One Step Towards Jesus
Luke 19:1-10
Last week I was privileged to visit with a pastor/mentor/ friend of mine. In his sermon he shared a detailed account of his conversion experience. He mentioned that on the day he was saved, during the invitation, he gripped the back of the pew in front of him until his knuckles turned white... struggling with that spiritual battle between the Spirit and Satan. Then came the moment where he finally stepped out from behind that pew. He stated that one step was all he remembered taking. The next thing he knew he was in the altar surrendering his life to Christ.
As I listened to his testimony I noticed several parallels between his story and mine. Do you remember the day you were saved?Perhaps you had a "white knuckle moment" yourself. No doubt each born again child of God will agree that once you took that first step toward Jesus, the rest of them were completely effortless. I have heard countless people describe that walk down the isle as felling as if they were floating. I was saved in the pastor's office and I remember that walking on air feeling after Jesus saved my soul.
Maybe you are here today and you have faced that intense conviction of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has called you to salvation and you have endured that "tug of war" between the Savior and Satan. Maybe you refused to surrender, and up to this point in your life you have rejected Jesus and His offer of eternal life. It is possible that He is dealing with some of you right now... He is calling you to repentance! Can I encourage you to surrender while there is still time. For God says in His Word that " My Spirit shall not always strive with man" (Genesis 6:3)
It is my prayer today that you will come to a place of repentance and surrender. I hope you will comprehend the fact that you can be born again. So many people are basing their eternity on what they do or what they don't do. This works based salvation directly contradicts the scriptures. We are told in Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
According to these verses salvation is as simple as accepting the invitation that Jesus has offered you. Salvation is not about what you can do... it is about what Jesus has already done. In order to be saved you must trust in His finished work at Calvary. And the great blessing is the fact that He went to the cross to make a way for you! Not only did He make a way for you, He is extending you and offer of eternal life today.
Our selected text reveals why Jesus came. Look to verse 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. He is still doing just that today! I would like to look at Zacchaeus' story and consider this simple thought "One Step Toward Jesus" These verses record one of those great stories that we were taught as little children in Sunday School. For many of you every time you hear the name Zacchaeus your immediately start singing the song in your head!
"Zacchaeus was a wee, little man"
"And a wee, little man was he"
"He climbed up in a sycamore tree"
"For the Lord he wanted to see"
"And as the Savior came that way"
"He looked up in the tree"
"And he said," Zacchaeus, you come down from there,"
"For I'm going to your house today"
This story may be popular with the children in Sunday School, but there is a message here for those of all ages. As we examine Zacchaeus' encounter with the Savior, I would like to begin by considering:
I. THE CALL - v1 ¶And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
We are told that Zacchaeus was a chief among the tax collectors. It is also noted that he was rich. And it appears that he was a curious little man. So curious that he was willing to climb into a tree to see who Jesus was. Or maybe he had a motivation other than curiosity! Perhaps this man who was "rich" and had access to all this world could afford was looking for something more. Maybe he had a void in his life that could not be filled.
This is true with countless lost people today. They are searching for peace, joy, hope and fulfillment.
1) They try to earn more money to buy more stuff and it is never enough.
2) They attempt to drown their sorrows with alcohol and they wake up the next day with the same problems AND A HEADACHE!
3) They are looking for happiness or a thrill so they try every drug that is available.
4) Some think life would be better if they just for the right man/woman.
5) Some work overtime and live for their jobs hoping that the next promotion will bring the fulfillment that they desire.
No matter what they try that void is never filled!
Consider King Solomon. He had all the riches, success, esteem and power that this world had to offer. He had everything that you may be trying to achieve today and he stated that it was all "vanity". But Solomon shared some wise words in - Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Are you searching for something today? You may just find what you are looking for, better yet He (Jesus that is) may find you!!! That is what happened to Zacchaeus, he was looking for something and Jesus called him out. Let's see a couple of facts about this "call". We find in the scripture that:
A. IT IS A SPECIFIC CALL - v5b "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down"
Luke paints a picture of the scene that day for us. - There was a vast crowd of people present there in Jericho, This is why Zacchaeus had to climb the tree in the first place. But out of all of those people in the crowd, Jesus called Zacchaeus!
