Sunday, December 9, 2012

December 10, 2012

The story of Zacchaeus shows God's serious love expressed at Christmas. He Jesus to seek those who are lost. This story shows how Jesus comes seeking.
 
Jesus knew what Zacchaeus was hoping, and He knew where he was hiding and He knew where he was hurting. Jesus also knows when to help, afterall, that is exactly what He came to do.
 
"But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham."  Luke 19: 8-9

USUALLY WE ARE READY TO LET GOD HELP WHEN:

TIRED OF HOPING

TIRED OF HURTING
 
TIRED OF HIDING
 
That’s about where Zacchaeus was when Jesus found him – he was ready to receive from the Lord and He shows how you can find help from Him:
 
V. 6 – He Responded to His Call - “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
 
V. 8 – He Repented to Him - “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor”

V. 8 – He Made Restitution – “and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

V. 9 – He Received Salvation - “Today salvation has come to this house”
 
Who wouldn’t want to be “found” by a God Who Knows your hopes and has better hopes for you?
 
READY TO RESPOND TO HIS CALL?
 
Who wouldn’t want to be “found” by a God Who knows what your hiding but loves you and seeks you anyway?

READY TO REPENT?
 
Who wouldn’t want to be “found” by a God Who knows your hurts and how to heal them?
 
READY TO MAKE IT RIGHT?
 
Who wouldn’t want to find a God Who knows how to help you out of your sin and your guilt and your fear?
 
READY TO RECEIVE? All the people saw this and began to mutter, “Today salvation has come to this house”
 
Jesus came seeking. Will you be found?