WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.919 I'm pleased to have a seat and a very warm welcome to everyone. 00:00:04.600 --> 00:00:07.360 Thank you to everyone who's participated so far in the service. 00:00:07.360 --> 00:00:14.359 Is it not just wonderful to hear how God is at work in the lives of the members of this church family? 00:00:14.439 --> 00:00:16.100 Thank you so much, Kirsty, for sharing that. 00:00:16.160 --> 00:00:19.160 I love how you openly admitted, and you don't really get this from students. 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:20.859 You guys have time in your hands. 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:23.660 Thank you so much for doing that. 00:00:24.400 --> 00:00:29.160 But grab a Bible, please, if you have one, and turn to Luke chapter 19 and verses 1 to 10. 00:00:29.160 --> 00:00:30.879 This is where we're going to be this morning. 00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:38.340 And just before we get in, why don't we just still our hearts as we come to God's Word, and let's pray together. 00:00:43.620 --> 00:00:51.719 So, Father, help us this morning to see something more of the greatness of your Son, Jesus. 00:00:59.159 --> 00:01:06.859 Lord, what we have not, we ask that you would give us. 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:11.840 And what we are not, gracious Father, you would make us. 00:01:12.420 --> 00:01:14.620 And this is our prayer made in Jesus' name. 00:01:15.159 --> 00:01:15.599 Amen. 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:21.739 So, someone came up to me not so long ago and told me that they'd got a new job. 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:30.159 And I asked them what the job was, and the line that came back to me was that their job meant that they were going to be catching bad guys. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:38.359 And it turned out that they'd actually just got a job with the anti-fraud investigation team at one of our city's banks. 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:42.920 Now, I wonder if you identify with those sentiments, catching bad guys. 00:01:43.979 --> 00:01:52.979 It's not true that in our society, when we hear of somebody who's got rich because they've cheated the system, we are outraged. 00:01:53.799 --> 00:01:56.859 I was thinking of some of the things we've seen over recent years in our news. 00:01:56.859 --> 00:02:00.879 We're thinking of bankers who have been accused of fixing markets. 00:02:01.500 --> 00:02:05.260 We've had politicians found to be making dodgy expense claims. 00:02:05.480 --> 00:02:16.919 We have big companies like Apple and Google and Starbucks somehow managing to avoid paying millions upon millions upon millions of dollars in tax. 00:02:17.979 --> 00:02:25.079 There's one friend advised me you should go to Caffe Nero for your coffees, because at least Nero gives to Caesar what is Caesar's. 00:02:25.080 --> 00:02:38.160 But we are not the first generation to feel that towards our money cheats, because this morning we're journeying to first century Israel, and we're back in this little town of Jericho. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:42.280 Now, if you remember, we entered Jericho at the end of chapter 18 last week. 00:02:42.340 --> 00:02:44.160 We saw Jesus enter this little town. 00:02:45.600 --> 00:02:49.700 This well-to-do little town that sits, you'll see it, on the major highway to Jerusalem. 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:57.339 And Jericho, like Edinburgh, it despises its money cheats. 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:08.519 So let's read in chapter 19, the first 10 verses, about Jesus' encounter with Jericho's most hated money cheat. 00:03:09.299 --> 00:03:11.639 From verse 1 of chapter 19. 00:03:11.639 --> 00:03:17.239 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 00:03:18.339 --> 00:03:20.839 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus. 00:03:21.419 --> 00:03:24.739 He was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 00:03:25.799 --> 00:03:31.839 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:38.879 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:44.299 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 00:03:44.539 --> 00:03:47.039 Zacchaeus, come down immediately. 00:03:47.799 --> 00:03:50.039 I must stay at your house today. 00:03:51.079 --> 00:03:53.840 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:58.500 All the people saw this and began to mutter, 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:01.780 He is going to be the guest of a sinner. 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:05.580 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:10.319 Look, Lord, here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor. 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:16.959 And if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. 00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:19.199 Jesus said to him, 00:04:19.379 --> 00:04:22.079 Today salvation has come to this house, 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:26.680 because this man too is a son of Abraham. 00:04:26.680 --> 00:04:32.220 For the son of man came to seek and to save the lost. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:33.600 Amen. 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:37.280 And we pray and trust that God will bless the reading of his words this morning. 00:04:37.819 --> 00:04:38.960 So here's Zacchaeus. 00:04:39.980 --> 00:04:43.500 His name means clean or innocent. 00:04:44.899 --> 00:04:48.800 As we'll see as we read this little encounter here in these opening verses, 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:52.060 the irony of that is clear for all to see. 00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:54.960 Do you see, Luke wants us to know two things about Zacchaeus. 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:56.620 Firstly, what Zacchaeus does? 00:04:57.959 --> 00:04:59.219 He's a tax collector. 00:05:00.159 --> 00:05:03.099 In fact, he's a chief tax collector. 00:05:03.959 --> 00:05:08.219 Now tax collectors in this state and in this region are considered traitors, 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:11.620 because they are Jews who work for the Romans. 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:15.799 And what they do is that they take taxes from their own people, 00:05:16.259 --> 00:05:18.339 and not only do they give it to the Roman enemy, 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:21.579 but actually they end up taking a little cut for it themselves. 00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:25.240 Now some of you may have played Articulate, 00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:27.699 one of my favorite board games, Christmas favorite. 00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:31.000 The game is essentially that you have a word on the card, 00:05:31.539 --> 00:05:33.719 and you have to get your team to guess the word on the card 00:05:33.719 --> 00:05:36.419 by using associated words, except they're not to be that word. 00:05:37.279 --> 00:05:39.039 Which when you put it like that seems quite difficult, 00:05:39.159 --> 00:05:39.879 but it's really easy. 00:05:40.379 --> 00:05:40.740 Articulate. 00:05:42.120 --> 00:05:44.399 Imagine this week you get tax collector on your card. 00:05:44.479 --> 00:05:46.219 You're trying to get your team to guess tax collector. 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:47.600 What are the words that are in your head? 00:05:48.840 --> 00:05:49.240 Despised. 00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:50.620 Hated. 00:05:51.660 --> 00:05:52.060 Dishonest. 00:05:52.340 --> 00:05:52.640 Traitor. 00:05:52.780 --> 00:05:53.340 Oh, I know! 00:05:53.640 --> 00:05:54.240 Tax collector. 00:05:55.720 --> 00:05:56.980 This is what Zacchaeus does. 00:05:57.040 --> 00:05:57.920 He's a tax collector. 00:05:59.160 --> 00:06:02.060 And because of what he does, do you notice that he's rich? 00:06:03.520 --> 00:06:06.660 And secondly, do you see Luke tell us what Zacchaeus is? 00:06:06.760 --> 00:06:07.300 What is he? 00:06:08.020 --> 00:06:08.740 He's short. 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:12.879 Now, as we're introduced to Zacchaeus in these first few verses, 00:06:13.840 --> 00:06:16.939 we're not optimistic of anything good happening to him, 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:19.259 and if we're really honest with ourselves, 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:21.720 if anything, we're kind of crossing our fingers, 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:23.920 hoping that something bad is going to happen to him. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:31.079 Zacchaeus is a man with not an awful lot going for him. 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:34.720 Let me ask you this morning, are you here, 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:39.420 and you feel like you've not got a lot going for you? 00:06:40.880 --> 00:06:47.220 If that's you, then can I encourage you to make Zacchaeus' story your story? 00:06:47.860 --> 00:06:49.380 Why would God care about me? 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:51.500 I'm nothing special. 