{"id":3423,"date":"2022-03-05T10:48:45","date_gmt":"2022-03-05T15:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=3423"},"modified":"2022-03-05T10:48:51","modified_gmt":"2022-03-05T15:48:51","slug":"the-man-zacchaeus-march-6th-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=3423","title":{"rendered":"THE MAN ZACCHAEUS, March 6th, 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CENTRAL THOUGHT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All who seek Jesus Christ earnestly find Him and are made whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HYMN:\u00a0 HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text: <\/strong>Luke 19:1-10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zacchaeus was very desperate; hence he was ready to meet with Jesus by all means necessary. Zacchaeus suppressed shame, humiliation, public comments, side talks and desperately sought for the Lord and Savior of the world.  He was very conversant with the events around him and made good use of the environmental opportunities (a sycamore tree) he had.  This paid off and enabled him to know the Lord, see Him and got all possible physical and spiritual benefits available to man from the Master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Zacchaeus as a rich man, would not have bothered to get the truth, and get carried away with his riches to buy his way through and acquire for himself church titles and high seat which could not have gotten him a place in God\u2019s kingdom on the day of judgement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Today, sinners are deceived to come to the house of God the way they are and pretend to get converted. As soon as they start attending the church gatherings, they feel good without being properly and thoroughly discipled by the leaders. Thus, they see no reason any more to repent and be converted.\u00a0 Christ actually accepted Zacchaeus, but encouraged him to get fully converted.\u00a0 Zacchaeus\u2019 volunteered restitution was evidence of his rebirth through Christ ministration to him. This lesson therefore, would address man\u2019s need for salvation, how to get saved, why Christ came and the evidence of true salvation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LESSON OBJECTIVES<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The objectives of this study are:<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.  Who Zacchaeus was and why he sought for Jesus Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Why Christ came, why man needs Him and the evidences of man\u2019s rebirth.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. What Christ\u2019s death accomplished for man.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Man\u2019s role in accessing salvation.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bible Truth:<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q1a. WHO WAS ZACCHAEUS?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 19:2, 5, 8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zacchaeus simply means pure.  This may imply that his parents expected him to be of a pure disposition in life.  Thus, his life ambitions might have been influenced greatly by economic and employment circumstances which compelled him to become a tax collector and a seemingly sinful public enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            He was described as a \u201cchief\u201d tax collector.  He thus must have been one of the chief inspectors of taxes of his time, to the Roman Empire – the then World Super Power, assigned to the Jewish territory.  This made him to be hated by the Jews who saw him as an agent of the Romans\u2019 task-masters whose activities afflicted them with financial and economic pains.  The Roman tax collectors got much from the people and remitted less to their masters and became affluent with the excess instead of reducing the payers\u2019 burdens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q1b. WHAT WAS ZACCHAEUS\u2019 SINCERE DESIRE TOWARDS JESUS CHRIST?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 19:3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Zacchaeus sincerely sought to see Jesus Christ, to know who Christ was as a person, the miracle working ability in Him as well as the inherent power with which He saves sinners.\u00a0 He must have heard about Christ from people who benefited from Him, so his expectation was very high.\u00a0 He admitted the facts about himself, exposed the secrets about his sinful life to the Lord who sees clearly even in the thickest darkness. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His humility and truthfulness made room for him as he accepted the truth, confessed his sins and voluntarily settled at making restitution.\u00a0 Thus, he eventually got fully converted. He who covers his sins would not prosper but he that confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy, Proverbs 28:13, Zacchaeus complied with all that and got fully saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            If all persons in the church today were to be told the truth and encouraged in this direction, true conversation would be seen among members of our congregations.  More converts would be coming to God in repentance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q1c. WHAT OBSTACLES DID ZACCHAEUS FACE IN SEEING CHRIST AND HOW DID HE OVERCOME THEM?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Zacchaeus was a man of small stature and could not have been able to see Christ because of the crowd.  Another obstacle was that he was hated by the people being known as a tax collector, whom the people believed enriched himself at the expense of the poor (through heavy taxation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Anyone who also despises shame, social status, ignore people\u2019s talk, accepts being a sinner, believes in Christ and receive Him as his Lord and Savior on forsaking his evil ways shall receive eternal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q2a. HOW DID CHRIST RESPOND TO ZACCHAEUS AND WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT? <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 19:5<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            <\/strong>Christ accepted him finally as sinful as he was and even visited his home and ate with him.  