WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.599 Thank you, men. Thank you, choir. What a blessing. 00:00:12.740 --> 00:00:15.679 If you have your Bibles, I want to turn to Mark chapter 2. 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:17.179 ! Mark chapter 2. 00:00:17.219 --> 00:00:22.280 I had the privilege on Thursday morning to drive to the North 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:24.699 ! Greenville University campus with one of our members. 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:26.500 He's a board member at North! Greenville. 00:00:26.500 --> 00:00:32.240 And he invited me to go with him to be a part of a campaign they 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:34.560 were doing on the campus last week. 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:40.579 They were reading through the Bible out loud on campus for 100 00:00:40.579 --> 00:00:41.399 hours. 00:00:41.620 --> 00:00:46.240 It takes about 70 or 80 hours to read through the Bible is what 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:46.820 they say. 00:00:46.900 --> 00:00:48.840 I've not sat down and done that in one sitting. 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:51.620 But they say it takes about that long. 00:00:51.760 --> 00:00:53.340 And so for 100 hours. 00:00:53.340 --> 00:00:57.440 It started at Monday at 9 o'clock and went through a middle of 00:00:57.440 --> 00:01:00.060 the day Friday, I believe, if that adds up to 100. 00:01:00.800 --> 00:01:06.540 And Jim asked me if I could share an hour with him. 00:01:06.579 --> 00:01:07.439 He had signed up. 00:01:08.020 --> 00:01:10.320 And would I take a half hour? 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:11.340 And he'd take a half hour. 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:13.520 And I said, well, when are you going? 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:14.700 And he said Thursday. 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:16.840 And Thursday's the day I work on Sunday. 00:01:16.960 --> 00:01:20.200 And I kind of try to keep my calendar as clean as I can on 00:01:20.200 --> 00:01:22.760 Thursday to make sure I'm prepared for Sunday. 00:01:22.920 --> 00:01:25.120 And so I was like, what time? 00:01:25.379 --> 00:01:28.079 And he said 5 to 6 a.m. 00:01:30.600 --> 00:01:32.260 I said, my calendar's clear. 00:01:34.460 --> 00:01:36.000 He said, good, then pick me up. 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:39.060 So we did that. 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:41.000 And I went back to the office and worked on this sermon. 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:43.859 So if I kind of fall out halfway through, it's because I got up at 00:01:43.859 --> 00:01:45.640 3.30 Thursday morning when I was working on it. 00:01:45.640 --> 00:01:53.579 And I read, I got to read through Hebrews chapter 2, verse 7, 00:01:54.340 --> 00:01:57.920 through almost the end of Hebrews chapter 11. 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:05.019 And as I'm sitting on that campus, there's a tailgate tent in front of 00:02:05.019 --> 00:02:06.219 the prayer room. 00:02:07.819 --> 00:02:14.900 There's a lamp, a high table, and a stool. 00:02:15.639 --> 00:02:19.459 That campus is dark. 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:22.500 Nobody moving that I could see. 00:02:24.959 --> 00:02:28.199 And I was reading Scripture, and I got to Hebrews chapter 4, verse 12. 00:02:29.519 --> 00:02:33.619 Now, every morning when I read Scripture, I ask God to give me a 00:02:33.619 --> 00:02:33.959 verse. 00:02:34.359 --> 00:02:37.299 Lord, just highlight it spiritually on that page and let me know that's 00:02:37.299 --> 00:02:39.079 my verse for the day. 00:02:39.139 --> 00:02:40.279 And I pray through that verse. 00:02:40.379 --> 00:02:41.279 I post that verse. 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:43.139 And that's the verse for the day. 00:02:43.779 --> 00:02:45.500 I didn't really do that for this. 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:47.620 I had already read my Bible before I came. 00:02:50.740 --> 00:02:59.840 But when I got to Hebrews chapter 4, verse 12, and I thought about reading God's 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:02.639 Word over that campus as my daughter's a student there. 00:03:04.300 --> 00:03:07.580 And here we are reading God's Word before they ever get up to come to class. 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:08.580 I'm telling you, it hit me. 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:15.800 For it says, for the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, 00:03:16.400 --> 00:03:22.240 piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts 00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:23.680 and the intentions of the heart. 00:03:23.740 --> 00:03:27.600 And I thought, man, I got the verse. 00:03:27.599 --> 00:03:31.579 I got the verse of the day, you know, or the verse of the hundred hours. 00:03:31.719 --> 00:03:37.740 I mean, I love that passage because it speaks so graphically about how the Word of God gets 00:03:37.740 --> 00:03:38.500 to the heart of the matter. 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:49.680 Now, nowhere does it get to the heart of the matter any more than when we see the power of 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:58.360 life, of the life-changing gospel, when we see the good news of Christ change lives as we do in our passage 00:03:58.360 --> 00:03:59.560 today. 00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:03.540 It's in Mark chapter 2, beginning in verse 13. 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:06.080 And it says this, 00:04:06.480 --> 00:04:13.080 He, speaking of Jesus, went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to Him, 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:14.960 and He was teaching them. 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:23.319 And as He passed by, He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, 00:04:23.420 --> 00:04:24.019 Follow Me. 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:26.259 And He rose and followed Him. 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:32.480 And as He reclined at table in His house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:35.840 and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. 00:04:36.660 --> 00:04:41.740 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, 00:04:41.740 --> 00:04:47.240 said to His disciples, Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners? 