September 29, 2024

Luke 5:27-39

Get Used to Different

Sunday Sermons

Any list of the utterly astonishing things about Jesus of Nazareth must include His uniquely authoritative teachings and mind-boggling miracles, especially His resurrection from the dead three days after His very public death on a Roman cross.

But another surprising aspect of Jesus has to be His somewhat puzzling choice of disciples. Given what we know about a few of them, one has to wonder why He chose them, how they could possibly work together, and how, through those unlikely followers, Jesus started a movement that changed the course of world history.

Join Pastor Jim as he walks us through the account of Jesus calling a tax-collector named Levi to become one of His disciples. That shocking choice would reveal how both the religious establishment and even those who were irreligious would all need to get used to “different” because of Jesus!

Speaker

Jim Thomas

Series

The Gospel According to Luke

Go to Series

Scripture

Luke 5:27-39

Topics
Calling & Vocation Growth & Discipleship

Sermon Notes

“I used to think that God liked only certain people – those who lived up to his standards. But I’m increasingly surprised by his choice of friends. And even more surprised that his choice includes me.”
Steve Brown, What Was I Thinking?

  1. The Caller
  2. The One Called
  3. The Call Itself

Two-word phrases that can change lives:

  • I’m sorry.
  • Thank you.
  • Well done!
  • Watch out!
  • Help me.
  • Love you.
  • Me too.
  • I do!
  • What’s next?
  • Why not?
  • You ok?
  • Let’s roll!

“Follow me.”

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.””
Matthew 16:24

“Far from claiming to have it all together, Christians regularly confess that we do not. After all, Jesus said he came for the sick and not the well, for sinners and not for saints. In the words of the old gospel song, ‘He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.’ True followers of Jesus distinguish themselves primarily by admitting failure and the need for help.”
Philip Yancey, Vanishing Grace: Whatever Happened to the Good News?

Get used to different. Surrendered to a different Master, on a different mission, and believing a different message. As we follow Jesus, we will find that He leads us in a different direction, at a different pace, toward a different destination.

The integrity of Christian living matures as our values, speech, actions, and character come into alignment with those of Jesus Christ.

How should you respond if you hear Jesus calling you?

  1. Heed the call.
  2. Count the cost.
  3. Make your move.
  4. Get used to different.

“Our Christian life began not with our decision to follow Christ but with God’s call to us to do so. He took the initiative in his grace while we were still in rebellion and sin. In that state we neither wanted to turn from sin to Christ, nor were we able to. But he came to us and called us to freedom.”
John Stott

“The challenge to us now is how much are we really prepared to let Jesus Christ change us. Is it to be my will or his? On this will depend the ultimate verdict, whether we prove to be frauds or followers. Who is at the center of our lives? Is it ‘self’ with its longing to be first, to be number one? Or is it Christ, enabling us to keep faithful and to continue walking in the truth? There is still no issue with greater or more far-reaching implications for the church or for the Christian.”
David Jackman

“Do you want to know a truth that in the momentous challenges of our modern world will be at once a quest to inspire you, an anchor to hold you fast, a rich fare to nourish you, and a relationship you will prize above all others? Listen to Jesus of Nazareth; answer his call.”
Os Guinness, The Call

Discussion Questions

  • As a Christ follower, do you need to fit in, or are you okay with being different? In our culture, how can we confidently stand up for our beliefs? What are ways we can “get used to different”?
  • The disciples Jesus called were from diverse backgrounds, forming an unlikely team. What does your community look like? Are you only engaging with those who share your preferences and background? What are some challenges in cultivating these relationships, and how can we overcome them?
  • What does listening to Jesus’ call look like in your life? How does denying the self and following where He leads differ from what the culture expects?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs:

“Behold Our God“ by Stephen Altrogge, Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird, and Ryan Baird
“The Lord Almighty Reigns“ by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa
“Come Thou Fount“ by Robert Robinson
“Come Unto Jesus“ by Jordan Kauflin, Keith & Kristyn Getty, and Laura Story
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois

All songs are used by Permission. CCLI License #200369

Call To Worship: Lord Of All Our Days

O God, You are Lord of all our days and all our nights. Every star in heaven answers Your call and offers their joyful obedience. As we come to worship You today, stir our hearts to respond to You in like manner. As we end one week and begin another, grant us the peace of knowing we belong to You. Open our eyes to see the security of Your sovereignty and the wonders of Your love. To Your care we commend our souls. To Your will we bow our own. To Your grace we happily surrender, receiving from You what we have not deserved. Now we raise our glad hallelujahs! Now we offer You all glory and praise! O Creator God, be blessed to receive our most grateful thanksgivings. Let every heart shout it aloud, Amen! Amen!

Confession: What is Our Only Hope?

Leader: What is your only comfort in life and death?
People: That I am not my own, but belong- body and soul, in life and in death-to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.

Leader: What is the chief end of man?
People: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Leader: What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
People: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

Source: Heidelberg Catechism, Question 1; Westminster Shorter Catechism, Questions 1-2

Classic Prayer: Polycarp, 69-155 AD

Thou God and Father of Thy beloved and blessed Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of Thee, O God of the angels and of all creation and of all just men who live in Thy presence, I thank Thee that Thou hast graciously granted me a portion among Thy people, among the people of Christ, unto the resurrection of everlasting life: may I be received in Thy sight, as a fruitful and acceptable sacrifice, wherefore, for all this, I praise Thee, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee through the eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son; to whom, with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be all glory, world without end.

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