Scripture: Ephesians 1:6; Acts 1:12-14, Matthew 10:3-Accepting our place in God\’s Family
We are looking at the issue of acceptance and accepting our place in God\’s Family. We can benefit
from looking at some of the people who God chose. That will give us a broad picture of who God
chooses and what the common characteristics are. The author of the first Gospel of the New
Testament is Matthew. He is a classic example of who God chooses. We find him mentioned for
the very last time in Acts 1:12-14. We are told, “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount
called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they
went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and
Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the
women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Here we have the Twelve, plus the
additional people that numbered up to 120. They were gathered there to be empowered on the day
of Pentecost. This is the same Matthew that was a tax collector. When he was taking his place in
God\’s Family that was full of Jewish people, he was seen by the Jews as a traitor among them. He
worked for the Roman government and collected taxes from his own people. He was an agent of
Rome to extort. Most often, tax collectors made their money by adding a percentage to what they
claimed people owed. What kind of reputation did he probably have? He was likely despised. But
who does God accept? God accepts people based on their heart, often who are misunderstood,
misperceived, and rejected by the majority.
❖ Unbeknownst to many kingdom citizens, and the ignorant, when Moslems come into a
territory, it does not matter how poor or disenfranchised they may be. As long as they keep
covenant by sacrifice of Ramadan, after a few cycles of Ramadan they begin to occupy
positions of influence in every part of the world, in politics and the economy no matter
what minority they hold. They do this because they have been exchanging destinies over a
number of Ramadan seasons.
❖ Today, they are rapidly taking over nations of the West and Africa too in key positions of
influence.
❖ Repent on behalf of the Church for ignorance in teaching and equipping the kingdom
citizens on how to transform and influence their communities. Rather they have been lost
in other flimsy teachings that tickle itchy ears and have little impact. John 10:10.