Levi's Response
Trent Cornwell
Book of Luke • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
m....
Invite Lang to pray after Bible reading
Recognize that Canfields are with us and Kelli will be teaching ladies split session.
AWANA starts soon. Today at 4:15 pm there will be a meeting.
Introduction
We have “never seen it in this fashion.” or “we have seen strange things”
Preaching the Text is not the greatest challenge. We must be committed to live it.
I. Jesus loves the Tax Collectors of the world.
A. Reputation of Publicans
1. Same category as harlots.
Matthew 21:32 (KJV 1900)
For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
2. Why call a tax collector?
a. Maybe a question the other disciples asked.
b. Jesus told them to “learn what he meaneth” by this.
Matthew 9:11–13 (KJV 1900)
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 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.
C. Have you learned this?
a. Can you sing “Jesus loves the little children of the world.“ If you cant you do not understand the Gospel.
b. What if we were to replace “red, yellow, black, and white” with other words? More about this soon. Stay tuned.
B. Do not believe the lies about God’s love
1. God only saves the good. (Works)
a. In the Second Vatican Council back in 1960, there was a statement made and affirmed since then by the Roman Catholic Church. “The gospel teaches that those who live in accordance with the Beatitudes and who bear lovingly the sufferings of life will enter God’s kingdom.” End quote. So it’s the good people. Peter Kreeft, Roman Catholic apologist, said this: “The heathen are saved if they live good lives and are sincere.”
b. Raimon Panikkar wrote a book called The Unknown Christ of Hinduism. He said, “The good and bona fide Hindu is saved by Christ and not by Hinduism. But it is through the sacrament of Hinduism through the message of morality and the good life that Christ saves the Hindu.”
c. Do not think us good ole boys are off the hook.
d. You can take a narrow walk down a broad path but you will still end up in Hell.
Matthew 23:13 (KJV 1900)
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
John Pearson asks people who knock on their door if they are there for his salvation or theres.
2. Only some can respond to God’s love (Calvinism)
a. Certainly believe in human depravity. (Giving kids suckers is a way God reminds me of this.)
i. No one can seek God on our own (Rm 3)
ii. No one can fulfill the Law’s demands (Rm 8)
iii. All are spiritually dead in sin (Eph. 2)
Modified the Grand Canyon example. We do not fall a few feet short. We make no movement.
b. Deadness is LOSTNESS, not a lack of moral ability to respond to God’s appeals to be reconciled.
i. Some teach a total inability.
Even though I may not be able to call the President doesn’t mean I cannot take a phone call from Him.
ii. Repentance comes before life is given.
Ezekiel 18:32 (KJV 1900)
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
John 5:40 (KJV 1900)
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
2 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV 1900)
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Luke 15:17 (KJV 1900)
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
c. God is beseeching the world through us to be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV 1900)
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
i. Beseech: ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat.
ii. What does that look like? We for Levi that day it first looked like an invitation being sent out to some co-workers.
3. Love wins.(Universalism)
i. Always been those who want to erase Hell from Scripture under the guise of stating a loving God would not send anyone to Hell.
The vague and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions. It hushes their fears and allows them to practice all pleasant forms of iniquity while death draws every day nearer and the command to repent goes unheeded. AW Tozer
ii. The Bible is clear about the existence and purpose of Hell
Matthew 25:46 (KJV 1900)
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
C. Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
i. We believe God can save tax Collectors or anyone because the power to be saved does not lie in our goodness but in the Gospel
Romans 1:16 (KJV 1900)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
ii. Everyone who hears the call to Follow Me can respond in faith and be saved
Romans 10:9 (KJV 1900)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
"That Jesus is a friend to sinners is only opposed by those who feel themselves not to be in that category." ~Dane Ortlund
When we share the Gospel we are sharing the most powerful message in the world. We are beseeching men to follow Jesus. The Gospel has the power to make men aware of their spiritual deadness and provides them to respond in faith to Jesus Christ.
II. Jesus goes outside the camp. Follow Him.
A. Jesus suffered without the gate.
Hebrews 13:11–14 (KJV 1900)
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
1. Outside the camp was a place of shame.
2. We should not hesitate to share in the disgrace He bore by abandoning the camp of dead religion and identifying with Him.
