January 5th 2021

When Jesus Calls: Learning from Matthew’s Story Have you ever wondered what it really means when Jesus calls us to follow Him? This Sunday at Ridgecrest, Pastor Robbie walked us through the powerful story of Matthew the tax collector from Luke 5:27–32, reminding us that Christ’s call always comes with purpose: a call to salvation, a call to service, and a call to share our faith. Jesus Meets Us Where We Are Matthew (also called Levi) wasn’t a man people respected. As a tax collector, he worked for Rome and profited off his own people. Most of his neighbors probably wanted nothing to do with him. Yet on an ordinary day at his tax booth, Jesus walked by and said two simple words: “Follow Me.” 👉 Think about it: Where did Jesus first meet you? Was it in the middle of success, failure, confusion, or hurt? The good news is that Jesus always comes right to where we are. Matthew could have clung to his wealth and his position, but he chose to get up, leave it behind, and follow Christ. That decision changed his life forever. 💡 Encouragement: If you sense Jesus calling you today — whether to salvation, to obedience, or to deeper trust — don’t ignore it. He’s meeting you where you are, just as He met Matthew. A Call to Salvation Pastor Robbie reminded us that Jesus didn’t just stumble upon Matthew. He intentionally sought him out. In the same way, Jesus seeks us out. Salvation is never our idea first — it’s God’s loving pursuit of us. 👉 Reflection Question: Have you personally said “yes” to Jesus’ call of salvation? Do you have a moment when you knew you were done living for yourself and ready to live for Him? If not, today can be that day. Jesus is still calling. A Call to Service Matthew didn’t just believe quietly; he left everything behind to serve Christ. Later, God would use his pen to write the Gospel of Matthew — a gift that still blesses the church today. 👉 Reflection Question: What skills or resources do you have that God might want to use for His Kingdom? Are you willing to place them in His hands? 💡 Encouragement: Following Jesus is never easy, but it’s always worth it. Just as Matthew would never have said, “I regret that decision,” you too will never regret saying yes to Christ’s call to serve. A Call to Share Our Faith One of Matthew’s first actions after meeting Jesus was to host a feast in his home. Why? Because he wanted his friends — other tax collectors and outsiders — to meet Jesus too. Pastor Robbie compared this to winning the lottery. If you had the winning ticket, you wouldn’t keep it to yourself. You’d tell everyone! Yet many of us hide the greatest treasure we’ve ever received: salvation in Christ. 👉 Reflection Question : Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus from you? A family member? A friend? A neighbor? 💡 Encouragement: Sharing your faith doesn’t have to be complicated. It can start with an invitation to your home, a simple conversation, or even a text letting someone know that God loves them. A Call for Us Today At the end of the message, Pastor Robbie reminded us that Jesus is still calling: If He’s calling you to salvation — follow Him. If He’s calling you to baptism — follow Him. If He’s calling you to join this church family — follow Him. If He’s calling you to witness to someone — follow Him. 👉 Final Reflection: What is Jesus calling you to do today? Closing Thought Matthew’s Hebrew name, Levi, meant “chosen.” But after following Jesus, he became known as Matthew — “gift of God.” That’s what happens when we answer the call of Christ: our old identity is replaced with a new one, full of purpose and hope. 💡 Encouragement: Like Matthew, you are chosen. You are loved. And you can become a gift of God to others — if you simply say yes when Jesus calls. 🎥 Jesus Calls Matthew the Tax Collector (The Chosen Scene): youtu.be/7IUL9yq0We8?si=_b2oxrd5gsgcyf-j 🎥 Watch the sermon here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GXL1BEU5Q/

There’s a difference between walking near someone and walking with them. It's a difference you can feel. I don’t just want to walk beside my wife—I want to hold her hand, to wrap my arm around her, to stay close. And in the same way, God doesn't just want us to stroll behind Him at a safe distance. He wants us right next to Him. Closer than close.  The Bible makes that clear—again and again. In fact, one of the most beautiful things is when the same truth is spoken in both the Old and New Testaments. That’s when we know God is driving a point home. Take James in the New Testament. He gives us four practical, life-changing steps that can draw us closer to God: Depend on the Savior Deny the devil Desire to sin less Delight in selflessness These aren’t just catchy phrases—they’re daily actions. They’re reminders that we’re not strong enough to live this life on our own. We need help. We need a Savior. And when we lean on Him, He promises to draw near to us. That message isn’t new. It echoes through Proverbs 3:5-7: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” This ancient wisdom from Solomon aligns perfectly with James. Why? Because truth doesn’t change. God's Word is living, consistent, and always calling us to take that next step closer to Him. Maybe you’re reading this and you feel distant from God. Maybe you’ve been walking on autopilot—doing the right things, going to church, saying the prayers—but deep down, you know there’s a gap. Here's the good news: If you’re not close to God right now, it’s not because He moved. He’s still there. Still waiting. Still inviting. “Draw near to me,” God says, “and I will draw near to you.” That word “draw” isn’t passive. It’s personal. In the original language, it carries the idea of reaching out and hugging someone. That’s the kind of closeness God wants. Not cold religion, but a warm relationship. An embrace. An arm around your shoulder. And if you’ve never experienced that before—if you’ve never known what it’s like to walk hand-in-hand with Jesus—it’s not too late. All you have to do is ask. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Admit you can’t save yourself. Believe that only Jesus can. He will meet you there. Every time. And if you’re already a believer? There’s still room to grow. Every single one of us could walk a little closer to Jesus than we did yesterday. None of us have arrived. And the beautiful part is—He’s not asking for perfection. He’s just asking for your heart. So today, let’s take those steps. Let’s depend. Deny. Desire. Delight. Let’s walk a little closer. Let’s hold His hand. And let’s never let go. Closing Thought: Wouldn’t it feel good to be hugged tight by Jesus? That’s not just poetic. That’s possible. Because He’s reaching out right now—waiting for you to reach back.

We are proud to share that Ridgecrest Baptist Church has been a part of the efforts supporting Together We Foster, an organization dedicated to serving the foster care community of Northeast Arkansas.