The Will Of God For The Lost Series

Intro: God’s will for the lost is that none should perish that all should come to repentance. This is 2 Peter 3.9. God’s Word translation gives a wonderfully clear picture of God’s will for people that are separated from Him by sin. “The Lord isn't slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn't want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.” Repentance is a turning from our way of thinking and living and turning toward God’s. Those that resist and rebel against God ultimately will suffer His wrath first in Hell and then in the lake of Fire.

I. Jesus urgently seeks the lost (Luke 19:1-10)

This word seek in the Greek means to seek by inquiring, to desire. God desires to find us all.

Just as God sought out Adam and Eve when they hid in the Garden after the first sin Jesus is still searching, and desiring for His lost ones today!

A) Jesus desires to find the lost

1) The unusual behavior of Zacchaeus (running, climbing)

2) The unlimited knowledge of Jesus

Jesus called Zacchaeus’ name. Knowing all that He did about Zacchaeus he still desired a relationship with Him. Zacchaeus was hated by his fellows Jews and though He was rich physically he was spiritually bankrupt.

B) Jesus desires to sit down with the lost

Luke 19.5 “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must stay at your house.”

Jesus wants to get up close and personal with you. He is not disconnected and disinterested. He wants to be right in the middle of your mess.

It was in that moment that Jesus saw God’s unlimited love and forgiveness in the eyes and heard it on the words of Jesus. While the religious were saying Jesus is going to sit with a sinner! The Bible clearly reveals to all of us that we are all sinners until Jesus comes to us personally. Have you discovered your lost identity in Jesus? Have you stared into His eyes and seen the passion of His grace? If you looked to Jesus and saw eyes of judgment look again with the eyes of Zaccheus and see eyes of grace!

Jesus came looking for Zacchaeus and found Him. Has Jesus found you?

Yam Sing came from China to California and was brought to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. When examined before baptism concerning his experience of faith, someone asked him how he found Jesus. "I no find Jesus at all; He find me," was the answer from the converted man, an answer which was more than satisfactory to the questioner, and which showed that he had learned something of the love of Him who came to "seek and to save that which was lost."—S. S. Advocate.

II. Jesus desires to unleash saving grace on the lost (Luke 19.8)

Jesus comes to find and fully unleash His grace and abundant life in you! Zacchaeus was saved because Jesus found Him not because of promised good works. Saving faith is more than spoken words and spiritual feelings. Saving faith is a gift from God that creates a living relationship with Jesus Christ that results in a changed life. (James 2:14-16) This is God’s desire for all people that are found by Jesus!

A) Sinful self-righteousness creates a barrier to God’s grace

A young woman asked for an appointment with her pastor to talk with him about a besetting sin about which she was worried. When she saw him, she said, "Pastor, I have become aware of a sin in my life which I cannot control. Every time I am at church I begin to look around at the other women, and I realize that I am the prettiest one in the whole congregation. None of the others can compare with my beauty. What can I do about this sin?"

The pastor replied, "Mary, that's not a sin, why that's just a mistake!"

The pride of the group gripping about Jesus setting with sinners was the mistake that they were better than the sinners. The mistake we make when we are proud about our comparison to others is that we forget Jesus is the one we are to compare ourselves to.

Pride is a self focus that makes us blind to the absolute beauty and perfection of Jesus.

Pride is also a self focus that makes us blind to our spiritual bankruptcy and nakedness before God.

B) Simple humility and repentance opens a bridge for God’s grace

Under the Mosaic law if a thief voluntarily confessed his crime, he had to restore what He took an add one fifth to it and bring a trespass offering to the Lord (Lev 6:1-7) If he stole something he could not restore, he had to pay fourfold. (Ex 22.1) If the thief was caught with the items he had to repay double. (exodus 22.4). Zaccheaus didn’t try to bargain or see how much he could get away with. He offered to pay the highest price because God’s law was now written on His heart. God’ grace does not cause us how much do I have to pay it makes us like Zaccheaus willing to pay the highest price to those we have hurt.