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:50.819 And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:56.759 Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick, 00:04:57.500 --> 00:05:02.340 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. 00:05:02.339 --> 00:05:12.279 Our passage last week in Mark spoke of Jesus speaking in a house that was packed with people, 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:16.959 so packed that when four friends wanted to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, 00:05:17.159 --> 00:05:18.779 they couldn't even get close to Him. 00:05:19.139 --> 00:05:21.959 So they went up the side steps, tore a hole in the roof, 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:26.159 and with ropes dropped Him down in front of Christ. 00:05:26.939 --> 00:05:29.079 And that man's life changed that day. 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:36.759 Due to the size of the crowds, in an effort to maximize His efforts, 00:05:37.659 --> 00:05:40.659 Jesus went to where the people were. 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:44.279 It says, as He was teaching. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:46.539 Now there's no doubt in my mind what He was teaching. 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:49.419 He always taught about the kingdom of God. 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:52.099 Matthew called it the kingdom of heaven, 00:05:52.219 --> 00:05:56.060 to clarify for Jews, who He was primarily writing to, 00:05:56.060 --> 00:06:02.000 to not get the concepts of Judaism mixed up with the need of the gospel of Christ. 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:07.540 But the key message of the kingdom is our hope in the kingdom. 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:12.139 And I want you to know that of all the miracles that we see, 00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:14.019 of all the wonderful things that we see, 00:06:15.019 --> 00:06:20.819 the effort of Christ here was nothing greater than the preaching of the gospel. 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:23.100 He won the gospel preached. 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:28.960 The power behind His ministry was not the healing, although it was amazing. 00:06:29.320 --> 00:06:31.480 It was not the miracles, although they were amazing. 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:34.980 But it was the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:06:35.580 --> 00:06:42.320 We found Him in chapter 1, escaping the crowds to go from village to village to preach the gospel. 00:06:42.860 --> 00:06:48.260 Mark chapter 1, verse 39 says that He went throughout all of Galilee preaching. 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:52.439 And from the synopsis of the gospels, we get that He not only went there, 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:56.399 but He went into Syria and Judea, 00:06:56.480 --> 00:07:01.039 that He was moving around quite a bit, preaching the gospel as He went. 00:07:01.300 --> 00:07:06.259 And now He comes back to Capernaum, and the house got too full. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:09.459 So He went out to the seaside. 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:13.699 The seaside of Capernaum is where the people were. 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:20.000 Capernaum was a fishing village, known for its long piers full of boats. 00:07:20.779 --> 00:07:22.579 And it was a bustling area. 00:07:23.099 --> 00:07:24.740 And that's where He went. 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:29.740 In such a setting, it does not tell us He did this in this passage, 00:07:30.219 --> 00:07:33.039 but in such a setting, He was often seen in the gospels, 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:37.959 getting in a boat and going out from shore and anchoring that boat 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:42.439 and standing in that boat and speaking to those on the shoreline. 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:48.060 And the reason He did that is because it provided a natural amplification across that water 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:50.860 where they could hear His voice and it would carry. 00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:56.279 We don't know if He does that here, but I know that He was preaching the gospel. 00:07:56.759 --> 00:08:04.339 Jesus wanted all to know that their only hope was in acknowledging the wrong in their life, 00:08:04.339 --> 00:08:09.979 acknowledging their sin and asking God to forgive them of that sin 00:08:09.979 --> 00:08:14.219 and committing their life to follow the Lord from that day forward. 00:08:14.299 --> 00:08:16.259 That was His message. 00:08:16.379 --> 00:08:20.599 He did many wonderful things like healing, raising, I mean, miracles, 00:08:20.719 --> 00:08:22.379 even raising someone from the dead. 00:08:22.459 --> 00:08:28.339 But He came to give the gospel and to fulfill the gospel. 00:08:28.339 --> 00:08:30.479 He gave His life for the gospel. 00:08:31.339 --> 00:08:34.419 And when He resurrected and was about to ascend, 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:39.100 He told us that as we go, make disciples. 00:08:39.839 --> 00:08:41.779 In other words, share the gospel. 00:08:42.679 --> 00:08:44.919 Develop people through the gospel. 00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:47.100 That's what it means by making disciples. 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:49.839 And carry it to all people. 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:53.819 And He said carry it to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria. 00:08:53.820 --> 00:08:55.940 And that was His long-range plan. 00:08:56.920 --> 00:08:59.700 Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. 00:08:59.900 --> 00:09:03.100 And if you'll look open the book of Acts, you'll see it starts in Jerusalem. 00:09:03.420 --> 00:09:04.960 It moves to Judea. 00:09:05.140 --> 00:09:06.480 It moved into Samaria. 00:09:06.800 --> 00:09:09.200 And then the Apostle Paul on three missionary journeys 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:12.260 took it to the known uttermost parts of the earth. 00:09:12.400 --> 00:09:15.040 And it's our responsibility to take it from there 00:09:15.040 --> 00:09:17.560 to cover the rest of the world. 00:09:17.660 --> 00:09:19.440 That was the plan of Christ. 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:21.920 That's why He came. 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:30.939 He came to preach the gospel. 00:09:31.319 --> 00:09:32.740 And to fulfill the gospel. 