God's Mighty Men In my Studies I am reading the Promise Keepers study Bible and I have been in Matthew and Acts. There is a Bio on Matthew in Chapter 9 and it names him as the Spoiler. Matthew is someone who did not fit the mold of the rest of the Disciples – He was a Tax Collector/Publican not a Fisherman/Carpenter/Laborer. Does that sound familiar if it were today – someone from the IRS or even worse a Politician… what could be worse to bring into a Christian organization?
Here is the scripture of when Matthew was called:
Matthew 9: 9-13> 9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
I have to tell you – I do not believe it would be any different today if we were to call a Matthew to join in our Mission. I have called on a Matthew type to join me and the challenges came. Some of the guys really questioned the Wisdom of bringing someone on board that would cause so much controversy. I need to tell you that every organization needs a Matthew – it is essential that we are in Check of ministering to all. Just to let you know – we have an Awesome GMM TEAM – and they come from all areas of life and different denominations. God does some powerful work through their Uniqueness and Unity…
I have really enjoyed reading the Bio on Matthew – He must have felt like the outsider coming in. But after being touched by Jesus – his perspectives and priorities were turned upside down. One of the sections in the Bio about Matthew should be How God is using us:
“God used Matthew without regard for his background, employment history or former way of life. And God can use you too. What you perceive as liabilities to God’s work in you are merely the same excuses that Matthew could have spouted as reasons why he shouldn’t have been trained as a disciple. Yet God often turns the things we consider liabilities into assets for his kingdom. Only God can accomplish this great feat. He will take any life, regardless of background, success or failure, and turn it into something useful for his kingdom.
I have been around several men and they all have their unique gifts that make them special. And as Matthew – God uses them where they are at – Matthew was able to minister to Tax Collectors and Publicans when no one else could. That is how he uses us – right where we are………..
So now look at yourself – ARE YOU THE Spoiler?
Is God using you because of your uniqueness?
Can you be described as a Matthew?
If yes – then you are right where God would have you – he will do some great works through you because of your Liabilities.
Enjoy the Journey as Matthew did!
Bobbyg
