INTRODUCTION
• SLIDE #1
• Today we begin a new series entitled “Committed”. In this series we will examine various aspects of what it means to be committed to Jesus.
• I see countless Christians who appear to be frustrated with their relationship with Jesus. I have had people share their various levels of frustration. Listening to the frustration breaks my heart.
• Jesus did not envision His followers have a frustrating experience following Him.
• But here is the bottom line concerning one’s walk with Jesus: following Jesus requires a deep level of commitment. Without commitment, there is no walk with Jesus.
• In relationships, the level of commitment will determine the level of the relationship.
• This is the old principle of you get out of something what you put into it.
• Today we will observe an interaction between Jesus, and a man who was despised by his fellow countrymen.
• He was a man who was looking for something different, Zacchaeus needed a transformation!
• SLIDE #2
• Luke 19:1–4 (HCSB) 1 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.
• As we observe the connection between Jesus and Zacchaeus, we will gain insights concerning one’s commitment to transformation.
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. Transformation begins with seeking Jesus. (1-4)
• Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he. Remember the old song? His physical stature was small; however, Zacchaeus was no wee little man.
• This man was actually a big man on campus, he was the chief tax collector for the area.
• Zacchaeus, despite his wealth and position was not a popular man, he was hated by his own countrymen.
• Zacchaeus was a reminder to the Jews they were not an autonomous nation. Zacchaeus took, err collected their money and sent it to Rome.
• This system, under which Zacchaeus flourished, an officer gained his income by extorting more money from the people than he had contracted to pay the Roman government, had evidently worked well for Zacchaeus.
• Here is a man who had power and wealth, he reached the pinnacle of success in his field, yet he knew something was missing.
• All of his success came at a steep price. DO you know someone in that position?
• Are you in that position? You have achieved a level of success only to find yourself lonely and empty?
• Zacchaeus was wealthy but not happy.
• SLIDE #4
• Mark 8:36(HCSB) For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?
• What price are we willing to pay? Zacchaeus paid a steep price for his wealth.
• Zacchaeus knew something was missing and it was time to fill the hole in his heart.
• Our passage tells us he was trying to see Jesus.
• Why would he seek Jesus? We have to assume he had heard Jesus teach at some point, or he heard about some of the great lessons Jesus taught and something inside of him compelled him to seek out Jesus!
• Here is a grown man who is literally running through the streets and alleys of Jericho to see Jesus.
• Zacchaeus was determined to catch a glimpse of Jesus. It was a courageous thing for Zacchaeus to even be in a crowd, lest some zealot give him the gift of the end of a knife in the crowd.
• In the crowd he would have been vulnerable to physical harm.
• Jesus would have been a little difficult to find in a crowd since He would not have been dressed in some fancy clothing that would make it easy for Him to be noticed.
• Nevertheless, Zacchaeus was seeking Jesus. Something gave him hope that Jesus could transform his miserable life.
• If one is seeking true transformation, it will not be found in a self-help book or a 12 step program. Although those can be tools to help us make some changes. But transformation on comes through Jesus.
• SLIDE #5
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 (HCSB) We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
• Zacchaeus was drown to Jesus because he needed a transformation. Zacchaeus needed to be a new creation!
• SLIDE #6
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (HCSB) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
• So many people are seeking a new beginning, yet they walk away in frustration.
• In Jesus you can have a new beginning.
• Transformation begins with seeking Jesus!
• Let’s look at verses 5-7
• SLIDE #7
• Luke 19:5–7 (HCSB) 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must 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 lodge with a sinful man!”
• SLIDE #8
II. Transformation involves allowing Jesus into your life. (5-7)
• Zacchaeus hit the jackpot! Jesus saw Zacchaeus, called him by name, and then told Zacchaeus He MUST stay at Zacchaeus’ house!
• Zacchaeus had probably heard of Jesus doing this very thing, but to come to HIS house! This is more than Zacchaeus could have hoped for!
• Zacchaeus had found Jesus, the one whom He was seeking!
