2. JESUS CALLS ALL SINNERS

3. Jesus rebuked the attitude of trusting oneself in being righteous (Luke 18:9, 11).  Many Pharisees were self-righteous.  Beware of Pharisaical attitudes toward sinners.  What does God show and tell us about ourselves? 1 John 1:10, 8

4. Thieves and crooks can repent!  Thieves will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (1 Corinthians 6:10).  Tax collectors were generally known for robbing citizens. Luke 3:13 Ephesians 4:28

5. Thieves and crooks can repent!  Jesus chose a tax collector to become an apostle (Matthew 9:9; 10:3). Whether you are a Matthew, or a Zacchaeus, or even a thief on a cross, Jesus came to call all tax collectors and thieves to repentance.

6. Jesus reached out to sinners who were shunned by the religiously pious.  Matthew gave a feast for Jesus, and sinners came to dine with Him (Luke 5:29-30). Sinners need Jesus calling them to repentance (vs. 31-32).  Tax collectors and harlots were more likely to penitently turn to do the will of the Father (Matthew 21:28-32).

7. 1.Hear what Jesus says. Imitate Christ in sharing His gospel of repentance and remission of sins. 2. Abstain from sin; hate evil. But do not despise or shun sinners who are hungering and thirsting for the Lord of grace and truth.