The Call of Matthew

The Call of Matthew 9:9-13

The call of God is powerful because God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.

When Robert Moffat, Scottish missionary to South Africa, came back to recruit helpers in his homeland, he was greeted by the fury of a cold British winter. Arriving at the church where he was to speak he noted that only a small group had braved the elements to hear his appeal. What disturbed him even more was that there were only ladies in attendance that night, for he had chosen as his text Proverbs 8:4, “Unto you, O men, I call.”

In his consternation he almost failed to notice one small boy in the loft who had come to work the bellows of the organ. Dr. Moffat felt hopeless as he gave the message, realizing that few women could be expected to undergo the rigorous experiences they would face in the undeveloped jungles of the continent where he labored.

But God works in mysterious ways to carry out His wise purposes. Although no one volunteered, the young fellow assisting the organist was thrilled by the challenge. Deciding that he would follow in the footsteps of this pioneer missionary, he went on to school, obtained a degree in medicine, and then spent the rest of his life ministering to the unreached tribes of Africa. His name: David Livingstone!

David Livingstone is a legendary missionary and evangelist that gave his life for the Gospel in Africa. Look, when God calls, its amazing. And we see that here in The Call of Matthew.

Lets read our text Matthew 9:9–13 “ As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””

I.) v9 The Call II.) v10-11 The Cry III.) v12-13 The Candor

I.) v9 The Call

Matthew 9:9 “ As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.”

We also see this event in Mk 2:14 and Luke 5:27.

When Jesus Went on from there, He is leaving peters house going through Capernaum where Matthew obviously lives.

Now matthew is Mentioned in a number of verses, and the last time he is mentioned is in Acts 1:13 in the list of Apostles. Here we see He is in a tax office,

We know he is the author of this Gospel from the testimony of

Many pastors in the early church including Eusebius who all agreed on the 4 gospels and those we know as the authors of them. Guys there is so much testimony and eyewitnesses to the Gospel and Jesus and his resurrection that only those who have hardened their hearts and refuse to repent. Matthew is very plain. Jesus is Messiah, Jesus died on the cross for us and rose again from the dead.

Follow me, Akolouthei Moi: Akolablapa - to follow, go after, obey. Now, we know that Jesus said, those that hear God, would hear Him. John 8:46–47 “ Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”” God told us in Jeremiah 22:29 “ O earth, earth, earth, Hear the word of the Lord!”

Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing. Matthew heard and saw Jesus’ teaching and testimony and believed. So when the Master called. He responded and went!

Romans 10:14–15 “ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!””

Do you remember our opening illustration? Look at Proverbs 8:1–10 “ Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? 2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet. 3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: 4 “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. 5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. 6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; 7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. 9 They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;”

The only response to Jesus, to those that trust in Him, is obedience. Those that love him, keep His commandments. (Jn 14:15; 1Jn 5:2)

Final thought, There is archaeological evidence that fish taken from the Sea of Galilee were taxed. So the meet the new members meeting must've been super un-comft.

II.) v10-11 The Cry

Matthew 9:10 “ Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.”

No transition, lol, just suddenly in The House. Normally we would assume it would be Peters, but this is still about the call of Matthew. And Mark 2:15 tells us this is Levis’ (Matthews’) house. Most jews at the time had a Hebrew name and an Greek/Roman name. He was Matthew/Levi.

The only ones who would hang out with tax collectors would be other tax collectors/sinners. Since tax collectors were collaborators with the Romans, they

Though we know Jesus didn't approve of their sin, he still loved them and it was plain. His call, is repent and we’ll see that here in a moment.

This reminds me of the song, Jesus, Friend of sinners… Romans 5:8 “ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

We love Him because he first loved us. Grace is difficult for those that haven't experienced it . How could God just forgive? How could He be in the presence of sinners? Because we are all sinners.

this is why its impossible to be Christian and hate the world and others. Its antichrist to live in hate/fear/etc.

Matthew 9:11 “ And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?””

They cry, coming against the teacher, the accusation thick in their question.

Remember, they followed jesus around as we saw earlier, but as we read the gospels we see that they are sometimes called sinners, prostitutes, gentile pagans, etc. (Matt 11:19; 18:17; 21:31–32; Luke 15:1)

some think this accusation may have come later. but remember, the crowds would throng wherever he was. and capernaum was home-base. No doubt a crowd around the house and part of that was the spies for the rulers of Israel.

III.) v12-13 The Candor

Matthew 9:12 “ When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”

Jesus hits them with absolute truth, those there needed them, the teachers, rabbis, pharisees - to minister to them with the Word. Jesus isn’t calling the pharisees righteous but doctors, doesn't mean they are sinless, etc. but they rejected and avoided them saying they were dirty sinners and didn't want to contact them.

A doctor that wont put what he learns to work, might not be a doctor.

When you see an ambulance, are the folks driving just like us? But where are they rushing to. Someone very ill. When we realize that folks are dying (wages of sin) and the destination outside of Christ is hell, we become emergency physicians. But it is eternal life on the line.

Matthew 9:13 “ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come (preexistance) to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””

Turn to Hosea 6. Jesus is a loving way, relates that this is about messiah as much as it is about love. Hosea 6:4–7 “ “O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away. 5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And your judgments are like light that goes forth. 6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 7 “But like men (humanity) they transgressed the covenant; There they dealt treacherously with Me.”

God desires a relationship with His people - blindly going through the motions, sacrificing is not holy, but living out the word given to us is.

A sacrifice wont help you without faith, without trust in Yahweh, anyone can do an empty sacrifice or work. But if we don’t truly love Him, you don’t know Him. Religious obedience means nothing without love in your heart. (1Cor 13)

Note again v7. All have sinned and fallen short so we need

Repentance: metonoian: to change ones way, change the mind (renew) you cant repent if you wont admit who you are. 1 Timothy 1:15 “ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

Some say we only needed repentance before the cross, but thats not what the scriptures teach. Peter taught in Acts 3:19 “ Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” Paul would share in Acts 17:30 “ Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,” also in Romans 2:4 “ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

There is no doubt that entering into a relationship with our Father requires us agreeing with who He says we are.

In closing: You and I need to know, that repentance means absolute change. dying to ourselves. Giving our entire lives over to Him. Becoming something completely different than who we are. Being a living sacrifice. Dedicated completely to Him. Living in Him. Sacrifice doesn't save, it kills. Galatians 2:19–20 “ For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Now in terms of loving the world, it doesnt mean we become like them or even approve of their sin. We love them but don’t live like them. We are