March 9, 2025
Reality of Lostness
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Mark 2:13-17
He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

I. Salvation is in a Person, not in a religion

Salvation is a person, not just a creed or the performance of a code.

II. Transformation leads to celebration

You celebrate what you believe in

III. Friend of sinners

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I commit to building relationships with non-Christians
• I choose to celebrate the spiritual life change in my life and others.

Deep Dive

1. Do we feel more spiritual when we spend time with spiritual people? How does this strengthen community?
2. Why is it important that we are intentional in our relationships with non-Christians? How can you live this out?
3. Read Mark 2:13-17. How can our desire to be holy create an attitude of the Pharisees?