Following Christ: A Call to Total Commitment
Summary
In the passage from Matthew 9:9, we witness a profound moment where Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him. This call is not just a historical event but a representation of how individuals come to faith in Christ. The narrative contrasts two different approaches to encountering Jesus: the paralytic man, who actively sought healing, and Matthew, who was called while going about his daily work. Despite these different approaches, the result is the same—both individuals come face to face with Jesus and are transformed by His call.
The essence of becoming a Christian is encapsulated in the call to "follow me." This call is not a mere invitation to observe or evaluate Jesus from a distance but a totalitarian demand for complete surrender and commitment. It requires leaving behind one's former life and submitting entirely to Christ's authority. This call is comparable to a soldier enlisting in an army, a servant obeying a master, or a student following a teacher. It demands that we forsake our own understanding and the teachings of others, relying solely on Christ's teachings.
Jesus' call challenges us to confront our true condition: we are lost, condemned, and in need of salvation. He offers forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and a new life. Following Him leads to a life of purpose, companionship, and ultimately, eternal glory. The alternative to following Christ is destruction, but His path leads to life abundant and everlasting.
The reasons for responding to Jesus' call are compelling. His authority, compassion, and sacrifice on the cross reveal His unique nature and the depth of His love for us. By following Him, we are saved from the consequences of sin and are promised a future of eternal joy and fellowship with God.
Key Takeaways:
- The call to follow Jesus is a totalitarian demand for complete surrender and commitment. It requires leaving behind one's former life and submitting entirely to Christ's authority. This call is not a mere invitation to observe or evaluate Jesus from a distance but a call to be transformed by His presence. [22:00]
- Jesus' call challenges us to confront our true condition: we are lost, condemned, and in need of salvation. He offers forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and a new life. Following Him leads to a life of purpose, companionship, and ultimately, eternal glory. [32:59]
- The alternative to following Christ is destruction, but His path leads to life abundant and everlasting. Jesus' teachings are exclusive and demand our full attention and obedience. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. [49:05]
- The reasons for responding to Jesus' call are compelling. His authority, compassion, and sacrifice on the cross reveal His unique nature and the depth of His love for us. By following Him, we are saved from the consequences of sin and are promised a future of eternal joy and fellowship with God. [46:55]
- Jesus' call is not just a historical event but a representation of how individuals come to faith in Christ. Despite different approaches, the result is the same—transformation through encountering Jesus. This call is the most important theme, more significant than any worldly concern. [05:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Matthew 9:9
- [00:32] - The Call of Matthew
- [01:04] - Previous Incident: The Paralytic Man
- [03:00] - Historical and Spiritual Significance
- [05:09] - Theme: How to Become a Christian
- [06:44] - The Transience of Life
- [08:31] - Different Approaches, Same Result
- [10:17] - Seeking vs. Being Found
- [12:13] - Confronting Jesus
- [15:46] - The Call: Follow Me
- [18:21] - Characteristics of the Call
- [22:00] - Totalitarian Demand
- [30:39] - Jesus' Teachings
- [35:35] - The Person of Christ
- [40:00] - The Necessity of the Cross
- [49:05] - The Alternative to Following Christ
- [52:55] - The Promise of Eternal Life
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? [00:32]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between the paralytic man's approach to Jesus and Matthew's encounter with Him? [11:15]
3. What does the sermon suggest is the common result for both the paralytic man and Matthew after encountering Jesus? [14:26]
Interpretation Questions:
1. The sermon describes Jesus' call as a "totalitarian demand." What does this mean in the context of Matthew's response to Jesus' call? [22:00]
2. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' authority and compassion in compelling individuals to follow Him? [43:28]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the consequences of not following Jesus, and how does this relate to the concept of destruction? [49:05]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Have you experienced a moment where you felt a clear call to follow Jesus? How did you respond, and what changes did it bring about? [11:56]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need to leave behind one's former life to follow Jesus. What aspects of your life might you need to surrender to fully commit to following Him? [22:34]
3. Consider the authority and compassion of Jesus as described in the sermon. How can you incorporate these attributes into your daily interactions with others? [43:28]
4. The sermon warns of the destruction that comes from not following Jesus. How does this perspective influence your priorities and decisions? [49:05]
5. Jesus' call is described as a demand for complete surrender. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your commitment to His teachings? [22:00]
6. Reflect on the sermon’s depiction of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. How does understanding the depth of His love and sacrifice impact your relationship with Him? [46:55]
7. The sermon mentions the promise of eternal life for those who follow Jesus. How does this promise shape your outlook on life and your future? [52:55]
Devotional
Day 1: The Call to Total Surrender
The call to follow Jesus is a profound invitation that demands total surrender and commitment. It is not a casual invitation to observe from a distance but a call to leave behind one's former life and submit entirely to Christ's authority. This call is akin to a soldier enlisting in an army, a servant obeying a master, or a student following a teacher. It requires forsaking our own understanding and the teachings of others, relying solely on Christ's teachings. This totalitarian demand is a transformative experience, inviting us to be changed by His presence and authority. [22:00]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Confronting Our True Condition
Jesus' call challenges us to confront our true condition: we are lost, condemned, and in need of salvation. He offers forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and a new life. Following Him leads to a life of purpose, companionship, and ultimately, eternal glory. This realization is not just about acknowledging our shortcomings but embracing the transformative power of Christ's forgiveness and love. By accepting His call, we are invited into a relationship that redefines our identity and purpose, leading us to a future filled with hope and divine companionship. [32:59]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you feel lost or condemned. How can you invite Jesus into this area to experience His forgiveness and new life today?
