Walking with Jesus #10 - Party Time
Our summer series, Walking with Jesus, uses a chronological approach to look at the life and ministry of our Lord. This series will provide a deeper knowledge of the life of Jesus, a greater devotion to Him, and a life-long commitment to His mission for yo
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Did you know that all of the proceeds in CJ's coffee shop go to the Samaritan Fund at Grace Church?
The purpose of the Samaritan Fund is to help people in the church and in the community who are in need. The Deacon Team at Grace oversees this fund and prayerfully considers & facilitates all requests.
Due to an increase in the cost of coffee and other supplies used in CJ's, we will be increasing the cost of coffee drinks by $1.00 beginning September 6th. We want to be sure that CJ's continues to be a fundraiser for the Samaritan Fund. Every purchase you make is a donation to help people in need!
The purpose of the Samaritan Fund is to help people in the church and in the community who are in need. The Deacon Team at Grace oversees this fund and prayerfully considers & facilitates all requests.
Due to an increase in the cost of coffee and other supplies used in CJ's, we will be increasing the cost of coffee drinks by $1.00 beginning September 6th. We want to be sure that CJ's continues to be a fundraiser for the Samaritan Fund. Every purchase you make is a donation to help people in need!
September 6 - Cass Ramey, Amanda Zalewski, Nick & Jacki Van De Moortel
September 7 - Robert Schilz
September 9 - Jillyn Boldrey, Angie Joppie
September 11 - Kelly Lenz, Victoria Garlinger, Roman Schilz
September 12 - Nikki Yargeau, Megan Noteboom, Julia Mater
September 7 - Robert Schilz
September 9 - Jillyn Boldrey, Angie Joppie
September 11 - Kelly Lenz, Victoria Garlinger, Roman Schilz
September 12 - Nikki Yargeau, Megan Noteboom, Julia Mater
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Our summer series is called Walking with Jesus. We are looking at the life and ministry of the Lord using a chronological approach which involves a study of the Harmony of the Gospels.
We have been looking at...
Ministry Experiences: Jesus used different areas of life to model and teach His disciples how to minister to the people they would most often encounter (community/neighborhood).
Ministry Expeditions: Jesus led His team into different regions of the country and the surrounding people groups. This woud model how they were to eventually fulfill the Great Commission and proclaim the Gospel (outreach).
We have been looking at...
Ministry Experiences: Jesus used different areas of life to model and teach His disciples how to minister to the people they would most often encounter (community/neighborhood).
Ministry Expeditions: Jesus led His team into different regions of the country and the surrounding people groups. This woud model how they were to eventually fulfill the Great Commission and proclaim the Gospel (outreach).
Last week we were introduced to Matthew who could have also been called a turncoat, a despised person, a crook, and a social outcast. Jesus didn't happen to walk by Matthew's tax booth for the first time and call him to follow Him. He knew who Matthew was, knew his reputation.
Scripture tells us that Jesus prayerfully considered the men he chose to become His 12 disciples.
When Jesus said, "Follow Me," it says Levi got up, left everything and followed Him.
Scripture tells us that Jesus prayerfully considered the men he chose to become His 12 disciples.
When Jesus said, "Follow Me," it says Levi got up, left everything and followed Him.
Today it is Party Time at Matthew's House!
There are two kinds of people, those who like to party and those who would rather stay home. Which camp do you fall in?
After Jesus told Matthew to "Follow Me," look what Matthew did in Luke 5:29.
There are two kinds of people, those who like to party and those who would rather stay home. Which camp do you fall in?
After Jesus told Matthew to "Follow Me," look what Matthew did in Luke 5:29.
Luke 5:29
BSB
29 Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them.
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Luke 5:30
What did the term "sinner" mean in this passage?
Because a Pharisee was more concerned with purity and faithfulness, a sinner would have been anyone they deemed "impure" or "unclean." Anyone who did not strictly obey the Law of Moses would have been a sinner. And anyone who fellowshipped with a sinner would have been guilty or unclean by association.
Sinners would be the marginalized people, social outcasts, prostitutes, lepers. Today we would say drug addicts, alcoholics, rapists, gang bangers.
The Pharisees are basically saying, "This guy you are following claims to be a Holy man but he is ruining His witness hanging out with sinners; so by association He must be a sinner too!"
