Turning Points: From Greed To Grace

 Turning Points

Introduction:

Good morning dear friends. Welcome to Eastern Shore Baptist Church. If you are visiting with us this morning, we are so glad that you are with us. If you are tuning in online, we are so thankful for your presence. We are in week 9 of a series entitled “Turning Points”. 

Over the last several weeks, we have examined the stories of various Biblical characters as they have had to make critical decisions. These events were turning points for these characters. These men and women were making life and death calls. They were making choices that would impact generations of people that they would never meet. Some of these characters made such impactful decisions that we are still benefitting from those choices today. 

Brothers and sisters, today’s message is entitled “From Greed To Grace”. We are going to be looking at a story in the Bible, specifically Luke 19:1-10. We are going to be reading about a man named Zaccheaus. We will talk about him in just a moment. Before we get to him, I have a question for all of you this morning. 

Do any of you struggle with being absentminded? Do you ever lose things? Your wallet? Your keys? Your mind?

Opening Illustration: Lost

There is nothing more annoying than losing something. It seems that I am constantly losing my keys, my wallet, or my sunglasses. I am always losing something. For years, this annoyance has plagued both me and my family. You see, my proclivity to losing things has had detrimental effects on my wife and children. When I lose my keys or my wallet, it prevents me and my family from being able to leave on time. When I lose my wallet, I have to depend on Angela to bring her purse so that we can get something to eat. 

Thankfully, technology has solved my annoying flaw. A few years ago, Angela purchased a device called an “AirTag”. It is a small device that you can put in your wallet or hook to your keys. If one of those things goes missing you can use your phone to find it. Just turn your phone on, open the app, and it connects. The AirTag begins to hum and sing so that you can find your missing object. Truthfully, it is one of the greatest gifts that Angela has ever given me. 

When I you open the AirTag app on your phone, it knows the location of your missing device, it knows the missing object’s name, and it knows mysteriously that I need it. 

I hate it when I lose something and I hate it when I am lost. Thankfully, there is technology that exists to help with that as well. Again, just open your phone and there are a number of GPS apps that will help you know where you are and tell you how to get to where you want to go. 

While we may have figured out how to find our missing objects and discovered new ways to find direction, sadly there are more lost people than ever before. According to the North American Mission Board, there are 122 million lost Americans. Americans that do not know Jesus Christ as Savior. That number grows by 2 million year over year. 

Key Point:

Brothers and sisters, lost people, people that do not know Jesus is nothing new. For centuries, people have been missing Jesus. Some have gotten close but He passes them by. Others unexpectedly find Him. Take Zacchaeus for instance. He was a man who was lost. Technology could not save him and no device could improve him. Jesus was the only one who knew Zacchaeus’ neighborhood, Jesus knew exactly what he needed and you’ll see that He even knew Zacchaeus’ name. 

Here is the good news for you today. You are not hidden from Jesus. He is aware of you, your life, your troubles, your problems. If Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ greatest needs, this sinner and traitor to his own people, then Jesus knows your greatest needs as well. Church, Jesus knows your name. No introductions are necessary. He knows YOU! 

Here’s Good News, Jesus Knows Your Neighborhood, Your Needs, and Your Name!

I love what J.C. Pyle wrote about this encounter between Zaccheaus and Jesus. In his book entitled “Expository Thoughts on the Gospels”, Pyle states the following, “The story of Zacchaeus is a striking example of Christ’s power and willingness to seek and save the lost. It reminds us that no one is beyond His reach, and that His grace is sufficient to change the most hardened heart.”

What a beautiful sentiment. No one is beyond the reach or to far from the grace of Jesus Christ. Given the chance, Jesus can reach anyone at anytime. 

Do you believe that this morning? Raise your hand if you believe that this morning? Raise your hand if you believe that no one, no one is beyond the reach of God. As long as someone is still breathing, God can save them, no matter that past, no matter their present, and indiscriminate of their future. No one is beyond the reach of the Father. 

Before we read from Luke 19, I want to give you the background and context of whats happening. 

Background and Context:

Jesus was accused of being a friend of sinners.  In Luke 5:32, Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Thank God, Jesus came to be the Savior for sinners. Zaccahaeus was lost in sin the day Jesus called him out of the tree. Before the evening was over, Zaccahaeus was a new man.