This shows truly that Jesus came indeed to seek and to save that which was lost.  Matt. 18:11, Lk. 19:10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Jesus Christ\u2019s forgiveness of a genuine repentant sinner is wholesome, complete and all encompassing.  He is not a respecter of persons, but anyone who works righteousness is accepted with Him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acts 10:34-35.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q2b. WHAT DOES GENUINE REPENTANCE ENTAIL?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 19:6, 8, 3:12-14; Exodus 22:14-17; Psalm 34:18, 51:17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Genuine repentance involves the principles of true salvation processes.\u00a0 It must include self-conviction of wrong doing, confession and repentance, then acceptance of Christ as the only Savior from sin, a deliberate turn-around from old ways and embracing the new life in Christ. It comes from one\u2019s mind through conviction and a self determination to act godly.\u00a0 Thus a repented sinner can no longer be comfortable while in possession of stolen or ill-gotten items especially when it is still possible to restore same to the rightful owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            There is supposed to be noticeable changes in one\u2019s life when he gets born-again.  Such changes are evident in the  individual\u2019s life, talk, places he visits, what he does and his ways of life generally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Church leaders could be quick to accept persons who claim to be saved, but should be very slow in committing godly functions or positions to such ones.  It is wise to allow them manifest evidence and fruits of repentance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q3. HOW DID THE PUBLIC REACT TO THE LORD\u2019S VISIT TO ZACCHAEUS\u2019 HOUSE?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 19:7; Matthew 9:10-13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Zacchaeus as a tax collector was seen by the people as an agent of oppression and a notable sinner.  The public could not see why Christ should be a guest to such a person.  Jesus Christ was very right to have visited the sinner (Zacchaeus) because the core of His mission on earth was to reconcile sinners to God.  It should be emphasized that though Christ mingled with sinners, He did not participate in sin with them; neither did He encourage them to continue in unrighteous living.  Rather, He came to us to help us out of our rejected state and to restore us back to God.  However, the fact remains that the Lord Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, which includes Zacchaeus, Luke 19:10.  Believers should therefore preach the gospel to all, no matter how deep in sin we perceive an individual has been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Believers should try to relate with all men.\u00a0 We should love them equally and allow God to deal with each person the way His wills, based on what He knows about them. In summary believers should preach to all men and help them get saved from condemnation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daily Living Application: <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zacchaeus was eager to see the Lord Jesus, and he overcame every obstacle.  Similarly, every sinner should desire to meet with Christ, turn to Him in repentance and forsake their evil ways.  God does not desire the death of anyone.  He rather, wants all men everywhere to repent and get saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No sinner is too sinful that he can no more be saved as long as he seeks the Lord earnestly and sincerely for salvation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memory Verse <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 5:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daily Devotional Guide<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday:<\/strong>  Only Jesus can save.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acts 4:12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday:<\/strong>  God is not a respecter of persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acts 10:38<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday:<\/strong>  Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 5:30-31<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday:<\/strong>  Christ satisfies all sincere seekers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 5:6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday:<\/strong>  Christ can save all despite the gravity of their sins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 10:9-10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday:<\/strong>  Christ truly loves all sinners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke 19:5<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CENTRAL THOUGHT All who seek Jesus Christ earnestly find Him and are made whole. HYMN:\u00a0 HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS Text: Luke 19:1-10 INTRODUCTION Zacchaeus was very desperate; hence he was ready to meet with Jesus by all means necessary. Zacchaeus suppressed shame, humiliation, public comments, side talks and desperately sought for the Lord and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3424,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/1-the-light-by-his-stripes-william-walts-6.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3423","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3423"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3423\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3426,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3423\/revisions\/3426"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3423"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3423"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}