Calling the disciples… vs. 1-16

• Teaching by the lake… vs. 1-3
  • Jesus was teaching by the Lake of Gennesaret…
    • Gennesaret – harp – alternative name for the Sea of Galilee…
    • Matthew – Mark – and John always refer to it as ‘the sea’ or ‘the Sea of Galilee’…
    • Luke always refers to it as ‘the lake’ or ‘the Lake of Gennesaret’…
    • Considering its rather small size – 20×11 km – lake is a more accurate description
  • The multitudes pressed about Him to hear the Word of God…
    • Pressed – the multitudes crammed in to hear Jesus teach – they were hungry!
      • The people came out in droves – to feast on the Word of God!
      • If we do not eat for a day (or a single meal) – we get weak – and REALLY hungry…
      • The same is true with God’s Word – the bread/rice of life – John 6:48
      • We need to be daily in God’s Word – to strengthen our spirit – our walk with God!
    • The local fishermen had finished their day’s work – were washing their nets…
      • Jesus got into Simon’s (Peter) boat – pushed out a little from the Land…
      • The result would have been a natural amplification of Jesus’ voice over the water…
      • It would have allowed thousands to sit on the shore and listen to His teaching
        
• Fishers of men… vs. 4-16
  • When Jesus finished teaching…
    • Jesus asked Simon to go back out and ‘let down his nets’ for a catch…
    • Simon complained – ‘Master we have worked hard all night – and caught nothing’…
    • They were exhausted – disappointed – and likely just wanted to go home and sleep…
    • Peter was a skilled fisherman – years of experience – and still he had caught nothing!
    • But at ‘Jesus’ word’ – they obeyed and went back out to try again…
    • Many people call Jesus their Lord – but then refuse to obey His Word…
    • Calling Jesus Lord means listening to – and obeying His Word – James 1:22
  • When they let down their nets – they caught so many fish – the net almost broke…
    • Simon signaled to his other partners – 2^nd boat – to come and help…
    • Both boats were filled so that they began to sink!
    • Being ‘successful’ in life has little to do with talent / skill / or opportunity…
    • It is all about listening to Jesus – He is the one who can ‘bring in the fish’…
    • God can bless the work of your hands / or if we are not listening – He can make it fruitless…
  • Peter fell on his knees – ‘I am a sinful man’…
    • They were all amazed at the number of fish they had caught…
      • Peter had not believed they would catch any fish – he realized his lack of faith…
      • But even though Peter doubted – because he obeyed – he was blessed!
      • Jesus does not expect us to have GREAT faith – He knows we have a tendency to doubt…
      • Even when we doubt – God is always faithful to His Word – II Timothy 2:13
    • This is the 1^st time Simon is called Peter in the book of Luke…
      • The change in name reflects the change that took place in Peter…
      • Simeon – meaning ‘heard’ / Peter – meaning ‘ little rock’…
      • He no longer just heard Jesus – he now was a becoming like Jesus – a rock!
      • As we step out and obey the Word of the Lord – we grow and become more like our Lord!
  • Fishers of men…
    • I am sure Simon had no intention of becoming a disciple of Jesus – just doing his job…
      • Yet because he was there – and simply helping – Jesus called him to serve…
      • The greatest men in the Bible – came from the most humble origins…
      • David/Moses were shepherds – Peter/John were fishermen…
    • I will make you become – ‘Fishers of Men’…
      • They had used their time and talents – to catch fish – for themselves…
      • Now Jesus was going to take their time and talents – to catch men – for God!
      • Whatever gifts or abilities we have – we tend to use for our own purpose / gain…
      • God desires to use those gifts – the reason He gave them – was to use them for Him!