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:36.620 And it's our job to get that gospel out as well. 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:40.019 But not only that, but we also see the call of the gospel. 00:09:40.819 --> 00:09:44.179 In our passage today, He reaches out to Levi. 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:46.539 Levi was a tailor. 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:49.240 He specialized in denim. 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:53.719 I'm kidding. 00:09:56.139 --> 00:10:05.199 Levi is also known as Matthew, as in the gospel of Matthew. 00:10:05.699 --> 00:10:07.659 And actually, he was a tax collector. 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:11.919 Rome had occupied that Galilean region. 00:10:12.959 --> 00:10:17.159 And therefore, the people that lived there were required to pay taxes to Rome. 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:22.839 And the kind of tax and toll collector that he was, there was a couple of different kinds, 00:10:22.939 --> 00:10:28.620 but from the passage and from other passages, we understand that he collected tolls and tariffs 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:33.439 and taxes and custom fees at a toll booth under the authority of Rome. 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:39.199 Toll collectors bidded on the job. 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:46.100 And when they won the bid, they were given a quota by the Roman government. 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:53.240 And then they were given the authority to charge, hear me now, whatever they wanted. 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:57.879 And there's several problems with that. 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:00.140 One is they were crooked. 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:02.899 The whole lot of them. 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:05.279 The big boss was Caesar. 00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:09.360 Herod Antipas was put in responsibility over Galilee. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:12.259 And so he was the one in charge of that area. 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:14.740 He was Rome's pawn with Galilee. 00:11:15.299 --> 00:11:19.080 And people paid for the privilege to rip into the Jews. 00:11:20.699 --> 00:11:22.559 Secondly, Levi was a Jew. 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:27.600 As a matter of fact, he was probably a Levite. 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:29.879 That's probably where he got his name. 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:33.920 And that tribe were the priest. 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:39.519 So instead of serving the Lord, he was serving himself at the expense of the Lord's people. 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:46.480 Now, he wasn't Al Capone, but he was working under an Al Capone. 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:50.040 I want you to listen to how one commentator described him. 00:11:50.040 --> 00:11:55.379 He said, Levi is no tax baron, but one who is stationed at an intersection of trade routes 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:59.120 to collect tolls, tariffs, imposts, and customs. 00:11:59.700 --> 00:12:04.059 Toll collectors were renowned for their dishonesty and extortion. 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:10.779 They habitually collected more than they were due, did not always post up the regulations, 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:14.659 and made false valuations and accusations. 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:20.419 Tax collectors craved money more than respectability or righteousness. 00:12:20.419 --> 00:12:21.279 End of quote. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:29.519 When people could not pay, they turned into loan sharks at exorbitant rates. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:33.000 I was going to a restaurant, this was years ago. 00:12:33.059 --> 00:12:37.819 I was going to a restaurant in a strip mall one day, and as I walked by, to go to that restaurant, 00:12:37.939 --> 00:12:44.319 I walked by a check in the cash place, and on the wall was a board that stated their interest rates. 00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:51.160 And on the bottom of that board, I saw an interest rate that said 394%. 00:12:51.160 --> 00:12:56.080 You can never pay that back. 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:00.780 That's what they did. 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:06.700 That was the exorbitant rates that they charged. 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:10.840 And all of this was against his own people. 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:17.960 Rabbinical law, which it's not Mosaic law, it's not the first five books of the Bible, 00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:23.259 it's what the rabbis write about that to describe how you apply it. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:30.960 And the problem with the scribes was they valued the rabbinical law more than they did the Mosaic law. 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:35.160 They went, I mean, it was to detail how to follow the Mosaic law, 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:41.439 but they emphasized their rabbinical law and saw it as much of authority as biblical law. 00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:54.600 And rabbinical law said thieves, murderers, tax collectors, all of them are disqualified to witness in court. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:14:00.939 They are expelled from the synagogue, and they are disgraced to their families. 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:02.299 They were hated. 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:03.299 They were hated. 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:05.839 A Jew didn't even want to look at them. 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:11.979 Don't you dare lock your eyes with a sleazy thief that's aiming at you. 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.439 But Jesus looked at him. 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:22.859 Even with all that, he was not too far from the hand of God. 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:27.079 He was not too far from the love of God. 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:31.660 Jesus looked at him and said, follow me. 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:37.800 And as he rose out of that booth, leaving it behind and following Christ. 