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E-pistle

                                                Dr. Dan Hite, President           FreeWay Foundation                  February 19, 2010

The Call Of Matthew

(Luke 5:1-39)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

I.  Concentration:  on the contents of this chapter

        1.   Jesus taught from Simon's boat, then brought him a miraculous catch

              of fish; He called Peter, James, and John to follow Him, vv. 1-11.

2.      Jesus cleansed a leper; He forgave and healed a paralytic man who

had been let down through the roof, vv. 12-26.

3.      Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector, to follow Him, vv. 27-32.
4.      Jesus answered criticism about His disciples' failure to fast; He told

parables about putting a new patch on an old garment, and putting new

wine into old wineskins, vv. 33-39. 

II.  Observations:  on the call of Matthew (Luke 5:27-32; Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:14-17)

1.      Matthew (also called Levi) was a tax collector, whose father, Alphaeus, was

also the father of James (the lessor), Mark 3:18.  Therefore, Matthew and the

lessor James were brothers.

2.      According to Luke, Levi (Matthew) gave a great feast in his own house, and

invited his fellow tax collectors, Luke 5:29.

3.      Scribes and Pharisees also came to observe, complaining of the sinful

company which Jesus kept, Luke 5:30.

4.      Jesus' reply is very clear in Luke 5:31-32 and Matthew 9:13.  (See below)

III.  Meditation:  on how Jesus answered His critics; He said

1.      Only sick people need a doctor; only sinners need a Savior.
2.      My mission is to call sinners, not "righteous" to repentance.
3.      Go and study/learn the Scriptures rather than criticizing Me.
4.      God desires heart-felt mercy, not ritualistic sacrifice.

IV.  Revelation:  on the spiritual implications seen here

1.      The gospel is for everyone; Christ's call is to everyone.
2.      One effective evangelism tool is to invite sinners into our homes for a meal

and non-threateningly introduce them to Jesus.

3.      We must not criticize Christians who associate with ungodly people . . . these

sick people need the Great Physician.

4.      Jesus extends mercy to sinners, and He wants His followers to do likewise;

mercy is better than religious ritual.

V.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

        1.   Realize that no one is too sinful for God to love and save.

        2.   Invite unbelievers to the place where they can meet Jesus.

        3.   Avoid making "guild by association" critical judgments.

        4.   Exhibit God's love and mercy toward the lost . . . always.

Give, And It Will Be Given Unto You

(Luke 6:1-49)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

I.  Concentration:  Gives what? . . . Not money!

        1.   Jesus taught that He is Lord of the Sabbath, vv. 1-5.

        2.   Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, vv. 6-11.

        3.   Jesus called the Twelve Apostles, vv. 12-16.

        4.   Jesus healed a great multitude of people, vv. 17-19.

        5.   Jesus taught "The Beatitudes," vv. 20-23.

        6.   Jesus pronounced woes upon sinners, vv. 27-36.

        7.   Jesus taught the disciples to love their enemies, vv. 27-36.

        8.   Jesus taught the disciples not to condemn, but to become more like

              their Teacher, vv. 37-42.

9.      Jesus taught that a tree is known by it's fruit, vv. 43-45.
10.     Jesus taught His disciples to build their lives upon a rock by hearing

and obeying His words, vv. 46-49.

II.  Meditation:  on what believers should and should not give

Jesus is not talking here about money!

        1.   Mercy (36) = leniency toward a guilty person; compassion.

        2.   Judge not (37) = to decide; to give an opinion; to criticize.

        3.   Condemn not (37) = to blame; to censure; to pronounce guilty; to reprove;

              to sentence; to declare unfit for use.

4.   Forgive (37) = to pardon; to cancel; to cease to bear resentment against.

"Give mercy and forgiveness, not judgment (criticism) or condemnation (pronouncing

a guilty verdict and a penalty).

III.  Observations:  on how believers should give (see Malachi 3:10; Ephesians 3:20)

        1.   Good measure = full; up to standard (16 oz. pound, 32 oz. quart)

        2.   Pressed down = compacted to hold even more (grain, raisins, etc.)

        3.   Shaken together = increased capacity; more volume.

        4.   Running over = so full, it can't hold any more.

IV.  Revelation:  on why believers should give

        1.   Because God gives us His blessings this way, v. 36.

        2.   Because "What goes around, comes around."

        3.   Because without mercy and forgiveness, Christians are blind leaders of

              the blind who all fall into a ditch, v. 39.

        4.   Because such "giving" shows Christian growth . . . into the likeness and

              and stature of Christ.

V.  Applications:  as a Christian, I may . . .

        1.   Criticize the deeds of others . . .

        2.   But only with compassion (mercy).

        3.   Reprove the actions, speech, and attitudes of others . . .

        4.   But only in the spirit of forgiveness (without resentment).

"Thinking is the hardest work there is,

which is the probable reason so

few engage in it."

- Henry Ford

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