So I invite you to open your bibles
to luke chapter 19.
Luke chapter 19 and the passage that we
are about to read is probably
very familiar to you.
And this is the
familiar story Za,
which appears only here in Luke's gospel.
And perhaps if you grew up in church,
thor You learned the song either a Sunday
school or
children's church or vacation bible school,
It goes like Zac was a wee, little
man.
A wee little man was he. Alright. The
first service, they got a lot of folks
soon with that home.
But it's a great song, but more than
being familiar, this is a great story.
Right? It's a powerful story. It's it... It's
a rich story that describes the conversion of
a person.
It describes the conversion of a soul.
And this story describes what has happened,
and continues to happen to a multitude of
people,
to a multitude of sinner of people from
every tribe
nation and language who need to be forgiven
and are found by Jesus.
Are found by the son of men, the
lord Jesus Christ who came to seek and
save
the lost.
Jc R comments that this verse described the
conversion of a soul,
like the stories of nico demons and this
Samaritan woman,
the story of Za accused should be frequently
studied by Christians.
The lord Jesus
never changes.
What he did for the man before us,
what the lord Jesus has done for you
dear Christian.
He's able,
and willing to do for any 1
of ourselves.
And this is the last picture that gu,
the luke, the gospel writer,
he wants to live of Jesus earthly ministry.
It's At this point in the gospel, Jesus
is about to go to Jerusalem,
this is about to be crucified
and Luke is describing the unexpected
conversion of this man named Zac hughes
of a sinner who was found by Jesus,
So let's look into this story
today, Luke chapter 19
beginning in verse 1, and this is the
inherent infallible word of God.
He that is Jesus entered jericho and was
passing through.
And behold, there was a man named accused.
He was a chief tax collector and was
rich,
and he was seeking to see who Jesus
was.
But on account of the crowd, he could
not because he was his mowing stature.
So he ran on head and climbed up
into a s tree to see him.
For he was about to pass away.
And when Jesus came to the place, he
looked up and said to him Zac accused
hurry and come down for I must stay
at your house today.
So he hu and came down and received
him joyful.
And when they saw it.
They all b. He has gone in to
be the gas of a man who is
a sinner.
Executive is student said to the Lord. Be
whole lord,
the half of my goods I give to
the poor,
And if I have defeated any anyone of
anything, I restored 4 fold,
and Jesus said to him.
Today's salvation has come to this house.
Since he also is a son of Abraham
for the son of man came to seek,
and to save
the lost.
This is the word of the Lord.
May he imprint this truths upon our hearts
so we're gonna be looking at this passage
under the following headings. First,
we're gonna look at the thinner in the
tree.
The sinner in the 3, then we're gonna
look that Jesus
comes
looking for sinner.
Then when gonna I see the sinner
response,
after being found by Jesus,
and lastly, gonna see Jesus mission to seek
and save sinner.
So first, the sinner in the 3, look
the setting of the story in verse 1.
He entered Jericho
and was passing through. He Jesus entered Jericho
and passing through. So Jesus is on the
way to Jerusalem.
This is actually near the end of Jesus
earthly minis. 3. He's about to go to
the Jerusalem I mean, and enter the city,
riding on a donkey.
Palm Sunday is just around the corner 3
Jesus is about to be handed over and
be crucified, and this is 1 of the
last pictures that Luke.
The gospel writer wants us to have of
Jesus earthly
ministry. And the last picture that luke wants
to leave you of Jesus ministry, is of
the conversion of a sinner.
Is about the conversion of a soul,
A picture of the sin the tree who
has been found by Jesus
a sinner who has been forgiven
and is about to become a new creation
with a new heart,
so enter the sinner into the story.
Verse 2 and behold. There was a man
named Zac accused.
See the word behold. Every time you see
behold the scriptures
The author wants us,
be sure to see.
That's what the word behold means. Be sure
to see.
Be sure to see what is about to
happen.
Keep your eyes and ears open.
Don't miss this.
Don't miss this that you're about to see.
So behold, don't miss this,
there was a man named
Zac cues.
So the first thing we learn about the
sinner in the tree
is that the man's name was Za.
And interestingly enough, the name Za accused comes
from the Hebrew Za,
And the hebrew
Checked this out,
meaning someone
who pure.
A righteous 1. Think of someone 1 who
is not guilty.
So there's a certain irony here because the
meaning of his name,
does not reflect the inward reality.