We see in Matthew 9:12 that Jesus said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
What did the term "sinner" mean in this passage?
Because a Pharisee was more concerned with purity and faithfulness, a sinner would have been anyone they deemed "impure" or "unclean." Anyone who did not strictly obey the Law of Moses would have been a sinner. And anyone who fellowshipped with a sinner would have been guilty or unclean by association.
Sinners would be the marginalized people, social outcasts, prostitutes, lepers. Today we would say drug addicts, alcoholics, rapists, gang bangers.
The Pharisees are basically saying, "This guy you are following claims to be a Holy man but he is ruining His witness hanging out with sinners; so by association He must be a sinner too!"
We see in Matthew 9:12 that Jesus said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
Luke 5:30
BSB
30 But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
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Matthew 9:12
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12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
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If we are going to answer the call, "Follow Me," we are going to get our hands dirty too. Will we love the unlovable and dine with the undesirable?
Jesus didn't let social status or cultural norms dictate His relationships with people. When Matthew hosted the party, Jesus accepted the invitation. Jesus didn't require people to change before they came to Him. He sought them out, met them where they were, and extended grace to them in the circumstances. How do we take this lesson of Matthew and apply it to our lives 2,000 years later?
Galatians 5:14 - A statement that would change the world, if only every believer would do it.
Jesus didn't let social status or cultural norms dictate His relationships with people. When Matthew hosted the party, Jesus accepted the invitation. Jesus didn't require people to change before they came to Him. He sought them out, met them where they were, and extended grace to them in the circumstances. How do we take this lesson of Matthew and apply it to our lives 2,000 years later?
Galatians 5:14 - A statement that would change the world, if only every believer would do it.
Galatians 5:14
BSB
14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
BSB
Use Hospitality For Outreach
Go from: Stranger - Acquaintance - Relationship
People you don't know are strangers. Learning and remembering their name moves you to acquaintances. Then you start building relationships.
We should be building bridges, not fences in our neighborhoods!
The purpose for hospitality outreach is to develop life-sharing connections and be able to know and understand needs so we can effectively minister to and pray for our neighbors.
Book: The Art of Neighboring
"If you want to reach people that no one is reaching, you have to do things that no one is doing." - Craig Groschel
When we love Jesus, He will naturally come up in our conversations. The more we love Jesus, the more that love will be apparent in our conversations and relationships.
Be friendly with everyone and be close to a few.
Matthew 9:11-13
Go from: Stranger - Acquaintance - Relationship
People you don't know are strangers. Learning and remembering their name moves you to acquaintances. Then you start building relationships.
We should be building bridges, not fences in our neighborhoods!
The purpose for hospitality outreach is to develop life-sharing connections and be able to know and understand needs so we can effectively minister to and pray for our neighbors.
Book: The Art of Neighboring
"If you want to reach people that no one is reaching, you have to do things that no one is doing." - Craig Groschel
When we love Jesus, He will naturally come up in our conversations. The more we love Jesus, the more that love will be apparent in our conversations and relationships.
Be friendly with everyone and be close to a few.
Matthew 9:11-13
Matthew 9:11-13
BSB
11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. ”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. ”
BSB
Prioritize Mercy Over Rules
Jesus didn't let social status or cultural norms dictate His relationships with people. We need to choose love, compassion, people's needs over rigid traditions and legalistic demands.
Offer grace, listen actively, avoid pride and remember that mercy keeps you humble.
Don't fear criticism and opposition as a believer. Following Jesus has a cost and requires change.
Jesus didn't let social status or cultural norms dictate His relationships with people. We need to choose love, compassion, people's needs over rigid traditions and legalistic demands.
Offer grace, listen actively, avoid pride and remember that mercy keeps you humble.
Don't fear criticism and opposition as a believer. Following Jesus has a cost and requires change.
Application:
1. Make the main thing the main thing.
What is my purpose?
1. Make the main thing the main thing.
What is my purpose?
2. Eliminate time steelers.
Where do I waste time?
Where do I waste time?
3. Be intentional.
Am I willing to be inconvenienced?
Am I willing to be inconvenienced?
4. Throw a Matthew Party.
Make a commitment to throw at least one neighborhood party every year.
Make a commitment to throw at least one neighborhood party every year.
