Zacchaeus Wanted To See Jesus

Associate Pastor Ryan Crawford brought us our Sunday morning message: "Jesus Is Coming To Your House."

We stood for opening prayer and the reading of God's word taken from Luke 19:1-10.

Our sermon this week was about Zacchaeus. How many remember the song about Zacchaeus? Are you singing it now?

Jericho was a place of prominence, power and popularity. If you were somebody in Jericho, everybody knew it. In the Old Testament, Jericho is mentioned several times. Back then it was a great city, but when Jesus passed through he was the most important thing in that city.

There, in Jericho, a man by the name of Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. He climbed up a tree so he could see over the crowd because he was of little stature.

"And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house." John 19:5.

Jesus in the New Testament, in order to save mankind, limited himself to one location and one place. No more omnipresence; he was only going to be at Zacchaeus' house at that time. That's the only place you would find him. Wow! Zacchaeus would never have been the same. He probably had a lot of people and a lot of things over at his house, but the one that he needed to be there had invited himself over. And things were going to change.

We have had people over at our house. Now, the houses I'm talking about are not your physical structure, but rather your life, your world, your domain of existence, education, fame, and fortune. Only God can change what's in your house. Could He come to your house?

You say, "I'm lost!" Well, can Jesus come in? You say, "Well, I'm saved already." Well, that doesn't mean He's in your house and you don't have junk piled up - not even if you come to church, sing in the choir, are a Sunday school teacher, a deacon, a bus driver or bus child. Is he welcome at your house? If he is in your heart, that means you're saved and you ought to thank God you're saved. He may live in your heart, but He doesn't live in your house. Inside your heart, but not your mind, not your mouth, not your iPhone, not your family, not your habit. He lives inside you like you're going to heaven, but you live on earth like you're going to hell. Wouldn't it be something if He took you to this location at 206 East Fifth Street in Pineville, Mo., and looked down on you this morning, pointed at you and said, "I'm coming to your house today!"

Now, there are some lost people and you've had bad relationships in your house: drugs, alcohol, disease, wickedness, fame, and fortune. When you try everything instead of Jesus, you're going nowhere. I would like to tell you that Jesus can come in and change all of that. Not that you have to change it but that He can come in and He'll change it. You need to realize it's Jesus or nothing.

"And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich."

A chief publican, a Jew, collected taxes from Jews on behalf of Romans. He was a loathed manipulator. A rich, young ruler in Chapter 18 could be defined as a lavished materialist. How hard is it for a rich man to get to heaven? Money won't get you into heaven, but it sure will make you think you can get there. That's not to say a rich person can't get to heaven; rather, the more you lean on your money, the less you lean on God. Amen. It makes you think you don't need God. A lost man is what matters to Jesus. Jews hated Zacchaeus although Jesus loved him. This may be you, but Jesus doesn't see all that. Are you lost?

Zacchaeus had a lot in his account. He had it made. Even though he was the chief publican, nothing could take away this longing in his soul, or make him sleep peacefully. He heard Jesus was in town and maybe heard of all the things he had been doing and wanted some of that.

Zacchaeus sought this man out for who he was. He heard about what Jesus could do. Now, fast-forward to present day, man cannot perform miracles today, but God can.

Zacchaeus wasn't a saved man until he came down from the tree. Just as he needed to admit he needed Jesus, we also need to admit we need Jesus now, not tomorrow or next week. Are you in the tree and lost? What if Zacchaeus, who was in the tree, heard Jesus and said "Hold on, just a minute!" How many times has God tapped you and you answered "In a minute!"

Yes, I'm calling you to get saved. Young lady, stay pure now, not after you have given you heart to everyone. Don't say, "After I have had my fun or sown my wild oats" or "After I've wasted my life and messed up my record." Receive him joyfully, not only in your house, but in your heart. Are you in agreement with him? Don't blame your life being a wreck on Jesus, saying he doesn't care. He is not willing that any should perish.

God sees you through the blood of Jesus Christ. Many in our church have received a miracle. He performed a miracle when he took a marriage that was in shambles, cared for those two people and saved them, changed their lives forever and their children's lives. One child has even been called to preach! Miracle!

God can take a family that has prayed for children and provide them with five beautiful blessings. Not man's idea, but His own way. Miracle!

Surrendering to Christ will cause liars to speak the truth and hateful people to start loving again and, most importantly, lives being saved because of what Christ did.

Have you heard of this Jesus? If so, do you want to see who he is?

Zacchaeus was short in stature. He couldn't see for the press. However, nothing was going to stop him from seeing Jesus. Your inability may not be your height, but maybe you can't see Jesus because you're in the wrong church or you have bad habits or your background is wrong or you're bitter at someone who hurt you. Hey! Put that stuff outside and get to a place where you can see him. It's Jesus!

Zacchaeus was climbing a tree to see him, but Jesus knew where he was already. You say, "I come to church because it's a good place to be" or "It's better than not being here" or "Mom made me do it" or "I feel it's best for me to be here to sooth my conscience." That may be why you're here, but that is not why Jesus is here. He knows your heart and he knows you and what you need. He is not too Holy to come and visit your spirit.

Remember, if you do not have a home church, visit us at 206 E. Fifth St. in Pineville. Sunday school starts at 9 a.m. and is immediately followed by church service at 10 a.m. We are one of the friendliest churches in town. We even change things up at times by having our Sunday night service outside in front of the church.

We are reminded that with fall upon us, we are having our own harvest. We need to pray before planting so when sowing, we will have the best picking of friends for Friend Day, Nov. 6, 2016.

This upcoming Sunday is Servant Day, when we will be honoring those who have served our county. Brother Rome Wager from Dulce, N.M., will be here Nov 4-6.

Have you read your Bible today? If not, read Psalms 19.

The church is having Trunk or Treat Monday, Oct. 31.

The Nursing Home Ministry meets at McDonald County Living Center in Anderson at 2:30 p.m. every other Saturday. The next meeting is Nov. 5.

Please check out our FBCP Teen Group Facebook Page.

Friday Night Bible Study Group for Oct. 28 is canceled.

The next WMU meeting is at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the FBCP.

All Bible verses are from the KJV, The King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Remember you can hear a rebroadcast of one of Dr. Larry Crawford's services on KURM radio, 100.3 on FM dial, at 8; 30 a.m. Sunday mornings. Or listen to our pastors' service on our website at www.firstbaptistchurchpineville.com/Sermons.html.