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Chapter Twelve:
Workers Needed
Primary Message: “Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” John 6:28
Worldview: Get all you can get in life, houses, cars, money. Work hard and party hard. Working for the weekend!
Evangelistic Emphasis: “Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God.” 1Corinthians 3:8,9
Jesus needs workers, simply put, Jesus needs us and we all need Him, we are His hands and feet, we are His voice that carries His message of love and salvation to those in need. People need Jesus, salvation, and hope. How can they get this if nobody takes it to them? What type of person can we be? We can be above the average, we can be a motivator, an igniter that blows upon the coals and sets them on fire. We can be God’s instruments of righteousness that takes His message of love, hope, deliverance, and more to hurting people. Listen to a story about a man that wanted to be more, He wanted to get closer, and he wanted to make a difference in his world.
In the previous chapter we took a short glimpse into the life of Zacchaeus, it was his faith that caused an incredible action in his life. This set him apart from all the others and got him noticed. In this chapter we will take a deeper look into his life because he is the type of persons that Jesus needs. Workers that will climb to new heights, ones that will do whatever it takes to see Jesus, and ones that will not settle for less! If we follow the actions that Zacchaeus took to make a difference, we can be different than any in the world, we can be
above the crowd, and we can make a huge impact in our world today. Decide to be Above and not beneath!
ABOVE THE CROWD
“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and few there be that find it.” Mathew 7:14
In scripture it tells us that, “it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” Mathew 19:24 In the same way it is hard for a camel to get through, it is also hard for people that cling to things of this world to get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Narrow and difficult, this is how it is, these are not very friendly words and not many can swallow them, but to get above the
ways of this world we must see Jesus! We must take this road. It is imperative to break from the crowd and take the narrow way. There was a man in the Bible that realized this truth.
Luke 19:1-10
1 “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
We see in this story a rich man. We see it is still not impossible for a rich man to get in.
After reading these verses what questions do you have?
Answer the following questions.
Did you know we could be a road- block to others that are trying to meet Jesus?
Have you ever wanted to get closer to Jesus but too many things or people got in the way?
Luke 19:1-10
“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho, and behold there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was chief among the publicans and he was rich!”
He was rich what was he doing? He couldn’t get in as it says it is harder for a rich man to go through the eye of a needle than for one to get into the Kingdom of God! Why even try? Well Zacchaeus decided he wanted to know more about Jesus, true he was rich and he had all that he could ever need in this world but he heard about Jesus and maybe it was curiosity but I’d rather think that when he heard the name Jesus his soul thirsted after him and compelled him to seek Jesus amongst the crowds.
As it continues; “and he sought to see Jesus who he was; and
he could not for the press, because he was little of stature.” Now we see here there are two reasons why a person cannot see Jesus.
1. The press, the crowds, and the roadblocks of life all were hindering his desire to get close to Jesus. Here again you have those two questions: Did you ever want to get closer to Jesus but too many things got in the way? And did you know that you could possibly be a roadblock to someone getting close to Jesus?
2. His stature. Now his stature was the second reason that he couldn’t see Jesus. Our position often prevents us
from seeing Jesus work in our life, our position such as our faith level, our understanding of God and how he operates, or our passion to see him; all these may represent our stature. In Zacchaeus’ case the Bible tells us “he was of little stature” meaning he was physically too short.
So Zacchaeus came up with a plan of action, he was a leader, he
was chief among tax collectors and I assume that he had to be
fairly intelligent to be in such a high position.
A good leader will do their best to find a way to increase their stature or to develop a plan of action to accomplish a task with good results. Zacchaeus was this type of man.
So what was his plan? We read in verse 4: “And he ran before, and climbed up a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way.”
Why did Zacchaeus run before (ahead)? He planned to get ahead of the crowd, before the crowd could get there he planned to increase his position so that he wouldn’t be blocked by them anymore. What does all this mean? Zacchaeus decided he would grow ahead to go ahead. He increased in his faith level, he increased in his passion level, and he got ahead of the crowd and was no longer following them. Friends don’t follow the crowd! If you want to see Jesus you have to run ahead of the crowd! Zacchaeus ran ahead. When he got ahead of the crowd Zacchaeus selected a tree, not just any tree but the Bible says “ a sycamore tree” A sycamore tree is a tree found in the lowlands and it yields fruit. It is part of the fig tree family. Now Zacchaeus began to climb this tree so that he could see Jesus as he passed. In doing this Zacchaeus’ intention was to see Jesus, it doesn’t say to be seen it says to see, yet we see in the next verse that Zacchaeus was the one that is seen. Jesus takes notice of this man and his faith.