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:41.040 Now, let me tell you something. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:43.980 Peter left his boat to follow Christ. 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:47.860 Peter can go back to that boat, and he probably did at some point. 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:55.980 James and John left their father, Zebedee, in the boat and followed Christ. 00:14:56.860 --> 00:15:03.240 But at some point, James and John can go back to Zebedee and son's fish supply and work again. 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:08.279 When Matthew left the tax booth, he can't go back. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:14.919 I mean, he's made a change that he can't go back to. 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:16.379 When he walked away, there is no turning back. 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:21.240 Matter of fact, I think he left that booth singing, I have decided to follow Jesus. 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.820 No turning back. 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:24.560 No turning back. 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:29.879 The world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back. 00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:31.799 No turning back. 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:33.139 No none go with me. 00:15:33.239 --> 00:15:34.359 I still will follow. 00:15:34.459 --> 00:15:35.259 No turning back. 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:39.119 Now, God has a lot in store for Matthew. 00:15:39.599 --> 00:15:41.399 A lot more than he could have imagined. 00:15:42.619 --> 00:15:49.159 You see, Matthew spent his time taking taxes and writing records and making reports and keeping track. 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:52.139 He made a fine recorder. 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:57.500 And the Lord needed one of those for our sake. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:16:01.779 I believe Matthew left that tax booth and left everything behind but his pen. 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:04.860 And took his pen with him. 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.319 You know what? 00:16:06.459 --> 00:16:07.559 Luke was a physician. 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:16.459 And God used him to write about the conception of Christ and the birth of Christ as Mary dictated to him. 00:16:16.459 --> 00:16:19.139 As only a physician could write it. 00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:24.219 John was a man with a sensitive spirit and a love for the deeper things. 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:26.779 And God used him for that. 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:28.199 To write the gospel. 00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:32.500 Saul of Tarsus was a quick, vigorous, and passionate. 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:40.579 God called him and converted him and sanctified him and used those same traits mightily for the kingdom of God. 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:42.399 Listen, I want you to hear me today. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:49.100 If God can use a hardened, thieving, tax trader, he can use anyone. 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:57.180 And if he'll give Matthew the opportunity to follow him, he'll give anybody the opportunity to follow him. 00:16:57.179 --> 00:17:02.719 I believe he took his pen with him and he used it to write our first gospel. 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:09.339 He gave him the call of the gospel that changes lives. 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:13.220 But not only that, I want you to see the celebration of the gospel. 00:17:15.419 --> 00:17:21.480 The first thing that Matthew did after following Christ was to get all his friends together for a big meal. 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:26.459 And Luke calls it a great banquet at his house. 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:30.700 There was a large crowd of tax collectors and sinners filled his house. 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:39.059 And if Luke called it a great banquet, then I bet his house was not a typical house because he had done well in tax taking. 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:45.740 I mean, we're not just talking about an average sinner, if there's any such thing as that. 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:53.339 We're speaking to those sinners that you may, you probably won't admit this. 00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:01.799 But there may be some people that are lost that you think can't be saved. 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:08.440 I mean, when you think about them, you think there ain't no way in the world they'll ever come to the Lord. 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:22.240 I know you're not going to admit that, but the reality is that we get these connotations in our mind of who God can save and who he can't. 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:24.539 I'm telling you, nobody ever thought Matthew would get saved. 00:18:27.899 --> 00:18:29.879 Nor are all these people that he brought into his house. 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.980 I mean, we're talking about the scum of the earth. 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:34.519 We're talking about the rich that preyed on the poor. 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:36.759 We're talking about the people that take the shirt off your back. 00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:46.639 They were described as the unscrupulous riffraff, the scoundrels of first century Jewish life. 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:48.200 That was Matthew's people. 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:51.480 And that's who he shared life with. 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:58.679 And when his life suddenly changed by the hand of God, that's who he had to tell. 00:18:58.680 --> 00:19:05.560 And he had a guest of honor that day, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:07.799 Now, I wasn't there. 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:11.060 I don't know how it all went down, but I got a sanctified imagination. