Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” - Luke 5:27-31 (NLT)

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” - Luke 5:31-32 (NLT)

As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one.” - Romans 3:10 (NLT)

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. - Romans 3:23 (NLT)

Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” - Matthew 9:13 (NLT)

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. - Hosea 6:6 (NLT)

Let me ask you as we all begin a New Year…

• Are you growing spiritually?
• Do you concern yourself with lost people?
• Do your children know how much you love God?
• Do lost people really matter to you?

Make a list of your non-believing friends.
Make that list a focus of your prayer.
Ask God to open up an opportunity for a conversation about your relationship with Jesus.

Love them until they want to know why?

Jesus was the Lord of the party!