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The Would Be Disciples

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I recently visited a sweet church member, Helen Little, from my days at Horne Memorial. She is always a joy to spend time with and on this visit she gave me a couple of old newsletters from my days at Horne. The text that follows is from the article “The ‘Would-be Disciples’” that was run in the church’s newsletter The Methodist Messenger . Jesus had his twelve disciples. Actually, he had many more disciples, but there were the Twelve. They were the closest to Jesus. Sometimes they were called Apostles. There were other disciples. We know that 70 were sent out two by two to prepare the way for the coming of the Teacher. We also know that many women went about with Jesus. I imagine that it seemed to be quite a caravan whenever Jesus moved on to another town. It is no wonder he craved time to be alone with the Twelve or to be by himself. Sadly, there were the others - the “Would-be Disciples”. Jesus called many people to follow him. These were people who said they wanted to be discipl...
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Eating with Sinners (Sermon)

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This is a sermon I preach at Ebenezer and Black Creek on June 7, 2026. 1. Introduction: The Physician and the Sick Today we find ourselves standing before a table that is more than a piece of furniture—it is a battleground for the heart of the Gospel. In the cultural landscape of first-century Judea, the table was the ultimate site of radical inclusion or cold exclusion. Consider the scene in Matthew 9. Jesus is walking down the road when he sees a man named Matthew sitting at a tax booth. To the crowd, Matthew was a traitor, a collaborator with Rome, a moral leper. Yet Jesus looks at him and says, “Come, follow me.” Matthew doesn’t just follow; he opens his home. That night, the clinking of cups and the smell of roasted meat filled the air as Jesus sat as a dinner guest alongside a crowd of “notorious sinners.” Some Pharisees, watching from a distance with narrowed eyes, were indignant. They didn’t just question the etiquette; they questioned the holiness of the mission. “Why does ...
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Eating with Sinners (Matthew 9:9-13)

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Have you ever wondered whether God could really use someone with a complicated past? Many people carry the weight of mistakes, regrets, or labels that seem impossible to escape. In Matthew 9:9-13 , Jesus walks past the tax booth of Matthew, a man many in his community would have considered a traitor and a sinner, and simply says, “Follow me” (v. 9). Matthew responds immediately, leaving behind his old life to follow Christ. This brief encounter reminds us that Jesus sees more in us than our failures. He sees who we can become through the transforming power of grace. The religious leaders were troubled when Jesus shared a meal with tax collectors and sinners. Yet Jesus responded, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” and “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (vv. 12-13). Christ’s ministry was not centered on preserving appearances but on restoring people. God’s grace reaches toward those who know their need, inviting them into a new way of life. Grace not o...
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Faith That Reaches Out (Matthew 9:18-26)

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Have you ever felt like you had exhausted every option and still found yourself hoping for a miracle? In Matthew 9:18-26, two people come to Jesus carrying desperate needs. A synagogue leader kneels before him and pleads for his daughter, believing that even death is not beyond Christ’s power. At the same time, a woman who had suffered for twelve years reaches out to touch the fringe of his cloak, trusting that even the smallest connection with Jesus could bring healing. Jesus responds to both with compassion and power. To the woman he says, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well” (Matthew 9:22, NRSV). Then he goes to the ruler’s home and raises the girl to life. In both stories, faith is not presented as certainty or perfection. It is the willingness to turn toward Jesus in hope. These stories remind us that God’s grace invites a response. The ruler comes seeking help. The woman reaches out her hand. Neither has everything figured out, but both act on the hope that Chri...
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A Song of Gratitude (Psalm 33:1-5)

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Have you ever noticed how gratitude can change the atmosphere of your day? A thankful heart does not ignore life's difficulties, but it helps us see God's goodness even in the midst of them. Psalm 33 begins with an invitation: “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright” (v. 1). The psalmist calls God's people to sing, celebrate, and worship, not because life is perfect, but because God is faithful. Praise is a fitting response to the God who remains worthy in every season. The reason for this praise is found in God's character. The psalm declares, “For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness” (v. 4). God's promises can be trusted because his actions consistently reflect his goodness. He loves “righteousness and justice,” and “the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord” (v. 5). Even when we encounter uncertainty, we can look for signs of God's steadfast love at work around us and in us. As we resp...
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Jesus Draws Near (Luke 5:12-16)

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Have you ever felt as though something about your life made you unworthy of being seen, welcomed, or embraced? Many people carry wounds, regrets, fears, or circumstances that leave them feeling isolated from others and distant from God. In Luke 5:12-16 , a man with a skin disease approaches Jesus and pleads, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” Instead of shrinking back, Jesus reaches out and touches him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean” (v. 13). In a world where this man had likely experienced rejection and exclusion, Jesus responds with compassion and healing. This story reveals the heart of God. Jesus does not merely heal from a distance (although he can and does). He draws near to those whom others avoid. The touch of Christ restores more than the man’s health. It restores his dignity, his place in the community, and his hope for the future. Grace meets him where he is, but grace does not leave him there. God’s grace is always at work, inviting us into deeper wholenes...
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Stronger Together (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

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Have you ever tried to carry a burden alone, only to discover that what seemed manageable became overwhelming? Many of life’s challenges remind us that we were not created to journey through life in isolation. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.” These words speak to the gift of companionship that God has woven into human life. Whether through family, friends, fellow believers, or neighbors, God often extends his grace through the presence and care of others. The Christian life is not a solitary endeavor. As we grow in holiness and love, we do so alongside others who encourage us, challenge us, and help us remain faithful when the path becomes difficult. The passage concludes by declaring, “A threefold cord is not quickly broken” (v. 12). While the writer speaks of the strength found in unity, Christians...
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