Luke 19:9 - 10 (ESV) ZACCHAEUS

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.”

Proof of Zacchaeus’ conversion:

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.” 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

1. God (has to) always seeks us first! No one is beyond saving – Luke 19:5;7;10

Genesis 3:8 - 9 (ESV) 8…..the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

9But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

2. Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord…

1 Cor.12:3 3…no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 10:9 - 11 (NLT) 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

1. “…the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (400%)
   • Luke 9:23 (ESV) - 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

James 1:27 (NLT) 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

"Faith without works is dead." James 2:17 (NLT) 17So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

James 2:18 ¹⁸Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

Ephesians 2:10 - “you were saved unto good works which God has before ordained that you should walk in them.”

Luke 2:12-13 — "Some tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, 'Teacher, what are we to do?' Don't collect more than is legal, he told them." Romans 13:6-7 "That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties.

Contrast Zacchaeus with the rich men below:

Luke 16:19 (ESV) --- The Rich Man and Lazarus. 19“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

Luke 18:18 - 23 (ESV) --- The Rich and young Ruler 18And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’”

21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.”

22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

The rich young ruler is a warning to people who want a Christian faith that does not change their values or upset their lifestyle.

• It is not possessing riches that keeps people out of heaven, for Abraham, David, and Solomon were wealthy men. It is being possessed by riches and trusting them that makes salvation difficult for the wealthy. Wealth gives people a false sense of success and security, and when people are satisfied with themselves, they feel no need for God.

Monday Morning Moment: “Jesus know our past, present and future….and He still loves us.”

Psalms 139:1 - 4 (NLT) 1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.