Follow Me

“Follow Me”

The Apostle Matthew

Preached by:  Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Sunday, February 2, 2009

Matthew 9:9:  “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, “Follow Me”.  And he arose and followed Him.

Last week the Lord gave me a dream showing me a written oracle.  It was very vague and though I tried, I could not read it.  Just as vague was the name written over the oracle.  I believe the name was Matthew.

As I began to study the calling, ministry and signs of Matthew’s ministry, I found out there is very little information about him other than the six times he is mentioned in the Holy Bible.  I was fascinated and thought it a great mystery that the Lord would show me the oracle vague and indiscernible.

We have been in a study of the Apostles with the quest to distinguish their different apostolic callings, giftings, purpose, fruit, signs and ministry to establish the Church and the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven.  Without any other accolades to his credit, it is enough that he wrote the Gospel according to Matthew of the history of Jesus Christ coming in to the world to save sinners.

All the grace contained in the Book of Matthew is owed to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  I asked the Lord to speak to me about this Apostle, but I believe he gave me just enough information to make the quest an adventure.

Matthew was by birth a Jew, by profession, a publican, until Christ commanded him to follow him.  He was one of those that accompanied him all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out beginning with his call until the day that Jesus was taken up. (Acts. 1: 21, 22)  He was, therefore, a competent witness of what he recorded in The Gospel according to Matthew. 

 “Follow Me”, this is the Call of Matthew.  The call was very simple; Jesus was in Capernaum, a customs post.  Matthew wqs employed in the service of Herod Antipas.  It seems everyone that Christ called were employed with purpose.  “As Satan chooses to come with his temptations, to those that are idle, so Christ chooses to come, with his calls, to those that are employed.”

His profession was despised by the Jews.  There were so few in that business that were honest men.  God has his remnant among all sorts of people.  None can justify themselves in their unbelief by their profession in the world.  All can be saved out of their profession and all can be saved in it.

It does not appear that Matthew was looking for Christ.  He is found of those that seek him now.  Jesus spoke first; we have not chosen him, but he has chosen us.  He said, “Follow Me”.  The call was effectual.  Matthew didn’t even count his cost.  He arose and followed him immediately, neither denying nor deferring his obedience. 

This is honorable and to be respected by all who are lesser men/women who have struggled with their callings.  Many have said, Lord I will do it after I retire or raise my family, or make a certain sum of money, or build my house,  etc. etc.   The power of divine grace soon answers and overcomes all objections. 

Matthew 19:29:  “And every one that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters or fathers, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

We find the other disciples fishing again, but we never hear of Matthew going back to the receipt of customs again.

Matthew is identified as Levi in Mark and Luke’s gospel. (Mark 2:14; 3:18; Luke 5: 272-29; 6:15).

The other Evangelists tell us that Matthew made a great feast with a reception for Jesus introducing him to all the other publicans and tax collectors.  This would indicate that he was a man of means.  When Matthew tells the story of the feast, he does not tell us that it was in his own house.  It will becomes us to speak sparingly of our own good deeds.

There is another point of honor here.  He was not ashamed to present Jesus Christ to his friends.  They that welcome Christ must welcome all that are his, for his sake, and let them have a room in their hearts.  His chief aim in the feast was to bring his old associates to become acquainted with Jesus.

Often where the Holy Spirit moves in power, people are afraid to invite their friends and associates for fear they will be embarrassed or not be able to handle the power of the Holy Ghost.  Those who know Jesus Christ and His Holy Ghost desire that others may be brought to him and care not that they will reject them because of the association. 

True grace will not contentedly eat its morsels alone, but will invite others.  Surely some of them will follow him, as he followed Christ. 

The Pharisees were very angry over this.  They said (V.11-12) unto his disciples, Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners?  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that are whole do not need a physician, but they that are sick, go and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice; for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus endured the contradictions of sinners against himself.    Jesus never spoke or did anything amiss.  Everything he said and did was found fault with.  Thus he taught us to expect and prepare for reproach, and to bear it patiently.  They that quarreled with him were the Pharisees.  They were very strict in avoiding sinners, but not in avoiding sin.  They were zealots for a form of godliness but great enemies of the power of Godliness.

The Pharisees went to the disciples and not to Jesus.  We must always be ready to give an answer to those that ask for a reason of the hope that is in us. (1 Peter. 3:15)

The complaint was his eating with publicans and sinners; to be intimate with wicked people is against the law of God (Ps. 119: 115:1); this is a religious spirit and they wished ill to Jesus because they wished no good to publicans and sinners.  People, who do not have the grace of God themselves, begrudge others a share in that grace.

