The Friend of Sinners

So I invite you to open your bibles

to luke chapter 19.

Luke 19 · chapter mention

Luke chapter 19 and the passage that we

Luke 19 · chapter mention

are about to read is probably

very familiar to you.

And this is the

familiar story Za,

which appears only here in Luke's gospel.

And perhaps if you grew up in church,

thor You learned the song either a Sunday

school or

children's church or vacation bible school,

It goes like Zac was a wee, little

man.

A wee little man was he. Alright. The

first service, they got a lot of folks

soon with that home.

But it's a great song, but more than

being familiar, this is a great story.

Right? It's a powerful story. It's it... It's

a rich story that describes the conversion of

a person.

It describes the conversion of a soul.

And this story describes what has happened,

and continues to happen to a multitude of

people,

to a multitude of sinner of people from

every tribe

nation and language who need to be forgiven

and are found by Jesus.

Are found by the son of men, the

lord Jesus Christ who came to seek and

save

the lost.

Jc R comments that this verse described the

conversion of a soul,

like the stories of nico demons and this

Samaritan woman,

the story of Za accused should be frequently

studied by Christians.

The lord Jesus

never changes.

What he did for the man before us,

what the lord Jesus has done for you

dear Christian.

He's able,

and willing to do for any 1

of ourselves.

And this is the last picture that gu,

the luke, the gospel writer,

he wants to live of Jesus earthly ministry.

It's At this point in the gospel, Jesus

is about to go to Jerusalem,

this is about to be crucified

and Luke is describing the unexpected

conversion of this man named Zac hughes

of a sinner who was found by Jesus,

So let's look into this story

today, Luke chapter 19

Luke 19 · chapter mention

beginning in verse 1, and this is the

inherent infallible word of God.

He that is Jesus entered jericho and was

passing through.

And behold, there was a man named accused.

He was a chief tax collector and was

rich,

and he was seeking to see who Jesus

was.

But on account of the crowd, he could

not because he was his mowing stature.

So he ran on head and climbed up

into a s tree to see him.

For he was about to pass away.

And when Jesus came to the place, he

looked up and said to him Zac accused

hurry and come down for I must stay

at your house today.

So he hu and came down and received

him joyful.

And when they saw it.

They all b. He has gone in to

be the gas of a man who is

a sinner.

Executive is student said to the Lord. Be

whole lord,

the half of my goods I give to

the poor,

And if I have defeated any anyone of

anything, I restored 4 fold,

and Jesus said to him.

Today's salvation has come to this house.

Since he also is a son of Abraham

for the son of man came to seek,

and to save

the lost.

This is the word of the Lord.

May he imprint this truths upon our hearts

so we're gonna be looking at this passage

under the following headings. First,

we're gonna look at the thinner in the

tree.

The sinner in the 3, then we're gonna

look that Jesus

comes

looking for sinner.

Then when gonna I see the sinner

response,

after being found by Jesus,

and lastly, gonna see Jesus mission to seek

and save sinner.

So first, the sinner in the 3, look

the setting of the story in verse 1.

He entered Jericho

and was passing through. He Jesus entered Jericho

and passing through. So Jesus is on the

way to Jerusalem.

This is actually near the end of Jesus

earthly minis. 3. He's about to go to

the Jerusalem I mean, and enter the city,

riding on a donkey.

Palm Sunday is just around the corner 3

Jesus is about to be handed over and

be crucified, and this is 1 of the

last pictures that Luke.

The gospel writer wants us to have of

Jesus earthly

ministry. And the last picture that luke wants

to leave you of Jesus ministry, is of

the conversion of a sinner.

Is about the conversion of a soul,

A picture of the sin the tree who

has been found by Jesus

a sinner who has been forgiven

and is about to become a new creation

with a new heart,

so enter the sinner into the story.

Verse 2 and behold. There was a man

named Zac accused.

See the word behold. Every time you see

behold the scriptures

The author wants us,

be sure to see.

That's what the word behold means. Be sure

to see.

Be sure to see what is about to

happen.

Keep your eyes and ears open.

Don't miss this.

Don't miss this that you're about to see.

So behold, don't miss this,

there was a man named

Zac cues.

So the first thing we learn about the

sinner in the tree

is that the man's name was Za.

And interestingly enough, the name Za accused comes

from the Hebrew Za,

And the hebrew

Checked this out,

meaning someone

who pure.