The inward reality that cues is a sinner.
The inward reality that all of us
that we are all sinner in uni of
a savior
of a redeem.
Z uses anything but pure or innocent or
not guilty. We're a righteous 1.
So his name is accused, but we learn
more about him. We also learn of his
location. Lu verse 2 and behold, there's a
man named accuse
He was a chief tax
collector.
And a tax collector
is taxed with collecting taxes for the government.
And in this case, a tax collector in
Israel collected taxes for the Roman government.
But that he was not only a tax
collector. He was a chief.
Tax collector.
So he had been placed at the head
of the entire tax district of Jericho and
his vicinity,
Actually, in this time, in Israel there were
3 main tax offices in Israel.
Jericho was 1. The other 1 was Cop
by the West Coast on the mediterranean sea,
And the other tax office was in cape
on the North of the Cf of Galilee,
which has actually the base of Jesus ministry.
So accused was the head in the tax
office of Jericho,
and what would happen is that
he would employ others
to collect taxes
while he passed on what was required by
the Roman government.
And this is actually
what had happened is that hughes had won
a bid with the Roman government.
So the Romans required a certain amount of
tax to be paid from each of the
districts,
and people would make bids.
And if you make a bid, you win,
you become the chief tax collector
So accused won the bid And actually, what
would happen is
that you would give
or tax collectors, they would give what the
Roman government... Fired
and the extra, they would collect more. The
extra they would pocket themselves
like the extra. And lies the problem,
that in G, roman times,
tax collectors among the jews were considered to
be traitors.
They're considered to be crooks.
They're considered to be a roman sympathize
and they're reviewing extreme negative light because you
are exploiting your own people.
And you're working for the enemy in other
words, they were working for an invading pig
and pine power.
So they were regarded as administrators and crooks
look what is set about tax collectors, so
negative views of tax collectors occur in secular
literature in the new testament and writings.
In roman and hell
literature, they are lumped together with bag,
these and robbers.
In the new testament, they are paired with
sinner, and with immoral people, and they are
liking to Jane Tiles.
Remember the parable of the Ph the tax
collector, the Ph z contrast himself, I'm glad
that I'm not like the other man,
like
ex and in just in adult and even
these tax collector.
And Jesus is accused of being a drunk
and a friend of tax collectors and sinner.
We see that in Matthew.
And because the accused was a chief tax
collector,
he was also rich. Look what is says
here, Luke 19 2 and behold, there was
a manning named accused he was a chief
tax collector and was rich.
So Jared being 1 of the 3 main
tax offices in Israel was a wealthy city,
and Jericho was at the heart of a
of a vast circle trade route network with
Egypt with tire siding in the North with
Arabia in the east. So he was a
city that yielded high taxes for the roaming
government, and he was a grace spot for
a text man.
So za accused was there, so we learn
about his name. His location, his social status,
but we also learned something about his desires.
Listen to the verses in 3 and 4
and he accused was seeking to see who
Jesus was.
But on account of the crowd, he could
not because he was his small stature.
So he ran on a head and climbed
up into AS3
to see him for he was about to
pass
that way.
So zac had his desire.
He wanted to see Jesus,
but he can't.
Like he says that he was this small
in his stature and and perhaps, you know
he wanted to see Jesus because his fame
had spread through all of his. Remember, this
is the end of Jesus ministry. And everywhere
Jesus went, there are large crowds.
Right? Everyone wanted to see Jesus including accused.
You know, I remember going to both tournaments.
Okay. Let me make a disclaimer because I
didn't make it this in the first service.
To go to watch, Tiger Woods. So I'm
not comparing Jesus Christ to Tiger woods. Okay?
But I remember going to both tournaments to
watch Tiger Woods. When he goes was to
the height of his game. And there huge
crowds.
There's like, sometimes rolls of, like, 10:15
people.
And I wanted to see, like Tiger, you
know, even putting or or taking a on
the first hole, and I'm I'm kinda like
tall, but I still had to look over
people. So imagine like you. There's, like a
large crowd going And sometimes you try to
squeeze, and then maybe he's trying to squeeze
and people are elbow him it's like, hey,
We know who you are. Your text not
on my watch buddy but, you know, get
out of here. Maybe he's getting elbow. He's
trying to speak to Jesus and he can't.
