Hear the Call of the Gospel and Follow Jesus, Receiving Mercy :: Matthew 9:9-13
[Jesus said:] Learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners (v 13). [Prayer] Heavenly Father, we cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ our Lord or come to you, but you continue to pour out your Spirit upon us ... calling, gathering, enlightening, and sanctifying the whole Christian church on earth through the Gospel. Help us, like Saint Matthew, to hear your call and to follow you, receiving your mercy ... in Jesus’ name. [Introduction] If not for the call of the Gospel, Saint Matthew may very well have died as just another rich man despised for his wealth. But today he heard Jesus calling. Follow me , our Lord said and Matthew left everything to do just that, becoming merciful, just as he is merciful. Because of this WE TOO CAN HEAR THE CALL OF THE GOSPEL AND FOLLOW JESUS TO RECEIVE HIS MERCY THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE I. When Matthew first heard the call in Capernaum, he didn’t hesitate to follow. A...