00:06:51.840 --> 00:06:56.700 Let Zacchaeus' story about how he encountered Jesus be for you this morning. 00:06:58.100 --> 00:06:59.400 Here is Jericho's most hated, 00:07:00.400 --> 00:07:04.320 and he's heard that Jesus is passing through his town. 00:07:05.580 --> 00:07:09.340 And Luke wants us to know what was going on in Zacchaeus' mind. 00:07:10.260 --> 00:07:11.100 What does he want? 00:07:11.760 --> 00:07:13.000 He wants to see Jesus. 00:07:14.320 --> 00:07:16.360 And I find that so interesting. 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:19.520 Now, put yourself in Zacchaeus' shoes. 00:07:20.020 --> 00:07:22.000 He's a wealthy guy, probably Armani shoes, 00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:23.860 he's probably got barber boots, something like that. 00:07:24.460 --> 00:07:25.920 Put yourself in Zacchaeus' shoes. 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:30.720 If I were him, thinking about leaving the house, 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:33.840 I think I would probably step back. 00:07:34.760 --> 00:07:35.260 Think about it. 00:07:35.280 --> 00:07:36.940 The whole town is out to see Jesus. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:41.520 If I were Zacchaeus, the last thing I would want to do is to show my face in public. 00:07:42.320 --> 00:07:45.720 Why risk being insulted by the whole town if they're out, the crowds? 00:07:46.520 --> 00:07:49.700 Why risk maybe being exposed by this good man Jesus? 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:51.240 Why do it? 00:07:52.580 --> 00:07:56.360 Because Zacchaeus needs to see Jesus. 00:07:57.540 --> 00:07:59.880 So out he goes, he gets to the road, and what does he see? 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:02.820 He sees that the crowd have taken the best spots for the sightseeing. 00:08:03.880 --> 00:08:07.080 Now, is at this point Zacchaeus going to call it a day because he's given it a really good shot? 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:11.959 No, because Zacchaeus needs to see Jesus. 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:16.800 So he runs on ahead, and he climbs up a sycamore tree. 00:08:17.539 --> 00:08:19.860 Luke's way of telling us that it's a real tree. 00:08:19.979 --> 00:08:21.219 It really was a sycamore tree. 00:08:21.300 --> 00:08:22.539 You can go and see it in Jericho. 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:23.539 It was a sycamore tree. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:26.759 He runs and he climbs the tree. 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:29.500 Undignified behavior for a man like this. 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:32.860 Maybe even more reason for the watching crowd to mock him. 00:08:33.079 --> 00:08:34.579 Why does he go to these lengths? 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:38.740 Because he needs to see Jesus. 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:43.000 Now, see this in the context of what we've just seen over the past couple of weeks. 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:46.120 Like the persistent widow, if you remember her. 00:08:46.660 --> 00:08:49.800 Like the blind man last week of chapter 18, if you remember him. 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:55.460 There's an admirable determination to this man Zacchaeus. 00:08:56.180 --> 00:08:58.900 He needs to see Jesus. 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:09.679 In fact, it's something about this man Jesus that is almost irresistibly drawing Zacchaeus to him like paperclips to a magnet. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:15.740 Now, C.S. Lewis, many of you have heard of him in his book, Surprised by Joy, 00:09:15.819 --> 00:09:19.699 which is really just his spiritual autobiography, if you want to put it like that. 00:09:20.340 --> 00:09:22.279 He talks about how he became a Christian. 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:24.679 How he met Jesus. 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:25.579 And he writes this. 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:26.659 And here are these words. 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:28.120 Fascinating observation. 00:09:29.699 --> 00:09:30.000 He said, 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:32.360 I say that I chose Jesus. 00:09:33.079 --> 00:09:37.139 Yet it did not really seem possible for me to do the opposite. 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:42.500 So Lewis is saying there that he found himself drawn to Jesus. 00:09:42.500 --> 00:09:48.960 You're here this morning and you find yourself, as we encounter Jesus in the words, 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:50.779 you find yourself drawn to him. 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:54.220 Zacchaeus, he needs to see Jesus. 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:54.820 And there he is. 00:09:54.860 --> 00:09:56.120 He's up the tree at the end of verse 4. 00:09:56.179 --> 00:09:56.759 If you see it there. 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:58.360 Now, picture the scene at the top of the tree. 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:01.840 Zacchaeus, he hears the commotion up ahead. 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:04.139 Just imagine his inner dialogue. 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:05.639 I see him. 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:07.820 There he is. 00:10:08.539 --> 00:10:10.500 This Jesus who I've heard so much about. 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:11.320 He's coming my way. 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:12.660 But he's stopped. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:15.040 He's looking for someone. 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:16.500 Maybe he's looking for something. 00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:17.400 Who's he looking for? 00:10:18.400 --> 00:10:19.400 He's looking at me. 00:10:20.540 --> 00:10:21.560 He's looking at me. 00:10:22.660 --> 00:10:23.160 Do you see it? 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:24.120 Verse 5. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:28.120 Luke tells us that Jesus went eyeball to eyeball with Zacchaeus. 00:10:28.900 --> 00:10:29.500 He sees him. 00:10:30.300 --> 00:10:31.460 And he calls to him. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:33.420 Not, hey, you up there. 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:35.440 Zacchaeus. 00:10:36.760 --> 00:10:37.240 Zacchaeus. 00:10:37.260 --> 00:10:38.380 He knows his name. 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:45.980 I think we're meant to understand that Jesus, God in the flesh, he knows more than just his name. 00:10:46.700 --> 00:10:47.840 He knows it all. 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:50.439 He knows everything about this man. 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:57.120 And if that's the case, what are the next words out of his mouth going to be? 00:10:58.360 --> 00:11:01.720 Is Jesus going to publicly shame him in front of the watching crowd? 00:11:02.200 --> 00:11:04.320 Is Jesus going to out him for being a cheat? 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:09.700 If he did either of those things, I'm sure that would have made him even more of a celebrity in the eyes of the crowd. 00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:12.280 But see what Jesus does. 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:15.200 He doesn't exchange a passing greeting. 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:17.680 He doesn't say, Zacchaeus, do you want to join me? 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:19.680 Let's walk and talk as I journey to Jerusalem. 00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:22.120 Jesus is interested in what? 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:24.400 Coming to his house. 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:26.960 He doesn't say, may I? 00:11:27.800 --> 00:11:29.259 He doesn't say, can I? 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:32.620 He simply announces that he's coming. 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:39.440 And I guess it's at this point in the story that we're reminded that Jesus isn't British. 00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:44.779 I don't know if anyone has ever invited themselves to yours for tea. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:50.159 Maybe they have and you've greeted them with that Scottish phrase, what do we say? 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:51.620 You'll have had your tea. 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:57.460 As if to say, you may be in my house, but don't think for a minute that you're getting any food. 00:11:58.580 --> 00:12:00.460 Here is Jesus. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:01.680 You'll have had your tea. 00:12:03.400 --> 00:12:05.820 Doesn't happen often in the Shanks household, I'll be honest. 00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:08.120 We like to know when people are coming. 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:10.519 We like to tidy the flat for them coming. 