Sermon Cloud

Living Without the Call

Luke 5:27-33

A teaching ministry of Ryan Shinn

I.                 Intro

a.      Diet Coke and Mentos

                                                    i.     catalyst

b.      My Mom and I when I was about 4 years old

                                                    i.     The break in

                                                   ii.     Didn't get training for that

1.      There was no class, and no one told her "go, do this now."

2.      She just knew what she had to do. 

c.      We are often looking to get the green light from God

                                                    i.     The whole, "if God closes a door, he opens and window" thing

                                                   ii.     Erwin McManus

1.      "We don't need permission, we need a mission"

2.      Advance mentality

d.      We are going to see that in the economy of God's Kingdom, he is not an American Idol judge looking for talent.  Instead, He picks the down-and-outs, the last in line, the willing."

II.              Luke 5:27-33

a.      Three things happening here

                                                    i.     Calling of Levi

1.      Problems I have with this

a.      Who Levi was

                                                                                                                i.     Responsible for taking your money

                                                                                                               ii.     An official of the Roman govt.

                                                                                                             iii.     On the take

b.      Levi had mad a conscious decision to make this his life

                                                                                                                i.     He was ostracized

                                                                                                               ii.     He traded being liked and his morals for money

1.      and lots of it

c.      So this Jesus guy comes, and Levi just leaves it all behind

                                                                                                                i.     Jesus wasn't even offering him a way to fix all his problems

1.      Jesus didn't get along with the religious leaders

d.      So why would Levi just get up, and leave it all behind?

2.      Jesus had seen this guy before, or more noteably: this guy had seen Jesus

a.      Commentaries mention this

b.      Levi was in a conspicuous location where Jesus frequented

c.      He'd seen Jesus.  He'd heard all the stories: the miracles

d.      When Jesus said, "follow me"

                                                                                                                i.     He knew what that meant

                                                                                                               ii.     He was also ruined

                                                   ii.     Jesus is at the table with the people you wouldn't be inviting to the country club

1.      The Pharisees seem to be saying, in effect, "why are you condoning what they do by hanging out with them?"

a.      Jesus says, "because I am not calling you.  I'm calling them."

2.      Jesus says He has come not for those who have it all together, but for the desperate...those who don't have anything else.

                                                 iii.     The question of fasting

1.      They are just trying a different tact. 

a.      Why are you partying it up?

2.      Jesus answer to this takes them in a different direction, because He knows what they're trying to do

3.      The point is: this Levi guy is still going to be despised, now that he is with Jesus.

III.            Who God calls

a.      I Cor 1:22

                                                    i.     Saved by an "M"

1.      "not many who were called were wise, not many of noble birth..."

IV.            Growing up in school

a.      Sports teams

                                                    i.     Every kid played (except the untouchables)

                                                   ii.     The kid who was dead last

1.      I was the kid before that

                                                 iii.     I just wanted someone to pick me in the middle

1.      I wanted someone to say, "I see value in you"

b.      That is why I am struck by the idea that He has called me

                                                    i.     Levi must have thought "what can I give...why me?"

                                                   ii.     Not because of who I am, or what I bring, because of who he is

1.      water and mentos...both reacting

V.              Waiting for the green light

a.      If you are thinking, what do I have to give...waiting until you feel your talents are completely suited to what He is calling you to do, you are missing the point

                                                    i.     There is little precedent for God saying, "You have just what I'm looking for."

b.      Even more, if you feel you do have what He needs, you are on your way to becoming a Pharisee

c.      God calls those who are willing, and He equips them

VI.            What is He calling you to?...and what are we waiting for?