2. The Treasonous Tax Man Matthew 9:9-13

3. Who Accepts The Gospel? A “Good” Moral Person? A “Religious” Person? A “Respectable” Person? OR A “Socially Unacceptable” Person? An “Ungodly” Person?

4. Matthew’s Call At Work The Person Matthew. –Writer of the Gospel Matthew. –Name Also Levi. –Son Of Alphaeus.

5. Matthew’s Call At Work Matthew The Publican, Tax Collector –Collected Taxes for Rome. –Publican; a Jew that Collected Taxes.

6. Matthew The Disciple Disciples Must Have Been Shocked! Matthew Must Have Been Stunned! Jesus Could See The Potential. Matthew Accepts. Despised by His Jewish Brethren –Becomes instrumental in saving them.

7. Matthew’s Feast

8. It Was To Honor his New Master. Consider Matthew’s Guest. –“Many tax collectors and sinners” –Who “sat down with Him and His disciples”. What Was Matthew Thinking?

9. Conflict With The Pharisees Pharisees Are Shocked. –How Could A Prophet of God Socialize with Such Sinners? Jesus Responses. “When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”’ Matthew 9:12 Who Needs The Physician?

10. Mercy over Sacrifice? Matthew 9:13 "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

11. Mercy over Sacrifice? Hosea 6:6 “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

12. Lessons To Learn

13. Don’t Prejudge Yourself & Others No One Is Too Wicked For Jesus. Jesus See Possibilities We Can’t.

14. Don’t Prejudge Yourself & Others Never Forget… Jesus Died to Save Sinners. No Christian is Perfect, Only Forgiven. Saint: a sinner who keeps on trying! Churches Grow Out of Weakness.

15. Don’t Confuse Separation With Isolation We Must Be Apart From Sin. Cannot Indorse Sin Through Friendship. –2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Not of The World, But Sent Into It. –John 17:15-18

16. Never Forget Mercy Forgiveness Comes Through Mercy. Will Be Judged According To The Mercy We Have Given. –James 2:12-13

17. Never Forget Mercy James 2:12-13 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

18. Never Forget Mercy Forgiveness Comes Through Mercy. Will Be Judged According To The Mercy We Have Given. –James 2:12-13 Religion Without Mercy Is Not Pleasing to God. –Hosea 6:6

19. Jesus Says “Come” Allow The Possibilities Jesus Sees In You Happen. Enjoy The Transforming Power Of The Gospel. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

20. Jesus Says “Come” Allow The Possibilities Jesus Sees In You Happen. Enjoy The Transforming Power Of The Gospel. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

21. Jesus Says “Come” Allow The Possibilities Jesus Sees In You Happen. Enjoy The Transforming Power Of The Gospel. Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

22. Jesus Simply said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. Will You Arise And Come?