Right? So he has this great idea and
he is desperate say Jesus, so he... He
runs ahead. So he ran ahead and he
climbed up on verse 4 into AS3
to see him for he was about to
pass that way.
Now,
folks just don't do stuff like that,
especially back then. Right? Even now if your
system 1 running and climbing a tree. Even
if it is in a golf tournament and
it's like, man, what's wrong with that guy.
Right? Folks don't run climb trees.
Right? They don't do stuff like this. Passion
someone of the status of accused.
He's even though he's hated, he's a a
prominent man.
Right basil accused can help himself. He has
this strong desire to see Jesus,
and he climbs a s,
which was actually a tree that had low
hanging branches that made it easier to to
climb.
Now think about this,
s 3, you know he also comes from
a hebrew
and know what the meaning of the 3
means,
3 of restoration.
The 3 of restoration. So keep that
names in the Bible
have a lot of significance.
Even
spiritual significance in a story like this. So
whenever you're reading in your bible, pay attention
to names.
Even the that we're going through Genesis pay
attention because they have
significance. So keep that in mind the 3
restoration of a man. Who's anything, but innocent
or guilty?
So the question 1 must ask is why
did he climb the tree?
Why did the zac climb the tree?
Well, was it because he was small stature,
and you wanted to see who Jesus is?
Yes. Right? That's what the scripture says, but
why?
Some
believe he was out of near curiosity.
The accused just had heard about Jesus
and His famous heads spread throughout all his
role and he just wanted to see who
Jesus was. Mere curiosity.
I actually remember, you know, I first came
to faith. And I used to be roommates
with my sister, and then she came to
faith later on.
But I had somewhat of a drastic
conversion. Like, a hundred and 80 degree conversion.
And my sister started, like, seeing the changes,
and he she she gives this testimony, and
she says
that the reason why she first started coming
to church.
Was because he was just curious.
She just wanna see, what in the world
have you guys done to my brother?
She was just curious. And she she she
says that
So whatever the reason is if it is
curiosity
that we come to church first,
You know, eventually, the the lord worked in
her heart, and she came to faith, and
she's a firm believer now.
Praise his god for that. But I think
Alfred Ed time Of comment peter he's up
to something here. What Had brought him, why
did that use climb the tree?
Certainly not curiosity only?
Was it the long working of conscience Maybe
zac had a guilty conscience.
Where a deem car is scarce self about
hope of something better,
or had he heard of him before, Jesus,
or of him that Jesus received and called
to him
the Republicans tax collectors and sinner?
Or was it only the nameless deep
irresistible
inward drawing of the holy ghost.
What had brought him?
Why these accused
climb that tree?
Maybe just because there's something missing.
There something that was lost.
You're thirsty
and you're hungry
and nothing in the world,
and nothing that the world offers so you
can satisfy your thirst.
And quench your thirst.
Satisfy your
your hunger.
Your heart is still restless.
Perhaps you have all the money in it
and the status, but there's is still something
missing.
And whatever the reasons,
it feels curiosity,
feels like guilty conscience,
He wanted to see Jesus.
Right? The lord was working his heart.
The deep,
irresistible,
in inward drawing of the holy ghost, listen
to John Calvin, what he comments is in
this manner,
before
he revealing himself to men,
the Lord frequently
communicates to them a secret desire,
by which they led to him,
while he's is still concealed and unknown.
And though they have no fixed object view,
he does not disappoint then but fast himself
in due time.
And I remember when I came to faith
in the lord,
Jesus.
For 2 years,
I was reading the Bible for 2 years.
I was reading the Bible,
and I was not a Christian.
But I had this desire to go to
church.
I had this desire to read the bible,
but I was not a christian yet.
And why do I tell you I was
not a christian even though I was occasionally
going to church and reading the Bible? Because
I was playing a gulf tournament with with
my friend.
And we are sharing a room. And at
every night, I would open up the bible
and I would read it. Right? And the
bible is that, like, a very...
Easy, you know, both to recognize. So my
friend, look, look at me, he said,
hey Marcelo, is that a Bible?
And I was like, yes, it is. And
he asked the question.
Are you?
And you know what's my answer
To this question and my accretion? I said
yes, I read the bible.
I wasn't saved.
But I had this desire already. God I
put the desire in my heart to read
the word,
because I still thought I was a a
good person. That's why I I was... If
you have asked me at that moment, my
friend was said, how
would you go to? I wanna say because
I have a good heart. I am a
good person.