The religious leaders… (3 things) vs. 17-39

• Pharisees / Doctor’s of the Law… vs. 17
  • Many of the religious leaders came from every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem…
  • They had heard about Jesus – and they came to see Him for themselves…
  • The power of the Lord was present to heal them…
  • The religious leaders were sick – not physically – but spiritually…
  • Jesus was going to use 3 things (Paralytic / Tax collector / Feast) – to ‘heal’ them…
    
• 1^st – The Paralytic… vs. 18-26
  • Jesus entered Peter’s house – and began to teach the people – Mark 2:4
    • 4 men brought a paralytic (could not walk or stand) man to Jesus…
    • The men could not get to Jesus because of the crowds…
    • So they tore part of the roof off and lowered the paralytic down to Him…
    • This wasn’t ‘nipa’– it would have been tile/concrete – ‘chipped away the roof’…
    • Nothing was going to keep these men from getting their friend to Jesus!
  • When Jesus saw THEIR faith He said…
    • Your sins are forgiven (Perfect/Passive/Indicative)…
      • Literally all the sins you have ever or will ever commit are taken away!

• Not because of the faith of the paralytic – but the men who brought him!
• We have family and friends who do not have saving faith in Jesus…
• They may know the name – but they have never ‘met Jesus personally’…
• They may not be able to get to Jesus themselves – sin may have paralyzed them…
• Like these men – we need to be willing do ANYTHING to bring them to Jesus…
• Willing to pick them up – if necessary – to bring them to a Bible Study…
• Bring them to a place where they can meet with Jesus – and be forgiven!

• Some of the scribes & Pharisees said – ‘This man blasphemies…’
  • According to the Old Testament Law there was no way to take away sin – Hebrews 10:4
    • The Law (1^st 5 book of the Bible) allowed for sacrifices to cover sin – not take it away
    • They saw Jesus words as blasphemy because only God can forgive…
    • The irony in their accusation is that they were right – Jesus is God!
    • Jesus here was showing them a greater way than the Law – ‘Old’ Covenant…
    • The Law could only cover sin – Jesus can take it away completely – Psalm 103:12
    • He was showing a ‘New’ better way – salvation and forgiveness through Jesus!
  • Jesus knew their thoughts…
    • The Scribes and Pharisees had not said anything – they just thought it…
      • Yet Jesus knew their thoughts – and challenged them – which is easier to say…
      • Anyone can say your sins are forgiven – how can you prove it though…
      • If you say arise and walk – you can tell real quick if you are a fake…
    • So that you know the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins – take up your bed!
      • In Jesus day (today as well) sickness was related to sin – John 9:1-2
      • To prove that He had forgiven the paralytic of his sins…
      • Jesus healed his sickness ~ power over sickness = power over sin!
      • Jesus proved He had forgiven the mans sins ~ by healing him…
• The reaction of the crowds…
  • Luke 5:26 – “We have seen strange things today!”
  • Paradoxos – literally a paradox – a contradiction – Jesus (a man) was God!
  • Only God can forgive our sins – because all sin is against God! – Psalm 51:4
  • Jesus proved He could forgive sin – by healing the paralytic – proving He is God!
    
• 2^nd – The tax collector… vs. 27-32
  • Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi…
    • Levi – son of Alpheus (Matthew – meaning “Gift of God”)
      • Tax collector – a customs agent – a very corrupt position…
      • His profession was hated and despised by the Jews (Traitor for Rome)
    • Simple call & command of Jesus – ‘Follow me’ (Present/Active/Imperative)
      • So he left all – quit his job – to go and follow Jesus!
      • The call to follow Jesus is not just for the upright and perfect…
      • God calls sinners to be His disciples – He uses the foolish – I Corinthians 1:27
  • Matthew invited over a bunch of his tax collector & sinner friends for a GREAT feast…
    • Matthew wanted to introduce all of his ‘sinner’ friends to Jesus!
    • It ‘happened’ that they all came over and sat down with Jesus….
    • Matthew was following Jesus – and all his sinner friends were now following suit…
    • When we make a stand for Jesus – it can be hard – but we set an example for others…
    • As we follow Jesus – bring Jesus to them – they will also start to follow the Lord!
  • Again the Scribes and Pharisees complained – (Imperfect/Active/Indicative)…
    • Like the buzzing of bees – they began to murmur and whisper to Jesus’ disciples…
    • ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors – sinners!’
    • In the days of Jesus everyone would eat from a common serving bowl…
    • No rules about ‘double dipping’ so you really ‘shared’ the meal…
    • For that reason the Pharisees were very careful whom they ate with…
    • The Law called them to be Holy – separate from sinners…
  • Jesus answer – those who are well do not need a doctor….
    • In other words – where else would you expect to find a doctor – but with His patients
      • Jesus point is that if you are righteous you don’t need saving (forgiveness)…
      • It’s the sinners who need to be saved – it’s the sinners who need help…
      • So of course Jesus sat with the sinners – that is who He came to save!
      • I know a lot of people who say the churches are full of sinners – why go…
      • That’s like saying the hospital is full of sick people – why go…
      • The church is a hospital for sinners – it is where you go to get well spiritually!
    • Jesus did not come to call the righteous – but sinners to repentance…
      • The irony is – Romans 3:23 – “We have all sinned…” – We are all sinners!
      • The Scribes and Pharisees thought they were healthy ‘good’ because of their rules…
      • But they needed saving as much as the Tax collectors and Sinners…
      • Sad when people in church think their better than the world – do not let sinners in…
      • When we forget we are sinners – and the church is where we go to be healed…
      • It does not matter who you are – drunk / thief / proud / immoral…
      • There is always room in church or one more sinner – the doors are always open!
        

