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Mark 2:13-17
How to Build Bridges that Endure 

Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men, but keepers of the aquarium.

Illus. Hudson Taylor told of a Chinese pastor who always instructed new converts to witness as soon as possible. Once, upon meeting a young convert, the pastor inquired, Brother, how long have you have been a Christian?  The man answered that he had been saved for about threemonths. "And how many have people have you told about Jesus?"  "Oh, I am only a learner,  the convert said. Shaking his head in disapproval, the pastor said, "Young man, the Lord doesn't expect you to be a full-fledged preacher, but e does expect you to be a faithful witness."

Tell me, when does a candle begin to shine when it's already half burned up?  No, as soon as it's lit,  came the reply. That's right, so let your light shine right away. 

We must consider this morning whether we are more like Jesus I the company He kept, or more like the Pharisees who avoided that company.

The problem for many of us is that we do not have any bad company.

To be followers of Christ, we must have some bad company.

Each of us belongs in this drama, so stay tuned and find out where you fit in.

1. Act One  Levi Matthew  He throws a party so that his friends could meet Jesus (14)

A. We must consider what is necessary for Christianity

We must have a personal conversion  We must know Christ before we can make Him known.

Note the examples of the disciples & their friends- They left to win them.

Illus. The story is told of a Mississippi riverboat captain who's ship passed another vessel and shared with passengers an episode that happened to him. He said, 'Look, look over there on the other boat. Look at its captain.  The passengers were somewhat bewildered. They asked, "Why do you want met to look at that captain? What makes him so special?  Then the captain told them the story of how he had collided on e night with another boat. His own vessel was foundering & in the process he was thrown overboard. The captain of the other vessel saw his desperate plight and maneuvered close enough that he was able to dive into the water and save his life. After telling the story, the once saved captain then turned to the passengers and said, "Ever since that day, I want to point out my rescuer to others."  Likewise, as those who have been saved, secured and loved by Jesus, we should want to tell others of him.

You cannot bring anyone else until you have come to Jesus yourself.

B. We must consider what is natural for Christianity

A natural by-product of our conversion is to want to introduce our friends.

New converts need to start locally in sharing their faith.

Tell them the great things that the Lord has done.

This is our first call- our priority

Many are uncomfortable about accepting an invitation to church, but will accept an invitation to your home.

That is what Levi did!

2. Act Two  The Pharisees- They criticize Jesus for accepting & attending the party. (16)

A. Their lives were characterized by false holiness.

If you were a Pharisee, you were a separatist  They wanted to live holy, righteous lives pleasing to God Holiness was interpreted by insulation  the best way to be righteous is to avoid the unrighteous. They were shocked at the acquaintances that Jesus had. They felt that the company He kept contaminated Jesus.

B. They needed to understand what is meant by true holiness.

It is not a matter of external contacts

It is a matter of the heart

The pure in heart are the ones who will see God.

Ever since those days there have bee Christian Sadducees & Pharisees

Pharisees determined to live a holy life and not surrender the standards of Jesus=they withdraw

Sadducees determined to live I the real world, adopt its standards & abandon the standards of Jesus = worldliness.

Illus. A man on a business trip purchased some souvenirs for his wife.

Among them was a matchbox that would glow in the dark. After giving it to her, he turned out the light, but the object was not visible. "This must be a joke!  she said. Disappointed, the husband commented, "I've been cheated!  Then his wife noticed some French words on the box. She took it to a friend who knew the language. She was told that the directions read: "If you want me to shine at night, keep me in the sunlight all day."  So she put her gift in a south window. That evening whence turned out the light; the matchbox had a brilliant glow. The surprised husband asked, "What did you do?"  "Oh, I found the secret," she said. "Before it can shine in the dark, it must be exposed to the light."  Just as the matchbox, having been exposed to the sun took on the nature of the sun and began to shine, so Christians should constantly expose themselves to the Son, that they may take on his nature and shine as lights in a dark world.

3. Act Three : Jesus (17)

A. We have the image of a doctor

Jesus teaches us that Christianity is a rescue religion.

A doctor spends his time with the sick, not because he enjoys it, but because he's dedicated to healing.

In the same manner, Jesus spent time with publicans & sinners not to promote sin, but to proclaim salvation.

Christianity is a rescue religion. The doctor has little relevance to the well.

B. We have the image of a shepherd

This is unique about Christianity : Only here do we find the shepherd seeking to save the lost.

Illus. Even if people reject the gospel, we must still love them. A good example of this was reported in the book Death & the Caring community. It involved a man named Jack. He had been president of a large corporation and when he was diagnosed with cancer, they ruthlessly dumped him. He went through his insurance, used his life savings and had practically nothing left. The author visited him with a deacon from his church. "Jack, you speak so openly about the brief life you have left. I was wondering if you've prepared for your life after death?  Jack stood up. Livid with rage. "You ____ ____ Christians. All you ever think about is what's going to happen to me after I die. If your God is so great, why doesn't he do something about the real problems of life?'  He went on to tell them that he was leaving his wife penniless & his daughter without money for college. Then he ordered us out. Later the deacon insisted they go back. They did. "Jack, I know I offended you,  he said. "I humbly apologize. But I want you to know I've been working since then. Your first problem is where your family will live after you die. A realtor in our church has agreed to sell you a house and give your wife his commission. I guarantee you that, if you'll permit us, some other men and I will make the house payments until it is sold. Then, I've contacted the owner of an apartment building down the street. He's offered your wife a three-bedroom apartment plus free utilities and an $850/month salary in return for her collecting rents and supervising  plumbing and electrical repairs. The income from your house would pay for your daughter's college. I just want you to know your family will be cared for.  Jack cried like a baby. He died shortly thereafter, so wrapped I pain he never accepted Christ. But he experienced God's love even rejecting Him. And his widow, touched by caring Christians responded to the gospel message.

Conclusion:

1. Consider a personal question "Are we like Jesus?"

Do we have any non-Christian friends?

If all of our friends are Christians, we are more like the Pharisees There will be criticism (?)

No mission will ever succeed where Christians are not in contact with non-Christians.

2. Consider a church question  Are we making an impact on our secular environment?

If we examine places around us we now that the gospel has not penetrated all of them.

Let us determine not to be like the Pharisees.

Let us determine to follow Jesus like Matthew.

Making friend with unbelievers - to love them - to seek to introduce them to Christ.

Effective Ways to Build Relationships

1. Pray that you can build a better relationship with this friend.

2. Help your friend in some practical way.

3. Ask your friend to help you in some personal way.

4. Ask friend's opinion about a current event or issue.

5. Include your friend to an activity done with other church people.

6. Invite your friend to a church social time.

7. Spend informal time with your friend.

8. Invite you friend over for food or other social time.

9. Discover areas of your friend's interest or need.

Let's get off our seats and get into the streets.