Willing to Learn: The Heart of a Disciple

Bible Passage: Luke 5:26–39

Let us Pray

1. Amazement at a New Way

Luke 5:26–27 NKJV

And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!” After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Just look at the amazement and initial reactions of those witnessing Jesus' actions, as He challenges societal norms by reaching out to Levi, a tax collector.

He wasn't going with the normal flow of things He was truly showing His compassion and willingness to Love those who would answer the call made unto them

This scripture sets the stage for understanding who God chooses to call—those considered unlikely by society.

A disciple's journey begins with openness to Jesus' revolutionary ways. a

And most importantly the Answering of the Call which leads me to my next point

Picture a janitor at a large university here at Acu maybe

This janitor who feels invisible, cleaning the halls while students rush to class. One day, he strikes up a conversation with a student in despair, providing the encouragement they didn’t know they needed. That simple act of kindness leads to a mentoring relationship that transforms both their lives. God’s calling often comes through the most unexpected people and situations—reminding us that every role matters in His kingdom.

2. Answering the Call

Luke 5:28–31 NKJV

So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Look at (Levi)'s in the Greek or Matthew in the Hebrew look at his immediate willingness to leave everything and follow Jesus, Now you can picture this moment if you have seen the chosen. However nothing in scripture tells us the back story between Jesus and Matthew We dont know what Matthew knew or had heard or seen of jesus but what we do know is that when Jesus passed Him and called out to him. This very unlikely person hated b all his country men thought of as a traitor to his people outcasted the black sheep of the family and Jesus calls out to him. Here we see Jesus leave the 99 for the one , the one that wandered the one that was cast away.

Look maybe you are that one maybe you have been wandering and you dont feel worthy

maybe you have been cast away like the black Sheep

When jesus calls will you answer Him

Matthew did. He saw there was no hope in his money in his power in his control there was nothing there for him but pain

But in Jesus there was peace there was life there was love there was hope

Will you today answer if Christ calls you

the heart of a true disciple. Leverage this point to emphasize how God values readiness to change over societal status. Matthews response can inspire us to consider our own readiness to follow Christ and grow spiritually.

3. Acceptance of Grace

Luke 5:32–35 NKJV

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”

look here at Jesus’ explanation of His mission to call sinners, that true discipleship involves recognizing one's need for God’s grace. This passage allows preachers to connect Christ’s mission with personal growth, encouraging all to embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for God’s work.

Visualize walking into a hospital ward where sick children slide between hope and despair. One child, with a beaming smile, turns to a visitor and says, ‘I still have my dreams!’ This is the heart of Jesus. He came for those who feel broken or lost, holding onto hope amidst their struggles. Just like that resilient child, we must lean into our faith, allowing Jesus to guide us. His call to repentance isn't condemnation; it's an invitation to restoration and new beginnings.

He ate with the sinners not to excuse their sin No he met them right where they were he didn't wait for them to get it right to clean them selves up no he met them in their sin he ate with them and gave them the very thing that was needed to overcome that sin Himself His spirit he ate with them but called them to change too

4. Adapting to Transformation

Luke 5:36–39 NKJV

Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ”

lets explore the metaphor of new wine needing new wineskins to convey the importance of being open to transformation and learning.

A cup that is full can not receive anything new

Too many times i see believers argue with each other with the pastor over “beliefs” problem is no one is really interested in learning they have their presupposition of what they believe and it wont be broken. now this is exactly what the pharisees did this was the reason jesus addressed it this way

we must be willing to allow God to teach us , to be a disciple is to be a student if we think we got it all figured out then i guarantee we got it wrong there is only one who is perfect in his understanding that is Jesus.

This symbolizes the necessary condition of disciples being adaptable and receptive to spiritual teachings, echoing the sermon's big idea that willingness to learn is crucial for discipleship.

what i really want you to learn today is that God is actively seeking those who are willing to learn and grow. Spiritual growth requires a humble heart and readiness to accept God’s instruction. This readiness can lead to transformative encounters with Christ, just as it did for the disciples.

So open your hearts and minds to God’s teaching, examine your willingness to learn from God, especially during challenges. embrace humility and prioritize your spiritual growth over social status or tradition, which can help you transform their lives and those around them.

God chooses those who are willing to learn, demonstrating that true discipleship requires humility and readiness to follow Christ’s teachings, no matter one's background or past.

Will you answer the call this morning

He says

Revelation 3:20 NKJV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

is he knocking at your heart then do not turn him away no answer the door run to the father fall into his grace

Pray