I had understood yet the sinful and how
deep in my scene it was.
I had understood the meaning of the atonement
and the sacrifice of christ on the cross.
But the holy spirit was already work my
heart.
In the same way that he was already
workings accuse
heart,
But it still,
I did not know Christ yet, but as
on the way
to know Christ.
And this what we see acts in the
past is that Jesus
manifest
himself
in due time.
Why because Jesus comes looking for sinner.
Little mu verse 5. And when Jesus came
to the place,
he looked up and said to him,
zac accused, hurry and come down, for I
must stay at your house
today.
So the question must ask, who was seeking
who
Was the queuing was the accused seeking Jesus?
Where was Jesus seeking
the accused?
And what is the answer to the question?
Yes.
Question is yes. So, but let me explain.
Now accused are certainly seeking Jesus.
But what made accuse seek Jesus?
Curiosity
only,
a guilty conscience,
He wanted something better. He was tired of
living the life that he was living
or was it a deep,
irresistible?
Inward drawing of the holy spirit.
But the answer is that both the seeking
of just accused
And Jesus
seeking of accused are sovereign works of grace.
When a sinner does sick after God,
he does so only because god has first
sought him,
which means that Jesus is the when that
comes looking for you.
First, John 04:19 says, we love God.
Why?
Because he first loved us.
We seek God because he first
sought us. Listen to what Pastor king hughes
says, what we begin to see at this
point in the story is that accused. Seeking
of Jesus
and Jesus is seeking of accused were both
sovereign works of God.
The crossing of their lives,
at the S
was a work of divine Providence.
This meeting was ordained
before the foundation.
Of the world.
But think about it from Accused perspective.
Za accused is not expecting Christ
to take notice of him.
No 1 in the in the crowd is
expecting Christ to do what he does
Right? Look what Matthew Henry says, Za accused
to look upon Christ and resolve to take
particular notice of him.
Be thought are being taken notice of
by Christ.
I mean, Christ is going to notice me.
Me I'm a sinner.
I'm an out cast.
My own people hate me.
I'm despise.
I. I'm lost. I'm without god and hope
in the world. I'm deep my sin.
Christ is gonna take notice of me.
Yes.
Because Christ came to seek and to save
the lost.
Christ came looking for sinner. Look what it
says, in verse 5 and when Jesus came
to the place, he looked up and said
to him,
accused,
hurry and come down. For a must stay
at your house today. I mean, Imagine is
accused reaction.
I mean, how do you know my name?
I mean, I know your name,
but how do you know my name?
Is my reputation that bad in Jerry Cole,
that everyone is talking about me and you
know my name.
No accused.
I know your name,
not because your reputation is bad.
Listen to 16 century 3 comment matthew Harry.
Christ called him by name kiss.
For he knows he's chosen by name
are they not
in his book.
Dear christian,
Christ
knows
you
by
name.
He calls you by name.
Are now your name's written in the lamb
book of life.
He knows he's chosen by name.
And he calls you by name?
It's incredible.
Did you notice how of that Jesus?
Invited himself to accuse, house and not other
way. He just say, hey, Zac. I would
like to stay at your house,
May I stay at your house?
Can you cook some dinner for me? I
don't know if you do this. I invite
myself over to people's houses.
Like, hey, I heard you you're a good
cook.
Look why the lord said, I must
stay.
Jesus regarding his encounter with accused as a
divine
mission.
He is a son of man who came
to seek and to save
the loss. He's seeking of Accuse a work
of the sovereign grace
of god.
Remembers as the story in John chapter 4,
when Jesus is about to to meet a
samaritan woman.
Scripture says that Jesus had to go through
some area. Look at John 4, he says
he, Jesus left Jude and departed again for
Galilee,
and
he had
to pass through some area,
Why did Jesus had to pass through some
area
to meet the Samaritan woman?
In this samaritan who came to faith.
They were dis despise also by the A
cast.
The sin or the sinful women,
the a cast, those were considered beyond the
hope of salvation.
And in the same way that the meeting
with the samaritan woman was a divine
work of grace.
It was a meeting that was ordained before
the foundation of the world so was with
his accused and so is with you dear
your Christian.
But think about this American woman.
Think about the cues,
the last thing they were expecting,
Was kindness?
I mean, this Samaritan woman goes to the
well and noon. I mean, think about the
heat here in Houston. Who's gonna go draw
water and noon?
