March 10, 2019

Friend of Sinners

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: FOR Fort Mill Scripture: Luke 19:1–10

For Fort Mill

Friend of Sinners

Luke 19:1-10

 “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Luke 7:34)

Living Like You Are FOR People

The Characters:

  1. Jesus
  • Passing through on his way to Jerusalem (17:11; 19:28)
  1. Zacchaeus
  • Hebrew name means “Righteous One”
  • Chief Tax Collector/Rich
  • Vertically Challenged
  1. The Crowd
  • Interested in Jesus
  • Offended by Zacchaeus

The Story Unfolds:

  • Zacchaeus doesn’t let Others stop him from seeing Jesus (4)
  • Jesus Sees Zacchaeus and Initiates a relationship (5-6)
  • The crowd Disapproves (7)
  • The Difference between the Gospel and religion
  • Religion says, “Change and God will accept you.”
  • In the Gospel, God’s acceptance is not the reward for having changed your life; it is the power to change your life!
  • A transformed life Demonstrated (8)

What Happened To Zacchaeus?

This guy who was willing to sell out his people, his friends and family for money is now giving money away like it is Halloween candy!

He found a Treasure greater than money

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

Expulsive power of a new Affection

Our experience of God’s love for us brings all the lesser loves into order!

Our captivity to Jesus is so strong that all other captivities are broken!

  • A transformed life Affirmed (9)
  • A mission Proclaimed (10)

Our job is not to get people to Behavior Modification.  Our job is to point them to Jesus!  He will deal with behavior later.

We See In Zacchaeus’ Story Our Story

  • We deserved to be despised and scorned; God gave us Grace
  • We deserved rejection; God invites us into his Family
  • Zacchaeus climbed a tree; Jesus would Die, hanging on a tree

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—” (Galatians 3:13)

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

What Might It Look Like To Live Like I Was FOR The People Around Me?

Begin with prayer

I will pray for the people in my life and the places that I’m in.

“God, give me today (1) an opportunity to speak with someone about Jesus; (2) the wisdom to see it; and (3) the courage to take it.” 

Listen

I will listen to and discover the needs of others and the places where God is at work.

Eat 

I will share meals and spend time with people in my life. 

Serve

I will respond to the needs of others and help them in practical and impactful ways.

Story

I will share the story of Jesus and what He is doing in my life with others.

Three Opportunities:

  1. Intentionally live a life of BLESSing others where you live, work and play.
  1. Pay it Backwards! Pick up a card and a window sticker.
  1. Serve our community this Saturday, March 16th.

other sermons in this series

Mar 3

2019

Like a Good Neighbor

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Luke 10:25–37 Series: FOR Fort Mill

Feb 24

2019

What We Want for You

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Colossians 1:28–29 Series: FOR Fort Mill