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:17.700 And I believe that sometime after that meal, Matthew stood up and said, 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.200 I want to tell you all what happened to me the other day. 00:19:23.320 --> 00:19:25.340 And I want to tell you about the man that changed my life. 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:28.500 And then he got Jesus up. 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:36.119 And they celebrated what had happened in Matthew's life. 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:38.359 Do you know why I believe that's what happened? 00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:39.579 Because that's what saved people do. 00:19:41.699 --> 00:19:44.419 That's what people who've been changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.480 I mean really changed. 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:50.640 And give God the acknowledgement that he deserves. 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:54.839 And follows the command that he gives to us. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:58.880 You could say it's a commission that he gives to us to fulfill. 00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:00.120 That's what you do. 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:04.339 I mean when God gets a hold of your life and he's truly changed you, 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.740 you're radically changed. 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:07.559 Scripture says the old become new. 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:09.059 The priorities will change. 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:11.160 You see your friends in a different way. 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:14.380 And there's no better way to celebrate your salvation than share it with your 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:14.880 friends. 00:20:15.540 --> 00:20:18.400 I mean share it with believers through baptism like we just celebrated. 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:20.740 And then share it with the lost. 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:23.840 Tell them what's happened to you. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.600 Testify. 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.980 God changed my life. 00:20:29.280 --> 00:20:30.600 I never thought it would happen. 00:20:35.540 --> 00:20:37.240 It'll do them good to hear it. 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:39.860 It'll do you good to say it. 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.800 You want to get fired up? 00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:44.280 Share your faith with somebody. 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:49.100 You begin to listen to yourself talking about what God has done in your life. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:51.300 It'll do us a world of good. 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:55.780 But when you do be ready for something, there's another piece to this. 00:20:57.260 --> 00:20:59.920 And that is the scorn that comes with the gospel. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.820 Some don't like the gospel. 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:08.700 They'll assassinate a man over the gospel. 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:12.080 They did it to Jesus. 00:21:12.080 --> 00:21:14.420 They did it to Peter. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:16.660 They did it to Paul. 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.340 Check out the apostles. 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:18.959 They'll do it today. 00:21:18.959 --> 00:21:21.919 They'll do it today. 00:21:21.919 --> 00:21:24.099 I think they did it today. 00:21:25.939 --> 00:21:27.819 In all of scripture you see it. 00:21:27.879 --> 00:21:28.579 It's in our society. 00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:32.740 They'll do whatever they can to defame the gospel. 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:37.019 All hell wants to snuff out the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:40.639 And sadly, sometimes he uses church folks. 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:54.599 He'll use whatever it takes to snuff out and limit the testimony of the gospel. 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:56.859 Now, the scribes were the writers of the law. 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:59.599 And it says these were the scribes of the Pharisees. 00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:03.099 I told you last week that means they were separate ones. 00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:07.959 They don't believe you ought to be with anybody that they consider to not be right. 00:22:08.959 --> 00:22:09.379 Okay? 00:22:09.380 --> 00:22:11.900 And they're the ones writing the law. 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.500 They didn't write the scriptures. 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:16.900 They wrote the explanation of scriptures. 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:26.020 And they wrote that those who did not acknowledge their rules were like those that we would say are without Christ, that they're lost. 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:28.580 They were forbidden from having fellowship with them. 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.540 You couldn't talk to them. 00:22:30.760 --> 00:22:32.500 If they don't follow the rules, you can't talk to them. 00:22:32.540 --> 00:22:33.520 You can't travel with them. 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:38.940 You can't allow their families to associate with them. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:47.260 And it's those with all those rules that looked at the Lord's disciples that day and said, 00:22:47.580 --> 00:22:50.820 why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:54.620 Now, friend, that's not just a question. 00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:56.840 That's an accusation. 00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:03.360 That Jesus is not who they need to be associating with. 00:23:04.800 --> 00:23:07.360 And they're not who Jesus needs to be associating with. 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:16.699 However, Jesus heard what they said, apparently, and replied, the six who need a doctor. 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:20.939 I've come to call the sinner, not the righteous. 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:28.240 Now, I've been to the doctor a few times, more so recently. 