A righteous 1. Think of someone 1 who

is not guilty.

So there's a certain irony here because the

meaning of his name,

does not reflect the inward reality.

The inward reality that cues is a sinner.

The inward reality that all of us

that we are all sinner in uni of

a savior

of a redeem.

Z uses anything but pure or innocent or

not guilty. We're a righteous 1.

So his name is accused, but we learn

more about him. We also learn of his

location. Lu verse 2 and behold, there's a

man named accuse

He was a chief tax

collector.

And a tax collector

is taxed with collecting taxes for the government.

And in this case, a tax collector in

Israel collected taxes for the Roman government.

But that he was not only a tax

collector. He was a chief.

Tax collector.

So he had been placed at the head

of the entire tax district of Jericho and

his vicinity,

Actually, in this time, in Israel there were

3 main tax offices in Israel.

Jericho was 1. The other 1 was Cop

by the West Coast on the mediterranean sea,

And the other tax office was in cape

on the North of the Cf of Galilee,

which has actually the base of Jesus ministry.

So accused was the head in the tax

office of Jericho,

and what would happen is that

he would employ others

to collect taxes

while he passed on what was required by

the Roman government.

And this is actually

what had happened is that hughes had won

a bid with the Roman government.

So the Romans required a certain amount of

tax to be paid from each of the

districts,

and people would make bids.

And if you make a bid, you win,

you become the chief tax collector

So accused won the bid And actually, what

would happen is

that you would give

or tax collectors, they would give what the

Roman government... Fired

and the extra, they would collect more. The

extra they would pocket themselves

like the extra. And lies the problem,

that in G, roman times,

tax collectors among the jews were considered to

be traitors.

They're considered to be crooks.

They're considered to be a roman sympathize

and they're reviewing extreme negative light because you

are exploiting your own people.

And you're working for the enemy in other

words, they were working for an invading pig

and pine power.

So they were regarded as administrators and crooks

look what is set about tax collectors, so

negative views of tax collectors occur in secular

literature in the new testament and writings.

In roman and hell

literature, they are lumped together with bag,

these and robbers.

In the new testament, they are paired with

sinner, and with immoral people, and they are

liking to Jane Tiles.

Remember the parable of the Ph the tax

collector, the Ph z contrast himself, I'm glad

that I'm not like the other man,

like

ex and in just in adult and even

these tax collector.

And Jesus is accused of being a drunk

and a friend of tax collectors and sinner.

We see that in Matthew.

And because the accused was a chief tax

collector,

he was also rich. Look what is says

here, Luke 19 2 and behold, there was

a manning named accused he was a chief

tax collector and was rich.

So Jared being 1 of the 3 main

tax offices in Israel was a wealthy city,

and Jericho was at the heart of a

of a vast circle trade route network with

Egypt with tire siding in the North with

Arabia in the east. So he was a

city that yielded high taxes for the roaming

government, and he was a grace spot for

a text man.

So za accused was there, so we learn

about his name. His location, his social status,

but we also learned something about his desires.

Listen to the verses in 3 and 4

and he accused was seeking to see who

Jesus was.

But on account of the crowd, he could

not because he was his small stature.

So he ran on a head and climbed

up into AS3

to see him for he was about to

pass

that way.

So zac had his desire.

He wanted to see Jesus,

but he can't.

Like he says that he was this small

in his stature and and perhaps, you know

he wanted to see Jesus because his fame

had spread through all of his. Remember, this

is the end of Jesus ministry. And everywhere

Jesus went, there are large crowds.

Right? Everyone wanted to see Jesus including accused.

You know, I remember going to both tournaments.

Okay. Let me make a disclaimer because I

didn't make it this in the first service.

To go to watch, Tiger Woods. So I'm

not comparing Jesus Christ to Tiger woods. Okay?

But I remember going to both tournaments to

watch Tiger Woods. When he goes was to

the height of his game. And there huge

crowds.

There's like, sometimes rolls of, like, 10:15

people.

And I wanted to see, like Tiger, you

know, even putting or or taking a on

the first hole, and I'm I'm kinda like

tall, but I still had to look over

people. So imagine like you. There's, like a

large crowd going And sometimes you try to

squeeze, and then maybe he's trying to squeeze

and people are elbow him it's like, hey,

We know who you are. Your text not

on my watch buddy but, you know, get

out of here. Maybe he's getting elbow. He's

trying to speak to Jesus and he can't.