• Now, Zacchaeus could have told Jesus, well, I really do not want you to come to my house, I am just kicking the tires; I am just taking a look.
• I am not ready to let you into my home yet!
• Zacchaeus was not in a position where he wanted to play around with Jesus. He was serious about wanting to change.
• In our text we see that Jesus made the move towards Zacchaeus, this man who was despised by so many others, was loved so much by our Lord!
• As Jesus is leaving to go to the home of Zacchaeus you can hear the disgust from the folks in the crowd as Jesus walks away with Zacchaeus.
• He has gone to lodge with a SINNER!
• Zacchaeus would be labeled as the chief of sinners because of what he was doing for Rome and how he was profiting from his own people.
• Pretty arrogant attitude from the crowd!
• DO you have Zacchaeus’ in your life, people you would sneer at if Jesus were to go into their home?
• All the people could think about was the fact Jesus was going to this SINNERS home they did not even consider this SINNER could become a new creation!
• If you do not look closely at the text it appears as though verses 8-10 which we will look at in a moment takes place as soon as Zacchaeus climbs down from the tree; however, the original text does not make it quite as fast moving as our narrative.
• Jesus entered the home of Zacchaeus, most likely with His disciples, and possibly some others from the crowd.
• I am sure they ate together and that Jesus took advantage of the opening Zacchaeus gave to Him by allowing Jesus into his home.
• It is one thing to seek Jesus, to investigate Him, to question Him.
• Allowing Him into your life is a whole different ballgame!
• IF we will ever experience the joy of transformation, one must get past the seeking stage and move to the stage of letting Jesus into one’s life.
• If one does not let Jesus in, not much will change. Saying prayer will not bring Jesus into one’s life in itself. We must allow ourselves to open the door to Jesus.
• Let’s get some final thoughts from verses 8-10
• SLIDE #9
• Luke 19:8–10 (HCSB) 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.”
• SLIDE #10
III. Transformation is built on a commitment to a new way of life. (8-10)
• It would appear as though while Jesus was in his house, Zacchaeus listened intently and was moved.
• Verse 8 indicates that Zacchaeus took a set attitude at the close of dinner or the message Jesus shared with those within the house.
• He took a posture as of one who is about to make a solemn declaration.
• Zacchaeus was so moved that he wanted to display his repentance and his desire to be committed to be transformed.
• Zacchaeus was probably in love with his most prized possession, money.
• Money is what drove him to do what he did for a living. For Zacchaeus money could have gotten in between him and a relationship with Jesus.
• Zacchaeus is so convicted about his need for Jesus that he was going to lay his old idol, money on the sacrificial altar!
• Look at what he proclaims to those in his home!
• But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord!
• From the Greek we know this is something he was going to do from this day forward.
• Zacchaeus was going to show the community he was a changed man!
• He was going to take ½ of his money and give it to help the poor!
• And the other half he did not intend on keep all of, if any.
• And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much!”
• The phrasing in the Greek indicates he knew he had defrauded others.
• It would imply, IT I HAVE (AND I FRANKLY ADMIT IT TO BE TRUE) (Indicative mood).
• When we are transformed, we are a new creation in Jesus! 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Zacchaeus would never experience the joy of transformation had he continued his old business practices.
• People would laugh at his “conversion” had he continued living the old life.
• When we commit ourselves to transformation, we MUST commit to a new way of life, the old things must pass so there is room for the new.
• Zacchaeus in the short time with Jesus, understood Jesus requires more than lip service, He requires a full commitment.
• SLIDE #11
• Matthew 10:38 (HCSB) 38 And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
• This is not a statement of personal worth, rather a statement concerning one’s ability to have a relationship with Jesus!
• We leave the home of Zacchaeus with an awesome statement from Jesus!
• 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.”
• Notice Jesus says salvation had come to this HOUSE, probably meaning there were others who responded to the message!
CONCLUSION
• Jesus came to seek and save the lost; however, when we are offered the gift of salvation, part of that gift is becoming a new creation!
• We must be committed to transformation. It is a daily process!
• What is getting in the way of your transformation into the image of Jesus?
