A Willing Saviour Among Unwilling Sinners — Matthew 23:24-27
Preached August 12, 2026, at the Chattanooga Rescue Mission

On Wednesday evening, August 12, 2026, I preached at the Chattanooga Rescue Mission from Matthew 23:34-37 on the subject, “A Willing Saviour Among Unwilling Sinners.”

Before the service ever began, I was reminded again that ministry has a way of getting to your heart.

One middle-aged man came into the gym, took one look at me, and said loudly, with obvious disgust, “Oh, G_d, you again!”

I did not let it show, but it hurt.

I do not go to the Rescue Mission to be a nuisance. I do not go there to be hurtful or abusive. I call sin what the Bible calls it. I plead with men to trust Christ. I can get a little loud and excitable, but it is a big room, and I want people to hear the Word of God clearly.

Still, discouragement can get in quickly.

Then, a few moments later, an older gentleman who sits on the front row looked up at me and quietly said, “Thank you so much for coming here. I really appreciate it.” After the service, he went out of his way to thank me again.

I do not go there for pats on the back, and I certainly do not go for admiration. I go because Christ said to go. I go because sinners need the gospel. I go because the Great Commission is still binding upon the church.

But I was reminded that night that the devil knows how to use discouragement. And I was also reminded that the Lord knows how to fan the flame of endurance.

That fit the message better than I realized at the time.

In Matthew 23, Jesus stands over Jerusalem with a broken heart. He had taught them. Warned them. Called them. Offered them mercy. And still they would not come.

That is the heavy contrast in the text.

Christ says, “I would.”

Man says, “I will not.”

The tragedy is not that there is an unwilling Saviour in heaven. The tragedy is that there are unwilling sinners on earth.

The message follows that burden. Christ is willing to save. His coming proves it. His character shows it. His concern reveals it. His call declares it. Even His commission demonstrates it, because after Jerusalem rejected Him and crucified Him, the gospel was still to be preached “beginning at Jerusalem.”

That is mercy.

And yet men still refuse Him. Some because of the condition of the heart. Some because they love sin. Some because life keeps them distracted. Some because Satan blinds and deceives. And some simply because they will not believe on the Son of God.

But the invitation still stands.

Christ is willing.

If you are lost, do not mistake His patience for indifference. Do not let sin, pride, distraction, or delay keep you from Him. Come to Christ. Run beneath the shelter of His wings. Rest your guilty soul in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

And if you are serving the Lord and discouragement has gotten into your heart, remember this too. We do not serve because everyone appreciates it. We serve because Christ is worthy, sinners need the gospel, and God has called us to be faithful.

The rejection may be loud.

Sometimes the encouragement comes in a low voice.

But God knows how to send it when you need it.

I hope you will take a few minutes and listen to this message.