Zacchaeus the Publican
A. FAVORITE BIBLE STORY FOR YOUNG & OLD.
B. GREAT LESSONS - IN A MOMENT, THE REST OF THE STORY.
A. PHYSICALLY SMALL.
B. SMALL IN THE EYES OF HIS BRETHREN.
1. He was a publican( Luke 18:9-14; 5:30 ).
2. Yet publicans were more receptive( Luke 15:1 ).
3. Humility and meekness essential( 1 Pet.5:5-6; Mat.11:27-28 )
A. FINDING JESUS TAKES A GREAT EFFORT( John 5:39 ).
B. IS IT WORTH THE EFFORT?( Mat. 13:44-46 ).
C. THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY( Rom. 12:1; Luke 13:24 ).
A. JESUS WILL ABIDE WITH THOSE WHO OPEN THE DOOR( Rev. 3:20 ).
B. GOD WANTS NONE TO PERISH( 2 Pet. 3:9 ).
C. BUT SALVATION IS NOT PASSIVE( James 1:22 ).
A. A PUBLICAN - 1/2 TO THE POOR - RESTORE 4-FOLD!
B. WHAT IS REPENTANCE? metanoeo, "a change of mind or purpose."
1. New Creatures( 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:9-10 )RADICAL!
2. A change of perspective & goals( Rom.12:9; Col.3:1-3 ).
3. A change of heart=>action( Luke 6:43-45; Col. 3:9-10 ).
4. Restitution( Luke 19:8; 3:8 ).
C. ACTIVE! SIN MUST CEASE!( Rom. 6:1-2, 17-18 ).
D. THE RESULT IS SALVATION( 1 John 1:6-7 ).
A. ALL HAVE SINNED( Rom. 3:23; 6:23 ).
B. WHAT HAVE I DONE ABOUT MY SIN?
C. WHAT CAN I DO?( Acts 2:38; 8:22 ).