Sermon Notes

Matthew 9:9–13 NIV
⁹ As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
¹⁰ While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 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.”

Matthew 4:19 NIV
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

John 1:43 NIV
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

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Series Resources

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Discussion Igniters

(1)  Read Matthew 9:9–13 and Luke 5:27–29.
What is significant about Jesus calling Matthew (Levi)?
What stands out to you about Matthew’s response? 

(2)  Matthew was one of the last people anyone would have expected Jesus to ask to follow him, and yet, He did.
Do you ever feel unworthy of being called by Jesus? 

(3)  The Pharisees were uncomfortable with the people Jesus chose to minister to and associate with.
How did Jesus respond?
What should this teach us about who we need to be willing to minister to and associate with? 

(4)  Read Hosea 6:1–6.
What does this passage tell us about God’s heart towards us and towards those who are lost in their sin?

(5)  How can we show others the same kind of love and compassion that God shows?