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:34.559 And it's one thing to go to the doctor for a well check. 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:37.099 They draw blood. 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:38.039 They take your weight. 00:23:38.179 --> 00:23:39.399 They take your blood pressure. 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:41.200 They ask you, how are you doing? 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:42.579 They ask you, why did you come here today? 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:46.000 Well, I just want to make sure everything's all right. 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:48.919 I mean, I got something hurting back in here, and I got this over here. 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.480 You know. 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:55.139 I don't sleep as well as I want to and all that stuff. 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:57.720 That's one thing. 00:23:58.820 --> 00:24:01.940 It's good to keep your schedule and all that, okay? 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:09.420 It's another thing when you rush to the ER, when you're sick and you need a healing touch. 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:11.380 That's a whole different matter. 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:15.120 There's a different attitude that comes with that when life is on the line. 00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:17.900 You're not merely inquisitive about what may happen. 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:21.240 When I'm sick, I need a doctor. 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:32.200 And Jesus said, I've come to cure the sin sick that are hopelessly without salvation. 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:35.280 I've come to save the lost. 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:39.920 I've come to those bound for hell. 00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:43.660 I've come to do miracles. 00:24:43.800 --> 00:24:47.600 But the greatest miracle, and I don't ever want you to misunderstand this, 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:53.539 the greatest miracle that could ever be done was to snatch somebody from the fires of hell 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:56.079 into a real relationship with the Father. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:25:00.139 That not only lasts for the rest of your life, it lasts for all of eternity. 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:02.240 He raised Lazarus from the dead. 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.019 Lazarus died. 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:04.319 Again. 00:25:05.179 --> 00:25:06.119 He didn't get raised again. 00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:14.419 The greatest miracle is the fact that Jesus lived a sinless life, 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:18.140 died a sinner's death, even though he was innocent. 00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:20.039 Rose again. 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.660 Ascended into the Father. 00:25:21.860 --> 00:25:22.880 And is coming back to get us. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.420 That's one miracle. 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:28.560 And because he did all that, that the second greatest miracle is 00:25:28.560 --> 00:25:31.800 that your life can be changed for all of eternity 00:25:31.800 --> 00:25:34.200 when you surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.980 Don't get caught up in all that other stuff. 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:41.579 Because all that other stuff just points to the power of the gospel. 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:43.099 And that's what happened to Matthew. 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:46.839 His life was forever changed. 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:51.059 And do you know what? 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:53.640 Some people aren't happy about it. 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:58.200 For one, the devil and all of hell 00:25:58.200 --> 00:26:02.020 and those that don't celebrate with you, 00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:03.200 and there will be some, 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:06.160 must be so much under the influence of the devil 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:09.259 and all of hell that they don't want to celebrate with you. 00:26:10.540 --> 00:26:11.420 Now what do you do? 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.540 You don't get mad at them. 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:16.280 You don't go pick a fight with them. 00:26:16.300 --> 00:26:17.080 That's not what you do. 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:18.780 You share the gospel with them. 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.600 They'll never listen. 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:23.980 That ain't your responsibility for them to listen. 00:26:24.679 --> 00:26:28.559 Your responsibility is to share it and to live it 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:30.279 and leave the rest up to God. 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:33.399 We can scatter the seed. 00:26:34.699 --> 00:26:35.859 We can water it. 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.859 We can nurture it. 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:41.599 We can talk to it like some of y'all do you plants if we want to. 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:45.339 But the reality is there's only one Lord of the harvest. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.839 He's the only one that can bring it about. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:50.839 And so we just do our job and trust it with him. 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:56.199 And if they reject Jesus when you shared the gospel with them, 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:58.039 they didn't reject you. 00:26:59.419 --> 00:27:00.980 That's the deception of the evil one. 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:02.240 He wants you to think you're rejected. 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.799 I tried my best to share with him, 00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:05.279 and they wouldn't even listen to me. 