Speaker: Pastor Neil Lindwall

Key Scripture (Luke 5:28): And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. 

John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

What does “NEW LIFE” look like? 

Matthew 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

First Story: Matthew/Levi: Matthew is his Greek Name, Levi is Hebrew.

Luke 5:27-32 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Second Story: Zacchaeus:

Luke 19:1-10 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Both Tax Collectors, Both Acknowledged and called by Jesus, Both Obeyed, Both Threw Generous Parties Publicly Acknowledging / Aligning with Jesus.  

Matthew Was Called to Join the Rabbi. Zacchaeus (Apparently) Kept His Job and witnessed There.  

Luke 5:27-32 is a great picture of what Living the New Life Looks Like.

Leave the Old Behind. Luke 5:28a And leaving everything,  

Follow Jesus Forward. 

Luke 5:28b he rose and followed him. 

Jesus is Lord, Trust, Obedience, Devoted to Become Like Him & to Teach His Ways to Others.

Lift Jesus High. 

Luke 5:29a And Levi made him a great feast in his house,



Worship, Adoration, Thankfulness, Service, Sacrifice. Sharing with Others.

Spread News Around.

Luke 5:29b and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.



Share The Gospel with Everyone, Everywhere, Anywhere, @ Every Opportunity.

“For a married, middle-income couple it now takes on average $310,605 to raise a child born in 2015 through the age of 17.” –ABC 7 Eyewitness News, 8/22/2022.

Source: https://abc7chicago.com/average-cost-of-raising-a-child-to-18-per-year-care-costs/12147165/

How to Throw a Matthew Party.

• Invite. Family & Friends. (“Unsaved” Unchurched / De-Churched, Atheist, Agnostic.)
• Serve a Meal.  
• Share Your Story, (testimony w/ Gospel).  (Life B.C., Became a Believer, New Life).
• Confirm Your Love & Commitment to Them. (No Strings Attached).
• Provide an Opportunity to Respond. (“Rate your relationship with God 1 – 10, talk later…).
• Pray for Them.

Take Your Best Next Step:

• Leave the Old Behind.
• Follow Jesus Forward.
• Lift Jesus High.
• Spread the News Around.