Why? Because she knew nobody was gonna be
there.
But Jesus
was going to be there. He had to
pass through some area.
Right? And she was shown kindness
and mercy
and forgiveness
and love.
Are we showing the kindness to those who
do not yet know christ?
Are we showing them forgiveness?
Are we sharing the gospel
with them,
You know, the kindness of the savior,
A remarkable. Look at this words from pastor
Richard Phillips.
Jesus not only opens the his heart with
his power. Right? The... Factual call when Christ
calls you, you're his sheep... You're going to
respond to the call,
but also melted it with his kindness.
How different was his attitude towards the center
from bed of everyone else in Jericho?
A man accused making getting respect?
Surely fear, but this would have to dwell
amidst the hatred and contempt the tax collectors
received from the general populace.
The 1 thing he surely was not prepared
for was kindness,
a warm offer a companionship,
a genuine desire to spend time with him.
To listen and get to know him
to enter into his house
and into his life.
That is what Jesus offers accused
and its effect was powerfully
obvious.
Because look what happens next, the sinner response
after being found by Jesus little verse 6.
So he's accused. He hu and came down
and receive him
joyful.
He hu,
came down,
received the lord joyful?
Do you know that some people are just
waiting for an invitation?
From you to come to church.
And if you're doing they keep on inviting
people,
You know, people are just waiting for you
to share the gospel with them because God
is already working their hearts.
You know the people like me, I had
a desire to read the word and go
to church
for 2 years,
I didn't go to church. I was just
reading the Bible.
Guess what happened when 2 of my good
friends,
For the first time
invited me to go to church. You know
what I said?
Yes.
How was desperate?
I was reading the word. My heart was
already being warm. The holy spirit was already
working my heart, and I was just waiting
for an invitation.
For someone to share the gospel with me
to walk through the bible with me.
And look what a coming theater r he
says,
Some of the people we know have the
same interest, the same interest as that is,
whether we suspected or not?
If we talk to them about Jesus, they
would engage in the conversation.
If we invited them to church, they would
visit.
They're looking for Jesus already,
sitting their s 3, so to speak.
Right?
God was already at work in accused heart.
So when
Jesus invites himself to his house. He doesn't
hesitate.
He courage and comes down. He receives him
joyful. But look at the reaction of the
problem verse 7, But when they saw it,
they gru,
He has gone to be in the guest
of a man who is
a sinner,
and this is not the first time that
Jesus is accused of being a friend of
sinner.
In the gospel.
I look what a luke himself in chapter
5, he says, in the ph is, and
the describes gru, his disciples saying why do
you eat and drink with tax collectors and
sinner.
And luke 15. Now the tax collectors and
sinner were all drawing near to him to
Jesus.
And the ph and describes G saying, the...
This man receives sinner,
and eats
with them.
You know what And the persians are so
right.
Remember when Jesus forgive the scene of the
para man and they say, hey, who this
is bla who's. Who can forgive sins but
got alone?
The correct?
They're right?
These men receive sinner and eats with them?
Yes.
He does.
And I'm glad that I apart
from the title of son of man.
Do you know how Jesus?
Is recognizing the scriptures as a friend of
sinner and tax collectors.
But the fair is things it's an abomination.
But that is the good news of the
gospel.
The Christ came to seek and save
the lost local junk carving. Comments regarding their,
they think it is unreasonable that Christ should
be stole,
so great and honor on a wicked man.
For in this passage, as in many others,
the word sinner is not taking in the
ordinary sense,
but the notes a men of this graceful
as and scandalous life.
And then R in comments, if the savior
head comes to save sinner,
then who battery to save, than a man
like Zac.
Who was as lost as lost can be.
Jesus dina not was accused to sharing his
sin. Remember never.
He's dealing leading tax collectors and sinner,
but he's the perfect single son of God.
He never shared their sin.
Sm some critics seem to think,
but to offer the fellowship
of his forgiveness.
To offer
the fellowship
of
his
forgiveness.
And how did accuse react? To this offer
of fellowship.
I must stay at your house.
Za accused. I know you by name. Look
at verse aid. And the accused the student
said to the Lord behold. Remember that word
behold.
Pay attention to order is about to happen.
Look to don't miss this
behold
Lord
calling Jesus lord already.
A heart change.
Transformation, Lord, the half of my goods I
give to the poor.
