What God Wants: April 26, 2026
Finding a Seat at the Table: Lessons from Matthew 9
It was a joy to welcome Pastor Miles from Hope in the Valley Baptist Church this past Sunday! Filling in for Pastor Michael, who is recovering from a procedure, Miles brought a powerful and timely message centered on Matthew 9:9-13.
If you missed the service, here is a quick look at the heart of the message:
The Call of the Outcast
Pastor Miles dove into the story of Matthew the tax collector. In Jesus’ time, tax collectors weren't just unpopular; they were often seen as "crooks" and "outcasts" who worked for the Roman government. Yet, Jesus walked right up to Matthew’s booth and said two simple words: "Follow me."
Matthew didn’t hesitate—he rose, left his old life behind, and followed.
Mercy Over Ritual
The sermon highlighted a tense moment where the Pharisees—the religious elite—questioned why Jesus would eat with "tax collectors and sinners." Jesus’ response was a direct challenge to their "sterile" view of holiness:
"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick... I desire mercy, and not sacrifice."
Pastor Miles reminded us that God wants our compassion more than He wants our religious rituals. While things like Bible study and church attendance are good, they lose their meaning if we don't use them to train our hearts for righteousness and love for our neighbors.
Two Big Takeaways:
God wants to show compassion through you: Don't let your "religious habits" get in the way of helping someone in need. Mercy must come before sacrifice.
God wants to show compassion to you: No matter your past or how "unclean" you might feel, Jesus is still putting out the call to follow Him. He isn’t looking for the "perfect"—He’s looking for those who recognize they need Him.
Let’s go into this week not satisfied with staying where we are, but longing to be more like Jesus—inviting the "sick" to the table and showing the world the same mercy we've been given.
