Intro: Today I want to speak to you about going to new heights, and into the fulness of God. The church today has found its self in a state of weariness, waiting, and searching. We have grown weak and weary; the signs of the times have taken a toll on the church we have seen a fallen away of young and old alike. But church today I want you to know that God is still in control; the game is not over yet, but has just begun. For such a time as this for those that hunger and thirst after righteousness they shall be filled, for all that feel worn down and broken your time of restorations is at hand. The Word of God tells me in 1 John 4:4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
I. In my opening scriptures I introduced you to a man named Zacchaeus that climbed a tree to see Jesus. His name which means “pure” or “justified” is with in its self a testimony to who he was, for a name during that time was important and spoke much about you.
A. But despite his name he was a publican or tax collect at that time in Jericho. And during that time all tax collectors were hated by the Jews because they were looked upon as collaborators with the enemy the Roman Empire; they were considered ritually impure due to their continual contact with the Gentiles; and were looked upon as thieves and extortioners. A far cry from his name meaning.
1. But on that day in Jericho; Zacchaeus learns that Jesus has come to town.
2. And seeks to see this man that all are making a noise about. Psalms 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
3. But he ran into a few problems that day, which I believe are relevant to us today for those that seek to see King and all His Glory.
II. The first obstacle in his way was the crowd.
A. Even though they too were looking for the King they were also a hindrance to Zacchaeus that too sought to see the King.
1. Though they may have had good intentions to see the King them selves they were preventing one from getting to the Lord.
2. You see sometimes others seem to get in the way of those that want to see Jesus.
3. Sometimes there are those that hinder others from getting closer to Jesus.
4. There are those that want to just sit back and see the Glory from a distance.
5. And don’t want to get any closer than they need too, cause their afraid that the Lord may ask more of them. Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
6. While on the other hand there are those that want to get a little closer to Jesus. And don’t seem to care that when they get closer that He may ask more of them. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
B. Sometimes the crowd prevents others from getting closer with their on zealousness.
1. They may want to just sit back and watch the Lord come by.
2. While others on the other hand want to make a little a noise when the Lord comes by. Psalms 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all [ye that are] upright in heart.
3. They like to give a little a shout unto the Lord, a little leap for joy, a waving and lifting of the hands, and maybe a little song and dance for the King of Righteousness. Psalms 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
4. While the rest sit back and watch, ready to speak up and tell them they need to calm it down a little bit.
C. But you see when Jesus Christ comes in I can’t help but get a little excited because I know what he has freed me from. And I know where He is taking me to, so please excuse me I need to get to Jesus. Psalms 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
1. I got to do more than just be still, I got to lift His name on High; I got to speak up about my King and there isn’t no one going to stop me. Psalms 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
2. He alone is worthy, and I got to praise my Jesus. I hunger and thirst after His righteousness and I want to be full.
III. But even though a crowd prevented Zacchaeus from seeing the Lord, there also was some thing within himself that prevented him from seeing Jesus and that was his height.
A. Sometimes there are things within our selves that keep us from getting closer to the Lord.
1. Sometimes along this race we get weary and tired and feel all alone.
2. You have run a good race, but now have found yourself in a moment of weakness and are under your own pressures. You feel as if no one understands; not even God. You hurt and have been hurt, and it all seems to be coming back to you.
3. All that you have gone through has become a heavy burden for you and you can’t even seem to be able to raise your head high any more. You feel defeated.
4. You feel as if Satan has stolen, killed, and destroyed you. He has worn you down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
A. But I want to proclaim to you today that there is one that came to RESTORE, REVIVE, AND REBUILD you and that is our Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Though you may be weary the Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2. At our most weakest points in our walk with Christ know that when you abide in Christ that is the moment when you are at your strongest to make it though this hurdle, to continue running this race to obtain the prize of eternal rest in the presence of our Savior and our Heavenly Father. For he said He will never leave you or forsake you, he is with you even unto the end. He will stick closer than a brother. And in your weakness He will carry you,
3. Know that at our weakness when the devil starts messing, you proclaim Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
4. When you start feeling low in your walk with Christ know that you have overcome by Christ’s precious blood, and by your testimony. And I am not only talking about what you were saved from, but in whom you abide in. But know that Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
5. 2 Corinthians 5:20 tells me that I am an ambassador of Christ and that means I am REPRESENTING the Lord Jesus Christ and all His glory. And Satan can’t touch this.
B. There are those times when at your lowest point within yourself that you can really get a hold of God.
1. You start proclaiming the goodness of God, rethinking your circumstance.
2. Instead of looking at it with your own eyes you start looking at it with the eyes of the Lord.
3. Instead of that negative thinking that robs you of your testimony and victory you take Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
4. You start 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
5. No longer do you need to feel like you are unworthy for you are now a new creature in Christ Jesus old things are passed; behold all things are new.
6. Begin to know who you are in Christ and that you have the victory and Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.(38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
7. You are a child of the King a joint heir, all the blessings and goodness of God is yours. Romans 8:17 ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.
Conclusion: (Have every one stand in the aisles) When Zacchaeus saw that he couldn’t make it past the crowd, he didn’t let his height get in the way instead he overcame it by climbing a tree to get to Jesus. Instead of defeat he now had the victory; because he overcame his circumstance just like many others have done to get into the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
