HOW MUCH YOU MATTER TO GOD
BEING TRANSFORMED FROM THE INSIDE OUT
4 Ways We Judge Our Worth
By appearance - How do I look?
By achievement - What have I accomplished?
By approval - How well am I liked?
By affluence - What do I own?
The greatest transformation in our lives takes place when we see ourselves as God sees us.
"Jesus was going through the city of Jericho. A man was there named Zacchaeus, who was the chief tax collector and he was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but he was too short to see above the crowd so he ran ahead to a place where Jesus would come and he climbed a sycamore tree so he could see Him." Luke 19:1-4 (NC)
1. NO MATTER HOW INSIGNIFICANT I FEEL, JESUS NOTICES ME.
"When Jesus got to the tree, He looked up..." Luke 19:5 (MES)
God knows right where you are...
"...God never overlooks a single sparrow. And He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail -- even numbering the hairs on your head!" Luke 12: 6-7 (MES)
The deepest expression of love is attention...
2. NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT ME, JESUS AFFIRMS ME.
"...Jesus looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name 'Zacchaeus!' He said." Luke 19:5b (LB)
God knows every name, smile and tear of everyone...
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." Eph. 2:10 (NLT)
God has us engraved on the palm of His hand... Isaiah 49:16
"Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close." Psalm 27:10 (NLT)
3. NO MATTER WHAT I'VE DONE, JESUS WANTS ME.
"...He said,'Come down quickly! For I am going to be a guest in your home today!'" Luke 19:5c (LB)
"All the people saw this and began to complain, 'Jesus is staying with a sinner!' " Luke 19:7 (NCV)
God doesn't care what other people think of you...
"Jesus said, 'those the Father has given Me will come to Me, and I will never reject them.' " John 8:37 (NLT)
God wants to change you more than He wants to condemn you...
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND TO JESUS?
"So he came down at once and received Him with joy." Luke 19:8 (NAB)
THE RESULT
"Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, 'I'll give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I've cheated anyone, I'll give them back four times the amount.' Jesus responded, 'Salvation has come to this home today!' " Luke 19:8-9 (NCV)
Here was one of the most crooked men of Jesus' time, yet when He came to Jesus, he wanted to give it away. When you allow the Lord into your life, He will work in you and bring about some wonderful changes!!
Sermon by Pastor Les White on March 25, 2001 at First Church of Christ
