Riding shotgun

Stagecoach

There was a driver and a guy with a shotgun to ward bandits and Indians

Today the expression means to be the rider in the passenger seat

If you are going on a trip you don’t really want to sit in the back set

If you are the guy in charge you want to drive.

If Tina and I go on a trip

I do most of the driving

There are lots of reasons for this

The main reason

I want to be in control

We:

We want control things

How do I know this?

Think about the pandemic

How dare a politician tell whether or not we can have church

We are not submitting to any government authority

That word “submit”

Easier for some harder for others

Jesus I’ll take the wheel

I’ll call you if I need you

Through this series we are going to learn to “follow/submit” to Jesus and let him take the wheel

We will learn how to have a closer relationship with Jesus

James 4:8 NLT

8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

God:

Zacchaeus and Jesus

Zacchaeus – Resume

Chef Tax collector – Rich – Maybe dishonest – Hated by his neighbors – Sinner

Luke 19:5 NLT

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.”

Underline I must be…

Well, the crowd begins to grumble

Then Jesus says this

Luke 19:9–10 NLT

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.”

Underline For the Son…

A Hospital for the sick

Not a hotel for the saints

Every sinner has a future and saint has a past

Herein lies the number one reason we don’t let Jesus take the wheel

You:

How you see yourself

Think of Zacchaeus in the that tree

He keeps his distance

Listen to what his neighbors think of him

Luke 19:7 NLT

7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

Here’s why you don’t follow Jesus as you should or could

__________________________________________________________________

You don’t see yourself worthy

Underline this

So we keep our distance

We want a close relationship

But our sin is too great

Here’s the flip side of that coin

It’s how you see Jesus

– Underline this

Zacchaeus sure didn’t think that Jesus would want anything to do with him because he saw God as more of a harsh, judgmental, and angry father, rather than an all powerful creator and loving father.

How you do see Jesus?

How you see Jesus effects how you receive Jesus

We:

The Heart of Heaven

Yes, sin does separate us from God

But it doesn’t change His heart toward us.

I want to encourage you that no matter what you’ve done

No matter where you feel like you have missed the mark

God has proven his love for you.

Underline and star this

Let go of the steering wheel and give it to Jesus

Slide over into the passenger seat

Start riding shotgun

When I let Tina drive, I get to look at the scenery

When I drive I’m too busy watching the road

When I let Jesus drive, I get to share in the blessings

When I drive I’m too busy focusing on my problems

To be a disciple

Matthew 16:24 NLT

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.