Hebrews 12:2 (KJV 1900)
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3. There has always been a temptation to avoid the shame that comes with the association of the cross.
Galatians 6:12–14 (KJV 1900)
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
a. Judaizers insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation.
b. They wanted to post in how many they won over to their works based religion.
c. By adding works to salvation that could take away the significance and the shame of the cross.
B. Let us go forth therefore unto him.
1. Uniqueness of the Gospel. Salvation is offered only to sinners, to the underserving.
Luke 5:32 (KJV 1900)
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
2. What you think about those that seem unloveable isn’t the full story. They are worse than you can imagine, as so was you, but God still died for them.
Romans 5:6–8 (KJV 1900)
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
C. Who is outside the camp in your life?
1. Folks we have two brothers, I.J. age 9 and K.J. age 11. They are African American, and are needing to be moved through no fault of theirs. They are described as good kids, few behaviors, and K.J. enjoys helping with his little brother, and likes feeling part of the home. He even volunteers to help with chores. I.J. has a physical incontinence issue and does wear pull ups. They are super sweet and need placement quickly. They are Forsyth County children.
2. Child F.B is a 13-year-old Caucasian girl who has been in care since 2/2020. She is on medication for depression and anxiety and allergies. She often appears sad and tends to isolate in her room when feeling depressed or anxious. She has had suicidal thoughts and spent from January of this year to May 2021 in a Treatment Facility. She can be verbally defiant and disrespectful to adult caregivers, so someone with a lot of patience and a thick skin is needed. She says she wants a family that does things together.
3. Folks, we need help with a 17-year-old Latina girl, just until Monday. She was smuggled into the country for all the wrong reasons but ran away from her abusers before the really terrible things could happen. I am unsure as to her English, and she is new to care, but I have not been made aware of any issues. We have placement on Monday but need somewhere just till then. Please can someone help for just a couple of days?
4. There are almost 1/3 billion people who live between Kathmandu, Nepal and New Delhi, India. Getting to them requires going outside of comfort, outside the camp. Who will follow Jesus there?
We are so blessed with such a comfortable life. Will we turn inward and just enjoy what we have or will we follow Jesus and go outside the camp, endure the shame, and be used to call some people join us as we follow Jesus.
III. Levi’s Response. Your Response
A. Levi follows Jesus.
1. The invitation is the same to us all. Follow me.
2. Levi quickly counted the cost.
a. Unlike the other disciples he couldn’t go back to this work part time.
b. This was a very lucrative job.
3. Following Jesus requires a willingness to burn the map you have been carrying.
Luke 18:18–22 (KJV 1900)
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
a. Following Jesus means we change our value system.
Luke 18:23–25 (KJV 1900)
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
b. Following Jesus requires giving your all. The more you value you place on what you have the less likely you are willing to give it.
c. Right now look at all that you have and count it as loss.
Philippians 3:8 (KJV 1900)
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
B. Why was the table full of tax collectors? Levi was a tax collector.
1. Could you fill a table full of tax collectors? No who would be at your table?
2. Fishermen threw nets. (Slide of an empty table)
C. What should your response look like?
1. Another tax collector named Zacchaeus met Jesus as well.
Luke 19:5–8 (KJV 1900)
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
2. Maybe your response should look like hospitality to those you considered outside your camp.
a. Hospitality: using your Christian home in a daily way that seeks to make strangers neighbors, and neighbors family of God.
b. Hospitality is not women’s work. It’s a qualification every elder must meet. God wants men and women involved in this work.
3. Go home.
Luke 8:38–39 (KJV 1900)
Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
4. Find your next step in following Jesus.
a. Maybe send out some party invitations.
b. Maybe invite the neighbors over for a meal.
c. Maybe go home and share with your family the great things God has done.
d. Maybe follow the Lord in baptism and start letting this world know you are a follower of Christ.
e. Maybe reach out to a friend this week and spend time in prayer asking for wisdom.
The one who has called you to follow Him will tell what steps to take. Listen to Him and His Word. Did He speak to you today? Do you know what step you need to take.
Conclusion:
Recognize God’s love for the tax collectors and all those that are despised in our society.
Recognize the power of the Gospel to change any life.
Recognize the Gospel all demands and deserves a response.
Today we saw Levi’s response. Will anyone see your response this week?
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.
And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.
And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.