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Sunday Message for the Bilingual Brethren - 9 August 2020 : “Follow Me”

Text: Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32
9 August 2020

BILINGUAL WORSHIP 9 AUGUST 2020
Theme: The Kingdom of Heaven
Texts: Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32
Title: “Follow Me”

INTRODUCTION

1. The Kingdom of Heaven

a) The Lord Jesus preached to many about the Kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15
i) The Kingdom of God
It is also called “The kingdom of Heaven”
ii) The Kingdom of Heaven is near at hand
“The kingdom of God is at hand” Mark 1:15
iii) Repentance is important
“Repent” Mark 1:15
iv) Believing in the message of the Gospel
“Believe in the gospel” Mark 1:15
b) He invited humble people to enter into God’s Kingdom
i) Humble people from Galilee who were sitting in darkness
ii) Simple fishermen were invited (Peter, Andrew, James, John)

2. The Kingdom of Heaven

a) This is for everyone
b) God invites all to come into His Kingdom
c) We need to know the Lord Jesus Christ
i) He is our Saviour
ii) He is the Lord
d) We need to believe in Him
i) Repenting from our sins
ii) Believing will cause us to be called the children of God (John 1:12)

ROMAN TAXES

1. The Roman Empire

a) It ruled much of the world
b) Rome taxed all the people it ruled

2. Tax Collectors in the land of Judea

a) They were despised
Because they worked for the Roman Government
b) They were hated
Sometimes they taxed more than they should
Corruption was common

3. Matthew described:

a) He was called Levi, the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14)
b) He was called a tax collector (Luke 5:27)
c) He was sitting at the Tax office (Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27)

THE CALLING OF MATTHEW THE TAX COLLECTOR

1. The Lord Jesus

a) He noticed (saw) him (Matthew 9:9a; Mark 2:14a)
b) He called him (Matthew 9:9b; Mark 2:14b)
c) He said: “Follow Me” (Matthew 9:9c; Mark 2:14c; Luke 5:27)

2. The response of Matthew

a) He left everything (Luke 5:28)
b) He arose and followed Him (Matthew 9:9d; Mark 2:14c)

THE FAREWELL FEAST

1. Matthew was giving a great farewell feast to all his friends

a) He had many friends (Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15)
i) They were tax-collectors too
ii) There were other friends
iii) They were regarded as “sinners” (Matthew 9:10b; Mark 2:16)
b) He gave a great feast (Luke 5:29a)
c) This was held in his house (Luke 5:29b)
d) They were reclining at the feast (Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15; Luke 5:29)

2. The Criticism of the Scribes and Pharisees

a) They spoke to the Disciples of the Lord
“Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
(Matthew 9:11: Mark 2:16; Luke 5:30)
b) The Scribes and the Pharisees
i) They would never eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners
ii) They considered themselves holy and thus they cannot be with
sinful people

THE WONDERFUL RESPONSE OF THE LORD JESUS

1. He compared Himself to a Physician

“Those who are well have no need of a physician,
But those who are sick” Luke 5:31

a) There are those who are physically sick
b) There are those who are spiritually sick
c) Jesus would go to them and heal them

2. He spoke as One who represented God

a) He explained what He was doing
b) He explained why He did what He was doing
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, those who are sick.”
Matthew 9:12
“But go and learn what this means:
‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’
For I did not come to call the righteous,
But sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:13; Luke 5:32; Mark 2:17
i) He had come from heaven, from God
ii) He had come to call sinners to repentance Matthew 9:32
iii) Matthew was a sinner and he was invited to follow Him
iv) God would show great mercy to every sinner who repents

CONCLUSION

1. The Kingdom of Heaven is for everyone

a) Those who are sick (physically, spiritually)
b) Even those who are very sinful
c) The Lord will forgive and He will heal

2. The Mercy of God

a) It will be given to anyone who responds
b) The Mercy of God can change our life wonderfully
c) God’s Mercy is wonderfully shown in the salvation He offers

3. Appropriate response

a) Recognize Jesus as the Saviour
b) Receive Him into the heart
c) Follow Him