March 08, 2026

INVITATIONS: JESUS WANTS YOU AS YOU ARE

March 08, 2026

Senior Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Recently, we studied the story of Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector who was short in stature, yet he climbed a tree to see Jesus. He forsook his dignity, his pride, and his reputation in order to run, climb a tree, and watch for Jesus. Today, we see another tax collector, Matthew. Zacchaeus probably remained a friend who never deserted Jesus, while the other, Matthew, was chosen as one of the Messiah’s circle of twelve apostles and stayed with Him during the three years of His ministry. Then, after Jesus was crucified, he wrote the Gospel that encapsulated those three years. Jesus can use anyone, no matter where they have been! In Matthew’s story, we find small details that can have a big impact on our own lives. We don’t have to be perfect for Jesus to save us. He will come and find you—be ready to accept Him. And once He saves you, He desires that you be so joyful that you share it with the world.

Focal Passage: Matthew 9:9-13.

Jesus calls you where you are, not where you think you ought to be:

  • Read Matthew 9:9. When Jesus called His disciples, what was His usual method? Did He ask them to get themselves prepared first?
  • Why is it doctrinally incorrect to say, “I want to accept God, but have to get these addictions out of my life first”? Why can that attitude take the person to Hell?
  • When Jesus called the twelve who became Apostles, did He ask them to prepare their hearts in some way, so they would make a good disciple? Why do we think He requires anything from us, except that we believe and are willing to be used?
  • Do you believe that Jesus sees you, even before you have come to Him in faith? Read John 6:37 and Psalm 139:13-18. Why does Jesus not say that the one who comes must clean himself up first?

Jesus will come find you: 

  • Read Matt. 9:10. Jesus is in the home of Matthew, where many tax collectors and ‘others’ are present. Would He have found those people in the synagogue? Why? How can we minister to people who are lost? If you do not feel comfortable going into someone’s house, would you be able to pray that God brings someone to you, or puts them in your way when you are out? If you are bedridden, can He still use you? How?
  • Can you think of some passages where Jesus will come to find you? Matthew writes a very similar message in Matt. 18:11 (Read). Jesus stepped into history in order to “call sinners to repentance.” Are you a sinner? According to this passage, if He knows there is a lost sheep “out there” somewhere, what will He do? Recently, we had another example of this.
  • Read Luke 7:11-15. Nain was a small village with only one entrance; once inside, there was no way out except to turn around and go back out. It did not provide a road through it out the other side! In other words, Jesus did not go there to continue His journey to another town, but He went there for one person. In 7:1, the day before, Jesus is in Capernaum. Nain is about thirty miles away—yet He was there by the next day to meet the widow who had to bury her son. That was a long, uphill He had known what she was going through and had made a long journey to give her back her son.
  • Does Jesus still do miracles like this today? What tremendous lesson can we learn from this widow?
  • What do you know about the woman at the well in Samaria? Can someone please paraphrase that? And recently, we read about the man who was possessed by demons in Mark 5:1ff. What was his story? Can you think of others?
  • If God has given you to Jesus (Jn. 6:37), can you think how important you must be that He would make sure He meets you? Does this knowledge fill you with joy?

Jesus wants to find you… and others:

  • Read Matt. 9:11-13. When Jesus called Andrew (John 1:40-42) and Philip (Jn 1:43-46), what was the first thing both of these men did? Read Jn. 4:28-29. What did the Samaritan woman do?
  • Read Matt. 26:16-20. Who was Jesus with just before He ascended into heaven? What did He tell them to do? Is that meant for us also? Are there any believers who are ‘excused’ from this commandment? If one cannot physically leave their home, what are some options that still fulfill what Jesus expects of us? Will we lose our salvation if we don’t witness? What will we lose? Why do believers make excuses to not witness? Is it fearful for you?

Take Aways:

  • Everyone is of value to God, regardless of one’s past or present! Be willing to be used!
  • His desire is for us to “go and find,” not “wait and see”! People are hurting. Help them!
  • You are called to serve in His place. Don’t see them as an interruption, but an opportunity.
  • Are you being faithful, obedient, giving, and sharing? Only you know the truth.

Close: The pastor gave many examples of situations our congregation encountered this past week while going door-to-door in our town. Did those moments he reported on move you to emotion? They should have! There were many times when we were the answer to a prayer or the hope for a future. We all should desire to be the answer to someone’s prayer. How sweet it would be to hear that when you have knocked on a door. Jesus can take whatever you are if you are willing to be used. He is so deserving of your love, and He asks that you love people—even those on the other side of an unknown door—the way He loves you. Surely, His love for you is precious to you—now let that love flow through you as you minister to others.

By Sandy Day

March 08, 2026

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