Scripture and SermonNovember 3, 2013

Rev. Dr. John W. Landis

Gospel Reading

Luke 19:1-10

19:1 Jesus entered Jericho

and was passing through.

2 A man was there by the name of

Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax

collector and was wealthy.

3 He wanted to see who Jesus was,

but being a short man he could

not, because of the crowd.

4 So he ran ahead and climbed a

sycamore-fig tree to see him, since

Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot,

he looked up and said to him,

“Zacchaeus, come down

immediately.

I must stay at your house today.”

6 So he came down at once

and welcomed him gladly

7 All the people saw this

and began to mutter,

“He has gone to be the guest

of a ‘sinner. ”

8 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.”

9 Jesus said to him,

“Today salvation has come

to this house,

because this man, too,

is a son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of Man came to

seek and to save what was lost.”

Get Down Here!

Luke Luke 19:1-10November 3, 2013All Saints Sunday

Communion SundayImmanuel Baptist ChurchRev. John W. Landis, DMin

Busy Day!

• All Saints Day– This is the Sunday we Celebrate All the Saints

And WHO might that be?

Saint

• Exceptionally Virtuous– Usually has miracles that have been done in their name

• Roman Catholic Church does not make people saints, just recognizes them

• Anyone who is in heaven is a Saint– Particularly in Eastern Orthodoxy

• More specifically, anyone who is . . .

in Communion with God• Originally, Any Christian

That would be you and me

What does all this have to do with today’s Scripture?

It is the story of the

Transformation (Metamorphosis)

of Zacchaeus into a Saint!

Zacchaeus

• Chief Tax Collector– Typically made their money by gouging– In the service of the Romans– Hated by all

• Probably had been picked on all of his life– Had his chance to get back at all who had picked on him!

• From a material standpoint probably had all he wanted– From a power standpoint as well!

Zacchaeus

• Curious about Jesus• Willing to do what it took to get near to Jesus• Resourceful– Climbs the tree

• Persistent• He may be an honest man!– Says “IF I have cheated someone

Zacchaeus

• Willing to explore– Open to the possibilities

• Willing to act in the face of the hostile crowd• When he meets Jesus, he is transformed

Zacchaeus

• Willing to act on Redemption• Willing to make things right• Doesn’t wait for forgiveness to make things

right!– Not an “if – then” proposition– One of the few rich willing to give away his

possessionsValues his soul over his money

Crowd

• Selfish• Self Righteous• Looking for vengeance• Not willing to help Zacchaeus find Jesus• Not willing to rejoice at Zacchaeus finding

Jesus and redemption! • They do what Crowds do . . . They Grumble!

Jesus

• Looking to save– Sensitive to those who are looking

• Not too busy to listen– Or rather busy offering people the chance for

TRANSFORMATION and redemption • Sees past the past– And prejudices

• Willing to forgive

Lessons to Learn

• If you are going to change (Metanoia) . . . SHOW IT!– What have you done differently since becoming a

Christian?– What are you going to do?

• You can’t buy your way into heaven (ML)–You can into Hell however!

• If you have wronged someone, you need to make restitution

Lessons to Learn

• If you are lost look for Jesus• If you want to get close to Jesus you have to

work at it• If you actively seek Jesus you will be rewarded– He will come into your life and stay with you• Watch out, he will change everything

Jesus wants you to be a Saint!

(In Communion with God!)(In heaven when you die!)

Do You Want to Be?

Listen, I think I hear the voice of Jesus saying to you and me. . .

“Get over here . . .for I am going to your house today

. . . Going to your HEART to STAY”