Pastor Nam Park.
Luke 5:27 After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him.
29 And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Recap:
We saw the POWER of the Lord to cleanse the physically and spiritually separated leper.
Then we saw the POWER of the Lord to forgive sins in this paralyzed man (life to dead limbs.)
Now we'll look at the calling of tax collectors of sinners. The intention of the Lord to call sinners to Himself.
FACT: You are a Sinner. I am a sinner.
God has sent His Son to save whom? A: Sinners.
And unless we find ourselves categorically as undeserving sinners (in our own mind), there is no call for our redemption. This is Christ's call for us; we are tax collectors and sinners and welcomed into the family of God.
FACT: You are a Sinner. I am a sinner.
God has sent His Son to save whom? A: Sinners.
And unless we find ourselves categorically as undeserving sinners (in our own mind), there is no call for our redemption. This is Christ's call for us; we are tax collectors and sinners and welcomed into the family of God.
Prayer: Teach us Lord that there is HOPE for EVERY Sinner.
Most likely Levi (Matthew) was lingering around and listening to Jesus' teachings on many occasions, prior to Jesus calling him from his tax-collector booth.
Most likely Levi (Matthew) was lingering around and listening to Jesus' teachings on many occasions, prior to Jesus calling him from his tax-collector booth.
The idea of "follow me" is to walk in Jesus' footsteps.
Jesus called Levi and he immediately gets up and follows Christ.
Levi's conversion to Christianity and his act of becoming a disciple is one of the same.
Discipleship begins at Jesus' call but doesn't end there.
It's a decisive leaving and a decisive following.
If things went bad for Levi, it would be extremely difficult for him to return to tax-collecting, unlike Peter or the other fishermen that could easily return to fishing.
Luke 5:29 And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.
- Levi opens up his home and uses his resources to introduce his relatives to Jesus. He's the opposite of the rich young ruler.
Luke 5:30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”
- Pharisees criticize Jesus for "eating and drinking" simultaneously with these tax collectors and sinners (more than just being in close proximity). Jesus was enjoying fellowship with them.
Although the Pharisees' accusation was filled with shame, Jesus gives a hope-filled response.
Luke 5:31 And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.
His Grace-filled calling.
Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
- The more likely candidate for the calling of Christ, unto Salvation is for the guy that knows he is a sinner.
CS Lewis, Mere Christianity: "Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness. It therefore has nothing (as far as I know) to say to people who do not know they have done anything to repent of and who do not feel that they need any forgiveness."
"Yet to those who see and acknowledge their own unrighteousness before God, the gospel offers forgiveness, blessing, and peace."
Any sinner is a prime candidate for salvation. Do you agree with Ephesians 2:1?
Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins
- These have a chance at redemption. Those that recognize themselves as shameful sinners.
One scholar said: "The church is the only fellowship in the world where the one requirement for membership is the unworthiness of the candidate."
If you recognize your sin, there is a cure.
As the church, we're offering the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ.
Repentance: "change your mind."
It's transformation of how you live your life. Live for Christ and seek to orient your mind and life to Christ. Seek to do what is His to do and to His glory alone.
Jesus called people to transformation.
Transformed in heart, mind, and conduct.
Jesus would accept every sinner but condemn every sin; thus, Jesus paid for every sin Himself on the cross.
Until the Lord takes us home, we will struggle with sin. It's a constant reminder that we depend upon Him for our Salvation and our Righteousness alone.
- Problem with the Pharisees: They did religion but were far from the kingdom of God because they were self-righteous.
Good reminder: Don't despise tax collectors and sinners, they are exactly the individuals that Jesus came to die for. They are the ones we are to call to repentance. They are welcomed in the kingdom of God. We need to be about the task of bringing tax collectors and sinners into the fellowship of Jesus Christ. That's who we are. And we have been welcomed as children of God. Seek out the sinners, they need the Salvation that Jesus offers.