Let’s read it:
Verse 5: “And when Jesus came to that place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus make haste and come down for today I must abide at thy house.”
The most notable thing here is that Zacchaeus was getting ready by running ahead and climbing the tree and in doing so his efforts are noticed by Jesus. Why didn’t he just say well the Lord knows my heart or if it’s meant to be it will be or I have faith in God I don’t need to do all this extra stuff too? Why? Listen friends I am not preaching works!
Ephesians 2:8,9 “ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
It is faith that I’m preaching, Zacchaeus had faith but without his works his faith was dead! Without his preparing, his running ahead, his climbing to new heights his faith would have been dead! As it is written in
James 3:14 “What does it profit my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and has not works, can his faith save him?” No he must believe with his heart and confess with his mouth! What if he just believed with his heart and left out the confession?
James 3:17,18 “Even so faith if it has not works it is dead, being alone. Yea a man say, thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
In other words Zacchaeus showed Jesus his faith by his works. Are you filled with faith yet having no works? Do you come to church to get filled with words of faith yet sit and do nothing more with what is given you? The as the word says your faith is dead! Are you praying and hoping in God for a need that you
have citing that you have faith yet you do nothing to act on your faith? Friends Zacchaeus had the faith to see Jesus but because of his faith he was rewarded with much more than he expected!
Verse 5 continues and reads: “Zacchaeus make haste and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.” Why did Jesus say must? In order to keep his word! He must abide at Zacchaeus house because? Because of his word! Faith with works, with action, with love compels God to act! God must act on his word! Mark 11:23 “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
Zacchaeus believed without doubting how do we know he didn’t doubt? Because he moved on his belief!
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please God; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Let’s look at the word diligently for a moment. The word diligent means constant, continual, not giving up but insisting, and persisting with determination. The Webster’s Dictionary says: “Steady in application.” Zacchaeus was stead in application, insisting on seeing Jesus, persisting with determination, and continually taking efforts to get through the crowds and (pardon the pun) his shortcomings! He did not stop, he wouldn’t quit, he didn’t take no for an answer, instead he knew that he was going to see Jesus no matter what!!! And because of this he did more than see Jesus, Jesus saw him! Jesus is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him! God will always keep his word and that is why Jesus said he must abide at thy house. He could have selected anyone in the crowd I suppose, but in order to keep his word, in order to reward the diligent, and in order to answer Zacchaeus’ actions of faith Jesus said he must abide at his house. And Zacchaeus wasted no time! He was down that tree like a flash! His faith had been answered!!! He is seeing Jesus face to face! It says in verse 6 he received him with joy. “And he made haste and came down, and received him
joyfully.”
“To obey is better than sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 15:22 Immediately he obeyed Jesus and with great joy! He didn’t say I’ll be with you in a moment first I have to he didn’t say do you know how much it took to get up here? He didn’t say well Jesus I was just trying to get a look see I really wasn’t asking you to come to my house…etc. No he immediately knew his faith had been answered and jumped to the call! Jesus called him!
What is our response when Jesus calls? If we have been praying, believing God for something, waiting faithfully for God to answer and then when he does answer and it’s not exactly what we thought what is our reaction? Sometimes Jesus will answer you and answer with more than you expected, or answer exactly what you asked just not in the time you expected what is our response? Immediately
Zacchaeus obeyed! Was he in anyway confused? No! Was he in anyway upset? No! Was he in anyway disappointed? No! He was filled with excitement and joy! Oh Thank you Jesus for your answers to our faith! Hallelujah! God has answered my prayers! I saw Jesus today! And Jesus saw me! Jesus is coming to my house to abide with me a tax collector!!!
I believe this day Zacchaeus was saved! His attitude was of excitement and joy, his heart was to obey joyfully, he was ripened fruit just waiting to be picked!
Memory Verses:
“For the Son of man came to seek… Luke 19:10
“Without faith it is impossible…” Hebrews 11:6
“To obey is better than sacrifice…” 1Samuel 15:22
“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in…” Mark 11:23
THIS CONCLUDES THE LEARNER I - DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM! THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING, BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO VISIT:
THE LEARNER III - ADDICTION RECOVERY