00:12:11.040 --> 00:12:12.800 We don't want them to see the crumbs on the floor. 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:15.259 We don't want them to see the unwashed dishes. 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:18.920 We definitely don't want them to smell the dirty nappies that we haven't taken out yet. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:22.080 We want to get the lighting right. 00:12:22.780 --> 00:12:24.080 We want to get the background music on. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.580 We want to get the scented candles on. 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:27.420 Probably true for all of us, is it not? 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:31.819 We want people to see us at our best. 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:37.979 Zacchaeus, he's not going to have a chance to tidy himself up. 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:42.940 Jesus is going to see the real him, warts and all. 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:44.340 Jesus is going to see it all. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:47.440 But Jesus already knows the real him. 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.039 He knows who he is. 00:12:51.060 --> 00:12:52.159 He knows what he's done. 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:54.320 He knows the thoughts in his mind. 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:56.379 He knows the skeletons in his closet. 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:58.659 You see, this isn't about 00:12:58.659 --> 00:13:00.659 Zacchaeus 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:03.039 cleaning himself up for Jesus. 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:06.899 Jesus meets him as he is. 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:09.179 Jesus meets Zacchaeus 00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:11.059 despite of who he is. 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:11.699 Why? 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:15.899 Because Jesus doesn't want to leave Zacchaeus 00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:17.299 as he is. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.459 Friends, Jesus knows 00:13:20.459 --> 00:13:22.019 every area of our lives. 00:13:22.099 --> 00:13:23.679 That's why we were singing those songs at the beginning 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:25.399 to help us understand that. 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:28.240 He sees the depths of our hearts. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:30.759 And he moves towards us, 00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:31.659 not away from us. 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:34.699 Jesus meets Zacchaeus 00:13:34.699 --> 00:13:36.459 with love and grace, 00:13:36.579 --> 00:13:37.759 just like Kirsty was saying, 00:13:37.839 --> 00:13:38.899 not with accusation. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:42.600 Because Jesus hasn't gone to Zacchaeus' house 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.779 to learn about his problems. 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:46.799 Jesus hasn't gone to Zacchaeus' house 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:48.579 to advise him about his problems. 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:51.399 Jesus has gone to Zacchaeus' house 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:54.379 to deal with Zacchaeus' biggest problem. 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:57.079 And his biggest problem is that he is a sinner. 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.240 He is not right with God. 00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.159 And because of his sin, 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.899 he is alienated from God. 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:03.139 And he, Jesus, needs to make that right. 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:06.959 And in the context of Luke, 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:10.179 that is exactly what Jesus is journeying 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:13.399 to Jerusalem and to the cross to do. 00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:17.539 And notice the word must there. 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:20.759 It isn't a chance meet, this one. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:21.879 They don't, 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:24.199 they haven't just happened to bump into one another. 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:26.079 This is a divine appointment. 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:29.179 And you see how Zacchaeus responds 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:30.279 to Jesus' invitation. 00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:31.719 He doesn't say, 00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:32.279 no way. 00:14:33.099 --> 00:14:34.860 He doesn't get his smartphone calendar out 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.219 and say, 00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:37.000 how about next Tuesday in February? 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:40.500 He welcomes him gladly. 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:43.980 He welcomes him joyfully to his home. 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:45.440 Now we've seen that theme joy 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:47.340 all the way through this gospel. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.340 That this is what happens 00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:51.060 when people encounter Jesus. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.220 As Jesus forgives, 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:54.399 as Jesus gives life, 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:57.460 the reaction is joy. 00:14:58.340 --> 00:15:01.300 Here is Zacchaeus welcoming Jesus joyfully 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:02.980 to his home. 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:05.320 But, 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:08.860 not everyone shares that joy. 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:10.899 The camera, 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:11.899 verse 7, 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.899 pans from looking at Zacchaeus 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:14.860 and Jesus, 00:15:15.060 --> 00:15:16.240 this very happy scene, 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.899 to looking at the muttering crowd. 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:20.940 He's going where? 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.700 He's going to visit who? 00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:26.200 He's going to eat with who? 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:30.120 See, for Jesus to go to Zacchaeus' house, 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:32.000 for Jesus to presumably share a meal 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.659 with this man, 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:35.440 is for him to associate with Zacchaeus. 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:38.059 Because as far as the crowd are concerned, 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.519 Jesus should be getting a selfie 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.639 with the local mayor. 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:41.559 He should be getting, 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.480 he should be meeting 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:46.980 the upstanding members of Jericho, 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:47.840 but instead, 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.759 he's gone to this house 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:51.399 of this man a sinner. 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:55.240 See, the crowd are disgusted at Jesus. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:56.700 Why? 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:58.759 Because he associates 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:02.140 with the wrong kind of people. 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:06.140 In fact, I reckon you can make a good case 00:16:06.140 --> 00:16:07.640 for saying that Jesus is killed, 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:08.780 as we see it in Luke's Gospel, 00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:10.140 precisely because 00:16:10.140 --> 00:16:11.820 he hangs out with 00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:13.940 the wrong kind of people. 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:17.440 That's why Jesus gets the nickname, 00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:19.340 the friend of sinners. 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:22.680 Jesus, friend of sinners. 00:16:24.420 --> 00:16:26.160 Let me challenge us in passing. 