To Seek & To Save: The Mission of Jesus

Introduction

We live in a day plagued with a misunderstanding of the “Gospel.”

Stuies show that churches across America do not have a basic understanding of their faith.

Many people are walking around today confused on the most important subject in their life. They don’t view Jesus as both LORD and Savior, they don’t see the Bible as God’s holy inerrant Word, and they don’t view salvation as the only way to Heaven.

The biggest misnomer in the church today is the idea that the Gospel is simply the entry point into salvation and is only beneficial to lost people. This couldnt be further from the truth. The Gospel is for eveyone: saved and lost.

Our life should be given over to dedication to the Gospel and its mandates. We will look at that with The Lord’s help over the next few weeks.

We will start that journey today with a wee little man by the name of Zaccheus.

1. A Life That Was SINFUL

Luke 19:1–4 LSB

And He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. And Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on before and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.

A. A Sinful Person v. 1-2

Zaccheus lived a life of sin; He was a tax collector. (Explain this.)

This carried a severe connotation in his life.

The sad part about this life is that it created an umbrella that was cloud around you - you could not escape this life. You were owned by the Romans, and hated by the Jews.

However, we all find ourselves as despicable as Zacc.

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

B. A Sinful Prevention v. 3

Zacc. wanted to see Jesus, but his “nature” prevented him from doing so.

He was “short in stature.” & therefore, unabe to look at Jesus.

He desired to see Jesus for “Who He was” but was prevented from doing so because of his “shortcomings.” - Pun intended.

Here’s the issue we fall in the same boat as a sinner. Without God changing our very nature, we are unable to even truly see and understand who He is. Without Jesus saving us, we will never see Him for who He is.

Romans 3:10–11 “as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God;”

Matthew 13:9 ““He who has ears, let him hear.””

C. A Sinful Provision v. 4

Though Zacc. was prevented by his stature, and his sin. He had a provision in the sycamore tree.

Now, we could go on and on of all the great things about this sycamore tree. But, the most worthy thing to note is that it takes LONG time for a sycamore tree to grow.

Therefore, this tree was planted long before Zacc. ever needed it. What’s so great about that? Long before Zacc. ever needed the sycamore, God made sure it was planted.

I wonder how many of us this morning have things we can point to in our life that God providentially placed there? Even before salvation?

2. A Life That Was SOUGHT

Luke 19:5–6 LSB

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly.

A. Unique Seeking - v. 5

Zacc. could not reach Jesus, but Jesus could reach him.

The glorious reality that we see play out this morning is that when Zacc. could not get to where Jesus was, He cam to Zacc.

We see many today who believe they will earn their way to Heaven, they will be able to get it on their own. They can earn their way to God.

The reality is that Scripture teaches the exact opposite. We could never earn our way to Heaven, Heaven must condescend to us.

Thankfully, that is what Jesus did for us.

B. Urgent Seeking - v. 6

Zacc. “made haste” or “hurried” to Jesus.

There was a sense of urgency in his heart.

He knew he may never have another chance to get ahold of Jesus, so he ran to Him.

Why? Because there’s always an expiration date...

2 Corinthians 6:2 “for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—”

John 12:35 “So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.”

3. A Life That Was SURRENDERED

Luke 19:7–8 LSB

And when they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” But Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have extorted anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”

A. Surrendered Possessions - v. 8

Zacc. displays a life that has been fully surrendered to Jesus.

In v. 1 he’s a thief and robber, and in v. 8 he’s a cheerful giver.

Something has happened, something has changed.

I’ll tell you what’s changed- Jesus has went in and made him into a new man.

He isn’t the man he was in v. 1, and Zacc. has now surrendered his life to Jesus.

NOW - Possessions aren’t what he prizes, Jesus is what he prizes.

PARALLEL: The Rich Young Ruler - Zaccheus is the opposite… Jesus didn’t even have to ask him. So does this mean we must sell everything we own materially to really be saved? No. Thats not the point.

The point is, Zacc. lived a life of getting rich sinfully - so, him surrendering that wealth is a display of the inward change that Jesus made.

1 Corinthians 1:18 LSB

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

4. A Life That Was SAVED

Luke 19:9–10 LSB

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

A. Converting Salvation - v. 9

This was the day of salvation for Zaccheus.

Special emphasis on the phrase “son of Abraham”

For Zacc., this was big - see Jesus is now saying that Zacc. is a spiritual heir. He’s saying - y’all kicked him out for being a tax collector, but I’ve came in, saved him, and now made him and heir along with me spiritually.

JESUS converted Zacc. - He changed his entire identity.

He can do the same thing for you today.

B. Concentrated Salvation - v. 10

Jesus’s entire mission is comprised in that tiny statement.

Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.

On this day, that “lost” was just one wee little man named Zacc., but that’s okay! Because that’s all Jesus came for that day.

How beautiful! The thrice holy God of Heaven condescended Himself down to man, took on flesh, bore the weight of sin, endured the mockery and scorn of wicked men, died the death we should have died, and conquered the enemy we could never conquer, and rose again on the third day… ALL of that just so he could save a poor wretched sinner like me?

But its true, he sought and saved Zacc., he could be seeking and saving you today.

Invitation

His ministry is “seeking and saving” now, but one day, that will change.

Revelation 19:11–16 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Heads bowed and eyes close, no one looking around. I want to ask you this question, “Are you v. 1 Zaccheus or v. 10 Zaccheus?”

Have you truly been saved by Jesus, have you trusted Him as your personal Savior? Or are you still in bondage to sin?

If you would say, “Preacher beyond a shadow of a doubt, I am saved, raise your hand.”

Now, if you would say, “Preacher, I just don’t know for 100% certainty that I’m saved… would you raise your hand?”

I am personally inviting you, come down here and let one of us pray with you, and show you how you can be saved and know for certain that Heaven is your home.

I wonder if there is anyone who would say “I am like Zacc., and I need to meet the Savior today.” These alters are open, and I emplore you… do not wait another day. Come meet the Savior, and he will change you today.