WE HAVE TO REACH OUT TO THE SINNER! Mark 2:14 (ESV2011) And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. Mark 2:15 (ESV2011) And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. Some Ramblings from John Wharton September 13, 2014 Main Thought - Jesus goes to find the sinner...not the other way around! Its understandable to stay away from sin. We have to do that. But sometimes its good to remember that we have to show love and concern to the sinners out there too. They need Gods love and salvation. They need it desperately! And we are the only Bible many sinners will ever read. So our love and help speaks tons about Gods love for mankind and His salvation through Jesus provided for us. You know...we wouldnt be Christians now if not for Gods love for us while we were still sinners. Look at Mark 2:13-17. Jesus went to where Levi the Tax Collector was and called him. And Matthew Levi followed Jesus from that time. And know what? Many other Tax Collectors and Sinners in General who knew Matthew came to his house and sat with Jesus and His Disciples. That brand new convert brought many friends from the office to Jesus. I was at a great Bible Class today on The Life of Jesus. And the point was made that Jesus went and found us and choose and called us while we were still sinners. We didnt go find Jesus. He found us and called us to follow Him. And the Father gave us Salvation through Jesus sacrificial death for us. Mark 2:13 (ESV2011) He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. Mark 2:14 (ESV2011) And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. Mark 2:15 (ESV2011) And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. Mark 2:16 (ESV2011) And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Mark 2:17 (ESV2011) And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” And sure enough...just as soon the local Religious Establishment saw Jesus eating with those disgusting Sinners they had a fit! That just wasnt right. It wasnt a good example. What will the people at Church think about this!? And if you have been involved in and had a lot of trouble with a particular type of sin in the past then you may need to stay away from it. But you can still support those Christian ministers who are lead by God to go Minister to those people while their still in their sins. Just like Jesus did here. You can pray for them and help in ways that wont put you in the path of temptation. But you shouldnt criticize these Ministers. Jesus and His Disciples ministered to rank Sinners. And the only ones who didnt respond well to them where the Religious people who were just to holy to go help the Sinners. What does the Bible say about self righteousness.....? We have to reach out to the World and show them love and concern and the Gospel. But not judgment and criticism. They already know they are sinners! And they know they need help and forgiveness. And you can plant that seed that God can cause to grow inside of them and cause them to cry out to God and receive Salvation. Here is the Link to this File Mark 2 Jesus found Levi - https://facebook/groups/biblestudyadventures/701187589958412/
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 00:37:27 +0000
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