Embracing Jesus: The Gift of Friendship
Summary
In the sermon titled "Friend of Sinners," delivered on December 17, 2023, the pastor explores the theme of Jesus as the friend of sinners, a concept that resonates deeply during the Christmas season. The sermon is part of a series called "What Child Is This," which delves into various aspects of Jesus' identity. The pastor invites the congregation to consider the story of Zacchaeus from Luke chapter 19, which exemplifies Jesus' role as a friend to those marginalized by society.
The pastor challenges the notion that a relationship with God is about adhering to religious rules and commands. Instead, they emphasize that salvation and eternal life are gifts received through belief in Jesus, not through efforts to earn righteousness. The pastor extends an invitation to those who have not yet embraced this friendship with Jesus to pray and receive forgiveness.
Reflecting on the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus, the pastor underscores the transformative power of spending time with Jesus. They encourage the congregation to approach others with the same openness and compassion that Jesus showed, rather than hiding in shame or attempting to please God through rule-following. The pastor warns against a purely religious life devoid of a genuine relationship with Jesus.
The pastor asserts that Jesus is a friend to all, regardless of qualifications or actions. They reference Romans 5:8 to illustrate that God's love is unconditional and not contingent upon our adherence to religious practices. The story of Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector, serves as a powerful example of Jesus' inclusive love.
The transformation of Zacchaeus after his encounter with Jesus is highlighted, with the pastor suggesting that Jesus' willingness to listen and show compassion led to Zacchaeus' radical change of heart. The pastor emphasizes that relationships are the currency of the Kingdom of God and that genuine relationships are more effective than sharing opinions on social media platforms.
A personal anecdote about the pastor's son, Javin, and his friends on a bus is used to draw a parallel to Jesus' love for us. The pastor encourages the congregation to view Jesus as a friend rather than a set of rules to follow. The sermon series aims to deepen the audience's relationship with Jesus and challenge any religious misconceptions.
The pastor concludes with a prayer, affirming the simplicity of salvation and the ease of friendship with Jesus. They stress that accepting Jesus into one's life is the key to a relationship with Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus demonstrates that our past actions and societal status do not prevent us from being friends with Him. Jesus' choice to befriend a tax collector, a role despised in ancient society, shows His willingness to break social barriers and offer grace to all. This act of friendship is a model for how we should treat those who are marginalized or rejected. [06:14]
- The pastor emphasizes that true friendship, as exemplified by Jesus, involves taking notice of others, taking initiative, and having a positive influence. Jesus' actions towards Zacchaeus reflect these aspects of friendship, showing us that God is personally interested in each of us and desires a relationship with us. [13:29]
- The transformative power of Jesus' friendship is evident in Zacchaeus' life. After spending time with Jesus, Zacchaeus is moved to make significant changes, including giving away his wealth and rectifying past wrongs. This highlights the impact that a genuine relationship with Jesus can have on a person's character and actions. [22:15]
- The pastor's message underscores the importance of relationships over rules. The Kingdom of God values genuine connections with others, and these relationships are foundational to experiencing and sharing God's love. This principle is crucial for personal growth and for effectively witnessing to others. [25:55]
- The sermon concludes with the idea that salvation is as simple as a friendship. Accepting Jesus into one's life is not about fulfilling a list of requirements but about embracing a relationship with Him. This relationship is the basis for eternal life and the joy of being in God's presence forever. [0:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Friend of Sinners"
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 19:1-10 (NIV)
> Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
- Romans 5:8 (NIV)
> But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Zacchaeus take to see Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to him? (Luke 19:1-5)
2. How did the crowd react to Jesus choosing to stay at Zacchaeus' house, and what does this reveal about their perception of Zacchaeus? (Luke 19:7)
3. What significant changes did Zacchaeus commit to after his encounter with Jesus? (Luke 19:8)
4. According to Romans 5:8, when did Christ demonstrate His love for us, and what does this imply about the nature of His love?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to spend time with Zacchaeus, a tax collector, despite the societal disdain for him? (Luke 19:5-7) [11:18]
2. How does Zacchaeus' transformation illustrate the impact of a genuine relationship with Jesus? (Luke 19:8) [21:39]
3. What does Romans 5:8 suggest about the prerequisites for receiving God's love and friendship? How does this contrast with common religious expectations? [06:58]
4. How does the pastor's story about his son Javin and his friends on the bus relate to Jesus' inclusive love for us? [31:55]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt marginalized or judged by others. How can Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus encourage you in those moments? [11:18]
2. Zacchaeus made a radical change after spending time with Jesus. Is there an area in your life where you feel called to make a significant change? What steps can you take this week to start that transformation? [21:39]
3. The pastor emphasized that Jesus' love is not contingent on our adherence to religious practices. How can you shift your focus from rule-following to building a genuine relationship with Jesus? [06:58]
4. Think about someone in your life who might feel marginalized or judged. How can you show them the same openness and compassion that Jesus showed to Zacchaeus? [11:18]
5. The pastor mentioned that relationships are the currency of the Kingdom of God. How can you prioritize building genuine relationships over sharing opinions on social media? [25:10]
6. How does viewing Jesus as a friend rather than a set of rules to follow change your approach to your faith and daily life? [34:41]
7. The pastor concluded with a prayer affirming the simplicity of salvation. How can you embrace and share this simplicity with others who might feel overwhelmed by religious expectations? [37:54]
This guide aims to foster a deeper understanding of Jesus' inclusive love and challenge participants to reflect on their own relationships and actions in light of His example.