If you remember, in Luke 18, Jesus is approaching Jericho. Well in Luke 19, He is entering the city. What is He going to do there? He will meet with sinners. He will teach, heal, and confront. Where is he going? Jerusalem. He is on his way to the cross. Before He gets there, He will make a pit stop at Zacchaeus’ house. 

Statement of Belief:

We believe the Bible is inspired, infallible, and authoritative. It is vital for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. God’s Word brings life, peace, and protection, and it profoundly touches the human soul. As a unique and powerful book, let us stand in reverence and respect for it.

So, let’s read together from Luke 19:1-10 this morning from the English Standard Version. 

Scripture:

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."

Pastor: “This is the Word of the Lord”

Congregation: “Praise His name, praise His holy name.”

3 Lessons From The Limb

I. The Seeker vs. 1-3

Point:

As it turns out, everyone is seeking something or someone. In verses 1-3, we are introduced to a seeker. 

And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was…

Remember that there was no one more famous in the region that Jesus Christ. His name and reputation had literally preceded His arrival into the community. So famous was Jesus that even the least likely to care about His arrival wanted to desperately see Him and meet Him. Jesus was a rock star and rightly or wrongly, everyone wanted to see Him perform. Zacchaeus was no different. 

Let’s talk about Zacchaeus for just one second. 

A. His Position

Let’s talk first about his position. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector for the city of Jericho. We have talked about tax collectors before. They were hated by their own people because they were sell outs. They were Jewish in ethnicity but Roman in allegiance. They were thieves. They were scoundrels. They robbed their own countrymen to pad their own pockets. They felt no remorse and reveled in their wealth. 

B. His Possession

Let’s talk next about his possessions. Jesus has already made the statement just one chapter over that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to go to heave. Well poor Zacchaeus was rich. How rich? So rich that the Scripture records that he was rich. The word for "wealthy" is Greek plousios (plus-see-os), "pertaining to having an abundance of earthly possessions that exceeds normal experience, 'rich, wealthy.' " Basically Scripture is saying that Zacchaeus was obscenely, ridiculously, wealthy. When everyone else had nothing, he seemed to have everything. 

C. His Problem

Now, let’s talk about Zacchaeus’ problem. You see friends, our culture would say that Zacchaeus doesn’t have a problem. He has money. He has power. He has authority. He has everything required for our culture to place him on a mantel. He had it all but he had nothing at all. Zaccheaus is the physical embodiment of Jesus’ words captured in Mark 8:36, 

Mark 8:36 KJV

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

He had everything but he had nothing. He was rich but felt no reward. He was wealthy but he was always worried. He had financial gains but he was spiritually fatigued. What good was all the worldly wealth when his soul was empty. 

You see, Zaccheaus had two problems. He had a heart problem and he had a height problem. Remember, people in this day put a lot of emphasis on outward appearances. Think of the Pharisees. They were constantly trying to present themselves as outwardly pious. They wore clothing that conveyed their importance, their holiness, their spirituality. Jesus called them all white washed tombs. Generations earlier, the same people picked a king solely based on his height. That’s right, they picked Saul simply because he was taller than all the rest. The people of Jesus’ day were not that different than our day today. They placed a great deal of importance on things that don’t really matter. After all, God cares more about the heart than our height. 

Remember, Zacchaeus was not only hated by his own people, but he was ridiculed by them as well. Mostly likely behind his back. Why? Because he was short. Really short. So short that he is unable to see above the crowd. So short that it is the only descriptor that Scripture gives to him. 

Point:

You see, Zacchaeus was lost. Without Christ, he was going to hell, just like the rest of humanity. Even so, he was seeking answers. Friends, there are lost people all around us, looking for Jesus. They are seeking too. Are you point people to Christ? Do you see them?

Listen to what Luke states in Acts 4:12. 

Acts 4:12 ESV

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

3 Lessons From The Limb

I. The Seeker vs. 1-3

II. The Savior vs. 5-6

[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."

So, we have learned about Zaccheaus, the seeker. Now let’s learn about the Savior. We see this in verses 5 and 6. 

"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."

Illustration:

About 15 years ago my family moved from Montgomery, AL. to Daphne. What a tremendous move. Everything is better on the Eastern Shore. Everything except for one thing. I will get to that in a moment. The schools are better. The environment is better. The atmosphere is better. We are close to hunting, fishing, and the beach is just a short drive away. We are just 6 short miles from historic Mobile. We have tremendous people in this area and seemingly a church on every street corner. Daphne, Spanish Fort, and Fairhope really are great places to live. 

