If this is true. This changes everything.

Service Notes

Call to Worship [before the choir sings]

Psalm 96:1-2 “1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.”

At this time we prepare our hearts. Not to just hear but to respond.

We want to be doers of the Word.

The Ministry of the Word does not stop at noon.

Believers meet today to worship God, because there was a day when we met Jesus and that changed everything about our lives including our schedules on Sunday mornings.

Bible Reading

We will spend the majority of out time just looking at this story. Doing what we can to be there, in the moment, to learn from what we would be able to see.

Then we will spend time looking at how the Gospel has implications upon every aspect of our lives.

A couple weeks ago, I told you that I am not the list maker for all the ministry that God may place upon your hearts

Handout New Years Resolve Cards. we will use these on a Vision Night early next year.

In this passage we will get an example of how one man would fill out his cards. “In light of what the Gospel has done in my life in the new year I want to be involved in.... well you see as we read”

Luke 19:1–10 (KJV)

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Sermon Introduction

Before we get into today’s passage; Let’s talk, briefly, about the implications the Gospel should have upon our lives.

As a church we are being obedient, in one respect, to the degree:

Those teaching the Bible are able to accurately and effectively bring the gospel to bear into our real lives.

We respond with an appreciation for the gospel that alters our lives.

That is what we are doing here today. We are looking at how the Gospel should be lived out in our lives today, in 2022.

Song by a TMU graduate caught my attention a few years ago.

This Changes Everything

[Verse 1] I grew up in a little town Used to sing in the old church house There in the pew where I used to hide Learned the story bout the man who died Well I was sure I heard that He got back up But as we broke the bread and drank the cup Seemed the faces told another tale They were as dry as the bread was stale

[Bridge] Did i miss something? Was i not supposed to cry? Did they hear preacher, "Jesus is alive"?

[Chorus] If this is true, this changes everything If this is real, I've got to tell the world If He is God, then I've got choice to make If I believe, then I must follow Him

The Gospel changed this small man in a big way. / Retelling of the story

Summary of the story in Luke 19

Jesus ministry is described as coming for the lost sheep of Israel

Who is more likely to be declared righteous on the last day? Rich, young ruler or this tax collector.

Look at their reaction to Jesus eating with this man Luke 19:7 “7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.”

Poster child for the impossible. Luke 18:26 “26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?”

Getting a Glimpse of Jesus by climbing a tree and getting over the crowd

Luke 19:3-4 “3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.”

Climb up a tree

Instead of walking away like the Rich, Young Ruler. climb. He ran and climbed to a sycamore tree in order to get a glimpse of Jesus.

See Jesus for who He is.

You are given the same polite invitation and promise. John 1:39 “39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.”

Rich young ruler didn’t see Jesus as He is. The cost of not following Jesus is great, but he couldn’t see it over his circumstances.

He lost the forgiveness of all his sins and reconciliation with the Father.

He lost the joy of having fellowship with the Father and the Son

He lost the joy of seeing others delivered from the domain of darkness.

He lost the abundant life Jesus would have given him

Look over the crowd

The crowd of the “they are not equal”

Imagine all the families who got there early to get a good seat on the curb. Jesus looked passed them to this man in a tree. Did they think “finally someone is going to set this selfish, little man straight?

Matthew 20:12 “12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.”

Summary of the story

manager of a house looking for day laborers

find them at 3 times in the day

they all receive equal pay

They murmur like the crowd who got there early for the good, curb seats. Matthew 20:11 “11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,”

We have 3 groups in here today

Knew better, so did better

Didn’t know better, so didn’t do better

Knew better, but chose to not do better

We all are in need great need of grace. Jesus does us not wrong. Matthew 20:13 “13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?”

Here is the challenge for the “they are not equal to us crowd” - It is not about us. Matthew 20:15 “15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?”

By God’s grace, we will not be this crowd

He thought he was looking for Jesus but he was only getting in the place to where Jesus would find him.

He had to look over the crowd of people that were fans but not followers of Jesus.

Next year, we will have banners that say “Helping people find and follow Jesus” Pray with me that it is more than a banner. I can create banners in Photoshop. It is in your decision to help people come to Jesus that make it really mean something.

Take Jesus home

Luke 19:5-6 “5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.”

