Week of September 7th - God’s grace seen in the call

Key Thought:
When was the last time you heard someone say they felt called to do something? We hear this phrase not just in a religious context, but also by people who sense that a task or an occupation offers them an opportunity to make some sort of difference in the world. (Interestingly, to be called implies a caller…Hmmmm.) For those who believe God has called them to do something for Him, their sense of call intimates a belief that they are somehow worthy of their calling since God would never call someone who is unworthy. Similarly, I wouldn’t call a babysitter for my kids who was unworthy, or hire a mechanic or a doctor who was unworthy to do these types of work.

But how could God call Levi (Matthew), a tax collector, to follow him? Truly, he was unworthy to be called to be a disciple of Jesus. In the times and culture of Jesus, the tax collector was today’s equivalent of a Middle East terrorist. He was utterly detested and rejected from Jewish society. He was a Jew who was ceremonially unclean due to his constant contact with Gentiles, he was socially unclean due to his willingness to collaborate with the hated Roman occupiers, and he was morally unclean due to his corrupt use of power to take more taxes than he was authorized to take.

In the discussion of God’s grace, we must all live with a constant awareness that we also are unworthy to be called by God, to know and follow him. When we stop comparing our lives to others who we believe to be “sinners” but instead compare our lives to Jesus Christ, we are confronted with how unworthy we are. What makes us worthy to know and follow Christ is the simple fact that Jesus wiped the slate clean, he erased my sins and I suddenly and miraculously realize that I am His worthy follower. That’s what he did for Matthew as well, and Matthew ended up being a spiritual leader, the author of an extremely popular biography of Jesus’ life.

Sermon Highlights:
Take some time to write down some important thoughts that have stuck with you from Steve’s sermon The Call of Grace (September 7th).

Bible Reading:
Monday – Matthew 9:9-13
Tuesday – Luke 19:1-10
Wednesday – Matthew 11:19
Thursday – Luke 15:1, 2
Friday – Matthew 21:31

Key Questions to Ponder During the Week:

1. Why was Jesus so determined to hang out with “sinners” and “tax collectors?”
2. When Jesus was called “a friend of sinners,” do you think he took that as a compliment? Without speaking a word what did this part of his reputation teach his disciples?
3. Should our church be known as a “friend of sinners?” Is there a danger with this?
4. Who are the tax collectors and “sinners” in Buckeye?
5. In the story of Levi, are you more apt to feel like a tax gatherer who can’t believe God could accept you or to act like the religious leaders who were quick to judge others?