Except for one thing!

What is that one thing? It’s the roundabouts. When I moved here I had never driven in a roundabout. Then suddenly, my life was filled with roundabouts. Everyday that I come to work, I drive through 2, count them…1, 2, roundabouts. If I drive to Fairhope to see my parents, I drive through 3 roundabouts. I have always thought that the roundabouts were really annoying but after nearly 15 years I have them figured out. 

Don’t even get me started on the divergent Dimond. Ugh. 

Roundabouts are annoying because ever so often you will get stuck behind someone that has no idea how to use a roundabout. Have you ever been behind a car that waits for the entire circle to clear of all cars before they tepidly, slowly, cautiously pull into the circle? Then they drive so slow around the circle. Then to ice it for me, they put out a turn signal as they exit the roundabout. 

It is enough to make me want to pull out my hair. Don’t even get me started on the divergent diamond. 

Why is this so annoying? It is annoying because I have places to be, people to see, things to do. I am important. I am somebody. I don’t have time to be slowed down by someone’s ignorance. 

Let’s move along!

Have you ever been like me? In a hurry? You need to get to that place, see those people, after all you are important. 

Point:

Have you ever notice that Jesus was always moving but never late. He was always busy but always seemed to have time. 

Guys, Jesus is marching through Jericho to Jerusalem to die on a cross and save humanity. That is the mission. That is the goal. 

Yet, on His way, He stops. I am sure that this must have been confusing for His disciples. Again, they were trying to make it to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. They did not want to be late. I am sure they were trying to move Jesus along but Jesus would not oblige. He stopped to talk to a little person in a tree. 

Point:

Notice that when Jesus encounters little Zacchaeus that He tells him that He must stay at his house and eat. This meeting was no accident. It was no coincidence, no happenstance, no happy accident. This meeting was preordained from the beginning of time. Everything in history had been orchestrated for this moment between Zacchaeus and Jesus to happen. It was planned. It was purposeful. Yes, Jesus was on a mission to save humanity, but He was also on a mission to save Zacchaeus. 

Jesus’ timing is perfect. His timing in your life is perfect. Maybe you have been waiting for Jesus to show up and you are just waiting. Keep waiting because His timing is perfect. 

Not only did Jesus stop and talk to this man on a limb, but Jesus knew his name. No where in Scripture does it tell us that Jesus was introduced to Zacchaeus. No where does it infer that Jesus had had conversations about Zacchaeus with other townspeople. Zacchaeus did not know Jesus but Jesus knew Zacchaeus. Jesus knew everything that could be known about Zacchaeus. He knew his heart. He knew his past, present and future. He knew the victories and failures of his life. He knew his name. 

Paul has a great way of putting it in Philippians 4:19, 

Philippians 4:19 ESV

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Jesus knew that now was the time for Zacchaeus. His hour had come. This was the moment for him to change his future and sink his past. The day of salvation had come to Zacchaeus’ home. 

Church, Jesus knows you too. He knows everything about you. He knows your past, present and future. He created you and He loves you. Jesus feels the same way about you that He does about Zacchaeus. Jesus must meet with you. He knows your name. He wants to dine with you. 

Jesus has invited himself for dinner at this man's home. Out of hunger? No. But because he knows something about the desire and earnestness in this man's heart. Jesus can see that he is wealthy. His clothes betray that easily. But he can also see the man's longing and his faith. Jesus has spiritual sight.

Isn’t it great that we have a Savior that knows us, and knows our needs?

3 Lessons From The Limb

I. The Seeker vs. 1-3

II. The Savior vs. 5-6

III. The Salvation vs. 7-10

[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."

So, we know about the seeker, the Savior, and now…the salvation. Go back to verses 7-10. 

"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."

Point:

Well, we know the rest of the story. Against the wishes of the religious leaders, Jesus went to eat at the hated Zacchaeus’ home. This dinner changed forever the life of this tax collector. Suddenly, he is transformed from tax collector to evangelist. This small man with a big heart gives back all that he has stolen. Not only that, he zaps his bank account by restoring everyone with their money plus interest. 

What happened? 

