Living in the Living in the KingdomKingdom

Called to love, passion and Called to love, passion and purposepurpose

Matthew 4:18-22; 10:1-4Matthew 4:18-22; 10:1-4

1. SIMON’S story

"you shall have no other gods" Ex. 20:3

Matthew 4:18-22

“Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority to force evil spirits out of people and to cure every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first and foremost, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James (son of Alphaeus), and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus.”

Matthew 10:1-4

2. MATTHEW’S story

“As Jesus passed on from there [Capernaum], He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.”

Matthew 9:9

3.How Simon and Matthew’s story becomes YOUR story

a. Jesus CALLED them to himself

"No pupil is greater than his teacher; no slave is greater than his master. So a pupil should be satisfied to become like his teacher, and a slave like his master…….”

Mat 10:24-25 GNB

b. He ACCEPTED them and FORGAVE them

"Once there were two men who went up to the Temple to pray: one was a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood apart by himself and prayed, 'I thank you, God, that I am not greedy, dishonest, or an adulterer, like everybody else. I thank you that I am not like that tax collector over there. I fast two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even raise his face to heaven, but beat on his breast and said, 'God, have pity on me, a sinner!' I tell you," said Jesus, "the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, was in the right with God when he went home. For those who make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be made great."

Luke 18:10-14 GNB

“As Jesus passed on from there [Capernaum], He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.”

Matthew 9:9

c. He COMMANDED them to love each other

“May the Lord lead your hearts into God's love and Christ's patience.”

2 Thess. 2:5

"All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other"

John 13:35

"make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace“

Ephesians 4:3 NIV "one flock and one shepherd" John 10:16

d. He SENT them into useful service

"Anyone who is not for me is really against me; anyone who does not help me gather is really scattering.”

Matthew 12:30 GNB