The night that I was saved, there were many other people in that church. In fact there were many other lost people in that church. But Jesus does not give generic invitations! When Jesus calls you unto salvation HE CALLS YOU BY NAME!!!
How many times have you watched a Billy Graham crusade and you have seen hundreds of people go forward to surrender to Christ. Even with that many people moving at the same time it was not a generic call. It was a specific call, each of them were personally called by name...by the Savior!
Maybe you are here today, you are among this crowd of many people. And you feel that tug at your heart! Your sin has been revealed to you! The need for a Savior has been revealed to you! The opportunity for salvation has been revealed to you! That my friend is the specific call that I am referring to. Just as Jesus called to Zacchaeus up in that Sycamore tree, He is calling to you in that padded pew!
Jesus knew everything there was to know about this sinful tax collector, but He called him anyway! And my dear friend He knows everything there is to know about you! He knows what you have done... He knows where you have been... He even knows what you are going to do in the future.... and He is calling your name in spite of all of that!! Why? BECAUSE HE CAME TO SEEK AND SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST!!!
Jesus told the Pharisees that ..."They that are whole don't need a physician; but they that are sick". (Luke 5:31). You are worse than sick... you are dead in your trespasses and sins! But Jesus is calling your with an offer of a new life!
The call to salvation is a specific call, Not only is it specific, we also see that:
B. IT IS A SPECIAL CALL - v5c "for to day I must abide at thy house."
Jesus told Zacchaeus that He was going to "abide" with him. Abide - {G} (menō -men'-o) to stay, continue, remain, tarry. - Jesus desired to spend some time with this man.
Do you realize how special it is that Jesus would call your name? The Son of God, The Savior of the World, The Creator of the universe, The Everlasting God, The Prince of Peace, The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords...Is calling your name and He desires to abide with you... not for a little while, FOREVER!!! Jesus doesn't seek to save you and then abandon you until this life is over. You don't have to wait until Heaven to live with Jesus
For those who are truly saved, Jesus "abides" with us in this life as well as the next! My dear friend, this call is a special call! If He is calling you, won't you answer today?? Will you do like Zacchaeus and step out on faith? I can promise you, if you will take one step towards Jesus...HE WILL DO THE REST!!
Not only do we see "The Call", notice in verse 8:
II. THE CONVICTION- v8b if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
It is clear that Zacchaeus realized that he was a sinner. His sins were revealed to him and he was prompted to turn from those sins. This conviction came as a result of the call he received. And when Jesus calls your name, you will be simultaneously convicted of your sins. When the Holy Spirit convicts you of your sin, you will realize your need for a Savior!
1. You will comprehend the fact that “(you) have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” - Romans 3:23 -
2. You must also understand that “the wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23a
3. But there is good news for you, the same verse tells us that "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23b - Even though you are a vile wretched sinner, God has made a way for you to be rescued from those sins
4. Romans 5:8 “But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
No matter what you have done, no matter where you have been there is an opportunity for you to be saved! You can receive redemption and eternal life today! Jesus is calling your name! He is offering you salvation full and free. The question is... will you take one step towards Jesus? If you will accept His invitation and step out on faith...HE WILL DO THE REST! That is exactly what happened in the life of Zacchaeus, Jesus called his name, he was convicted of his sins and he took one step toward Jesus!!
Notice:
III. THE COMPLIANCE - v6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
When Jesus called him, Zacchaeus did not delay. He immediately climbed down from that tree and "received Jesus joyfully". Zacchaeus rejoiced at the honor that Jesus had bestowed upon him. He was thrilled at the thought that Jesus would "abide with him".
I fully believe that Jesus initiates the salvation process. But I also believe that we have a choice whether we respond or not. We choose whether to accept His invitation and His great offer of salvation.
