Friend of Sinners

Introduction

This morning I want us to go back and consider the event around the calling of the disciples, in particular one, a man named Matthew.

Jesus called him to be a disciple, a man who was named Levi, and his name becomes Matthew

It is a unique and wonderful to see that Jesus looked to the common person to call and be His disciple.

Jesus could have called any one, kings, and religious leaders but he called people who we might consider as ordinary… plain, nothing special about them other than when Jesus spoke to them they were obedient.

We could say the same is true of us, we are plain, ordinary people. Yet special, wonderful even because we said yes, and began to follow when Jesus called us.

So this morning lets look at Luke chapter 5, Now this story can also be found in the Gospel of 9-13 and 12-17

Luke 5:27–32 ESV

27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

So here is what we know about the events surrounding this passage.

It is early in the ministry of Jesus, we know this because Jesus is calling men to come and follow him, to literally become his disciples, ie… followers of Jesus.

Luke 5

And as I examine these passages, I am humbled that Jesus uses the common, the ordinary people.

And what does this tells… it is not the person, it is truly the power and authority of our Lord that matters, do you remember we looked at Jesus sending out the 12 last Sunday in our morning message. He gave them power and authority to complete the work at hand. They only needed to believe and trust Jesus, we would accomplish the rest.

Do you believe and trust Jesus?

He has called you......

So lets begin today… are you ready.

1. Jesus Called Him.....

The Bible says that Jesus went out and seeing Levi, (Matthew) He told him to follow Him.

So lets consider where Jesus has been. we know from the Scriptures that Jesus has been teaching many people. On this particular day he is in a house near the sea of Galilee. He is there and many, including some of the religious leaders.

A man who was paralyzed was brought by friends to see Jesus and when they could not get in because of the great crowd, they cut a hole in the roof and lowered their friend down to see Jesus.

And Jesus healed this man, but used this situation to reveal he was sent form God and truly not only could heal, but could forgive sin as well. I will let you read events of this healing for yourself.

But upon leaving the house, our story begins.

Jesus sees Matthew, the one who was also called Levi , and he is sitting there, at work. Now verse 27 tells us exactly who Matthew (Levi) is.... He is a tax collector.

Now this a tough.

A Jew who worked for Rome was consider a traitor, you were taking, stealing from their own people. You see tax collectors had a certain quota to raise for Rome. Anything they chose to raise about that, well that was their money.

The people knew it and hated it....

Matthew is considered to be low as a snakes belly, He was lumped with the same groups as publicans and sinners.

But nonetheless, Jesus saw Him...

Friends I believe with all my heart Jesus knew Matthew would be there this day, He knew him from the foundation of the world and this date was ordained in time.

And upon seeing Him, Jesus called Matthew and said come and follow me.

That is the same question Jesus asks of us my friends, he calls us.. come and follow me.

I remember when he called me,

Do you remember when He called you?

Did you follow

So Jesus called him...

But lets look at what happens next, Matthew’s obedience and celebration...

2. Matthew’s Obedience and Celebration...

As Jesus called Matthew, I want you to know this young man could have said no, he could have refused. But he didn’t, instead he followed Jesus.

This is the moment of His Salvation..... and Yes it will become a day of celebration...

Here is a thought for you… You are excited that you know Jesus? Now if you say yes, how would anyone know it? Can people see it in your life?

That’s a question my friends; you need to truly consider, think about it.

Now lets move on...

At the end of verse 27 Jesus says to Matthew “Come and Follow Me”....

Jesus gave him the invitation to follow, to embrace the kingdom of God.

Now my friends, look at Matthew’s response.....

Luke 5:28–32 ESV

28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Luke

Wow, here is a rich man, a man who is making great wealth working as a tax collector just like Zacchaeus was… and upon hearing Jesus call the Bible tells us that He left everything and followed Jesus.

He left his wealth, He left his job, He left position in life and he laid his own life down to follow the direction of Jesus.

Friends, there is nothing more convincing of a changed life than the actions of that life, he left it all and laid his life aside to follow Jesus.