And now he calls us to Follow Him (sinners that we are)

3^rd – The feast… vs. 33-35

‘Why do John’s disciples / and Pharisees fast often – but you and your disciples do not fast?’

The Religious leaders thought that they were righteous because of their actions…

They were righteous because they fasted (and they let you know it)… 

They thought the ‘Law’ – your actions (good works) made you right with God…

And they expected everyone else to follow those same rules…

The danger in forcing your convictions on others – Romans 14:4

There are many areas of the Christian walk where people have different convictions…

If I have a conviction that I need to fast twice a week – then I should fast…

But if I tell you must also fast twice a week – I have given you a law…

The problem is I have not changed your heart – you may not want to fast…

So I have set you up for failure – you’ll get hungry and eat – then feel like a failure…

Instead point to Jesus…

If instead I tell you to go to the Lord – ask Him if you should fast…

If God tells you no – you are no more or less righteous then those who fast…

If God tells you yes – He gives you the desire/ability to fast!

Jesus response: Friends of the Bridegroom…

Jesus is the Bridegroom – we are called the bride of Christ – Revelation 21:9

His point is the friends of the bridegroom don’t fast before a wedding…

Can you imagine attending a wedding – and you are asked not to eat!

Jesus said there would come a day when the Bridegroom would be taken away…

The ascension – when He returned to the right hand of the Father…

The work of establishing His church would begin – then His disciples would fast!

New Covenant… vs. 36-38

Jesus gave a series of parables to describe the problem of the Religious leaders…

New cloth on old clothes ~ new cloth shrinks when it gets wet…

Put it on an tear in and old garment that is already shrunk…

And when the new shrinks it will tear and ruin both…

New wine in old wineskins ~ New wine ferments causing the wine skin to expand…

Old wineskins are hardened and cannot stretch…

Put New wine in and they will rupture ruining both wine and bottle…

Old wine is better than new wine…

The old/aged wine has a certain taste – one you get accustomed to…

People don’t like change – they want to stick with what they are familiar with…

The Old Covenant vs. The New Covenant…

The Religious leaders liked the Old Covenant – old way – and they did not want to change…

Trying to change them was like putting new wine in an old wineskin…

But Jesus came to set us free from the Law/Old – to give us Grace/New…

We are not longer under the Law – the Old Covenant – the to do list…

We are now under Grace – the New Covenant – what God has done for us list!

Under the New Covenant there is forgiveness of sin – the paralytic…

God sits with sinners, and calls them to follow Him and be His disciples…

We are not ‘good’ because of what we have done – fasting…

But because of what God has done for us!

Don’t hold onto the old…

Are we looking to be ‘good’ because of what we do…

We read our Bible / Pray 4x a day / Tithe / Fast / help those in need…

All of those things are good to do – but they do not make us righteous…

We are not under the Law (the to do list) – the Law only shows we are unrighteous…

We live under the New Covenant – Grace! – Because of what God has done!

We are ‘good’ because God took away our sin at the cross…