Right? So he has this great idea and

he is desperate say Jesus, so he... He

runs ahead. So he ran ahead and he

climbed up on verse 4 into AS3

to see him for he was about to

pass that way.

Now,

folks just don't do stuff like that,

especially back then. Right? Even now if your

system 1 running and climbing a tree. Even

if it is in a golf tournament and

it's like, man, what's wrong with that guy.

Right? Folks don't run climb trees.

Right? They don't do stuff like this. Passion

someone of the status of accused.

He's even though he's hated, he's a a

prominent man.

Right basil accused can help himself. He has

this strong desire to see Jesus,

and he climbs a s,

which was actually a tree that had low

hanging branches that made it easier to to

climb.

Now think about this,

s 3, you know he also comes from

a hebrew

and know what the meaning of the 3

means,

3 of restoration.

The 3 of restoration. So keep that

names in the Bible

have a lot of significance.

Even

spiritual significance in a story like this. So

whenever you're reading in your bible, pay attention

to names.

Even the that we're going through Genesis pay

attention because they have

significance. So keep that in mind the 3

restoration of a man. Who's anything, but innocent

or guilty?

So the question 1 must ask is why

did he climb the tree?

Why did the zac climb the tree?

Well, was it because he was small stature,

and you wanted to see who Jesus is?

Yes. Right? That's what the scripture says, but

why?

Some

believe he was out of near curiosity.

The accused just had heard about Jesus

and His famous heads spread throughout all his

role and he just wanted to see who

Jesus was. Mere curiosity.

I actually remember, you know, I first came

to faith. And I used to be roommates

with my sister, and then she came to

faith later on.

But I had somewhat of a drastic

conversion. Like, a hundred and 80 degree conversion.

And my sister started, like, seeing the changes,

and he she she gives this testimony, and

she says

that the reason why she first started coming

to church.

Was because he was just curious.

She just wanna see, what in the world

have you guys done to my brother?

She was just curious. And she she she

says that

So whatever the reason is if it is

curiosity

that we come to church first,

You know, eventually, the the lord worked in

her heart, and she came to faith, and

she's a firm believer now.

Praise his god for that. But I think

Alfred Ed time Of comment peter he's up

to something here. What Had brought him, why

did that use climb the tree?

Certainly not curiosity only?

Was it the long working of conscience Maybe

zac had a guilty conscience.

Where a deem car is scarce self about

hope of something better,

or had he heard of him before, Jesus,

or of him that Jesus received and called

to him

the Republicans tax collectors and sinner?

Or was it only the nameless deep

irresistible

inward drawing of the holy ghost.

What had brought him?

Why these accused

climb that tree?

Maybe just because there's something missing.

There something that was lost.

You're thirsty

and you're hungry

and nothing in the world,

and nothing that the world offers so you

can satisfy your thirst.

And quench your thirst.

Satisfy your

your hunger.

Your heart is still restless.

Perhaps you have all the money in it

and the status, but there's is still something

missing.

And whatever the reasons,

it feels curiosity,

feels like guilty conscience,

He wanted to see Jesus.

Right? The lord was working his heart.

The deep,

irresistible,

in inward drawing of the holy ghost, listen

to John Calvin, what he comments is in

this manner,

before

he revealing himself to men,

the Lord frequently

communicates to them a secret desire,

by which they led to him,

while he's is still concealed and unknown.

And though they have no fixed object view,

he does not disappoint then but fast himself

in due time.

And I remember when I came to faith

in the lord,

Jesus.

For 2 years,

I was reading the Bible for 2 years.

I was reading the Bible,

and I was not a Christian.

But I had this desire to go to

church.

I had this desire to read the bible,

but I was not a christian yet.

And why do I tell you I was

not a christian even though I was occasionally

going to church and reading the Bible? Because

I was playing a gulf tournament with with

my friend.

And we are sharing a room. And at

every night, I would open up the bible

and I would read it. Right? And the

bible is that, like, a very...

Easy, you know, both to recognize. So my

friend, look, look at me, he said,

hey Marcelo, is that a Bible?

And I was like, yes, it is. And

he asked the question.

Are you?

And you know what's my answer

To this question and my accretion? I said

yes, I read the bible.

I wasn't saved.

But I had this desire already. God I

put the desire in my heart to read

the word,

because I still thought I was a a

good person. That's why I I was... If

you have asked me at that moment, my

friend was said, how

would you go to? I wanna say because

I have a good heart. I am a

good person.

