Rolling Hills Community Church
Matthew 9:9-13 NIV
1. Jesus Chose you
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow Me," He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. Vs. 9
● Matthew accepted Jesus’ invitation and followed Him.
● Jesus invites you to follow Him.
● We are His disciples today.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you. This is My command: Love each other. John 15:16-17
2. Jesus came for the spiritually lost.
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Vs. 12
● Matthew was a “tax collector” which, in the Jew’s minds, was lower than a sinner.
● Jesus loves all people.
● You can love someone without agreeing with everything they do.
● Everyone is fighting a battle. Everyone needs community and Christ. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10
3. When you are passionate about something, you want to tell others!
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. Vs. 10
● Matthew wanted all of his friends to meet Jesus.
● How passionate are we about Jesus?
● 75% of evangelical Christians have had less than 10 spiritual conversations in a year.
● When you stop talking about Jesus to others, then you need to check your heart.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
4. You live where you live for a reason and a purpose.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Vs. 11
● Matthew used his home to further God’s Kingdom.
● How are you using your home for the glory of God?
● Be proactive and not just reactive.
● 82% of people who don’t go to church said they will go if someone invites them. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15
5. Love the people around you.
For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Vs. 13b
● Matthew loved his friends.
● When you have a spiritual conversation with someone, what you are saying is… . You matter to me and you matter to God.
● Learn to love like Jesus.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Matthew 5:46
Matthew never lost his passion for loving people and telling them about Jesus! Now, may we, as Jesus’ disciples today: Love. Everyone. Always.
Taking It Home
Taking It HomeJesus loves all people. As followers of Jesus today, we must learn to love like Jesus. It is easy to love people who are just like us and who love us back, but real love is meeting people where they are and inviting them to Jesus. When we are passionate about something, we will tell others - whether it is a sports team, a movie, or something on social media, we want others to know. When we love Jesus, we can’t help but talk about Him. And, His call to us, as His disciples, is for us to fall more in love with Him each day and then to Love. Everyone. Always.