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:27.960 When was the last time 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:29.080 we puzzled people 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:30.860 by the individuals 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:32.019 that we hang out with? 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:34.700 That person at work 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:36.139 that nobody wants to go near, 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:37.620 nobody wants to get on with. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.820 That friend who's a total drain 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:41.540 in your time, 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.759 and people look at you and say, 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.759 why do you bother? 00:16:45.800 --> 00:16:47.000 I'm able to say to them, 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:49.840 I bother because Jesus bothered with me. 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:53.240 You see, this crowd may not be interested 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:55.299 in extending any kind of grace 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.059 to Zacchaeus, 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.500 but Jesus is. 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:00.299 Often the case, is it not, 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:01.259 in the Christian life 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:04.539 that God brings to the surface 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:07.500 and exposes the hardness of our hearts 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:10.019 when he extends his goodness 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.200 to somebody else. 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:14.359 That's the heart of this crowd 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.200 in Luke 19. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:18.220 And in a way that illustrates 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.100 so beautifully 00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:20.700 what Jesus is about to do 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:22.059 as he journeys to the cross, 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.640 do you see how the shame 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.960 and the insults 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.039 at the beginning of this episode 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:27.019 that were directed 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:28.100 towards Zacchaeus, 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:31.519 Jesus now takes upon himself. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:35.080 And this encounter with Jesus 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:37.539 so radically transforms 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:39.460 Zacchaeus' life. 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:41.340 As you read verse 8, 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.759 it's almost as if he knows 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:45.299 instinctively that as if he is 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.160 to follow Jesus, 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:48.359 then he needs to put his sinful past 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:49.099 behind him. 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:50.819 Look at it, 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:52.019 Zacchaeus pledges himself 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.879 to be generous 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:54.460 with his money, 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.359 half of his money. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.119 Where's it going to go? 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.319 To the poor, 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.400 half of his money. 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.900 And he commits to restoring 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:02.259 fourfold those whom 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.460 he has defrauded. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:05.740 Now what we need to see here 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:08.579 is this is not Zacchaeus 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:10.259 deciding in his own mind 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.759 to turn over a new leaf. 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.859 Because let's be quite honest, 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:15.519 that would not have lasted long. 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:18.019 What this is, 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.920 is evidence that God 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:21.200 by his grace 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:23.039 has given Zacchaeus 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.359 a new heart. 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:27.859 Now there's a famous story told 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:30.599 of Harland and Wolfe, 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.160 the great shipbuilding company 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.240 based in Belfast. 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.120 The reason I know of them 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:35.819 is because it's famous 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.400 for being the place 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.620 where the Titanic was built. 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.460 It's a famous story 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:40.579 about Harland and Wolfe. 00:18:41.120 --> 00:18:41.620 At their height, 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.380 they used to employ 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:44.099 35,000 men. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:44.900 A lot of men. 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.700 35,000 men. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.380 And at the end of the day, 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:49.900 you can imagine 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:51.200 the easiest thing to do 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:51.859 in the world 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:53.440 was for these men 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.420 as they left en masse 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.500 just to pick something up, 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.220 a little bit of lead, 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:56.980 a little bit of copper, 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.700 a little bit of pipe 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.559 under the jacket 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.240 and out they go. 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.259 Harland and Wolfe, 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:01.779 the directors knew this was going on 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.079 and thought, 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.079 we can do nothing 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:03.740 about it. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.000 But during one of those 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.939 periods of revival 00:19:06.939 --> 00:19:07.879 in Northern Ireland, 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:11.259 many of those 35,000 men 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:11.939 became Christians. 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.480 And what began to happen 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:16.359 as the transforming grace 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:17.119 of Jesus Christ 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:18.299 worked in their hearts, 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.799 as the Spirit of God 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.659 began to prod 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:21.399 and to poke 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.500 about their sinful ways 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.579 about how they needed to change, 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.839 what began to happen 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:26.439 is that many of those 00:19:26.439 --> 00:19:27.740 35,000 men 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.699 began to bring 00:19:28.699 --> 00:19:29.980 the bits that he'd stolen 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:31.179 back to the warehouse. 