I had understood yet the sinful and how

deep in my scene it was.

I had understood the meaning of the atonement

and the sacrifice of christ on the cross.

But the holy spirit was already work my

heart.

In the same way that he was already

workings accuse

heart,

But it still,

I did not know Christ yet, but as

on the way

to know Christ.

And this what we see acts in the

past is that Jesus

manifest

himself

in due time.

Why because Jesus comes looking for sinner.

Little mu verse 5. And when Jesus came

to the place,

he looked up and said to him,

zac accused, hurry and come down, for I

must stay at your house

today.

So the question must ask, who was seeking

who

Was the queuing was the accused seeking Jesus?

Where was Jesus seeking

the accused?

And what is the answer to the question?

Yes.

Question is yes. So, but let me explain.

Now accused are certainly seeking Jesus.

But what made accuse seek Jesus?

Curiosity

only,

a guilty conscience,

He wanted something better. He was tired of

living the life that he was living

or was it a deep,

irresistible?

Inward drawing of the holy spirit.

But the answer is that both the seeking

of just accused

And Jesus

seeking of accused are sovereign works of grace.

When a sinner does sick after God,

he does so only because god has first

sought him,

which means that Jesus is the when that

comes looking for you.

First, John 04:19 says, we love God.

John 4:19

Why?

Because he first loved us.

We seek God because he first

sought us. Listen to what Pastor king hughes

says, what we begin to see at this

point in the story is that accused. Seeking

of Jesus

and Jesus is seeking of accused were both

sovereign works of God.

The crossing of their lives,

at the S

was a work of divine Providence.

This meeting was ordained

before the foundation.

Of the world.

But think about it from Accused perspective.

Za accused is not expecting Christ

to take notice of him.

No 1 in the in the crowd is

expecting Christ to do what he does

Right? Look what Matthew Henry says, Za accused

to look upon Christ and resolve to take

particular notice of him.

Be thought are being taken notice of

by Christ.

I mean, Christ is going to notice me.

Me I'm a sinner.

I'm an out cast.

My own people hate me.

I'm despise.

I. I'm lost. I'm without god and hope

in the world. I'm deep my sin.

Christ is gonna take notice of me.

Yes.

Because Christ came to seek and to save

the lost.

Christ came looking for sinner. Look what it

says, in verse 5 and when Jesus came

to the place, he looked up and said

to him,

accused,

hurry and come down. For a must stay

at your house today. I mean, Imagine is

accused reaction.

I mean, how do you know my name?

I mean, I know your name,

but how do you know my name?

Is my reputation that bad in Jerry Cole,

that everyone is talking about me and you

know my name.

No accused.

I know your name,

not because your reputation is bad.

Listen to 16 century 3 comment matthew Harry.

Christ called him by name kiss.

For he knows he's chosen by name

are they not

in his book.

Dear christian,

Christ

knows

you

by

name.

He calls you by name.

Are now your name's written in the lamb

book of life.

He knows he's chosen by name.

And he calls you by name?

It's incredible.

Did you notice how of that Jesus?

Invited himself to accuse, house and not other

way. He just say, hey, Zac. I would

like to stay at your house,

May I stay at your house?

Can you cook some dinner for me? I

don't know if you do this. I invite

myself over to people's houses.

Like, hey, I heard you you're a good

cook.

Look why the lord said, I must

stay.

Jesus regarding his encounter with accused as a

divine

mission.

He is a son of man who came

to seek and to save

the loss. He's seeking of Accuse a work

of the sovereign grace

of god.

Remembers as the story in John chapter 4,

John 4 · chapter mention

when Jesus is about to to meet a

samaritan woman.

Scripture says that Jesus had to go through

some area. Look at John 4, he says

he, Jesus left Jude and departed again for

Galilee,

and

he had

to pass through some area,

Why did Jesus had to pass through some

area

to meet the Samaritan woman?

In this samaritan who came to faith.

They were dis despise also by the A

cast.

The sin or the sinful women,

the a cast, those were considered beyond the

hope of salvation.

And in the same way that the meeting

with the samaritan woman was a divine

work of grace.

It was a meeting that was ordained before

the foundation of the world so was with

his accused and so is with you dear

your Christian.

But think about this American woman.

Think about the cues,

the last thing they were expecting,

Was kindness?