Look at the order

Jesus said I am coming to your home. Luke 19:5 for to day I must abide at thy house.

Zacchaeus’s life changes Luke 19:8 “8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”

Behold Lord - it is like a child saying “Look dad”. It is an expression of his love for the Lord.

This is good news to us.

The changed life is a result of salvation not the means in which we merit it.

Doesn’t say bring me the broom of the Wicked Witch of the East and Ill give you an audience like the Wizard of Oz

Grace will always really change you!

Jesus coming to dinner really meant something

Inviting someone to your home for a dinner is to invite them into your real life, especially when you aren’t given any notice.

Always thought one of the best things we could do to help people overcome the fear of having people into our homes is to just show up at homes. What we will find is that our houses look like places people live.

The Gospel begins to reshape this man’s life

Zacchaeus demonstrates the creativity the Gospel brings; there is nothing more creative than a new creation.

Old Testament tells him give 10%. He gives 50% Old Testament says return 120%. He gives 400%.

The Gospel has sent him on an adventure!

Jesus has knocked upon the door and asked to come over for dinner

Revelation 3:20 “20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

He wants to come into our daily live. He wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.

Our family, at the workplace, the time between our home and work, in our retirement decisions, in our parenting decisions, the Gospel speaks to every area of our life!

Transitional Statement: We have climbed the tree, we have got over the crowd, we have got a glimpse of Jesus and now we are dealing with the implications of having met Him.

What is happening now that the Gospel has come to us

Imagine the rest of the story / Retelling of the story by Jon Bloom. Imagine Zacchaeus visiting home to repay people. What are you doing “destroying my idol” Judah to wife. Let’s go hear this Rabbi. I think we are also poor.

The Gospel: Christ died for our sins

1 Cor 15:3 “3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

This simple phrase speaks of the..

reality of our sin

the necessity of divine punishment

the wonderful provision of salvation from divine wrath by God in Christ.

The Gospel is central to our lives.

1 Cor 2:1-2 “1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

Gospel Truths: doctrinal implications of the gospel

1 Timothy 1:10-11 “10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

The gospel reorders our lives. The Gospel provides the doctrine (teaching) that renews our minds.

Romans provides many examples.

Our having peace with God is not the gospel itself, but is a powerful implication of the gospel—a “gospel truth.” Romans 5:1 “1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Paul is not here presenting the gospel itself but something that is true “now” because of the gospel. Romans 8:1 “1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Romans 8:32 “32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” When people see the connection between the truth of the gospel itself (“He that spared not his own Son” and this gospel truth (freely give us all things?”) the gospel will strengthen our daily trust in Him to provide for us.

Gospel Implications upon our lives; change of behavior.

Heated discussion between Peter and Paul. Galatians 2:14 “14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”

We are to conduct ourselves in a new way, being new people. Phil 1:27 “27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:”

Flee fornication. Why? You are bought with a price. (Gospel truth)

Forgive one another. Why? Christ has forgiven you and given you an example. (Gospel truth)

Husband loves your wives. Why? Picture of Christ loving the church. (Gospel truth)

Be generous. Why? We are made content and witnessed God’s graciousness to us.

Christian behavior should flow out of the gospel connections should be made to every area of life.

The Bible study Zacchaeus didn’t have time to have nor did he need this Bible study. He knew IF THIS IS TRUE, THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING

Before when he balanced the books. He made decisions that reflected self worship.

How do I get the most for myself in every transaction.

Now Zacchaeus is saying “if this is true this changes everything”

This is the question we should be asking every morning and every turn in life.

CONCLUSION

With heads bowed and before we stand together. Let me encourage you to follow Jesus today.

Unbelievers

If you are not yet seen Jesus for who He is, look over the crowd today. Set aside the stories you may have of crowd that has not helped you see Jesus.

We invite you to “come and see”

I am going to ask you today to make a commitment to see Jesus from the Scriptures. If you are willing to take that step, climb that tree, I want to pray for you.

Believers

Our hearts leap with joy when we read the story of Zacchaeus

We love to see how the Gospel transforms a life

Are there areas of your life that do not reflect the Gospel. Lay the Gospel down beside the decisions you are making and you will find clarity.