Found in seeking

Luke 19:1–10 NIV

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 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.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Pray! Ask Holy Spirit to make us aware, available, and obedient to all He has for us this weekend.

Give overview of this weekend. (Talk through the sessions)

Launch scripture:

Psalm 27:4 NIV

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

This is our heart this weekend is that when we leave Sunday you would be found in the fathers house all of your days.

so this first message, is found in seeking.

Have you ever sought something with your whole heart? I’m not just talking about when you lose your phone, I mean something with your whole heart. (Seeking Becca)

In our story, we have this man named Zacchaeus who is a chief tax collector (explain)

There’s so much to love in this story, this is the ultimate Gospel story. You have a notorious sinner, and a perfect saviour.

First and foremost in this journey of being found in the house, is the practice of seeking Jesus.

Definition of seeking: The attempt or desire to obtain or achieve something.

As leaders, we have not stopped praying for each of you, that God would encounter you this weekend, but also that you would desire that encounter.

In our story, Zacchaeus deeply desired this encounter, to the point where he surrendered his shame, title, and even position to climb a tree just so he could see Jesus.

My question for us, “Do we have Zacchaeus kind of zeal for Jesus?”

One and only point: If you’re sincerely seeking Jesus, Jesus will make himself known to you.

So how do we seek Jesus?

1.) We get to where He is.

-Zacchaeus climbs a tree.

-Jump on a chair or table.

-Read Luke 19:1

Luke 19:1–4 NIV

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

-Share stories of seeking Jesus.

-It don’t matter where he is, I’m getting to him. Story of friends lowering their friend down.

2.) Listen for Jesus’s voice and respond.

-Jesus addressed Zacchaeus directly and told him what He expected of him (Luke 19:5), and Zacchaeus “hurried and came down,” overjoyed that Jesus had reached out to him (Luke 19:6) and did everything within his power to obey Him.

-I want to challenge the church kids in here who have encounter Gods presence before, like what else does he need to do, before you will listen and follow?

-Story of hearing Gods voice with pornography.

3.) Do whatever it takes to change your life for the better.

-Luke 19:8-10

Luke 19:8–10 NIV

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.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

-Such actions would have depleted much, if not all, of Zacchaeus’ wealth. It may well have left him with nothing when he was done, but he didn’t care about that. All he cared about was following his Lord. His priorities were finally straightened out; money was no longer the driving force of his life. He could gladly give it up for the sake of following Jesus.

-Zacchaeus didn't hold back, He repented and turned toward the Lord and yielding his whole life.

-Repentance is doing a 180, it’s turning completely back to Jesus.

-Talk about Asbury Revival and what Gen z is experiencing.

I am convinced of this, that Jesus is waiting for us to come home, He longs to be with each one of us, and I think He’s saying “when will you seek me, when will you turn to me?”

Talk about repentance and turning to Jesus.

-Go into a ministry time.