Part 5: Who Should Believe In Jesus

Thanksgiving gatherings often highlight the drama, hard feelings, and messy relationships we wish we could avoid. Yet in Matthew 9, we discover a powerful truth: Jesus doesn’t avoid messiness—He moves toward it. In this sermon, Pastor Daron from CrossLife Church in Pflugerville, TX takes us to a dinner party hosted by Matthew the tax collector, where Jesus sits at the table with outcasts, sinners, and self-righteous critics.

In a world where we crave picture-perfect holidays and ideal relationships, Jesus meets us in the real places—the complicated, imperfect moments of life. He meets not just Matthew, but all of us, right where we are. Jesus sees you not as a problem, but as a person in need of mercy. Not as a hopeless sinner, but as a forgiven one.

This message explores:
How Jesus intentionally moves toward drama, hard feelings, and messy people
Why Matthew’s story reveals Jesus’ heart for the labeled, the marginalized, and the “not-good-enough”
How religious judgment harms—and how Jesus responds differently
Why everyone needs Jesus, just as a sick person needs a doctor
The healing power of Jesus’ mercy, forgiveness, and invitation to follow Him
What it means to invite others—mess and all—to Jesus’ table

Whether you struggle with family conflict, personal mistakes, or wounds caused by religious people, this sermon uncovers the truth that Jesus calls sinners with compassion, not condemnation. He enters your story, heals your hurts, and invites you to walk with Him—just like He did with Matthew.

For more information, visit crosslifepf.org

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