Redemptive Stories: Zacchaeus
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Redemptive Stories
Luke 19:1-10 (ESV)
1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Sermon Outline
God’s redemptive work in the life of Zacchaeus displays what it means that Jesus came to seek and save the lost (v10).
1. What does it mean to be lost?
v2 “he was a chief tax collector and he was rich”
v3 “he was small in stature… he… climbed up into a sycamore tree”
2. Why did Jesus come? (to seek)
v5 “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today”
v6 “received him joyfully”; v7 “they all grumbled, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’”
3. How does Jesus save?
v9 “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.”
v8 “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give… I restore it fourfold.”
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, you have sent your only Son to seek and save the lost. We are prone to wandering, and rarely recognize it is happening. We can be more upset by the wanderings of others than by our own worrisome state. Forgive us for the ways we prop ourselves up, and for how we put others down. Forgive us for every small step away from you. Forgive us for ways we grumble in regards to your grace and generosity. Forgive our unrighteous deeds and self-righteous attitudes. Lord, we thank you that you pursue us, you call us, and you restore us. We rejoice that we are found by you, and commit to seeking fruit consistent with repentance. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
How does the word “lost” or the imagery it evokes help you understand God’s perspective on humanity? What are some ways people wander? What are some implications of being lost?
If our lives are a series of impressions, decisions and actions, how do we set trajectories and what can we do moment by moment to stay on course? Think of concrete examples of goals, and reflect on whether or not you consistently act towards those goals.
In the midst of unfair situations, or interactions that hit on areas where you are sensitive, what are ways you respond that make things worse, are unwise, or contrary to the ways of Jesus? Why are those your responses?
Do you have any desire to limit God’s generosity? Is there anyone who shouldn’t receive it? Does the idea of grace bother you in any way?
Is there any joy in your story with God? What moments, specific actions of God in your life, theological principles, etc. have brought you joy?
What has Jesus saved you from? What would your life be like if Jesus had never come?
When should repentance in your heart towards God also compel action towards others? What are examples of ways or situations where we need to make things right and perform actions that repair?
Is there any wrong you have not fully dealt with? Is there anything you owe anyone? What steps should you take to make progress in your situation? What role will Jesus play in it?