Sermon Notes Matthew 9:9-13 Common English Bible

Calling of Matthew

9 As Jesus continued on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. He said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. 10 As Jesus sat down to eat in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples at the table.

11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 When Jesus heard it, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. 13 Go and learn what this means: I want mercy and not sacrifice.[a] I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.”

I was amazed at how fitting the lectionary passages are for this week! We will look at this passage from Matthew as well as Genesis 12:1-5. This is my last Sunday preaching at Gadsden FUMC. We have changes happening here at the church, and all of us are always having changes in our personally lives as well. Change can be scary and following what Jesus is leading us to do can be scary, too. What might God be calling you to do? How is God leading you to step up in service in ministry in the community? I have a ton of excuses when God leads me in a different direction. Here are some of the excuses Matthew could have given, #1 sinner- He was tax collector and not the person people who have expected to follow Jesus, #2, unqualified – Matthew was called before he got any training, got his life together, etc. #3, judgment from others – it's actually the religious people in this passage who can’t believe Jesus is hanging out with Matthew, #4, The unknown he had no idea how wild following Jesus would get. Join us on Sunday, let’s talk about following Jesus!

Pastor, Andy