Have you ever felt like your past disqualifies you from following Jesus? In this heartfelt message based on Luke 5:27–32, Pastor Chris shares how Jesus calls the most unlikely people to follow Him—and how your story, no matter how broken, can be used for God’s glory. Discover what it means to answer Jesus’ call, leave your past behind, and live as a fully devoted disciple.

Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2285086/episodes/16335665

Key Points:

1. Jesus Calls Us to Follow Him – Luke 5:27–28. Despite Levi’s reputation as a tax collector and outcast, Jesus personally invited him to become a disciple, offering a permanent appointment to a new life.
2. Following Jesus Requires Leaving Behind What Holds You Back – Luke 5:28. Levi left everything—wealth, status, security—to follow Jesus. True discipleship requires full commitment.
3. Following Jesus Should Be Publicly Celebrated – Luke 5:29. Levi hosted a banquet to introduce his friends to Jesus, showing us the importance of celebrating spiritual transformation.
4. Expect Criticism When You Follow Jesus – Luke 5:30. Religious leaders criticized Jesus for associating with sinners. Being faithful sometimes means being misunderstood.
5. We Must Have Compassion for Those Who Need Jesus – Luke 5:31–32. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance, not the self-righteous. We are called to reach out with love and hope to a broken world.

Personal Stories from Pastor Chris:

• Honest reflection on struggling with feeling "unworthy" for ministry because of a rough upbringing and family challenges.
• Relatable story about ignoring house phone calls unless expecting something important, illustrating how people respond to God’s call based on felt need.
• Encouragement from personal ministry experiences where messy lives were transformed by Jesus’ grace.

Notable Quotes:

• "Jesus doesn’t just tolerate you—He invites you to transform your life with Him."
• "Your past doesn’t cancel your future when Jesus calls you to follow."
• "Real disciples don’t just follow Jesus privately—they throw a party and invite others to meet Him."

Actionable Takeaways:

1. Reflect on what you need to leave behind to follow Jesus more fully.
2. If you haven’t, consider being baptized as a public confession of faith.
3. Celebrate the spiritual growth and salvation of others instead of judging their starting point.
4. Ask God to give you compassion for those who feel far from Him.

Scripture References:

• Luke 5:27–32 – The call of Levi and Jesus’ mission to sinners
• Matthew 28:18–20 – The call to make disciples
• James 1:5 – God gives wisdom generously
• 2 Timothy 2:2 – Reproducing disciples
• Acts 18:8 – Believers’ baptism
• Titus 3:5–6 – Salvation by grace, not works

Keywords:
 Luke 5, following Jesus, discipleship, unworthiness, God’s call, grace, spiritual transformation, Christian compassion, evangelism, baptism

Challenge:
 You don't have to be perfect to follow Jesus—you just have to be willing. Step out in faith, leave the past behind, and trust that God has a purpose for your life greater than anything you could imagine.

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The WELL Faith Sermon Audio Podcast shares practical and encouraging Bible-based messages from Pastor Chris Teien to help you grow in your walk with Christ. A new message is released every Sunday. Episodes marked with an asterisk (*) are replay episodes from previous years. Find resources at ChrisTeien.com and Rockwell.church in Virginia, MN. Follow and review on your favorite platform. Send comments to: [email protected]