a church, not a political party, not a feel good movement, but to Follow Jesus. If you are saved today, you have heard this call, you can’t deny it. We will all hear the same message: Follow Me!

C) Jesus Changed His Life

Matthew 9:9 (KJV 1900)

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew let go of everything that was holding him down, his job, his pride, his shame, you name it. He heard a man named Jesus and this same Jesus came to him and told him the Gospel: to Follow Him.

If you want your life changed, listen: Follow Jesus!

3) The Message They Heard

Matthew 9:10-13 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew did not waste a moment of this event. He invited Jesus to his house and also his friends of life and profession. Matthew wanted people to know that Jesus, the one who changed his life, can changed their lives.

1) Sinners Seek Jesus

Matthew 9:10 (KJV 1900)

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

2) Sinners Saved by Jesus

Matthew 9:12–13 (KJV 1900)

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.