DCLM Higher Everyday 17 Dececmber 2023 — Lessons From Levi
Topic: Lessons From Levi
Text: Luke 5:27-32
27And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
28And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
30But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
31And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Key Verse: “And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them” (Luke 5:29).
Message
Levi was a publican or tax-collector. In other words, he was a Jew who worked for the hated Roman government. By virtue of his profession, he was considered disloyal because he worked for an enemy and against his people. He was also dishonest, because most tax-collectors collected additional fees beyond their salaries. As a result, he was despised by the people, and classified with the prostitutes as the greatest of sinners. Then Levi met Jesus Christ and his story changed. He gave his life to Christ. He answered the call to discipleship and service. He went after his old friends and sin partners, inviting them to a gospel meeting. He single-handedly organized and sponsored a gospel outreach in his house, inviting Jesus to be the guest minister.
What great lessons and examples he left for us today! No matter your sinful past, you can answer the call of Christ and receive a brand new life today. After your conversion, seek the conversion of your old friends and family members. Turn all your celebrations and ceremonies like matriculation and graduation, into occasions for gospel outreach.
Quote: Levi met Jesus and his story changed
Challenge: Use every occasion to bring souls to Christ.
Prayer for today: Lord, use me to bring others to you.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
