Be Strong & Courageous as Disciples: Get to Know Matthew: A True Trader

Be Strong and Courageous as Disciples: Get to Know Matthew

Matthew 9:9-10
Pastor Troy Nichols

For Your Heart Today

When Jesus walked up to Matthew's tax booth and said, "Follow me," He didn't give Matthew a map, an itinerary, or an explanation of what would come next. He simply offered an invitation-and Matthew got up.

In that moment, Matthew made more than a career change. He traded the life he knew for a life governed by Jesus. Following Christ still asks something of us. Jesus doesn't simply want to be added to the life we're already living; He invites us to trust Him as King, allow what we have to serve His purposes, and follow even when we cannot see where He is leading.

Sometimes we want the whole plan before we're willing to move. Matthew reminds us that we don't need to see the entire road to take the next faithful step. Jesus didn't give Matthew a map. Matthew got the Messiah.

Jesus is still saying, "Follow me." What might it look like for you to get up and follow?

Takeaways

• Trade a ruler for the King. Following Jesus means more than receiving Him as Savior; it means allowing Him to govern our lives.
• Trade a booth for a table. Jesus can give what we already have a new purpose, turning our resources and relationships into places where others can encounter Him.
• Trade your routine for a new way. Following means trusting Jesus' direction even when we cannot see the destination.

Breath Prayer

Inhale: Jesus, You are my King.
Exhale: I will follow You.

Be Strong and Courageous as Disciples: Get to Know Matthew

Matthew 9:9-10
Pastor Troy Nichols

Sermon Summary

Pastor Troy Nichols continued our summer series, Be Strong and Courageous as Disciples, by introducing us to Matthew through an unexpected word: trader. Not traitor-someone who betrays-but trader-someone who exchanges one thing for another. When Jesus approached Matthew at his tax booth and spoke two simple words, "Follow me," Matthew got up. Scripture never records Matthew speaking a single word, but through his actions he shows us that following Jesus means being willing to make a trade.

Matthew's first trade was a ruler for the King. His livelihood and authority existed under the power of Rome, but when Jesus called him, his ultimate allegiance changed. Pastor Troy reminded us that we often love calling Jesus Savior, Provider, and Healer, but Jesus is also King-and a king governs. Every life is ultimately governed by something: money, approval, ambition, comfort, fear, culture, or even our own desires. The question is not whether we will have a ruler, but whether we are willing to trade whatever occupies the throne of our lives for the King who calls us to follow. Following Jesus is not simply adding Him to the life we are already living; it means giving Him our allegiance.

Matthew's second trade was a booth for a table. In verse 9, Matthew is sitting at the tax booth; in verse 10, he is sitting at a table with Jesus and a room full of tax collectors and others. "At the booth, Matthew collects. At the table, Matthew connects." Jesus gave what Matthew already had-his home, resources, and relationships-a new purpose. The man who knew what it felt like to be kept at a distance began pulling up chairs for other outsiders. Matthew had not followed Jesus very long, but he knew two things: I met Jesus, and you need to meet Him too. His story invites us to ask what God has already placed in our lives that could become a "table," an opportunity for someone else to encounter the love of Jesus.

Finally, Matthew traded his routine for a new way. The booth was predictable. Jesus was not. He gave Matthew no five-year plan, destination, or itinerary-only the invitation, "Follow me." Pastor Troy reminded us that following someone means trusting their direction even when we cannot see the destination. Understanding is not a prerequisite for obedience. Matthew could not see the miracles, the cross, the empty tomb, or the Gospel that would one day bear his name. He could only see the next step. "Jesus didn't give Matthew a map. Matthew got the Messiah." Sometimes faithful discipleship looks exactly like that: taking the next step because we trust the One who is leading.

Pastor Troy closed by returning to the "Would You Rather?" game that opened the message-but this final choice was no game. Jesus is still saying, "Follow me." Staying seated is still a choice. Matthew made the trade: a ruler for the King, a booth for a table, and his routine for a new way. The invitation remains before us: Get off the fence. Get up from the booth. And follow the King.