Jesus Sees You!
Insecurities: Finding Our Security in God • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 3 viewsIt was the mercy of Jesus that healed Zacchaeus of his sin and insecurity.
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Introduction: In the T.V Series “Kim Possible”, the character, Ron Stoppable is a loser in the eyes of others. I mean, his name is Ron Stoppable. There are a few episodes, when he becomes evil because he wanted to make a name for himself and get revenge on his bullies. The most traumatic insecurities are a result of being being bullied and being invisible to everyone. The only thing people see is what’s wrong with you, to be seen as Ron Stoppable and not Ron.
Introduction: In the T.V Series “Kim Possible”, the character, Ron Stoppable is a loser in the eyes of others. I mean, his name is Ron Stoppable. There are a few episodes, when he becomes evil because he wanted to make a name for himself and get revenge on his bullies. The most traumatic insecurities are a result of being being bullied and being invisible to everyone. The only thing people see is what’s wrong with you, to be seen as Ron Stoppable and not Ron.
In Today’s text, we will witness the insecurity of a man named Zacchaeus who battles insecurity and also lives to make a name for himself.
In Today’s text, we will witness the insecurity of a man named Zacchaeus who battles insecurity and also lives to make a name for himself.
1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.
2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.
3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
As we see in Luke 19:1-19, Every Christian can experience freedom from insecurity and sin because of the mercy of Jesus.
There are three reasons every Christian can experience freedom from insecurity and sin because of the mercy of Jesus.
Reason #1: Jesus calls people by name, not by their past
2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.
7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
When I pastored at Evangel Temple I was scolded because I made friends with a man who was on drugs and was coming to our church. People grumbled and fussed, but I stood my ground. They did not welcome him with open arms, in fact they kicked him away like the rest of the town. No one in the town liked him. He would steal and take advantage of people, yet I invited him into my home, ate with him. Though he stole from me, I did not give up on him. One day, he was arrested and did not have a bail set. He wrote me every week from jail and told me how he gave his life to Jesus and it was because I showed him what real, christlike love is. He said “you didn’t see me as a thief and drug addict, you saw me as Mike.”
Reason #2: Jesus makes a trade with us
8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.”
Look at the difference between Zacchaeus and the rich young ruler (Luke 18:22-23)
22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.
The rich young ruler was not willing to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. Is there anything wrong with wealth? No, but it wealth was the treasure of his heart and Jesus will not take second place.
TRUST ME PICTURE
Reason #3: Jesus saves and restores (Luke 19:9-10)
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
When I was in seminary taking Greek, I tried to take the easy way out and used the answer key for three assignments. I am ashamed to say that while I was working on my theological degree that I cheated. My professor knew it wasn’t my work because it was actually right.
Jesus called him a true son of Abraham, the same man that betrayed the people of Israel by overtaxing them and working for the oppressor. I thank God that he is the God of restoration.
THERE ARE HISTORIC WRITINGS FROM THE CHURCH FATHERS THAT SAY ZACCHAEUS BECAME THE BISHOP OF CAESAREA. HE WENT FROM BEING A THEIF OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD TO BECOMING HUMBLE SERVANT TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD.