Sermon Tone Analysis

Jesus, a friend of sinners

Jesus did not care about His reputation being tied to rejected sinners.

He loved them!

Jesus deliberately associates with outcasts of Jewish society.

"Matthew...enthusiastically invited some of his “sinner” friends to meet the Lord Jesus.

These were Jewish people like himself who did not follow the Law or appear to have much interest in things religious.

It was exactly the kind of people Jesus wanted to reach."

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996).

The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 116).

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Critics

Jesus' critics help Him explain His mission more clear and define who he really is.

1.

A physician

Jesus was a physician that came to heal the sick.

Those rejected by the religious leaders were not "rejects" in God's eyes.

We are all sick.

Will you realize the severity of your condition and come to the healer?

He is not ashamed of you but will you be ashamed of Him?

Do you see the intrinsic worth in every human you meet?

We are all eternal beings made in the image of God.

All of us! Pray that you develop the heart that Jesus has for every human soul.

Challenge your prejudice.

Love and pray for those that you have little compassion for.

"Now we see that our Saviour may be compared to a physician: He comes to us in our need; He makes a perfect diagnosis; He provides a final and complete cure; and He pays the bill!

What a physician!"

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996).

The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 116).

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

"But there are three kinds of “patients” whom Jesus cannot heal of their sin sickness: (1) those who do not know about Him; (2) those who know about Him but refuse to trust Him; and (3) those who will not admit that they need Him.

The scribes and Pharisees were in that third category, as are all self-righteous sinners today"

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996).

The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 116).

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

We must admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior because the wrath of God is coming upon us.

Jesus is the true physician that goes deeper that surface level to get to the real problem so that there is real healing.

Not like the religious leaders.

,

It's a heart sickness!

2. The Bridegroom

Why is is Jesus having such a good time with these sinners?

Jesus came to bring joy, not sadness into the world.

Is this a lesson for you today?

Do you need more of the joy of the Lord so people look on and marvel?

Religion had become legalistic and burdensome because of tradition and the influence of the religious leaders.

“Life is not supposed to be a funeral!” Jesus told them.

“God wants life to be a wedding feast!

I am the Bridegroom and these people are My wedding guests.

Are not wedding guests supposed to have a good time?”

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996).

The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 117).

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

John the Baptist had already announced that Jesus was the Bridegroom (), and our Lord had performed His first miracle at a joyous marriage feast ().

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996).

The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 117).

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Salvation from sin involves much more than a person knowing about Christ, or even having “good feelings” toward Christ.

Salvation comes when the sinner commits himself or herself to Jesus Christ and says, “I do!” Then the believer immediately enters into the joys of this spiritual marriage relationship: bearing His name; sharing His wealth and power; enjoying His love and protection; and one day living in His glorious home in heaven.

When you are “married to Christ,” life becomes a wedding feast, in spite of trials and difficulties.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996).

The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 117).

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

We enter a covenant relationship with Christ.

Foreshadowing death/resurrection

He was only pointing out that occasional fasting would be proper at a future time, but that joyful celebration should be the normal experience of believers.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996).

The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 117).

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

3. New, not improved (New Wineskin)

Jesus came to establish a NEW covenant, not to "patch up" the old religious traditions.

They were hoping for some kind of compromise that would retain the best of pharisaic Judaism and the best of what Christ had to offer.

But Jesus exposed the folly of that approach.

It would be like tearing patches from a new unshrunk garment and sewing them on an old garment.

You would ruin the new garment; and when the old garment was washed, the patches would shrink, rip away, and ruin that garment too.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996).

The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 117).

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

New Covenant.

Specifically, a new covenant in His blood.

The Law written on hearts, not stone.

,

The Holy Spirit in us enables us to fulfill the Law.

No compromise.

No mixing with our own version of what or who we believe God to be.

Jesus will be who He is and we either accept it and everything that comes with it, or reject Him entirely.

"No other name..."

When you trust Jesus Christ, you become part of a new creation (), and there are always new experiences of grace and glory.

How tragic when people hold on to dead religious tradition when they could lay hold of living spiritual truth.

Why cherish the shadows when the reality has come?

() In Jesus Christ we have the fulfillment of all that God promised ().

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996).

The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 118).

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Don't cling to the shadow or the traditions.