I mean, this Samaritan woman goes to the

well and noon. I mean, think about the

heat here in Houston. Who's gonna go draw

water and noon?

Why? Because she knew nobody was gonna be

there.

But Jesus

was going to be there. He had to

pass through some area.

Right? And she was shown kindness

and mercy

and forgiveness

and love.

Are we showing the kindness to those who

do not yet know christ?

Are we showing them forgiveness?

Are we sharing the gospel

with them,

You know, the kindness of the savior,

A remarkable. Look at this words from pastor

Richard Phillips.

Jesus not only opens the his heart with

his power. Right? The... Factual call when Christ

calls you, you're his sheep... You're going to

respond to the call,

but also melted it with his kindness.

How different was his attitude towards the center

from bed of everyone else in Jericho?

A man accused making getting respect?

Surely fear, but this would have to dwell

amidst the hatred and contempt the tax collectors

received from the general populace.

The 1 thing he surely was not prepared

for was kindness,

a warm offer a companionship,

a genuine desire to spend time with him.

To listen and get to know him

to enter into his house

and into his life.

That is what Jesus offers accused

and its effect was powerfully

obvious.

Because look what happens next, the sinner response

after being found by Jesus little verse 6.

So he's accused. He hu and came down

and receive him

joyful.

He hu,

came down,

received the lord joyful?

Do you know that some people are just

waiting for an invitation?

From you to come to church.

And if you're doing they keep on inviting

people,

You know, people are just waiting for you

to share the gospel with them because God

is already working their hearts.

You know the people like me, I had

a desire to read the word and go

to church

for 2 years,

I didn't go to church. I was just

reading the Bible.

Guess what happened when 2 of my good

friends,

For the first time

invited me to go to church. You know

what I said?

Yes.

How was desperate?

I was reading the word. My heart was

already being warm. The holy spirit was already

working my heart, and I was just waiting

for an invitation.

For someone to share the gospel with me

to walk through the bible with me.

And look what a coming theater r he

says,

Some of the people we know have the

same interest, the same interest as that is,

whether we suspected or not?

If we talk to them about Jesus, they

would engage in the conversation.

If we invited them to church, they would

visit.

They're looking for Jesus already,

sitting their s 3, so to speak.

Right?

God was already at work in accused heart.

So when

Jesus invites himself to his house. He doesn't

hesitate.

He courage and comes down. He receives him

joyful. But look at the reaction of the

problem verse 7, But when they saw it,

they gru,

He has gone to be in the guest

of a man who is

a sinner,

and this is not the first time that

Jesus is accused of being a friend of

sinner.

In the gospel.

I look what a luke himself in chapter

5, he says, in the ph is, and

the describes gru, his disciples saying why do

you eat and drink with tax collectors and

sinner.

And luke 15. Now the tax collectors and

sinner were all drawing near to him to

Jesus.

And the ph and describes G saying, the...

This man receives sinner,

and eats

with them.

You know what And the persians are so

right.

Remember when Jesus forgive the scene of the

para man and they say, hey, who this

is bla who's. Who can forgive sins but

got alone?

The correct?

They're right?

These men receive sinner and eats with them?

Yes.

He does.

And I'm glad that I apart

from the title of son of man.

Do you know how Jesus?

Is recognizing the scriptures as a friend of

sinner and tax collectors.

But the fair is things it's an abomination.

But that is the good news of the

gospel.

The Christ came to seek and save

the lost local junk carving. Comments regarding their,

they think it is unreasonable that Christ should

be stole,

so great and honor on a wicked man.

For in this passage, as in many others,

the word sinner is not taking in the

ordinary sense,

but the notes a men of this graceful

as and scandalous life.

And then R in comments, if the savior

head comes to save sinner,

then who battery to save, than a man

like Zac.

Who was as lost as lost can be.

Jesus dina not was accused to sharing his

sin. Remember never.

He's dealing leading tax collectors and sinner,

but he's the perfect single son of God.

He never shared their sin.

Sm some critics seem to think,

but to offer the fellowship

of his forgiveness.

To offer

the fellowship

of

his

forgiveness.

And how did accuse react? To this offer

of fellowship.

I must stay at your house.

Za accused. I know you by name. Look

at verse aid. And the accused the student

said to the Lord behold. Remember that word

behold.

Pay attention to order is about to happen.

Look to don't miss this

behold

Lord

calling Jesus lord already.

A heart change.

Transformation, Lord, the half of my goods I

give to the poor.

