We have reached a momentous moment as a church family. We have reached the end of the Book of Matthew. I have had a handful of other temporary series and lessons mixed in with the Matthew series over the last four years, so it’s hard to calculate exactly how many lessons we’ve had, but I think we’ve had around 3 ½ years, at least, of studying Matthew’s gospel alone.
You may not believe it, but I probably have another 3 ½ years worth of content that I didn’t teach! And that’s just me – I am nowhere near being one of the world’s foremost scholars.
Matthew was not one of the “inner circle” of the eleven disciples of Christ, yet, his significance and impact continue to be huge beyond the imagination. The impact of Matthew’s Gospel on my life alone cannot be measured. He is truly one of the people in Heaven that I look forward to meeting most.
He wrote with great detail regarding everything that he believed to be most important and most critical in establishing Jesus to his readers as the eternal king of the universe.
Matthew was a man who, never in his wildest dreams, would have imagined that the Lord would call him into his service, would allow him to be one of his followers, and, more than that, be loved personally by the Lord Himself.
I relate to Matthew. I too, cannot believe that the Lord has called me and was willing to save me, despite my portfolio of sins, which is extensive.
In this last chapter of Matthew’s gospel, he calls us to believe something by faith that he didn’t have to believe by faith – that Jesus, having died, rose from death to life.
Matthew tells us that he saw the risen Lord Jesus. Some call him a liar. Some believe. Some are completely indifferent.
What about you?
When I used to get up to preach, I would pray that God would help me. Somewhere along the line, my prayer changed. I now pray that God will help you. It’s not that I think that I don’t need help anymore – Lord knows I do! It’s just that I’ve learned that my speaking performance isn’t what matters most. What matters most is that God’s Word be presented in a way that is most truthful so that 1) God will receive the glory due Him and 2) That you will see God through His word and give Him the glory due Him.
The greatest way that you can honor God is in complete surrender to Jesus. Surrender your accomplishments for His accomplishments. Surrender what you want for His will. And follow Him. In as many ways as you can imagine, follow Him.
Much Love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