Perhaps you are here and at this very moment you know that Jesus is calling your name. You feel the Holy Spirit convicting you of your sins, you realize the need for a Savior, the next step on your journey is "compliance"/ - What you must do is accept that invitation. You must take "one step toward Jesus" You may ask "how do I do that?" - The answer is found in - Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
There is no specific prayer that you must pray to be saved. There is no universal formula for acceptance. In fact, it is more about the faith in your heart that the words that come from your mouth. One of my favorite conversion experiences is the man on the cross next to Jesus. He simply said "Lord, remember me when you enter your Kingdom" And that was good enough, for Jesus said "Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise"
When I was saved I did not pray a beautiful prayer... "I simply cried out to Jesus and said "Lord I've been living a lie, I don't want to go to Hell, PLEASE SAVE ME!!!" - Though my words were not eloquent, they were enough because I accepted the invitation that Jesus had extended to me! It was sufficient because I received a call, was convicted of my sins and I took "One Step Toward Jesus"
My friend do not delay, do what Zacchaeus did and "make haste" and "receive Jesus joyfully" Won't you take that step today? This process does not end with "compliance", once you take that step then comes and amazing transformation. Look with me if you will at;
IV. THE CHANGE- v8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house,
Just in these few verses we see a drastic change in this man. We are told that Zacchaeus was a Chief Tax Collector. He worked for the Roman government. (this was 2 strikes against him in the eyes of the people of Jericho). As a publican he had a contract with Rome and he collected taxes from these people. And it was common practice for the publicans to overcharge the people and keep some for themselves. For instance, if Rome charged a 5% tax rate, a publican (Zacchaeus in this case) may charge 10% or more. Everything over Rome's 5% would go into the pocket of the publican. And we are told in this text that Zacchaeus was rich! But after he met Jesus there was a change in his life.
The people did not see the change at first and they may not have believed it after it happened. - v7 "And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner". - And when you surrender to Jesus there will be some skeptics. There will be some people who can't get past your past! But praise God with Jesus you have a future!!
Zacchaeus was radically changed the day that he met Jesus. Notice - v8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house" - What we see in these few verses is the story of two different men. We see a man without Jesus.Then we see what happened when a man takes one step toward Jesus! After meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus promise to give half of his fortune to the poor. Then he says I am going to restore fourfold anything I have taken from anyone deceitfully. These actions were not conditions of his salvation...THEY WERE CONSEQUENCES OF IT!
- Zacchaeus turned away from the old life
- He walked away from lying
-He quit cheating
- He abandoned his extortion
- He TURNED FROM HIS SINS!
Zacchaeus did not change himself... he couldn't if he had tried! Jesus was the One Who brought about the amazing transformation in this man's life. All Zacchaeus had to do was accept the invitation that was offered to him. He simply took one step toward Jesus!
You will experience an amazing transformation when you truly meet the Savior! - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- You will go from filthiness to being washed whiter than snow!
- You will go from being a sinner to a saint!
- You will go from death unto life!
- Your misery will be replaced with joy unspeakable and full of glory!
- Your hate will be removed and love will take it's place!
- The emptiness in your heart will be filled!
- Your anger will turn into compassion!
- No longer will Hell be your destinty... HEAVEN WILL BE YOUR HOME!!
- When you take that One Step Toward Jesus there will be an amazing change in your life!!
> Sergeant Jacob DeShazer was a bombardier during WW2. While bombing Japan his plane was shot down. He and his crew bailed out but were captured and severely tortured by the Japanese.DeShazer had but one desire, to have revenge on his torturers. One day a Bible was smuggled into the prison, as DeShazer read it, he trusted Christ and his life was changed.
His bitterness towards the Japanese was changed to love. When the war was over DeShazer returned to Japan as a missionary. In 1959, DeShazer moved to Nagoya, the city he had bombed and established a Christian church.
> The story of his life was printed as a tract . One day a disheartened, broken and hopeless man received one of those tracts and was converted. His name was Captain Mitsuo Fuchida. He was the Japanese officer who lead the attack on Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941. It was he who had spoken the words, “Tora, Tora, Tora,” to begin the attack. After he was saved he became a preacher of the gospel and on the 25th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor he went back to Pearl Harbor with a gift for the survivors, a Bible which had been inscribed with Luke 23:43 which says “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Mitsuo Fuchida later met Jacob DeShazer and they became close friends. They even preached together in crusades in Japan. (Source: https://sermons.logos.com/submissions/116862-Jesus-Makes-A Difference#content=/submissions/116862)
What made the difference in these two men’s lives? JESUS! What made the difference in Zacchaeus' life? JESUS! What made the difference in my life? JESUS! And what can make a difference in your life? ...better yet WHO can make a difference in your life....JESUS!
He is extending an offer of salvation to you right now... Will you take "One Step Toward Jesus"?
