Embracing the Transformative Call of Christ

 

Summary

In the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter a profound moment where Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him. This call is not just a historical event but a vivid illustration of the essence of the Christian faith. We are all, in many ways, like Matthew—caught in the routines of life, perhaps burdened by our past, and often unaware of the transformative call of Christ that can change everything. Jesus' call to Matthew is a reminder that Christianity is not merely a set of beliefs or a philosophy but a relationship with a person—Jesus Christ. This call is personal, direct, and demands a response. It is a call to leave behind the old life and embrace a new way of living, thinking, and being.

The call of Christ is totalitarian in nature, meaning it demands our whole being—our mind, will, and heart. It is not a call to a vague interest or a detached philosophical discussion but a call to action and transformation. Jesus calls us to follow Him in every aspect of our lives, to think as He thinks, to live as He lived, and to trust Him completely. This call leads us to a new understanding of life, where the most important thing is not our achievements or possessions but our relationship with God and the state of our soul.

Following Christ may lead to challenges, misunderstandings, and even persecution, but it also leads to the deepest fulfillment and joy. It leads us to God, to forgiveness, to a new life, and ultimately to eternal glory. Jesus, the Son of God, offers us a path that no other can—a path that leads to true life and peace. The call to follow Him is an invitation to experience the fullness of life that He offers, a life that transcends the temporary and embraces the eternal.

Key Takeaways:

- The Call of Christ is Personal and Transformative: Jesus' call to Matthew illustrates that Christianity is about a personal relationship with Christ. It is a call that demands a response and leads to a transformation of our entire being. We are invited to leave behind our old ways and embrace a new life in Christ. [03:02]

- Christianity is Centered on a Person, Not Just Ideas: The essence of Christianity is not found in philosophical ideas or moral teachings but in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the historical and living reality that demands our attention and response. [10:55]

- The Call is Totalitarian, Demanding Our Whole Being: Jesus' call is not just to a part of us but to our entire being—our mind, will, and heart. It is a call to follow Him completely, allowing Him to be the center of our lives. [22:56]

- Following Christ Leads to True Understanding and Life: Jesus offers a way of thinking and living that is profoundly different from the world's. His teachings lead us to a deeper understanding of God, ourselves, and the purpose of life. [29:47]

- The Path of Following Christ May Be Challenging but Ultimately Rewarding: While following Christ may lead to challenges and sacrifices, it also leads to the greatest rewards—peace with God, a new life, and eternal glory. [52:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Matthew's Call
- [00:31] - The Essence of the Gospel
- [01:21] - Matthew's Life Before the Call
- [02:18] - The Unexpected Encounter
- [03:02] - The Transformative Call
- [04:06] - Our Shared Condition with Matthew
- [06:12] - The Comforting Message of the Gospel
- [08:04] - Misunderstandings of Christianity
- [09:29] - The Centrality of Jesus Christ
- [10:55] - The Person of Christ
- [12:41] - The Call to Follow
- [15:21] - The Totalitarian Nature of the Call
- [18:20] - The Personal and Direct Call
- [21:03] - The Call to Decision and Action
- [23:35] - The Life-Changing Call
- [29:47] - Following Christ's Way of Thinking
- [35:43] - The Eternal Perspective
- [39:52] - The Path of Trials and Triumph
- [46:12] - Reasons to Follow Christ
- [52:39] - The Ultimate Reward of Following Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 9:9

Observation Questions:
1. What was Matthew doing when Jesus called him, and how did he respond? [00:09]
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of Jesus' call to Matthew? [03:02]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the common misconceptions people have about Christianity? [08:23]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the totalitarian nature of Jesus' call? [15:43]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for Jesus' call to be personal and transformative, as illustrated by Matthew's response? [03:02]
2. How does the sermon emphasize the importance of focusing on the person of Jesus Christ rather than just philosophical ideas? [10:55]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that following Christ leads to a new understanding of life? [29:47]
4. How does the sermon address the potential challenges and rewards of following Christ? [52:39]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there areas where you feel "caught" like Matthew was before Jesus called him? How might you be more open to Jesus' transformative call in those areas? [00:09]
2. The sermon emphasizes a personal relationship with Jesus. How can you deepen your personal relationship with Him this week? [03:02]
3. Consider the totalitarian nature of Jesus' call. Are there parts of your life that you have not fully surrendered to Him? What steps can you take to change that? [15:43]
4. The sermon mentions that following Christ may lead to misunderstandings or persecution. Have you experienced this in your life? How did you handle it, and what might you do differently in the future? [52:39]
5. How can you shift your focus from achievements and possessions to your relationship with God and the state of your soul? [29:47]
6. Identify one area of your life where you can follow Christ's way of thinking more closely. What practical steps can you take to align your thoughts with His teachings? [29:47]
7. The sermon speaks of the ultimate reward of following Christ. How does this promise of eternal glory influence your daily decisions and actions? [52:39]

Devotional

Day 1: The Personal Call of Christ
The call of Christ to Matthew, a tax collector, is a profound reminder that Christianity is fundamentally about a personal relationship with Jesus. This call is not just a historical event but a vivid illustration of the essence of the Christian faith. Jesus' invitation to Matthew is personal and direct, demanding a response that leads to transformation. It is a call to leave behind the old life and embrace a new way of living, thinking, and being. This personal call is extended to each of us, inviting us to step out of our routines and into a life of purpose and meaning with Christ. [03:02]

Matthew 9:9 (ESV): "As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he rose and followed him."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel Jesus is personally calling you to follow Him more closely? How can you respond to this call today?