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:33.259 In fact, 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:34.560 so great 00:19:34.560 --> 00:19:35.759 was the transforming work 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.100 of God 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:36.880 amongst these men 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:37.299 that actually 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.740 the directors of Harland and Wolfe 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.740 had to write to the men 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.259 publicly 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.120 and say, 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.860 would you stop 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:43.279 bringing the pieces 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.920 that you've stolen 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:44.880 back to the warehouse 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.779 because we simply 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.539 do not have room 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.580 to store all the things 00:19:47.580 --> 00:19:48.200 that you've stolen. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:52.180 the transforming power 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.779 of the grace 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:55.920 of Jesus Christ. 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.380 Now I wonder 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.080 as you think about 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:59.440 your own life this morning 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:01.420 and as God 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.220 and by His Spirit 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.120 as He works 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.100 in the midst 00:20:04.100 --> 00:20:05.240 of His people, 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.960 what will that transformation 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.860 look like 00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:09.400 in your life? 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.779 As the people 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:14.319 in your circles 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.600 view you, 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.720 watch you in action 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.640 every day. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.019 Friends, 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:20.079 do they see the fruit 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:22.360 of a transformed heart? 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.680 Now presumably, 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.220 Zacchaeus, 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:26.960 he kept being 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.799 a tax collector 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:30.500 but now, 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:31.860 do you see, 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:33.259 I love to imagine this, 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.299 he's a transformed 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.240 tax collector. 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.740 You can imagine him, 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.059 can't you? 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.220 Remember, 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.920 we used to do this 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.339 when I worked 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:40.500 for a law firm. 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:40.920 We used to have 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.960 yearly getaways 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.960 as a team 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.640 to go and talk 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:44.460 about what we'd done. 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.960 Try to imagine Zacchaeus 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.420 at one of those 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.039 little retreats 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.819 with his tax collector 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.340 mates. 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.180 They're sitting there 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.860 boasting about 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.420 the people 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.420 that they've ripped off, 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.539 boasting about 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.220 the amount of money 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.980 that they've made, 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.559 laughing about 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.660 how rich they've become 00:20:58.660 --> 00:21:00.299 and they turn to Zacchaeus. 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.700 Go on Zacchaeus, 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.319 you're the chief, 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.660 you must have a great story 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.360 about what you've done 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:04.880 this year. 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.740 And Zacchaeus says, 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.299 do you know what I've done 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.360 with what I'd done 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:09.220 with my money this year? 00:21:10.380 --> 00:21:11.140 Half of my money 00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:11.819 went to the poor 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:13.519 and those who I 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.419 previously defrauded, 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:16.500 I gave back fourfold. 00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:18.119 Can you imagine the look 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:18.879 on the faces 00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:19.579 of his peers? 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.700 This is what you did 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.419 with your money? 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:26.200 In the words of John Newton, 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.619 the man who God saved 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.240 from a life 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.399 of being a slave trader, 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:31.259 I am not the man 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:31.980 I ought to be. 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.579 I am not the man 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.339 I wish to be. 00:21:34.919 --> 00:21:35.859 I am not the man 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.639 I hope to be, 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:38.200 but by the grace of God, 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:40.259 I am not the man 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:41.000 I used to be. 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:43.879 That is Zacchaeus' story. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:46.700 The transforming power 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:48.220 of the grace 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.759 of Jesus Christ. 00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:50.619 And what does Jesus 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.879 call him at verse 9? 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:54.180 A son of Abraham. 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:57.900 Zacchaeus is now included 00:21:57.900 --> 00:22:00.000 in God's family of faith, 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.779 where society looked to him 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.339 and labeled him 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:03.619 a hopeless outsider. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.319 Do you see, 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.039 through repentance 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.400 and faith in Jesus, 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.599 Jesus labels him 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:10.659 a hope-filled insider? 