Living A Life Of Purpose.
Luke 19:1-10NLT
Recently, in a Delta flight magazine, one author wrote a column about a new course at Harvard business school for business leaders. At a cost of $13,000, the executives study absolutely nothing about business. Instead, for six days they study four areas: Character, Purpose, Integrity, and Values.
The thought came to me, You and I could save them at least $13,000 dollars if they would just read and apply this book.
The article described an activity to each executive starts the weeklong course with. Each person is asked to contemplate through the first night of the week this question:
“If you were on your deathbed conversing with your granddaughter, or grandson about what was important in life, what would you say?”
They are told to bring their answer to a small group and discuss it the next morning as a basis for the week.
Here’s your assignment for the week: Do you ever think about your priorities? What would you tell your grandchildren is the highest importance in life?
It's important that we live with purpose.
This morning I want us to look at 10 verses of scripture, and discuss them.
Luke 19:1-5NLT 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.”
Today we’re looking at a Little Man who met a Big God! Someone said, “It’s not the size of the man in the fight, but the size of the fight in the man!” I would add that it’s the size of the man’s God that will change the outcome.
Notice, Jesus knew his name-“Zacchaeus!”
Today you can be certain that Jesus knows your name. Isaiah 43:1ESV But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Jesus says to Zacchaeus,“I AM coming to your house today!
The first question I ask is, “Whose hearing this invite Myself to lunch speech?”
So who really heard? Those inside Jesus’ inner circle, namely His disciples. However also there were those waiting to trap Jesus. The envious, plus some diehard Pharisees and Scribes.
Zacchaeus, the whore monger, Zacchaeus the embezzler. According to the book of Proverbs, falsifying scales with the intent of embezzling, or cheating is a direct abomination to God. God hates a lying spirit--Zacchaeus was a lier!
Zacchaeus was despised by the Pharisees – the most orthodox faith of the Jews. Jesus was rebuked by them for even eating with tax collectors (Mt. 9:11; Mk. 2:16; Lk. 5:30).
Undoubtedly the Pharisees refused Zacchaeus entry to the synagogue. His very trade aided the idolatrous Romans and their evil empire. He was considered a man who would do anything for money; a rank sinner. He was hated and despised by “God’s people.”
O how I love the New Covenant! Here’s good news, “God’s only Son, “Jesus” loves liars, He loves embezzlers, He died for the hated.”
Here’s the proof, Luke 19:6NLT Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
Zacchaeus has entered into a new life!
2 Corinthians 5:17NASB Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
“However, those in the room, with Zacchaeus and Jesus that day were still thinking old and bitter thoughts. That’s about the best flesh can do.” P.H
Luke 19:7NLT But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
Jesus lived by this powerful truth--Judge not, and be not judged. Or, judge and be judged.
I think verse 7 is saying, If you decide to live life with purpose not everyone will be on board. Some will remember when, while others remember just then.
However, Jesus is a now God! His blood is now! His body is now! 2 Corinthians 6:1-2NLT As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.”
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
The Apostles Paul states, If you accept Jesus accept Him now; Accept Him fully, accept Him at His word.
Luke 19:8TM Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.”
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was an invalid at 81. He could not make the annual conference and was asked to send a telegram to the thousands of delegates gathered. He thought for days about a one word message that would embody his entire life's work.
When they open the telegram at the conference, the moderator read simply one word on the page; “OTHERS.”
Zacchaeus donated half of his net worth to the poor. He was willing to give back, 4 times of what he embezzled from its owner. Zacchaeus- found his purpose!
The question is- Can you receive? John 1:12,16TPT But those who embraced him and took hold of his name he gave authority to become the children of God! 16 And from the overflow of his fullness we received grace heaped upon more grace!
Can you receive His grace? Jesus plus nothing.
Do you have trouble receiving the grace of God? Society has taught us to perform and achieve in order to earn approval and develop a sense of worth.
But God turns it around and says, “I am the giver.” This Divine Giver of life simply say’s, “Trust Me.”
Larry Stockstill, Every believer has purpose. Our mandate should be 7 billion people on the planet earth, 5 billion of whom are without Jesus Christ.
Hear the heart of Jesus- Luke 19:9-10AMP Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this household, because he, too, is a [ spiritual] son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Jesus is on a mission, He wants you. He knows you by name, He knows all your downfalls, and He still seeks you and loves you.
I'm been reading some of the speeches of Winston Churchill. Churchhill had purpose and a mandate he knew that Britain was fighting for the future of the western civilization.
He wrote this speech, Hitler knows he will have to break us in this island are lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fall, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new dark age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British empire and its Commonwealth last for 1000 years, men will still say, “Yes was there a finest hour!”
Remember this, “It’s not the size of the man in the fight, but the size of the fight in the man!” I would add that it’s the size of the man’s God that will change the outcome.”
Jesus knows your stats- Good, bad and ugly.
Q&A- Is it hard for you to believe and receive the grace of God? Do you find it easier to give than to receive? Why?
Benediction.