Now that is an incredible testimony..... but it doesn’t stop there my friends.

Not only do we see Matthew’s salvation and obedience of following Jesus. But we see the celebration of his heart. Matthew wanted others to meet Jesus.

So what did he do? He held a celebration, a dinner party and invited those he knew to come.

A changed heart wants to tell others about Jesus! Man, I remember when I got saved I wanted all my friends to know .... I was excited about Jesus and the change he had made in my heart....

...Man, let me tell you about Jesus and what he has done for me....

Look again at verses 29-30

Luke 5:29–30 ESV

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew made a great feast in his house! But don’t stop there, at the feast was a large company of tax collectors and others.....

Matthew is so happy about Jesus he wanted all his friends to find and know Jesus as well.

My friends I want to tell you something… I hope this doesn’t hurt your feelings.

If you are not actively doing something to get your lost friends and family in church there is something wrong in your heart.

Two things we better be doing.....

Praying for them (we are to pray and not give up)

We better we talking to them,loving on them, inviting them and witnessing to them....

We must be doing these things if we hope to see them walk in obedience and love...

Now there is just one last thought I want you to see my friends.... Jesus loved them, He was a friend of sinners.

3. Jesus was a friend of sinners....

Matthew made a great feast, a celebration dinner at his house and he invited all those he cared about to join them.

And the Bible says they showed up, Matthews friends, his acquaintances came to the meal. Verse 29 says the was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at the table with Jesus and Matthew...

Friends you cannot share the message of Jesus if you never have the lost, the hurting, the beat up of the world around you…

Now someone might think differently, some might say you can’t be close to those who are not Christian… bologna.

** You will never make an impression on them, you can never love them, pray for them or exhibit the true nature of your changed life unless you are with them.

And if you look at the text the Pharisees and the Scribes grumbled and gossiped about Jesus...

You see the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day felt that to enter a house where gentiles were was one thing, but to be found conversing, sharing a meal with them.

Look at verse 30

Luke 5:30 ESV

30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

How could he do this...... Makes no sense...... They honestly didn’t know what to think my friends.

Now here is where it gets interesting my friends. Jesus heard them and answered them...

I love it when Jesus confronts these men and this type of thinking...

What am I talking about… The Jews felt like their God was really exclusive to them… They were His people and they were the best....

Its sad because God had previously called them to be a light to the gentiles…Instead they tolerated those who came to worship in the court of the gentiles...

Now back to Jesus answer to the religious leaders....

Verses 31-32

Luke 5:31–32 ESV

31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 5_

Here is the most profound truth of all my friends. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.

These tax collectors and sinners, they needed to hear the message of “For God so loved the World...” Jesus was there to tell them, to show them and it took place because of a changed life who heard the call and turned and followed Jesus.

You see we do not need a changed heart, no from time to time we need to be revived, encouraged, helped because we are well…we are whole my friends.

It is the sick who need Jesus the most, they need a touch from the Great Physicians hand.

The righteous already know and have followed the truth, it is sinners who need to be saved.

Listen to words of the Apostle Paul in

John 9:39 ESV

39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”

1 Timothy 1:15 ESV

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

1 Timothy 1:15 ESV

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

Jesus came to see lives changed, then and yes today… He was a friend of the sinner!

Let me ask you a question,

Are you a friend of sinners?

What are you doing to see them come home....

Doctor Luke says in Like 15:7

Matthew 15:7 ESV

7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

Luke 15:7 ESV

7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Again I ask you… are you a friend of sinners,

Are you telling others, are you inviting others, are you helping others see Jesus, the one who can change their life for the best...

In just three weeks we are coming to Back to Church Sunday… Our goal is two fold, to bring the church members back home… those who have slipped away.

And to invite sinners, those around us to come as well.

Can you do this????

As we prepare for the invitiation today I want to ask you a question.....

Are you broken hearted over sin?

Are you broken hearted over lost people?

Are you broken hearted over people separation from God?

If the answer is Yes, we should be in this altar before God praying for help, praying for help.

Come and stand and let us pray....

Luke 5:29–32 ESV

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

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