This exposition of Matthew 9:9-17 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 23, 2014.
Intro:
I’m one of those who thinks that what you believe is important. It really does matter – it really makes a difference. Me – I’m conservative. Real conservative. Ultra conservative – a little on the fundamentalist side. But I also believe there are things far more important than just being “right.” Right doctrine is critically important. I believe we are responsible to God to maintain the faith handed down to us by our forefathers. We have been entrusted with a precious treasure and we must guard and protect the truth. But we are just as responsible to God to demonstrate the love and grace of the Lord Jesus when and as we proclaim and live out that truth!
Just as in the Lord Jesus we beheld the both the truth and the grace of God – we must embody both God’s truth and His grace. Grace and truth are not antithetical they naturally go together!
One of the reasons I don’t like to consider myself a fundamentalist is that most of the ones that I have known through the years are just down right mean!
Theologically I don’t have a problem. I agree with them pretty much down the line.
The problem is with their demeanor. Da more conservative they are, da meaner dey get!
Fundamentalists tend to be narrow, harsh, unyielding, unsympathetic, unforgiving and well, just down right nasty!
I was asked once to attend a meeting with a group of pastors. I went and found that it was a group of pastors who were, for the most part, very conservative in their theology. I agreed with these guys as they discussed theological positions and interpretation of Scripture. The problem was, they were the most depressing group of men I’d ever been around. I had been quiet most of the meeting. I was a guest, I didn’t want to upset anyone. But finally they forced my hand. They ask me to respond to what was being said. I responded with what I thought was a very funny answer. The only other person to laugh was the other visitor! After an awkward silence I said, “I think you guys need to lighten up. You’re taking yourselves way too serious.” That was about 14 years ago – I’ve not received another invitation.
These were men entrusted with the Gospel of Grace.
They were the bearers of “Good News.”
They took their responsibility seriously.
In fact too seriously. So seriously that they destroyed the meaning of the message.
That’s nothing new. It’s been going on since the days when Jesus walked the earth. Those who saw themselves as the guardians of the truth of God had robbed the message of it are meaning. Through their determined orthodoxy they destroyed the joy of being the people of God. It is not surprising that they would be the one’s who were determined to destroy the Lord Jesus and His message of love and grace.
The Scribes and Pharisees were constantly in the crowd seeking the grounds for an accusation against the Lord. We find them again, lurking in the shadows of Matthew chapter 9.
Text: Matthew 9:9-17
A careful examination of this text provides us with great insight into the ministry of the Lord Jesus. What was his ministry like? What was the tone or attitude of his ministry? How would you characterize the ministry of Jesus? What, in turn, is to characterize our ministry?
As we explore this text we’re reminded that:
Thesis: A grace-filled ministry mirrors the ministry of the Lord Jesus.
We are called not only to preach the message of God’s grace we are called to live the message of God’s grace. Grace should characterize what we teach, how we teach and how we live!
I want you to note 2 characteristics of grace-filled ministry in our text.
- A grace-filled ministry delights in extending the Gospel to those most in need. (9:9-13)
- A grace-filled ministry imparts joy rather than despair. (9:14-17)