Unpredictable Savior – Week 4

Friend to Sinners 

Big Idea:  

Jesus didn’t come for the put-together and self-righteous.  

He came for the messy, the broken, and the outcasts. 

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. 

10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 

11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” 

When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.  

Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners. Matthew 9:9-13 

As a friend of sinners, Jesus:  

1. Sees Who You Can Be, Not Just Who You Are

 What did Jesus see in Matthew?  

• A Sharp Mind That Could Be Redeemed for Kingdom Work 

• A Bold Personality with Influence 

• A Heart That Was Ready for Change

 2. Moves Toward You, Not Away from You

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.  

Matthew 9:10  

Ways we move away from sinners:  

1. We avoid them 
2. We stay in the bubble 
3. We judge before we listen 
4. We hide behind churchy talk

 3. Welcomes You with Grace, Not Judgment

 
11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum? 

12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.  

Matthew 9:11-12 

Why do we look down on people?  

• Their Past Mistakes Are Public or Messy 

• They Don’t Look, Talk, or Live Like Us 

• We Think They Should Know Better 

• We Compare Their Sin to Our “Goodness” 

4. Wants Your Heart, Not Just Your Habits  

Next steps: 

• Pray for 5 people far from God  
• Serve one of them this week 
• Repent of Judgmental heart 
• Accept that Jesus wants you