I’ll tell you what happened, salvation happened. This man encountered the Savior and his life was never ever the same. He did what the rich young ruler could’t do. Jesus told the rich young ruler to go and sell everything he owned and give it to the poor. The rich young ruler went away sad and lost. Zacchaeus gave way half of everything he owned and restored what he had been stolen. Essentially, he even repaid the emotional damage that he had cause. He went from lost to found. Dead to alive. 

Brothers and sisters, why not you? If Jesus can save Zacchaeus why can He not save you. Today is the day. Now is the time. Today is the day that you could say yes to Jesus and your life changed forever. Im sure that Zacchaeus realized that what he was giving up was nothing in comparison to what he was gaining. Giving away worldly trash and gaining heavenly treasure through Jesus is hardly a fair trade. 

John 6:44 ESV

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

In closing, I want to tell you a story. It is a story about Tilly Smith. 

Closing Illustration:

Tilly Smith and her family relaxed on the beach. Their first family vacation had taken them to Thailand. That morning, ten-year-old Tilly, her parents, and sister Holly, went for a walk along Mai Khao beach. They enjoyed the warm breeze in their faces and felt the sand squish in between their toes.

Two weeks prior to their holiday, Tilly had learned about tsunamis in her geography class. She did not find geography tantalizing, but the video her teacher showed had caught her attention. So, as Tilly and her family walked the beach, she noticed the waves going out but not coming in.

Tilly alerted her parents that they were surrounded by signs that something unusual and cataclysmic would occur. At first they were dismissive, but Tilly's passion and persistence paid off. She began shouting, "There is going to be a tsunami!"

Now, what would you do if you were on vacation with your family and your ten-year-old daughter started screaming on the beach that a tsunami was about to strike? Tilly shouted louder and louder, and her panic frightened her younger sister, who began to sob hysterically.

I imagine the volume increasing with her parents saying something like, "Tilly, calm down! It will be okay. You're scaring your sister! Get yourself under control, now!" Tilly's dad took Holly back to the hotel to calm her down. But Tilly looked around and saw the people in the ocean, on the sand, and just knew in her heart that everyone was in danger. Tilly ran back to the hotel to find her dad talking with a security guard. He said, "I know this sounds completely mad, but my daughter says there's going to be a tsunami.”

The security guard listened not to a PhD candidate, brain surgeon, or NASA scientist but to a passionate plea coming from a ten-year-old British schoolgirl. The guard listened and then shouted for people to get off the beach. People scattered all over the place as pandemonium set in. The hotel lobby, on a higher floor, became a gathering place.

A tsunami, triggered by an earthquake at the floor of the Indian Ocean, struck. This tsunami killed an estimated 230,000 people. But not one person from Tilly's beach died. At the perfect time, on the right day, Tilly Smith saved 200 people from death. Their day of salvation had arrived in a most unlikely way and in a most unlikely person. Tilly's dad, in shock after learning of the horrific devastation and suffering, said to Tilly, "What if we hadn't listened to you?"

Point:

Brothers and sisters, the tsunami is coming. Our death and demise is on its way. Are we prepared. Jesus is crying out. He is trying to provide for you a place of salvation. Will you listen? He has stopped, He knows your name, He wants to renovate your life. Will you accept His call today?

If you would like to receive Christ today and bypass your spiritual death, pray this prayer with me today.

Sinner’s Prayer

"Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Let This Sermon Point You To Your Salvation!

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude, knowing that just as You sought out Zacchaeus, You seek after each one of us. Thank You for knowing our names, our needs, and our struggles. We confess that too often we, like Zacchaeus, have pursued the riches and distractions of this world instead of seeking You. But today, we rejoice in the truth that no one is beyond Your reach, no one is too lost to be found, and no past is too broken for Your grace to redeem. Lord, may we respond to You with the same urgency as Zacchaeus—hurrying down from whatever keeps us at a distance, joyfully receiving You into our hearts, and allowing You to transform our lives.

Father, as we leave this place, help us to live as people who have been changed by Your grace. May we not only celebrate our salvation but also be bold in pointing others to You, just as Tilly Smith warned those on the shore. Give us eyes to see the lost around us, courage to speak truth in love, and faith to trust that You are still seeking and saving today. Lord, may our lives reflect the radical generosity and love that Zacchaeus demonstrated after encountering You. We give You all the glory, and we thank You for Your unfailing love. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, we pray. Amen.