Life’s Turning Point
Last time, we journeyed through the calling of Matthew. Matthew was sitting in the Tax booth , doing his routine activities, in the midst of which, a man came to him whose name was JESUS and told him to follow him, and Matthew followed him.
Matthew 9
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
This day for Matthew was a decision-making day. A turning Point in his Life . He left everything and followed Jesus. He did not even know where he was going. He may have just heard about Jesus.
In our professional life and spiritual life, we all have a moment which is our Life’s turning Point (Marriage, Job etc ). Also in our spiritual life, we have a turning point. If we look at Matthew, that day, when Jesus called him changed his life.
And today we have an entire Gospel, the book of Matthew, which is written by Matthew.
So from Matthew 9, up till the end of Matthew’s life , he followed Jesus. Physically with Jesus, when Jesus was alive and, without Jesus when Jesus died. What I meant here is that, he was very focused on his calling even after the death of Jesus Christ he followed him wholeheartedly. As per history, Matthew went as a missionary in Persia, Medes and he was killed in Ethiopia.
His life’s turning point was during times, when he was doing very well in his professional life. He was enjoying life with his friends and he had lot of friends.
He left behind the source of his riches; he left his position of security and comfort for travelling, hardship, and eventual martyrdom; he left his old life for a new life with Jesus.
“Follow me” , a command that changed Matthew’s life. Lets read .
Mark 10 :17-22
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[d]”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
The above text is mentioned for the Rich and, how difficult it is for the Rich to enter God’s Kingdom.
But if we notice here as well, there was a call for the Rich young man. “Follow Me”.
Who was this Rich Man?
Not only professionally he was Rich, He was Rich Spiritually as well.
(“all these I have kept since I was a boy”)
Jesus, loved this person and really appreciated him as well.
Now, it was a decision which could have change his entire life. He knew the Truth. He had read it, meditated it and followed it.
Jesus meets this young man and says, leave your Riches and then follow me. The turning point in his life. The scripture says
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
He missed that great opportunity. An opportunity of an eternal life. An opportunity to follow his creator.
Its not like he does not want to do it. He wanted to do, but he can’t.
What was the difference between Matthew and this Rich Young man? I don’t know.
But God knows what we are holding on to. And who we are?
God calls each one in a very different way. He will call someone to be a missionary, someone to be a prophet, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors, some to serve the poor.
What is our life’s turning Point? I don’t want to conclude this message. Let each one of us conclude it personally. How many years have we waited to acknowledge God’s calling in our life.
Just knowing the calling that we have been called by God for something is not complete . A calling is complete when we acknowledge Gods calling when he commands.
Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the New Hope Community.
The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue
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