Jesus’ greatest business was to call the greatest sinners to repentance.  He came into the world to save sinners, but especially the chief (1 Tim l: 15).  He came with no expectation of succeeding with the religious crowd who were full of pride and conceit.  As we study the story we see they would rather kill Jesus than be rid of their sins. 

So, from this short study tells us a great deal about the character of Matthew:

1. He was obedient.
2. He was loyal
3. He was faithful
4. He was proud of Jesus and wanted to reveal him to everyone he knew.
5. He left his profession and kept careful records of the ministry of Jesus.
6. He was generous.
7. He had a home with means enough to give Jesus a reception.
8. He was respected by Jesus and Jesus defended him.
9. He had compassion on sinners.
10. He was a good friend to his friends.

Matthew’s Commission:  Matthew 10:

This whole chapter is the Lord’s commission to his twelve disciples.  “He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these:  The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; and Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.  These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them, saying”

(This gives us one more piece of information about Matthew.  James the son of Alphaeus would be his brother.  Luke 2:14 describes Levi (Matthew) as the son of Alphaeus.  So Matthew and James were brothers.  This is not James the brother of Jesus who wrote the Epistle of James.)

He commanded them.  With these commands Jesus commanded a blessing. (1)  To the people to whom he sent them. (2) Not the Gentiles or the Samaritans.  

(V.6) But go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as you go, preach, saying, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely you have received, freely give.  Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, not yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat.  And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide until you go out.  And when you come into a house, salute it.  If the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet….” 

This first commission was limited to the Jews (V.5-6).   The latter commission is to the entire world, (Mt. 28: 19-20) and Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew is included in the group of the twelve throughout the Gospels.   He is mentioned again in Acts 1:13:  “On entering the city, they went directly to the upper room where they had been lodging.  The party consisted of Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 

In Verses 15-26, Peter stood up and addressed the group; about 120 of the brethren were assembled.  Peter is suggesting voting on another Apostle to take Judas’ place.    He makes an interesting qualification that is still considered today to be part of the call and commission of an Apostle.

(V.21) “Wherefore of these men which have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us.  The Apostles believe that the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb had to have a personal encounter and relationship with the Lord.  Paul’s many personal encounters gave him this authority.

The Greek word “Apostolos” means one who is sent forth as a messenger and is fully authorized to represent the name he bears. The apostle is commonly referred to as “God’s authority,” There are three categories.

1. The Chief Apostle (“First”), the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1).
2. The Twelve Apostles of the Lamb (Matt. 10: 2-6; Rev. 21:14).
3. The many apostles of the Spirit (Nowhere is it taught that the apostolic ministry would cease; rather, it is needed until the church is perfected and presented to Jesus her Husband.  We need every gift to the Church given by Jesus.)

The following is those named as Apostles in the New Testament:

1. Barnabas and Paul (Acts 14:4, 14 ;)
2.  Andronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7)
3. Titus (11 Cor. 8:23 ;( “messengers” = “Apostolos”)
4. Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25; (“messenger” = “Apostolos”).
5. Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy (1 Thess. 1:1 with 2:6).
6. James and possibly all four of the brothers of the Lord (1 Cor. 9:5; 15: 5-8; Gal. 1:19).
7. Apollos and Sosthenes (1 Cor. 1:1, 4: 6-9)
8. “All the apostles”. (1 Cor. 15: 5-7; 9:5; Rev. 18:20).

The Apostle with the Prophet ministry is a foundational ministry to the church. (Eph. 2:20)   He lays foundational truths (Acts. 2:42 ;).  He establishes new works and new assemblies. (Acts 13-20).

He has a specific commission from the Lord Jesus with a specific authority and spiritual endowments to accomplish that ministry.  There are definite areas of responsibility (Romans 11:13; Gal. 2: 7-10; 11 Cor. 10: 13-16) to the church at large.

He has signs of an apostle; all patience, signs, wonders, mighty deeds.  The ministry and works that follow are the proof of an apostle. 

There are false apostles and their end shall be according to their works.

Historians believe that Matthew was the Apostle to Ethiopia.  This is not the Ethiopia of Africa but an area south of the Caspian Sea. Also it is believed that he ministered in Syria, Parthian, Macedonia, and Persia.  Some believe he was killed with a halberd pike fitted with an ax head in Nedabah.

Preached by:  Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Text and Research are by own with quotes from Matthew Henry, Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible, F.F. Bruce Bible Commentary, H.L. Ellison and The Tongue of the Learned by K.H. Varner and J. L. Dutton.