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:06.699 They didn't want to hear the gospel. 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:10.039 It ain't you. 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.899 It's the gospel. 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.559 I'm telling you. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.740 It changes things. 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:16.799 And I want to be like that great missionary of the 1800s. 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:19.019 His name was C.T. Studd. 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:21.319 C.T. Studd said this. 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:21.819 He said, 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:25.000 Some want to live within the sound of the church or the chapel bell. 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:28.180 I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell. 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.940 My friend, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:33.619 this passage speaks to all of us today. 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:38.279 If you don't know the Lord Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:40.519 I don't care if you're a member of this church 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:42.639 or if you teach a life group in this church. 00:27:42.739 --> 00:27:46.059 If you've never given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:27:46.439 --> 00:27:47.919 today's the day of salvation. 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:50.419 Surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.019 You said, 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.659 I did something. 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:53.000 I prayed a prayer long ago, 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.839 and I've never seen a change in my life. 00:27:54.919 --> 00:27:56.159 I don't think it took. 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.240 Look, 00:27:57.040 --> 00:28:01.420 if your life's not changed by coming to Christ, 00:28:01.580 --> 00:28:03.000 you wouldn't change by Christ. 00:28:04.580 --> 00:28:06.080 And you need to come to know Him. 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:11.240 It's a message that tells us He'll save anybody and everybody. 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:14.580 You can't get too far from Him for Him to bring you back. 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.460 He saves the lost. 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.220 But not only that, 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:21.660 I think it speaks to the uncelebrated saved. 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:23.360 In other words, 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:26.820 if your salvation is just a private experience for you, 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:28.779 that you prayed to receive Christ, 00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:30.820 just you and the Lord, 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:32.320 or just you and one other person, 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:34.860 and you've just held on to that 00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:36.860 for weeks, 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.480 for months, 00:28:37.560 --> 00:28:38.019 for years, 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:39.500 you just held on to that. 00:28:39.560 --> 00:28:40.340 I'm going to tell you something. 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:43.259 There's nothing biblical about holding that in privately. 00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:44.779 Nothing about that. 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.500 Matthew said, 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:47.000 come on, 00:28:47.060 --> 00:28:47.279 y'all. 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:49.019 Come on to the house. 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:51.819 Come on to the house. 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.700 We'll eat big. 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.720 I got something to tell you. 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:56.059 And Jesus, 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.619 by His example and by His commission, 00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:59.940 tells us that we announce it through baptism. 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:03.319 And that's what these three darling ladies did a little while ago, 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:06.279 was just to tell you what's already happened in my life. 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:08.160 I gave my heart and life to the Lord. 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.579 And I want folks to know it. 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.220 And I'm telling you, 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:14.059 if you've never acknowledged your faith publicly, 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:15.740 today's the day to do that. 00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:18.039 Invite all your friends. 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:19.000 We're friends here. 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.279 I think most of us. 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.759 Invite all your friends 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:25.079 to celebrate with you. 00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:30.119 Then I believe it's also for the satisfied, 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.460 saved. 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.920 Those that have their salvation 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:41.879 and are happy about it. 00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:48.820 because the reality is, 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:51.500 your salvation is not something 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:54.020 to hoard for yourself. 00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:59.100 If you're saved today, 00:29:59.180 --> 00:30:00.780 God has changed your life. 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.620 And what He's asked of you 00:30:03.620 --> 00:30:05.980 is to commit your life to follow Him 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:08.339 and to tell others as you go 00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:10.599 what Christ has done for you. 