Devotional
Day 1: Grace Beyond Social Barriers
Jesus' friendship transcends societal divisions, offering grace to the marginalized and rejected. His interaction with Zacchaeus shows that no one is beyond the reach of His love and friendship, regardless of past actions or current status. This inclusive love is a model for how to treat those who are often pushed to the fringes of society. [06:14]
James 2:8-9 - "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."
Reflection: Who in your community is often overlooked or marginalized? How can you extend Jesus' inclusive love to them this week?
Day 2: The Initiative of Divine Friendship
True friendship with God involves noticing others, taking the initiative to reach out, and positively influencing their lives. Jesus' approach to Zacchaeus exemplifies this proactive love, demonstrating that God is personally interested in each individual and actively seeks a relationship with us. [13:29]
1 John 4:19 - "We love because he first loved us."
Reflection: Can you think of someone who might be waiting for you to take the first step in friendship? How can you show them God's initiating love today?
Day 3: Transformation Through Relationship
Encounters with Jesus have the power to transform lives, as seen in Zacchaeus' radical change. Spending time with Jesus leads to genuine heart transformation, which can result in significant changes in behavior and priorities. [22:15]
Ephesians 4:22-24 - "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What changes might occur in your life if you spent more time with Jesus? Is there a specific area you feel called to transform?
Day 4: Prioritizing Relationships Over Rules
The Kingdom of God is built on genuine relationships rather than adherence to rules. These connections are foundational to experiencing and sharing God's love, and they are more impactful than any religious practice or social media engagement. [25:55]
Colossians 3:12-14 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Reflection: How can you cultivate deeper relationships within your community that reflect the love and forgiveness of Christ?
Day 5: Embracing Friendship for Salvation
Salvation is as simple as embracing a friendship with Jesus. It is not about fulfilling a list of religious requirements but about entering into a loving relationship with Him, which is the basis for eternal life and joy in God's presence. [0:00]
Revelation 3:20 - "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."
Reflection: Have you opened the door to Jesus and welcomed Him into every area of your life? What might be holding you back from deepening this friendship?
Quotes
"Show me your friends, I'll show you your future. Nothing influences you like the relationships around you because who they are is installed into who you are in the time that you spend with them." [21:04] (Download)
"Friends shape you, friends change you. You're doing more than just sharing a moment with somebody; you're sharing yourself with that somebody, and who you are starts to download into who they are." [21:04] (Download)
"True friends take notice. They know who you are, they carry a genuine interest about you and your life, and they notice things about you that most don't." [14:49] (Download)
"Relationships are the currency of the kingdom of God. To love them is to know them, and to know them is to change everything." [25:10] (Download)
"A moment with Jesus, simply being his friend, changed absolutely everything about him." [25:55] (Download)
"Jesus is not your accuser; He is your friend and your rescuer. Like Zacchaeus, if you want transformation in all of it, just spend time with Jesus and let Him spend time with you." [28:01] (Download)
"In your effort to fulfill and satisfy the commands of scripture, if they are void of the relational influence that you have with Jesus, you are the definition of religion. Don't be that person; you can't do this without Jesus." [29:20] (Download)
"It is with God that all things are possible, which means I can do nothing apart from Him. That's how we do this, friends, but it begins with the friendship and it continues with that friendship." [29:56] (Download)
"He loves you in spite of you. You don't got to fulfill these list of requirements to be his friend." [07:40] (Download)
"Isn't that what a friendship is? Isn't a friendship that easy? That's what you got with Jesus." [49:33] (Download)
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