Cleaning The House
Sermon Notes
[Luke 19:1-5] Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. [2] There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. [3] He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. [4] So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. [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."
JESUS knows you by NAME.
[Luke 19:5] 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."
Jesus knows YOU before you know HIM.
[Luke 19:6] Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
Jesus doesn’t expect us to CLEAN UP, before we INVITE Him in.
[Luke 19:7] But the people were displeased. "He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner," they grumbled.
Your REPUTATION doesn’t BOTHER Jesus.
Grace may seem UNFAIR, but the Good News is it’s AVAILABLE to all of us.
[Romans 2:4] Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
When Jesus moves IN, priorities move AROUND.
[Luke 19:9-10] 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."
[Romans 5:6-11] When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. [7] Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. [8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [9] And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. [10] For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. [11] So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Jesus comes to us as a FRIEND not a FOE.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: What is your favorite form of transportation?
Read Luke 19:1-10 & discuss what stands out.
Share about a time you felt small.
Tell about a time you experienced grace.
What can do this week to show gratitude to God?
Is there anything this group can pray for?