And if I have fraud anyone of anything,
I restored
4 fold.
Za was so overwhelmed.
By the grace
of Christ.
The free offer of forgiveness is in the
gospel
that he went beyond what the law required
You know, the law required that in certain
cases, 1 fifth.
So 20 percent of the unjust obtained amount.
Right?
Had to be added when making restitution. In
other cases, the double
restitution had to be made Look at what
exodus 22.
If this stolen beast is found the alive
in his possession, whether it is an ox
or a donkey sheep, he shall pay,
double.
If a man gave to his neighbor money,
where goods to keep safe, and it is
stolen from the men's house, then if the
thief is found, he shall pay,
double.
That, however, had
now just decided not to restore double.
Said if I have fraud anyone and everything,
I restore it. 4 fold.
He's going above what the law requires.
He's overwhelmed,
with the grace of christ. He's doing good
works already.
He's giving to the poor. He's being generous.
He just had a hard change
Jesus had given him a new heart with
new affection.
And the evidence of this great is spiritual.
Miracle that has taken place is a accused
reaction
to this... To the kindness of the faith
of the savior to the forgiveness he had
just experienced.
He's response to this great miracle
salvation that has taken place. It's remarkable.
So we finished now that have seen the
sinner response
after being found by Jesus lastly, look at
Jesus mission to seek and save sinner.
Using every reality other... We we are all
executives accused. Maybe we're not sharing in New
scene, but we're all in need of a
savior,
and we always need to be forgiven
Look jesus says verses 09:10 and Jesus said
to him today, salvation has come to this
house.
Since he also is a son of Abraham.
For the son of man came to seek
and to save
the loss.
This is a remarkable
statement by Jesus that
that
describes the inner inward reality that has taken
place in accused heart.
Za accused had repent on his sins his
repentance was shown
demonstrated
by his actions of giving, you know, half
of his possessions to the port and restoring
4 fold whatever he had the fraud.
This is the miracle salvation when when Christ
finds his sheep.
I mean, think about this, Accused was regarded
as a traitor.
To the household of Israel.
He was not considered as a sheep. He
was consider as being cut off from God's
Covenant and people. And now Jesus christ saying,
Zac accused is a son of Abraham.
I mean, the fairies most have gone crazy
here in that.
What do you mean these guy a son
of Abraham?
What do you mean this sinner has
chance of salvation.
He's a big center. You know, he was
without god,
and without hope in the world. He was
deepening his sin.
But Christ came looking for him because that
is what Christ came to do.
That's his mission.
That's the mission that we are. That's the
mission that price has given to us, the
church,
go to all the world
and preach the gospel to just a few
nations.
So just a few folks, just those who
are righteous all preach the gospel to all
peoples.
Ba name in the name of the father
they send the holy.
Spirit,
teaching them to obey everything
I have commend
you.
That's what Christ came to do doing. And
he finishes
This is Story with a powerful statement from
Jesus that describes his mission.
And what was that mission? Look 10.
For the son of man came to seek
and to save
the lost.
You know, the son man is a
title taken from Daniel 7. And Daniel 7,
the son of man has divine eye attributes.
He's before the ancient of days,
title And this was actually Jesus most common
way of referring to himself. Or was as
the son of man. It describes both his
humanity,
what he came to do in the incarnation,
but he also describes his d. That he's
the God man. He's the second person of
the divine trading trinity.
But pay attention to what Jesus is explaining
in this verse and I'm gonna call pastor
richard Philips. Look what he says.
This 1 verse serves as the grand explanation
for the hope of Christ's
incarnation.
The first verb explains what happened. He came,
He left heaven,
and he came to the sinful world. He
came.
God has come to us. The second person
of the trinity,
left his glory heaven and came into our
world.
That is the answer for those who want
to know what God is doing about the
mess of this world. He came.
He entered
into our world?
Why then did he come?
Why was the baby born in bethlehem?
Why did God sun take on flesh and
well among us?
He came to seek and to save.
If his purpose was to condemn us,
he did not have come,
we already come condemned.
We're going through Genesis.
You know, adam eve sin, Ga have abandoned
them.
What what does God do?
Was Adam come looking for God? Or God
king looking for Adam.
God came looking for Adam.
They realizing the wilderness. 40 years,
God could have abandoned them.
No, Peter commits,
denies the Lord 3 times.