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.879 Here indeed, 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.459 again in the context 00:22:14.459 --> 00:22:15.399 of chapter 18, 00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:16.539 here indeed 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:18.099 is a rich man 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.500 who has found his way 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.119 through the eye 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:20.639 of a needle. 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.119 Luke's message 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:23.619 to us, 00:22:23.699 --> 00:22:24.199 his readers, 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.740 that there is no one 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.299 too bad 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:28.099 beyond the grace 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:29.099 of Jesus Christ. 00:22:29.639 --> 00:22:30.399 That the grace 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:31.079 of Jesus 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.000 is deep 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:33.119 and it's wide 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.219 and it's long. 00:22:34.939 --> 00:22:35.719 And the invitation 00:22:35.719 --> 00:22:36.899 to receive him 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.800 is for the religious 00:22:37.800 --> 00:22:39.100 and the non-religious, 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.340 the rich and the poor, 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.160 the bad and the good, 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.860 the high and the low, 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:43.580 it's for absolutely everybody. 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.160 Why? 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:47.540 Well, see Jesus 00:22:47.540 --> 00:22:48.800 outline his mission 00:22:48.800 --> 00:22:49.660 at verse 10. 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.340 And if you, 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.540 we don't often do this, 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:52.780 do we, 00:22:52.840 --> 00:22:53.480 memory verses? 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.600 It's a dying art 00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:55.500 in Christian circles. 00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.000 But if you're going 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.700 to memorize one 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.160 from today, 00:22:57.320 --> 00:22:58.259 memorize this one. 00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:00.320 For the Son of Man 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:02.220 came to seek 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:03.500 and to save 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.679 the lost. 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.359 See, 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:08.200 the beginning of the story 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:08.980 is Zacchaeus thought 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.960 he was the one 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.659 looking for Jesus. 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:12.539 Actually, 00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.240 the truth of it 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:13.919 the whole time 00:23:13.919 --> 00:23:15.839 was that Jesus 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.419 was the one 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.539 looking for Zacchaeus. 00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:18.799 Now, 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:19.939 what a glorious truth 00:23:19.939 --> 00:23:20.700 that should thrill 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.579 our hearts 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.379 if we are 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:23.619 Jesus' this morning. 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:25.279 As we were singing 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:25.799 earlier, 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.379 that Jesus 00:23:26.379 --> 00:23:27.159 sought me 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:28.740 when a stranger, 00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:31.000 when I was wandering 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:32.920 far away from God, 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.680 he to rescue me 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:36.100 from danger, 00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:38.180 he shed for me 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.740 his precious blood. 00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:41.940 This is the gospel. 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:44.600 The gospel that not only 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:46.080 gets us into the kingdom, 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.740 but the gospel 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:48.019 that continues to transform 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.180 us day after day 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:49.720 after day 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.960 more into the likeness 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:52.240 of our Savior. 00:23:52.800 --> 00:23:54.300 That God took the initiative 00:23:54.300 --> 00:23:55.820 to save us 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:57.039 in the sending 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.659 of his Son. 00:23:59.159 --> 00:24:00.139 Jesus came looking 00:24:00.139 --> 00:24:01.099 for us. 00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:03.279 And that is the business 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.119 that he's employed 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.839 in today 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:06.279 just as much 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:06.759 as it was 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.799 in Zacchaeus' day. 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:10.359 Let me ask you 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.399 as we read of him here, 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.559 is he compelling you 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.159 this morning 00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:14.079 to come to him? 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:15.819 As you see him 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.480 in action here, 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:17.019 is he saying, 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.019 come to me, 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.700 receive me, 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:21.259 receive the forgiveness 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.960 that I purchased 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:23.099 for you at the cross 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:24.839 and let me transform you 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:26.059 by my spirit. 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:28.359 You see, 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:29.599 Jesus isn't in the business 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:30.539 like my friend. 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.399 He's not in the business 00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:32.519 of catching bad guys. 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:34.619 Actually, 00:24:34.679 --> 00:24:35.279 he's in the business 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.000 of saving them 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.779 and transforming them. 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:39.779 You know, 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.399 just as we close, 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.319 one of the highlights 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.879 for us as a church 00:24:42.879 --> 00:24:43.720 last year 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.339 was the weekend 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.119 when we celebrated 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:46.659 50 years of meeting together. 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:47.819 Real milestone. 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:48.619 To be honest, 00:24:48.659 --> 00:24:49.339 I feel so privileged 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.059 to have stepped into 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:50.720 the church's life 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.359 at this point. 00:24:51.679 --> 00:24:52.259 50 years. 