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Effective Gospel Outreach
“If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.”
2 Corinthians 4:3,4 Msg
In a world where millions are crying out for answers, why are we, who have been saved and know the Real answer, so reluctant to share our faith? Does Christ’s mission and passion, His encounter with Zacchaeus, hold the key?
Read: Luke 19:1-10
Luke 5:27-32 Jesus calls Levi- Was Levi possibly a friend of Zacchaeus?
Notice: there are five things Jesus shows us we can do-
1) v.1-5 Jesus sought out Zacchaeus
* Jesus was looking more for Zacchaeus than Zacchaeus was
looking for Jesus.
* The late Paul Harvey said. “Too many Christians are no longer
fishers of men, the have become keepers of the aquarium”
2) v.5a Jesus cared for him
James 4:17 we know we must do it, so- just do it!
* Jesus called Zacchaeus by name
3) v.5b-6 Jesus fellowshipped with him
Matthew 9:9-13 notice with whom Jesus fellowshipped
* we must be willing to go to them- home, work, culture
* being “in the world, but not of the world”
4) v.9 Jesus shared the Truth with him
* we were created by God to minister to other people
* to share with them the life and example of Jesus Christ
5) v.8-10 Jesus taught Zacchaeus how to live
* being a “tax collector”, many in that day were known to be crooked-
collecting what was required and more for themselves
* Jesus taught Zacchaeus how to live honestly ( Lev. 6:1-7; Ex. 22:1-4 )
* Jesus taught Zacchaeus how to give generously
Romans 1:16 do not be ashamed to share the Gospel
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