A Fresh Start with God

Main Idea: Jesus offers the gift of a fresh start to everyone who turns to him in heartfelt repentance.

Today’s Bible Passages

Luke 19:1-10; Luke 18:9-14, 18-30; Romans 15:7

Recap: A Living Hope

Stories from the Gospels about people finding hope and healing through their encounters with Jesus Christ.

What Makes Zacchaeus’s Story Different than Others?

• Main Difference: Zacchaeus’s problems are a direct result of his sins against God and other people. He has a responsibility to confess and repent in order to receive the hope Jesus is offering.

Jesus and Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

• Zacchaeus’s story is an inspiring example of heartfelt repentance. It also shows how Jesus offers the gift of a fresh start to everyone who turns to him in heartfelt repentance.

What Does Repentance Involve?

• An honestadmission of wrongdoing.
• Turning away from that lifestyle and developing a new mindset and attitude.
• A willingness to make amends / restitution.
• Keeping Jesus at the center of your life.

Other Ways People Respond to Wrongdoing

• Denial, blaming others, going through the motions, insincere apologies, and empty promises.

Why Zacchaeus’s Actions Were So Surprising

Historical context from Luke 18 helps explain why people were likely caught off guard by what Zacchaeus did.

• Luke 18:18-30 — The rich young ruler shows how hard it is for wealthy people to walk away from their money in order to get right with God.
• Luke 18:9-14 — Many religious people assumed tax collectors were so sinful they were essentially beyond hope of redemption.

Zacchaeus showed that even the “worst” of sinners could humble themselves, confess their sins, and make restitution.

What Did Jesus Do?

1. Invited himself into Zacchaeus’s life/home.
2. Brought salvation to Zacchaeus’s house.
3. Affirmed Zacchaeus’s place in the family of God.
4. Declared His purpose: To seek and save the lost.

Jesus was far more welcoming to Zacchaeus than the crowd would have been.

Why Was Jesus So Welcoming?

• He was wholeheartedly committed to his God-given mission of seeking and saving the lost — which included people like Zacchaeus.
• “I must stay at your house” emphasizes the necessity of the mission.

What Did Zacchaeus Do?

1. Took extreme measures to encounter Jesus.
2. Openly confessed his sins.
3. Repented immediately and made restitution.
4. Invited Jesus into his life and home.

Jesus was seeking Zacchaeus, and Zacchaeus was seeking Jesus.

• Zacchaeus “wanted” (Greek: zéteó, to seek) to see Jesus, so he climbed a tree.
• Jesus came to “seek” (Greek: zéteó) and save the lost.

Jesus and Zacchaeus were seeking each other. But not everyone was happy with how it turned out.

What Did The People Do?

• They complained that Jesus was acting inappropriately (Luke 19:7).

They were indignant that Jesus was offering the gift of His presence and salvation to a sinner like Zacchaeus.

O.B.S. — Older Brother Syndrome

• The belief that God’s grace is meant for sinners like you, but not sinners like them (based on the Prodigal Son parable).
• The spiritual treatment: Romans 15:7, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

Responding to God

• Believe the Gospel (death, burial, resurrection)
• Confess and repent of your sins
• Decide to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior
• Be baptized into Christ (forgiveness, Holy Spirit)
• Follow Jesus faithfully as his disciple

Next Steps

How will you grow with God, connect with other Christians, or learn to live like Jesus?

• Join a class, start studying the Bible, commit to daily devotions or consistent prayer.
• Join a small group, volunteer in a ministry.
• Share your faith with someone who needs Jesus.

Further Reflection and Study:

Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17

1. What are the most important things Paul wants us to know about his spiritual journey?
2. Can you think of any similarities between Paul and Zacchaeus?
3. What do we learn about the character, nature, or values of God based on this passage?
4. How could Paul’s story of forgiveness be an encouragement to someone who feels like they’ve made too many mistakes to be accepted by God?
5. What did Bryan mean when he talked about OBS — Older Brother Syndrome? Do you think Christians felt that way when Paul started following Jesus? Why/why not?
6. Why are confession and repentance an important part of a person’s spiritual journey?
7. In your own words, what is the difference between heartfelt repentance and going through the motions saying you’re sorry?
8. What kinds of words, actions, or attitudes would a church need to have for an outsider like Zacchaeus to feel welcomed as he seeks Jesus? What actions or attitudes would cause Zacchaeus to leave and never return?
9. What do you feel God calling you to do, change, or pray about as a result of this passage and sermon?