The Most Hated Man in Town AKA: Out on a Limb. Christ s Encounter with Zacchaeus. Luke 19:1-10

Transcription

1 The Most Hated Man in Town AKA: Out on a Limb Christ s Encounter with Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-10

2 Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a Sycamore tree, the Savior for to see. And as the Savior passed that way, He looked up in the tree. And He said "Zacchaeus, You come down. For I m going to your house today. (Repeat)

3 But have you ever really dissected the event? Do we understand the circumstances? Do we appreciate the outcome? There s a lot more to this story than the image of an undersized publican going out on a limb to see Jesus

4 This is a great story of: Recognition Repentance Restitution This is great example of how we are supposed to respond to Jesus coming into our world, and how we are to repent when we sin

5 The first thing one notice s in the story is that Zacchaeus is apparently alone. He was rich and powerful, but he was also hated! In fact, if you lived in that time and you were one of his neighbors, chances are you would have hated the man as well.

6 1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

7 The Primary reason the story was recorded- is for us to be inspired by Zacchaeus' example of action. Again, it starts with recognition. Luke 19:3 indicates that he wanted to see Jesus who was passing through Jericho. Luke 19:3 says- He was trying to see who Jesus was That s when his recognition turns into resolve.

8 RESOLVE to act on your RECOGNITION! God is very interested in you getting to know His Son. THIS STORY IS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP. TO ACT ON YOUR CURIOSITY. TO RECOGNIZE JESUS AS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.

9 Others may make fun of you. They may say You re barking up the wrong tree You re going out on a limb They may even HATE you! But GOD Loves YOU! The story of Zacchaeus is a positive example of one who chose to see who Jesus was for himself! When he looked back on that moment seeking Jesus was the Best Decision of his Life. The same could be true for YOU.

10 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.

11 ZACCHEUS was a Hated Man - He was a tax collector. But JESUS was hated as well! - He was the Savior At Least 8x in Gospels people complained that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. 2x Jesus was accused of eating with tax collectors and harlots.

12 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. 9 Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

13 Yes, Zacchaeus was a sinner. Yes, he had earned his sad reputation as a sinful man. But he Didn t Remain in his Sinful Condition! By the way- you and I are sinners too. But we don t have remain in our sin either!

14 Repentance, in the Biblical sense, means more than a mere change of mind, but a True Change of LIFE. It is a Dedication of our Will that from this day forward we will always LIVE FOR JESUS CHRIST. He alone will be our LORD. God shall rein over us. Self and sin will no longer be excused or accepted Instead we will live a GOD-HONORING LIFE.

15 Real Repentance includes Godly sorrow, sincere life changes and the fruit that it bears. (2 Cor. 7:11) In Matt 3:8 John the Baptizer tells his followers to Produce fruit in keeping with s Repentance. Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. (NLT)

16 Lev. 6:1-5 - "When a person sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD, and deceives his companion in regard to a deposit or a security entrusted {to him} or through robbery, or {if} he has extorted from his companion,. he shall make restitution for it in full, and add to it one-fifth more." "Then he shall bring to the priest his guilt offering to the LORD, a ram without defect for a guilt offering and he shall be forgiven for any one of the things which he may have done to incur guilt."

17 RESTORATION: Jesus said to him, "Today Salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a Son of Abraham. (Lk. 19:9). Salvation is not inherited, it is the result of personal - Recognition and personal Repentance, and it s only AFTER we have fully surrendered to God (today in baptism) that we will be Restored!

18 Now, You can remain in the back, never seeking to know Jesus, living like the world, dying like them as well, or you can, like Zacchaeus Search Out The Truth- and when you Obey His Will- JESUS WILL: ACCEPT YOUR RECOGNITION, ENCOURAGE YOUR REPENTANCE, AND PROVIDE YOUR RESTORATION IN HIS BLOOD!

19 When Jesus said; COME DOWN (He may also have meant): COME DOWN from your High Horse. COME DOWN from your arrogance. Take off that mask you are trying to hide behind. COME DOWN from your hardheartedness and thievery. COME DOWN from your sense of pride and humble yourself.

20 And with His New Found Forgivenesshe gained everything (that matters). Now he was not alone. Now he had Jesus. Now he had His disciples. (Church) He was now power-filled, and truly rich in a way that really matters. This was the beginning of a brandnew-life and it was a truly joyful event. It can be for You as well!

21 That s basically the Story- Do you understand the circumstances? Do you appreciate the outcome? Those who Recognize Jesus as Lord, who Repent of their sins and obey the Gospel receive complete Restoration, the forgiveness of every past sin. And the grace of God to continue to walk in His Truth. He wants you to COME DOWN today and receive Him. Will you?