He Brought Me Back: I Was one Way… And Now I Am Completely Different
May 23, 2021 / Trinity Church - WaxahachieHe Brought Me Back: I Was One Way… And Now I Am Completely Different
Luke 19:1–10 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.” 6 So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.” 9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:1–4 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way.
– people are often surprised at who is interested in Jesus…and in whom Jesus is interested.
Jesus gives to those others have no hope for.
Luke 19:5–7 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.” 6 So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.”
When we have been forgiven, we should look for opportunities to express our .
Luke 19:8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.”
Luke 19:9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to and the lost.”
Jesus doesn’t just tolerate bad/lost/broken people—He’s for us.
Why had salvation come? Because Jesus had come—Whose name means, God saves.
Jesus won’t just accept you—he pursues you.
Attitude of everyone: If Jesus were really good, He would stay away from people like that.
Attitude of Jesus: Because I’m really good, I won’t stay away from people like that.
Final Question: Do you see someone as , or as ?