And if I have fraud anyone of anything,

I restored

4 fold.

Za was so overwhelmed.

By the grace

of Christ.

The free offer of forgiveness is in the

gospel

that he went beyond what the law required

You know, the law required that in certain

cases, 1 fifth.

So 20 percent of the unjust obtained amount.

Right?

Had to be added when making restitution. In

other cases, the double

restitution had to be made Look at what

exodus 22.

If this stolen beast is found the alive

in his possession, whether it is an ox

or a donkey sheep, he shall pay,

double.

If a man gave to his neighbor money,

where goods to keep safe, and it is

stolen from the men's house, then if the

thief is found, he shall pay,

double.

That, however, had

now just decided not to restore double.

Said if I have fraud anyone and everything,

I restore it. 4 fold.

He's going above what the law requires.

He's overwhelmed,

with the grace of christ. He's doing good

works already.

He's giving to the poor. He's being generous.

He just had a hard change

Jesus had given him a new heart with

new affection.

And the evidence of this great is spiritual.

Miracle that has taken place is a accused

reaction

to this... To the kindness of the faith

of the savior to the forgiveness he had

just experienced.

He's response to this great miracle

salvation that has taken place. It's remarkable.

So we finished now that have seen the

sinner response

after being found by Jesus lastly, look at

Jesus mission to seek and save sinner.

Using every reality other... We we are all

executives accused. Maybe we're not sharing in New

scene, but we're all in need of a

savior,

and we always need to be forgiven

Look jesus says verses 09:10 and Jesus said

to him today, salvation has come to this

house.

Since he also is a son of Abraham.

For the son of man came to seek

and to save

the loss.

This is a remarkable

statement by Jesus that

that

describes the inner inward reality that has taken

place in accused heart.

Za accused had repent on his sins his

repentance was shown

demonstrated

by his actions of giving, you know, half

of his possessions to the port and restoring

4 fold whatever he had the fraud.

This is the miracle salvation when when Christ

finds his sheep.

I mean, think about this, Accused was regarded

as a traitor.

To the household of Israel.

He was not considered as a sheep. He

was consider as being cut off from God's

Covenant and people. And now Jesus christ saying,

Zac accused is a son of Abraham.

I mean, the fairies most have gone crazy

here in that.

What do you mean these guy a son

of Abraham?

What do you mean this sinner has

chance of salvation.

He's a big center. You know, he was

without god,

and without hope in the world. He was

deepening his sin.

But Christ came looking for him because that

is what Christ came to do.

That's his mission.

That's the mission that we are. That's the

mission that price has given to us, the

church,

go to all the world

and preach the gospel to just a few

nations.

So just a few folks, just those who

are righteous all preach the gospel to all

peoples.

Ba name in the name of the father

they send the holy.

Spirit,

teaching them to obey everything

I have commend

you.

That's what Christ came to do doing. And

he finishes

This is Story with a powerful statement from

Jesus that describes his mission.

And what was that mission? Look 10.

For the son of man came to seek

and to save

the lost.

You know, the son man is a

title taken from Daniel 7. And Daniel 7,

the son of man has divine eye attributes.

He's before the ancient of days,

title And this was actually Jesus most common

way of referring to himself. Or was as

the son of man. It describes both his

humanity,

what he came to do in the incarnation,

but he also describes his d. That he's

the God man. He's the second person of

the divine trading trinity.

But pay attention to what Jesus is explaining

in this verse and I'm gonna call pastor

richard Philips. Look what he says.

This 1 verse serves as the grand explanation

for the hope of Christ's

incarnation.

The first verb explains what happened. He came,

He left heaven,

and he came to the sinful world. He

came.

God has come to us. The second person

of the trinity,

left his glory heaven and came into our

world.

That is the answer for those who want

to know what God is doing about the

mess of this world. He came.

He entered

into our world?

Why then did he come?

Why was the baby born in bethlehem?

Why did God sun take on flesh and

well among us?

He came to seek and to save.

If his purpose was to condemn us,

he did not have come,

we already come condemned.

We're going through Genesis.

You know, adam eve sin, Ga have abandoned

them.

What what does God do?

Was Adam come looking for God? Or God

king looking for Adam.

God came looking for Adam.

They realizing the wilderness. 40 years,

God could have abandoned them.

No, Peter commits,

denies the Lord 3 times.

God could have abandoned Peter.

