Matthew 9:9-13 (NLT2)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.

Matthew 9:9-13 (NLT2)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?”

Matthew 9:9-13 (NLT2)12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 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.”

I. Barriers to Telling People About Jesus

I. Barriers to Telling People About Jesus

Fearful thoughts like these:

+ Some people are too sinful

+ People are not interested

+ I am not trained

+ I will be criticized or embarrassed

II. Answers from the Story of Matthew

II. Answers from the Story of Matthew

A. “Some people are too sinful for God to forgive.”

II. Answers from the Story of Matthew

A. “Some people are too sinful for God to forgive.”

Yet Jesus loved Matthew in spite of his sinful lifestyle!

** Matthew 9:13 – “I did not come to call the

righteous, but sinners.”

II. Answers from the Story of Matthew

B. “People are not interested in the Gospel & won’t respond”

** Matthew 9:9 – 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.

II. Answers from the Story of Matthew

B. “People are not interested in the Gospel & won’t respond”

Matthew followed Jesus immediately!

II. Answers from the Story of Matthew

C. “I am not trained to tell people about Jesus. It is too hard.”

** Matthew 9:10 – 10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.

II. Answers from the Story of Matthew

C. “I am not trained to tell people about Jesus. It is too hard.”

Matthew used what he had to introduce others to Jesus: his home, his food and his relationships.

II. Answers from the Story of Matthew

C. “I am not trained to tell people about Jesus. It is too hard.”

Matthew used what he had to introduce others to Jesus: his home, his food and his relationships.

You will be trained.

II. Answers from the Story of Matthew

D. “I will be criticized or embarrassed .”

** Matthew 9:11 – 11 But when the Pharisees saw

this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

II. Answers from the Story of Matthew

D. “I will be criticized or embarrassed .”

In spite of the criticism, there were great results!

The MATTHEW STRATEGY

The MATTHEW STRATEGY

Look AROUND

The MATTHEW STRATEGY

Look AROUND

Look UP

The MATTHEW STRATEGY

Look AROUND

Look UP

Look OUT

The MATTHEW STRATEGY

Look AROUND

Look UP

Look OUT

Look FORWARD

The MATTHEW STRATEGY

Look AROUND

Look UP

Look OUT

Look FORWARD

Look AFTER