When you think of “sinners” who might be excluded from God’s kingdom, does anyone come to mind? If so, you may be entering dangerous territory. The Pharisees were certain of their own seat at God’s table, convinced that the tax collectors and prostitutes had no such place. But Jesus came precisely for the people the religious crowd wrote off. He welcomes the broken, the fallen, the forgotten with open arms the moment they repent and turn to Him. God’s grace reaches farther than our judgments, and we may be surprised by those who are on heaven’s guest list!

An Extraordinary Response to an Intentional Encounter Part 2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:44 — 32.0MB) | Embed
Levi had left everything to follow Jesus and subsequently held a great banquet to introduce his friends to Jesus. Although Matthew may not have known everything about following Jesus, Matthew did understand that who he knew (Jesus) was more important than what he knew. Matthew found a way to bring hope to his friends. Are there people in your life who need to know the hope that Jesus brings?


