Scripture Passage: Matthew 9: 9-13
Following
•To follow is not new
•Jesus said “Follow Me”
•Look at aspects of this calling:
•In the life of Matthew
•Through Jesus
•In the life of early believer, Paul
Matthew, the Tax Collector
•Jesus said “Follow Me” so he arose and followed Him!
•Gave a Great Feast (Luke 5:29)
•Believed Jesus has the Power to Forgive Sins
•Called other tax collectors and sinners
•Identified himself as “Matthew, the Tax Collector”
•Possibly, Jesus used Matthew’s conversion in his Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
•Coming to an understanding that we are vile sinners and repenting for it is the mark of conversion and following
Jesus Christ, the One who calls us
•Why follow Jesus?
•He is “The Way, The Life and The Truth”
•What is it to follow Jesus?
•He becomes our Lord
•How does he want us to follow Him?
•Take up our cross and follow Him (Matt 16:24)
•Cross, the device of condemnation, torture and shame
How to bear the Cross? (1 Peter 4:12-16)
Paul’s calling and following of Jesus
•On the road to Damascus
•Is it in this dramatic the way that you and I want to be called? *
•Paul’s Testimony (Rom 5:1-5)
•Gospel Peace
•Justified by Faith
•Glory in tribulation (Acts 9:31) *
•Hope does not disappoint
Take Away: Follow Jesus Christ by the Strengthening of the Holy Spirit to live a Life of Calling worthy of Him who calls Rejoicing even in affliction in Hope of the Glory of God