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:14.079 I believe this is a house of worship 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:14.920 and when we leave here, 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:16.120 that's a mission field. 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:19.420 And it could be somebody you work with. 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:21.900 It could be some line you go through in line. 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:25.319 Quit chewing on the drive-in lady 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:27.420 who don't get it to you on time. 00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:28.380 Instead, 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:30.240 share the love of Christ with her. 00:30:33.080 --> 00:30:34.700 God may have placed her there 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:36.380 to need your encouragement. 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.800 And I believe it's also 00:30:39.800 --> 00:30:41.620 for the critical of the saved. 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:45.880 Those that think that you have to 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:47.860 jump through certain hoops 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:49.860 in order for Jesus to save your life. 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:53.899 I got news for you. 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:56.000 He'll meet you where you are. 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.919 I don't have to wait for you to clean up. 00:30:57.959 --> 00:30:58.959 You can't clean it up anyway. 00:30:59.479 --> 00:31:00.659 I can't clean up mine. 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.959 He'll clean it all up. 00:31:03.479 --> 00:31:04.799 You just surrender your life to Jesus. 00:31:06.159 --> 00:31:07.319 He'll change your life. 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.979 And for the rest of us, 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.339 celebrate it. 00:31:14.439 --> 00:31:14.959 Celebrate it. 00:31:16.479 --> 00:31:17.419 You remember back when 00:31:17.419 --> 00:31:18.459 football teams used to win? 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:23.839 Celebrate it like that. 00:31:25.179 --> 00:31:26.839 It's much more meaningful. 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:29.819 Hey, it lasts for all of eternity. 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:32.039 Celebrate it. 00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:33.379 Like it means something. 00:31:33.679 --> 00:31:35.279 May we be a church 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:37.639 that is hungry 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:40.019 to see people come to the Lord. 00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:42.619 And then we're known for 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:43.799 celebrating 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:45.839 life change 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:47.459 in the way we live 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:49.100 and what we see 00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:50.079 in people's lives. 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.460 Lord Jesus, 00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.440 I ask today 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:56.220 that you'll give us courage 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:58.620 no matter what our circumstances 00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.600 are today, dear God. 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.559 You'll give us courage 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:02.480 to come boldly 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:02.799 and say, 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:04.200 I need Jesus in my life. 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:06.059 To come boldly 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:06.460 and say, 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.059 Lord, 00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:07.960 this has been private 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.759 long enough. 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.579 To come boldly 00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:10.779 and say, 00:32:10.840 --> 00:32:11.539 I'm not right. 00:32:11.840 --> 00:32:12.740 I know I'm a Christian, 00:32:12.860 --> 00:32:13.960 but I'm not right with God. 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.380 And today, 00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:15.420 I want to live for Him 00:32:15.420 --> 00:32:16.280 from this day forward. 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:18.300 I want to be a bold witness 00:32:18.300 --> 00:32:18.860 for Him. 00:32:20.060 --> 00:32:21.320 I want to influence people 00:32:21.320 --> 00:32:22.580 for the right cause 00:32:22.580 --> 00:32:23.880 in the right way 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:25.820 and to bring honor to Him. 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:28.380 Lord, 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:29.380 there may be someone here 00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:30.720 who's God's drawing 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.760 to First Baptist Church. 00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:32.600 They know this is 00:32:32.600 --> 00:32:33.520 where they are served. 00:32:33.860 --> 00:32:34.080 God, 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.200 let them come 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:36.820 and obey you today. 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:40.520 Let our hearts be right. 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:43.920 Let our souls be saved. 00:32:44.380 --> 00:32:47.440 Let our burden be great. 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:50.320 Let our testimony be strong. 00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:52.720 Work and move in our midst. 00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.040 Right now, 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:54.380 oh God, 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:54.800 I pray. 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.840 In Jesus' name. 00:32:57.300 --> 00:32:57.580 Amen.