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.680 Let me ask, 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.279 was there anyone 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.859 who was here 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.599 in the first meeting 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:57.099 of Brunsfield 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:58.000 Evangelical Church? 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.319 Yes. 00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:03.539 Handful. 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.319 Excellent. 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.660 Because the birth 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.240 of a church 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.400 is a beautiful thing, 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:07.799 is it not? 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.559 It's an exciting thing, 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.799 it's a scary thing, 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.980 but there's something 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.980 wonderful about 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.299 a church starting. 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.960 I was trying to imagine 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.460 this week, 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.200 and let me get a glass 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.480 of water 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:17.960 because my feet 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.879 go on, 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.440 I'm trying to imagine 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:19.900 this week 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.860 the first meeting 00:25:20.860 --> 00:25:24.180 of Jericho Evangelical Church. 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:24.440 Right, 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.120 if I was in charge, 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.000 if I was a media guy, 00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:26.779 that's what I'd go for, 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:26.980 okay? 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.880 Jericho Evangelical Church. 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.500 Now, 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.100 if you think about it, 00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:33.240 we've met two of its members 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.299 over the last few weeks. 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:37.340 Blind man of chapter 18, 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:39.039 for argument's sake, 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.460 we'll call him Bartimaeus, 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.240 and Zacchaeus 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.500 here in chapter 19. 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:46.120 Jericho Evangelical Church, 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.880 two of its members. 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.120 I'm trying to imagine 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:49.699 this week their first meeting. 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.679 Their first meeting, 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.859 probably in somebody's house. 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:54.759 Imagine it. 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.879 Somebody's got the quiche. 00:25:58.739 --> 00:25:59.459 Somebody's suggested 00:25:59.459 --> 00:26:00.500 one of those awkward 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.399 icebreaker games, 00:26:01.479 --> 00:26:02.239 like if you were a fruit, 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:02.799 what would you be? 00:26:04.239 --> 00:26:04.919 And everybody's thinking, 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.519 I'm a lemon 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.199 because on the outside 00:26:06.199 --> 00:26:06.759 I'm happy, 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:07.319 but on the inside 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.339 I'm bitter towards you 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.379 for suggesting this game. 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:11.319 The first meeting 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:12.079 of this church, 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:13.879 eventually, 00:26:14.199 --> 00:26:14.799 the conversation 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.459 comes around 00:26:15.459 --> 00:26:17.519 to how did you 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.180 become a Christian. 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.759 Tell me, 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:21.039 how did you meet Jesus? 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:21.759 Bartimaeus, 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.500 do you want to go first? 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:23.980 Do you want to go first? 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:24.900 Tell us how you met Jesus. 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.639 I'd love to tell you 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.339 how I met Jesus. 00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:28.700 My life before I met him, 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.139 I had nothing. 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:32.059 I had no possessions. 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.900 I was reliant 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.879 on the pity of people. 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.339 I had no help. 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.299 Most of all, 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:38.079 I had no sight. 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:39.879 Really had no hope 00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:40.440 in this world. 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.680 But I met Jesus. 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.940 I heard he was coming 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.460 to my town. 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.299 I met him. 00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:45.879 We came along 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.400 and I shouted. 00:26:46.520 --> 00:26:47.260 The crowd tried 00:26:47.260 --> 00:26:48.000 to get me to stop. 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:48.760 I kept shouting 00:26:48.760 --> 00:26:49.300 and eventually 00:26:49.300 --> 00:26:50.200 he came to me 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:51.020 and he said, 00:26:51.080 --> 00:26:51.660 what do you want 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.860 me to do for you? 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.100 Do you know, 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:53.460 I said, 00:26:53.520 --> 00:26:53.980 let me see, 00:26:54.100 --> 00:26:54.460 Lord Jesus, 00:26:54.600 --> 00:26:55.360 let me see you. 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.980 And he gave me sight 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:59.680 and he transformed 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.340 my life. 00:27:00.820 --> 00:27:01.420 And I said, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:01.660 Jesus, 00:27:01.760 --> 00:27:02.480 I'm following you. 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.360 I'm going to put it back. 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.280 I'm following you. 00:27:05.540 --> 00:27:05.860 And he goes, 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.300 well done, 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:06.860 Bartimaeus, 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:07.300 well done. 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:08.660 What about you, 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.180 Zacchaeus? 00:27:09.780 --> 00:27:10.440 Do you want to have a shot? 00:27:10.520 --> 00:27:11.240 I'd love to tell you 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:11.880 how I met Jesus. 00:27:13.340 --> 00:27:13.660 Bartimaeus, 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:13.940 listen, 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.380 if you were the low, 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:17.059 then I guess 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:18.000 that makes me the high. 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.960 I had everything 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:21.100 going for me in life. 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.880 I loved money. 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.400 I loved my money. 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.420 I was rich. 