Day 3: The Path to Life Abundant
The alternative to following Christ is destruction, but His path leads to life abundant and everlasting. Jesus' teachings are exclusive and demand our full attention and obedience. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. This exclusivity is not a limitation but an invitation to experience the fullness of life that only He can offer. By choosing His path, we are promised a life that is not only abundant in the present but also secure in the promise of eternal glory with God. [49:05]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to align your life more closely with the abundant life Jesus offers?
Day 4: The Compelling Nature of Jesus' Call
The reasons for responding to Jesus' call are compelling. His authority, compassion, and sacrifice on the cross reveal His unique nature and the depth of His love for us. By following Him, we are saved from the consequences of sin and are promised a future of eternal joy and fellowship with God. This call is not just about avoiding negative consequences but embracing the profound love and grace that Jesus extends to each of us. His sacrifice on the cross is a testament to His commitment to our salvation and the eternal joy that awaits those who follow Him. [46:55]
1 John 4:9-10 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Reflection: Reflect on the depth of Jesus' love and sacrifice for you. How does this understanding inspire you to respond to His call in your daily life?
Day 5: Transformation Through Encountering Jesus
Jesus' call is not just a historical event but a representation of how individuals come to faith in Christ. Despite different approaches, the result is the same—transformation through encountering Jesus. This call is the most important theme, more significant than any worldly concern. Whether actively seeking Him or being found in the midst of daily life, the encounter with Jesus is transformative, leading to a new identity and purpose. This transformation is a testament to the power of His presence and the life-changing impact of His call. [05:57]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Think about a recent encounter with Jesus in your life. How has this encounter transformed your perspective or actions? How can you continue to seek transformation through Him?
Quotes
The essence of becoming a Christian is encapsulated in the call to "follow me." This call is not a mere invitation to observe or evaluate Jesus from a distance but a totalitarian demand for complete surrender and commitment. It requires leaving behind one's former life and submitting entirely to Christ's authority. [00:16:48]
The reasons for responding to Jesus' call are compelling. His authority, compassion, and sacrifice on the cross reveal His unique nature and the depth of His love for us. By following Him, we are saved from the consequences of sin and are promised a future of eternal joy and fellowship with God. [00:26:20]
Jesus' call challenges us to confront our true condition: we are lost, condemned, and in need of salvation. He offers forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and a new life. Following Him leads to a life of purpose, companionship, and ultimately, eternal glory. [00:31:04]
The alternative to following Christ is destruction, but His path leads to life abundant and everlasting. Jesus' teachings are exclusive and demand our full attention and obedience. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. [00:49:05]
The call to follow Jesus is a totalitarian demand for complete surrender and commitment. It requires leaving behind one's former life and submitting entirely to Christ's authority. This call is not a mere invitation to observe or evaluate Jesus from a distance but a call to be transformed by His presence. [00:22:00]
Jesus' call is not just a historical event but a representation of how individuals come to faith in Christ. Despite different approaches, the result is the same—transformation through encountering Jesus. This call is the most important theme, more significant than any worldly concern. [00:05:57]
The reasons for responding to Jesus' call are compelling. His authority, compassion, and sacrifice on the cross reveal His unique nature and the depth of His love for us. By following Him, we are saved from the consequences of sin and are promised a future of eternal joy and fellowship with God. [00:46:55]
The alternative to following Christ is destruction, but His path leads to life abundant and everlasting. Jesus' teachings are exclusive and demand our full attention and obedience. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. [00:49:05]
The reasons for responding to Jesus' call are compelling. His authority, compassion, and sacrifice on the cross reveal His unique nature and the depth of His love for us. By following Him, we are saved from the consequences of sin and are promised a future of eternal joy and fellowship with God. [00:46:55]
The call to follow Jesus is a totalitarian demand for complete surrender and commitment. It requires leaving behind one's former life and submitting entirely to Christ's authority. This call is not a mere invitation to observe or evaluate Jesus from a distance but a call to be transformed by His presence. [00:22:00]
Jesus' call challenges us to confront our true condition: we are lost, condemned, and in need of salvation. He offers forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and a new life. Following Him leads to a life of purpose, companionship, and ultimately, eternal glory. [00:31:04]
The essence of becoming a Christian is encapsulated in the call to "follow me." This call is not a mere invitation to observe or evaluate Jesus from a distance but a totalitarian demand for complete surrender and commitment. It requires leaving behind one's former life and submitting entirely to Christ's authority. [00:16:48]
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