Summary

In this sermon, Pastor Kent explores the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1-10, emphasizing how Jesus saw potential in someone everyone else had written off. Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief tax collector who was despised by his community for extorting money from them. When Jesus came through Jericho, Zacchaeus, being short, couldn't see over the crowd (who intentionally blocked him), so he climbed a tree. Surprisingly, Jesus stopped, called him by name, and invited himself to Zacchaeus' house - an act that shocked everyone but transformed Zacchaeus completely.

The pastor highlights that Jesus didn't see Zacchaeus as a crook or cheater, but as a lost son with potential for redemption. This exemplifies Jesus' mission statement: "The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost." Kent challenges the congregation to follow Jesus' example by entering into the worlds of lost people rather than judging them, comparing this to giving someone a "mulligan" (a second chance) in golf. He concludes by comparing salvation to playing "best ball" in golf - where instead of playing from our own mistakes, we get to play from Jesus' perfect position.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss this powerful story of redemption and second chances, we ask that You open our hearts to Your truth. Help us to see others as You see them - not defined by their past mistakes but by their potential for transformation through Your love. Give us the courage to be honest about our own need for Your grace, and make us receptive to whatever You want to teach us today through our discussion. In Jesus' name, amen.

Ice Breaker

If you could have a "do-over" or "mulligan" for one small moment in your life, what would it be and why?

Key Verses

1. Luke 19:5
2. Luke 19:8
3. Luke 19:10

Questions

1. What strikes you most about how Jesus interacted with Zacchaeus in this story?
2. The pastor points out that the crowd intentionally blocked Zacchaeus because of who he was. Have you ever experienced being excluded or judged based on others' perceptions of you?
3. Jesus called Zacchaeus by name even though they had never met. What do you think that moment meant to Zacchaeus, and what does it mean to you that Jesus knows your name?
4. Zacchaeus responded to Jesus' acceptance by immediately offering to give away half his possessions and repay anyone he cheated. How does genuine transformation typically show up in someone's life?
5. The pastor said, "Jesus saw potential in Zacchaeus when all everyone else could see was his past." How might our lives change if we viewed others this way?
6. Jesus didn't tell Zacchaeus to follow Him - instead, He invited Himself to Zacchaeus' house. Why do you think Jesus approached Zacchaeus differently than others He called?
7. The sermon compares salvation to playing "best ball" in golf - playing from Jesus' perfect position rather than our mistakes. How does this metaphor help you understand grace?
8. The pastor challenges us to "find our people" among those who don't look like us and have different backgrounds. What practical steps could you take to connect with people who need Jesus in your everyday life?

Life Application

This week, identify one person in your life who might be like Zacchaeus - someone others avoid, judge, or exclude. Make a deliberate effort to engage with them in a meaningful way. This could be inviting them to coffee, having a conversation to learn their story, or simply acknowledging them with kindness when others don't. As you do this, pray for God to help you see them as Jesus would - not defined by their past or reputation, but as someone with potential for transformation through Christ's love. Be prepared to share your experience with the group next time we meet.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus sees potential in us when others only see our past mistakes and failures.
2. Jesus came specifically to "seek and save the lost" - this was His primary mission.
3. True transformation, like Zacchaeus experienced, leads to tangible changes in our priorities, relationships, and how we handle our resources.
4. Following Jesus means entering into the worlds of people who are different from us, rather than judging or avoiding them.
5. Salvation is like playing "best ball" in golf - we get to play from Jesus' perfect position rather than our own mistakes.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking us when we were lost. Thank You for calling us by name and seeing our potential rather than just our failures. We confess that it's not always easy to extend this same grace to others, especially those who have hurt us or those society has labeled as unworthy. Give us Your eyes to see people as You see them. Give us courage to enter into the worlds of those who need You most. Help us to remember that we too were once lost until You found us. This week, lead us to someone who needs to experience Your love through us. May we be faithful representatives of Your kingdom, offering second chances just as You have given them to us. In Your name we pray, amen.