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:26.380 In fact, 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.500 I would do anything, 00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:29.279 even if it involved 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.240 defrauding people 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.380 to get money. 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.299 I loved my money. 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.580 And people hated me 00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:35.779 because of what I did 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:37.100 and what I do. 00:27:39.100 --> 00:27:40.360 But I heard Jesus 00:27:40.360 --> 00:27:41.100 was coming to town 00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:41.580 as well. 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:43.839 And I ran out, 00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:44.859 decided I wanted to see him. 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:45.379 I ran out. 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.859 I couldn't find a spot 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:47.779 so I climbed a tree 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.579 and I looked down 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.439 and I saw him. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.299 And you'll never guess what. 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:53.079 He walked right past 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.199 and he called. 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.359 He knew my name. 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.299 And would you believe 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.299 the brass neck of the guy? 00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:59.139 He invited himself 00:27:59.139 --> 00:27:59.899 to mine for dinner. 00:28:01.199 --> 00:28:02.259 But I'm so glad 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.819 that he did 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:04.699 because he transformed 00:28:04.699 --> 00:28:05.539 my life. 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.819 I too sit here 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.519 as a follower 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.699 of this man 00:28:09.699 --> 00:28:10.359 we call Jesus. 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:12.159 Now do you see 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:12.879 what Luke is doing 00:28:12.879 --> 00:28:13.839 here in this section? 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.919 He's showing us 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:17.199 two very different people 00:28:17.199 --> 00:28:19.279 from two very different 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:19.859 backgrounds 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:21.059 probably doing 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:22.159 two very different things 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:23.019 with their lives. 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.359 But do you see 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:24.899 how these two 00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:26.000 very different men 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.159 are united? 00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:27.859 In fact, 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.699 they're more than united. 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.659 They can call each other 00:28:29.659 --> 00:28:30.099 brother 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:32.219 because they've got 00:28:32.219 --> 00:28:34.379 one shared story. 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.559 The words from 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.339 the old hymn, 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:39.859 I was lost 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:42.299 but Jesus found me 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:44.099 found the sheep 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:45.379 that went astray 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:48.019 threw his loving arms 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.799 around me 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.779 drew me back 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.639 into his way. 00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:51.899 Yes, 00:28:51.939 --> 00:28:53.379 I'll sing the wondrous story 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:55.000 of the Christ 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:56.240 who died for me 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:58.179 sing it with the saints 00:28:58.179 --> 00:28:58.779 in glory 00:28:58.779 --> 00:29:00.559 gathered by 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.980 the crystal sea. 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:03.940 And as we sit here 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.460 this morning, 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.620 it's not our testimony, 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:08.299 it's not our song 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:09.799 that Jesus sought me 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.480 when a stranger 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.440 wandering far away 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:11.920 from God 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.799 he to save me 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.420 from danger 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.380 shed for me 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:15.740 his precious blood. 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.460 What a saviour. 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.160 What a saviour. 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.960 Let's pray together. 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:22.960 And maybe just 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:23.660 in the silence 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:24.340 before we 00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:25.799 move to pray 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.420 and to close 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.279 with our final song 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:28.200 let's just take a minute 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.319 together and be silent. 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:31.980 The Lord has been 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.539 speaking to us 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:32.940 this morning 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.880 through his word 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:35.240 and perhaps now 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:35.640 is the time 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.160 to offer you 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:37.019 a little prayer to him. 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.900 And so gracious God 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:46.880 and loving 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:47.880 heavenly Father 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:50.100 we thank you 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:51.600 for sending 00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:52.760 Jesus 00:29:52.760 --> 00:29:54.020 to save us. 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:56.180 And thank you 00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:57.040 for sending 00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:57.800 your spirit 00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:59.300 not only to open 00:29:59.300 --> 00:30:00.540 our eyes to that truth 00:30:00.540 --> 00:30:01.600 but to do 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.860 your transforming work 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:03.920 in our lives. 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.600 Help us 00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:06.620 dear Father 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.080 to have 00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:08.980 your compassion 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.440 and love 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.340 for the lost world. 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.320 Be at work 00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:12.920 this week 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.500 we ask 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.600 for Jesus' glory 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.340 in our lives. 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:16.200 Amen. 00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:19.180 Amen. 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:35.540 Amen.