Walking with Jesus #9 - The Collector's Call
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!
August 30 - Adelynn Joppie, Emersynn Joppie
August 31 - Joe Long, Alexis Knauss
September 1 - Steve Hester
September 3 - Colleen Burke, Schylar & Alexis Orton
September 4 - Sandy Schilz, Kelly Adrianson
August 31 - Joe Long, Alexis Knauss
September 1 - Steve Hester
September 3 - Colleen Burke, Schylar & Alexis Orton
September 4 - Sandy Schilz, Kelly Adrianson
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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.
Today's message is found in the first three Gospels - Matthew, Mark, and Luke and referred to as the synoptic gospels. The Greek word for "synoptic" implies "seeing all together" or having a "common view."
Today's message is found in the first three Gospels - Matthew, Mark, and Luke and referred to as the synoptic gospels. The Greek word for "synoptic" implies "seeing all together" or having a "common view."
The story we're looking at has two parts. Today we'll look at the main character and then next week we'll focus on the sixth ministry experience; a time when Jesus trained His team to reach people at a social gathering.
Mark 2:13-14
Mark 2:13-14
Mark 2:13-14
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13 Once again Jesus went out beside the sea. All the people came to Him, and He taught them there.
14 As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him.
14 As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him.
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The main character today is a Jewish guy named Levi, also known as Matthew.
Father is Alphaeus. Sitting at a tax booth as he is a tax collector.
Levi is a name of honor. Levi was one of the 12 tribes of Israel and was a priestly tribe. The meaning of the name implies "joined, attached, or united."
Father is Alphaeus. Sitting at a tax booth as he is a tax collector.
Levi is a name of honor. Levi was one of the 12 tribes of Israel and was a priestly tribe. The meaning of the name implies "joined, attached, or united."
Tax collector was an occupation that made him unclean and despised by the Jewish people. There were few rules, so many demanded more money than was required and kept the difference.
In Mark 2:14c Jesus told Levi/Matthew to "Follow Me."
Jesus challenged him and Jesus is always challenging us.
In Mark 2:14c Jesus told Levi/Matthew to "Follow Me."
Jesus challenged him and Jesus is always challenging us.
Levi/Matthew became one of the twelve Apostles. They were handpicked by Jesus to be leaders of His movement.
In Acts 1:21 we see that there were strict qualifications for this position. Because of that, it is safe to assume that Levi was someone who had met and had faith in the Lord and had followed Him. But he was still hanging on to his secular or worldly identity, values, and career for meaning and security.
Levi may have been sitting at his booth thinking "I'm so joined, attached, and united to this world."
Money or meaning; silver or significance; hatred or love; Rome's acceptance or God's approval; me or Jesus in control of my life and future.
In our culture there are sayings that capture the feelings he and we face in such a dilemma... "Fish or cut bait," "Put up or shut up," "Make up your mind," or "Sit on the pot or get off."
In Acts 1:21 we see that there were strict qualifications for this position. Because of that, it is safe to assume that Levi was someone who had met and had faith in the Lord and had followed Him. But he was still hanging on to his secular or worldly identity, values, and career for meaning and security.
Levi may have been sitting at his booth thinking "I'm so joined, attached, and united to this world."
Money or meaning; silver or significance; hatred or love; Rome's acceptance or God's approval; me or Jesus in control of my life and future.
In our culture there are sayings that capture the feelings he and we face in such a dilemma... "Fish or cut bait," "Put up or shut up," "Make up your mind," or "Sit on the pot or get off."
Levi had a tax booth that stood between him and spiritual maturity and ministry. Our booths may be control over life, money, career, comfort, possessions, family, approval, success, earthly status, religion, or some negative things like poor character, bitterness, ego, and the things we are addicted to.
He had a choice to make. To grow, to go, to show the reality of his faith by a life of obedience and ministry.
Luke 5:28 says "left everything...and followed Him."
The implication is that you are not following Christ if you are still clinging to your sin and desire to control your life. You must repent and believe.
Beyond that, you aren't following Christ if this world is still your heaven, if your booth is between you and the mission that Jesus has for your life.
This is likely the moment when Levi became known as Matthew. The name carries an incredible meaning, "A Gift of God."
He had a choice to make. To grow, to go, to show the reality of his faith by a life of obedience and ministry.
Luke 5:28 says "left everything...and followed Him."
The implication is that you are not following Christ if you are still clinging to your sin and desire to control your life. You must repent and believe.
Beyond that, you aren't following Christ if this world is still your heaven, if your booth is between you and the mission that Jesus has for your life.
This is likely the moment when Levi became known as Matthew. The name carries an incredible meaning, "A Gift of God."
Luke 5:28
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28 and Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him.
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Lessons we can learn from this story:
1. Our Name
All of us have a name that means something to those around us. It reflects the journey of our life.
1. Our Name
All of us have a name that means something to those around us. It reflects the journey of our life.
2. Our God
Proverbs 15:3
Jesus saw Levi.
Proverbs 15:3
Jesus saw Levi.
Proverbs 15:3
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3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
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3. Our Booth
We all have something that stands between us and the person that God wants us to be.
We all have something that stands between us and the person that God wants us to be.
4. Our Choice
We either will waste our life in sin, in spiritual mediocrity, or thrive as we obediently follow God's will for our life.
We either will waste our life in sin, in spiritual mediocrity, or thrive as we obediently follow God's will for our life.
5. Our Destiny
Levi became known as Matthew (A Gift of God) that became one of the 12 Apostles, a contributor to the written word of the Bible, and a disciple maker.
Levi became known as Matthew (A Gift of God) that became one of the 12 Apostles, a contributor to the written word of the Bible, and a disciple maker.
Discuss:
1. What did you learn today?
2. How would you describe the booth that stands between you and God's will?
3. What choice(s) do you need to make to become more effective for God?
1. What did you learn today?
2. How would you describe the booth that stands between you and God's will?
3. What choice(s) do you need to make to become more effective for God?
