Why Tax Collectors Were Rejected

Jesus is still saying what He said 2,000 years ago: "Follow Me." And He doesn't mean only on Sundays, but every day. Pastor Greg Laurie shares how we can put Jesus first in our lives and move away from things that pull us down.

Notes:

Luke 5
 
Social media is stealing hours you can never get back.
 
The algorithm is designed to capture your attention and never let go-
 
Who or what are you following?
 
You will become like the people you follow.
You will reflect their values, or lack thereof.
 
It’s time to follow Jesus.
 
Social media influencers want your attention.
Jesus wants your heart.
 
Jesus is here for you.
He says, “Follow Me.”
 
The bible challenges you to check on yourself. Are you really a Christian?  
Or are you just pretending to be one? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
  
Acts 11:26 (NLT)
It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.
 
To call the believers Christians was a mockery.
It meant “little Christs.”
 
Matthew 7:22 (NKJV)
“Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?”
 
Matthew 7:23 (NKJV)
And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
 
John 14:15 (NKJV)
If you love Me, keep My commandments.
 
Are you a follower of Jesus Christ?
 
Read Luke 5:27–32
 
Luke 5:28 (NLT)
So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.
 
Why did Matthew change so quickly?
 
Jesus simply looked at him and said two words, "Follow Me.”
 
Luke 5:31 (NLT)
Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do.”
 
God will come to us in a way we can understand.
 
To the military man Joshua, Jesus came as a general.
To the combative Jacob, He came as a wrestler.
To the astrologers, the Wisemen, through a star in the heavens.
 
Psalm 18:25 (NIV)
To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
 
Psalm 18:26 (NIV)
to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
 
If you are drowning in guilt and shame,
Jesus offers you forgiveness and relief.
 
If you feel like you don’t belong,
Jesus makes room at His table.
 
God does not turn people away because of who they are.
He comes to them because of it.
  
Luke 5:27
Later, as Jesus left the town, He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth and said, "Follow Me.”
 
Tax collectors collected exorbitant taxes from each person daily.
Often, they skimmed off the top or charged more than was required and pocketed the profit.
 
Matthew was considered a traitor, a turncoat, a backslider, and a collaborator with Rome.
 
The people who put up the biggest fight are often closer than those who don’t fight at all.
 
Jesus knew that Matthew wanted a relationship with God.
Jeremiah 29:13
 
Matthew couldn't bring himself to leave that tax booth and go to Jesus.
 
Most non-Christians say they have never had a Christian explain the gospel clearly.
 
The word used for saw, means to gaze intently upon, to stare, to fix one's eyes constantly upon an object.
 
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. A people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
 
Matthew bolted at the chance to follow and serve Jesus.
 
“Follow Me” means to walk the same road.
 
Following Jesus is not just something we do on Sunday.
 
Jesus wants to be a part of everything you do and everywhere you go.
Romans 13:14
 
How do we follow Jesus?
Through prayer and Bible study.
 
Start the day with the Bible.
End the day with the Bible.
 
Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.
 
“Follow Me” also means to "Follow with Me," meaning companionship and friendship.
 
Matthew happily jumped at the chance of a lifetime.
Luke 5:27
 
Matthew knew the cost and willingly paid it.
 
An old Scottish preacher called this “The expulsive power of a new affection.”
 
When a person really meets Jesus Christ, they cannot leave the old life fast enough.
 
Matthew lost a career but gained a destiny.
He lost his material possessions but gained a spiritual fortune.
  
Matthew was so excited that he decided to throw a party for Jesus.
Luke 5:29
 
Jesus sees you for who you are, and He sees you for who you can be.
 
The Bible says, “Today is the day of salvation.”

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