Many of us have picked up nicknames in our past. Some are terms of endearment. Others are

labels of mockery. Many times, people aren’t even aware of the nicknames that others have

given them behind their back. Well, Jesus had someone in his family tree who had a notorious

nickname. She was known as “Rahab the prostitute.” Yet, Matthew doesn’t rush right past that

fact. Rather he makes sure that we know that there was an infamous prostitute in the Jesus’

family tree. Matthew had his own nickname. And, again, it was any but a term of endearment.

He was called “Matthew the tax collector.” In this message, we’ll discover that no matter what

nickname you might have earned, Jesus calls people to follow him, even while they are still

wearing their labels.