God could have abandoned Peter.
Jesus just christ. But what does he do?
He prepares a breakfast for Peter.
Some fish and some bread and he restores
him to ministry.
Not to come condemn. If his purpose to
rule or destroy he would not have come
in the weakness of our human nature,
We find that everything he did, every word
he said and every tear he shed, all
the pain and sorrow of life like embrace,
all the unjust a position of sinful mountain
King endured, all the wrath of God he
accepted in our place
while he died upon the cross, always for
this to seek
and to save.
So if you're in Christ,
you're forgiven already, you're not condemned.
But if you're not in Christ,
If you don't belong to him,
you gonna have to
give an account for your sins.
You're doing in your sins. You're doing Adam.
You're not in Christ, the second adam.
The 1 who came to seek and to
save.
Whom? I mean, we we recite the Apostle
creed today. Did you see the
the Catholic church, it has, like, a double
asterisk and says,
The term catholic refers to the church universal.
He came to seek and save.
The church universal knowing no racial,
economic,
geographical
or language
barriers.
He came to seek and to save and
redeem people from every
nation tribe and
language
Look what Henri
and K says, the son of man came
to seek and to save what was lost.
That description is indeed very general.
But it includes people of each sex,
race, male female, race, nationality,
age group,
vocation,
degree of education, rank, etcetera,
etcetera,
etcetera.
Truly Jesus Christ came to seek
and to save
the lost.
So
what are we to learn from this story?
And just finished it was just some,
you know, quick applications.
First, we learn from this versus that
and you have heard Richard says say this
many times from the pulpit,
that no 1 is too bad
or too far gone to be saved.
Or beyond the the the power of price
grace.
Right? No 1 is too far gone.
There's is more grace in christ as they're
is seen in us
This is what kent q says from what
others could see that accused was beyond salvation.
There's no hope for this guy.
If you had living in Jericho, you would
have ridden him off too perhaps,
he had turning his back on God's wording
his covenant people. He was a participant in
Roman oppression, a traitor He made his money
off the backs of his own people.
People rose accused off.
Oh, he was be beyond observation.
But there is no 1 to lost.
You are not too lost.
Forgiveness us a jesus is available to all
who come to Christ
It does not matter if you're deep in
their sin.
Keep praying.
Keep sharing the gospel.
Don't give up
Don't give up.
Why?
Look what Jc R says, hospitals
discharge many cases as.
But there are no
cases under the gospel.
Think about these accused woke cup that day
as a lost man
deep in his sin,
and he goes to bad being near Christian.
He goes bed being a Christian.
Jesus comes to his house,
and he sleeps
being forgiven. There's no 1
so far gone. The second thing we learned
from this because is Christ free compassion
towards sinner.
The compassion of christ, the un
compassion and grace of christ. Look at Matthew
09:36 when Jesus saw the crowds,
he had compassion for them because they were
harassed and helpless.
Like sheep without a shepherd.
The free compassion of Christ
towards sinner like us like Zac,
Listen to what Jc r says nothing is
so frequently found
to turn the hearts of grace sinner as
the
unexpected
and un observe ti.
Think of accused and Samaritan woman. That Christ
loves them and cares for their souls
These ti have often broken
and melted hearts of stone.
Christ,
free
offer,
salvation of
compassion for them of love for them.
Last, we learn from this versus christ's power
to change hearts.
His power to change hearts.
Jesus has the power to transform
lives
and your heart. Think of some of the
greatest miracles in the scriptures.
And he rose lazarus being dead for 4
days.
And he rises lazarus from the dead.
A men were blind sees.
The deaf hears,
the lame are walking.
Think of all these great miracles,
walking on water.
You know what is the greatest miracle
is to change someone's heart.
Is to take the heart of stone
and give a heart of flesh.
That's the greatest miracle.
Price
has the power
to give you a new heart, and he
has giving you a new heart.
If you are a christian.
Finish with these last words from cancun cues.
Za cues change
impossible,
except for 1 thing,
he was sought out by the son of
men.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Lord God, we thank you for the good
news of the gospel.
Of Jesus Christ.
We think lord Jesus that you are the
son of man who came to seek and
save the lost.
You are the savior and
redeem,
open our eyes,
open our hearts,
light in our minds.
Give us grace to believe,
give us grace so that we can live
lives that are
god
in Christ ex.
We I all these things in an emojis
jesus. Amen.