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January 19, 2025

Relentless Pursuit of The Lost

Pastor Matt challenges us to consider who in our lives needs to know Jesus, using the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1-10. He emphasizes Jesus' relentless pursuit of the lost and calls believers to follow this example, overcoming societal judgments and personal discomfort to reach others with the transformative love of Christ.

Sermon Notes

Is there anyone in your life that needs to know Jesus?

Luke 19:1-2 NIV

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.

Luke 7:34-35 NIV

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Luke 19:3-4 NIV

He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

Luke 19:5 NIV

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

Notice the Relentless Pursuit by Jesus.

Luke 19:6 NIV

So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

There’s something about the way Jesus carries Himself that makes ashamed men feel comfortable in his presence. 

Luke 19:7 NIV

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

Luke 19:8 NIV

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

“The problem with ‘friendship evangelism’ is that most people never get around to the evangelism part.” – Dr. John Caldwell

Luke 19:9NIV

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.”

Jesus restored his dignity and identity!

Luke 19:10 NIV

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

What will you do to Relentlessly Pursue the lost this year?


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