Jesus just christ. But what does he do?

He prepares a breakfast for Peter.

Some fish and some bread and he restores

him to ministry.

Not to come condemn. If his purpose to

rule or destroy he would not have come

in the weakness of our human nature,

We find that everything he did, every word

he said and every tear he shed, all

the pain and sorrow of life like embrace,

all the unjust a position of sinful mountain

King endured, all the wrath of God he

accepted in our place

while he died upon the cross, always for

this to seek

and to save.

So if you're in Christ,

you're forgiven already, you're not condemned.

But if you're not in Christ,

If you don't belong to him,

you gonna have to

give an account for your sins.

You're doing in your sins. You're doing Adam.

You're not in Christ, the second adam.

The 1 who came to seek and to

save.

Whom? I mean, we we recite the Apostle

creed today. Did you see the

the Catholic church, it has, like, a double

asterisk and says,

The term catholic refers to the church universal.

He came to seek and save.

The church universal knowing no racial,

economic,

geographical

or language

barriers.

He came to seek and to save and

redeem people from every

nation tribe and

language

Look what Henri

and K says, the son of man came

to seek and to save what was lost.

That description is indeed very general.

But it includes people of each sex,

race, male female, race, nationality,

age group,

vocation,

degree of education, rank, etcetera,

etcetera,

etcetera.

Truly Jesus Christ came to seek

and to save

the lost.

So

what are we to learn from this story?

And just finished it was just some,

you know, quick applications.

First, we learn from this versus that

and you have heard Richard says say this

many times from the pulpit,

that no 1 is too bad

or too far gone to be saved.

Or beyond the the the power of price

grace.

Right? No 1 is too far gone.

There's is more grace in christ as they're

is seen in us

This is what kent q says from what

others could see that accused was beyond salvation.

There's no hope for this guy.

If you had living in Jericho, you would

have ridden him off too perhaps,

he had turning his back on God's wording

his covenant people. He was a participant in

Roman oppression, a traitor He made his money

off the backs of his own people.

People rose accused off.

Oh, he was be beyond observation.

But there is no 1 to lost.

You are not too lost.

Forgiveness us a jesus is available to all

who come to Christ

It does not matter if you're deep in

their sin.

Keep praying.

Keep sharing the gospel.

Don't give up

Don't give up.

Why?

Look what Jc R says, hospitals

discharge many cases as.

But there are no

cases under the gospel.

Think about these accused woke cup that day

as a lost man

deep in his sin,

and he goes to bad being near Christian.

He goes bed being a Christian.

Jesus comes to his house,

and he sleeps

being forgiven. There's no 1

so far gone. The second thing we learned

from this because is Christ free compassion

towards sinner.

The compassion of christ, the un

compassion and grace of christ. Look at Matthew

Matthew 9:36

09:36 when Jesus saw the crowds,

he had compassion for them because they were

harassed and helpless.

Like sheep without a shepherd.

The free compassion of Christ

towards sinner like us like Zac,

Listen to what Jc r says nothing is

so frequently found

to turn the hearts of grace sinner as

the

unexpected

and un observe ti.

Think of accused and Samaritan woman. That Christ

loves them and cares for their souls

These ti have often broken

and melted hearts of stone.

Christ,

free

offer,

salvation of

compassion for them of love for them.

Last, we learn from this versus christ's power

to change hearts.

His power to change hearts.

Jesus has the power to transform

lives

and your heart. Think of some of the

greatest miracles in the scriptures.

And he rose lazarus being dead for 4

days.

And he rises lazarus from the dead.

A men were blind sees.

The deaf hears,

the lame are walking.

Think of all these great miracles,

walking on water.

You know what is the greatest miracle

is to change someone's heart.

Is to take the heart of stone

and give a heart of flesh.

That's the greatest miracle.

Price

has the power

to give you a new heart, and he

has giving you a new heart.

If you are a christian.

Finish with these last words from cancun cues.

Za cues change

impossible,

except for 1 thing,

he was sought out by the son of

men.

Amen.

Let us pray.

Lord God, we thank you for the good

news of the gospel.

Of Jesus Christ.

We think lord Jesus that you are the

son of man who came to seek and

save the lost.

You are the savior and

redeem,

open our eyes,

open our hearts,

light in our minds.

Give us grace to believe,

give us grace so that we can live

lives that are

god

in Christ ex.

We I all these things in an emojis

jesus. Amen.