Day 2: Centered on Christ, Not Just Ideas
Christianity is not merely a collection of philosophical ideas or moral teachings; it is centered on the person of Jesus Christ. The essence of the faith is found in the historical and living reality of Jesus, who demands our attention and response. This focus on Christ challenges us to move beyond abstract concepts and engage in a relationship with Him. It is through this relationship that we find true understanding and purpose in life. [10:55]

Colossians 2:8-9 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from merely understanding Christian teachings to deepening your relationship with Jesus today?


Day 3: The Totalitarian Call of Christ
The call of Christ is totalitarian in nature, meaning it demands our whole being—our mind, will, and heart. Jesus' invitation is not just to a part of us but to our entire being. It is a call to follow Him completely, allowing Him to be the center of our lives. This total commitment leads to a transformation that affects every aspect of our existence, guiding us to live as He lived and think as He thinks. [22:56]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you have not fully surrendered to Christ? What steps can you take today to offer this part of your life to Him?


Day 4: Following Christ's Way of Thinking
Jesus offers a way of thinking and living that is profoundly different from the world's. His teachings lead us to a deeper understanding of God, ourselves, and the purpose of life. By following Christ, we are invited to adopt His perspective, which transcends the temporary and embraces the eternal. This shift in thinking transforms how we view our circumstances, relationships, and priorities, leading us to a life of true fulfillment and peace. [29:47]

1 Corinthians 2:16 (ESV): "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."

Reflection: In what ways can you align your thoughts and actions with the mind of Christ today? How might this change your perspective on a current challenge you are facing?


Day 5: The Rewarding Path of Following Christ
While following Christ may lead to challenges, misunderstandings, and even persecution, it also leads to the greatest rewards—peace with God, a new life, and eternal glory. Jesus offers us a path that no other can—a path that leads to true life and peace. The call to follow Him is an invitation to experience the fullness of life that He offers, a life that transcends the temporary and embraces the eternal. [52:39]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing that you can view as a part of your journey with Christ? How can you find encouragement in the eternal rewards promised to those who follow Him?

Quotes



The call of Christ is a call that comes to the center of my life. He calls me in such a way as to show that he wants to control my life, not simply certain parts of me, but the whole of my life, the whole of my being, and the whole of my existence. [00:21:35]

Christianity is not primarily a matter of ideas; it's a matter of the person. It's not just an outlook or a philosophy; it's this person, this particular person, this historical person. Many of you heard me say this many times before. I've got to go on saying it because people will persist in forgetting it or in failing to realize it. [00:10:55]

He is addressing a man, an individual, a person. He is not addressing a part of him. He's not only addressing his mind or not only his brain, not only his ability, the whole personality, and he is always thus personal. I know that this is oftentimes a hindrance to many. [00:18:20]

Follow me, he says to this congregation tonight. What's he going to talk about? How to settle the problem of the Suez Canal? Not a word about it. How to solve the problems of industry? Not a sentence. All these problems that are so much concerning men and are in the headlines of the newspapers, not a single word. [00:29:47]

Follow me, he says, and that's the kind of life to which he calls us. Yes, he addresses the mind. I'm to follow him with my mind. I'm to follow him with my will. I must follow him also with my heart. I must trust him. Obviously, if I get up and walk after him, I'm trusting him. [00:39:52]

He will lead you to persecutions. Men met together and conspired against him, and they hated him and plotted against him. He'll lead you to that if you follow him. Lead him on, lead on, I say, and he'll lead you to trials. Follow me, he says, but where is he going, I ask, and I find him going to a garden and sweating drops of blood in an agony of soul. [00:46:12]

Follow me, he says, and I find myself standing on a little hill and looking at three crosses and three men nailed to them, and he's the one in the middle, and I see the agony again, and I see him dying. I heard him crying out for something to quench his thirst. I hear him saying, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [00:49:33]

Follow me, he says, and I followed, and I'm staggered, I'm bewildered, I don't understand. I see them taking down his blessed body and putting it in a grave and rolling a stone over it. I followed him to Calvary, to death, and to the cemetery, and both the end. No, no, he still goes on saying follow me. [00:52:39]

Follow me, he says, and I rub my eyes in greater amazement than ever before, for I seem again in the same body and yet transfigured, coming through closed doors, through the walls as it were, and appearing in the midst of the disciples and eating a honeycomb and broiled fish and saying I'm not a ghost and not a phantom. [00:55:28]

Follow me, he says, I've died for you. And lastly, follow me, he says, and I follow him because of that to which he leads me. What happened to me, says someone, if I do follow him? Well, I'll tell you, you'll have to give up some things, you know. It'll mean you surrender yourself into your life and your right to yourself. [00:59:41]

It may lead to ostracism by your best friend. It may lead to call persecution. He was persecuted bitterly, maliciously, even unto death, and Paul says yea, and all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, and if you follow Christ, you may well get it. Many of us know something about it. Are you ready for it? [01:03:20]

He will lead you to a knowledge that your sins have been forgiven. He will give you peace of conscience so that you'll be able to go home and put your head on a pillow and sleep like a newborn babe, though you have committed every sin, perhaps murder itself. You will know that God has forgiven it. He leads you to that. [01:06:56]

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Transcript
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