31 May 2020

Sunday Message for the Bilingual Brethren - 31 May 2020 : "Follow Me"

Sunday Message for the Bilingual Brethren - 31 May 2020 : "Follow Me"
Text: Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32

Speaker:
Rev Dr Charles Tan
Series:
Sundays Online

Message Notes

VIDEO MESSAGE 31 May 2020
BI-LINGUAL BRETHREN

Text: Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32
Title: “Follow Me”

INTRODUCTION

1. The successful ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Huge multitudes flocked to Him
i) To hear Him speak/ teach
ii) To be healed
iii) Some decided to follow Jesus and be His Disciples
b) He preached
i) In synagogues
ii) In homes
iii) By the seaside (Mark 2:13)

2. The Challenge for every one

a) To know Jesus
b) To believe in Him
c) To follow Him
d) To be His disciple

THE SCRIBES

1. This was a distinct group of people

2. Their work was quite extensive:

a) They interpreted the Law of Moses
b) They wrote legal documents
c) They wrote letters for those who were illiterate

3. The scribes had few followers

a) They kept to themselves
b) They looked down on people

THE PHARISEES (Mark 2:16)

1. This was a small group of people

2. They kept to themselves much

3. This was why they were called “Pharisees”

a) They believed in separation
b) They considered themselves holier than others
c) They would not associate with people they considered sinful

THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES

1. They were two separate groups of people

2. But they had a lot in common

3. Common features

a) They looked down on people
b) They would not associate with sinful people
c) They condemned people easily
d) They found fault with Jesus every chance they had
i) They plotted together to harm Jesus
ii) They opposed Jesus and His teachings
iii) They found fault with Jesus when He offered forgiveness of sins
iv) They found fault with Jesus because He did not keep the Sabbath the way they did
v) They also found fault with the disciples of Jesus

THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION JESUS PREACHED

1. His message was about “The Kingdom of Heaven”

a) People must repent
b) Find faith in Jesus
c) Follow Him
d) They would be admitted into the Kingdom of heaven

2. The People invited by the Lord Jesus

a) The fishermen
b) The invitation was even issued to a tax collector called Levi or Matthew
c) He would gently invite and say, “Follow Me” (Mark 2:14)

THE INVITATION TO MATTHEW

1. He was a tax collector

a) He was paid by the Roman Government
b) Many of the tax collectors were hated by people

2. Yet, the Lord gave him an invitation to follow Him

3. Matthew understood the salvation message he had heard

a) He knew he was a sinner
b) He knew that Jesus was offering him salvation and discipleship

THE RESPONSE OF MATTHEW

1. He had his own home (Mark 2:15)

2. He was giving a farewell party (Mark 2:15)

a) He was giving up everything
b) He parted with the way of sin
c) He was going to follow Jesus with all his heart

3. His guests

a) Fellow tax collectors
b) Sinners (Mark 2:15)
i) People who are caught up in sin
ii) They could be enforcers for the tax collectors
iii) They were known for their sinful activities

THE LORD JESUS WAS A GUEST OF MATTHEW

1. Jesus did not decline this invitation

2. He and his small band of Disciples were there for the Farewell Dinner

THE CRITICISM OF THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES

1. They spoke to the Disciples of Jesus (Mark 2:16)

2. They queried them as to why Jesus was at the home of Matthew

a) Jesus was eating and drinking
b) He kept company with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:16)

THE DISCIPLES

1. They had no answers to give to the Scribes and Pharisees

2. They had just started following Jesus as their Master

THE ANSWER OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. The strong do not need a physician (Mark 2:17)

2. Only the sick would appreciate a physician (b)

3. The Mission of Jesus

a) He had come to reach out to the sinners
b) He would call them to repentance
c) And find salvation in the Lord Jesus
d) And of course, to follow Him as His true disciples/ followers (Mark 2:17)

OUR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS

1. Understanding who Jesus is:

a) A teacher and a healer
b) The Saviour

2. Appreciating the heart of Jesus

a) He would not despise anyone
b) He invites everyone to repentance and salvation