This morning let’s not be just ‘hearers’ of the Word, but ‘doers of the word. Take some time at lunch, dinner, or bedtime to DIG DEEPER into the today’s lesson and story. Take a few moments to apply today’s lesson to our lives.

ASK MYSELF…challenging questions for the heart:

  1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
  2. Who would be deemed by our culture as unlovable or an outcast?
  3. Why was Jesus’ pursuit of Zacchaeus such a surprise/offense to everyone?
  4. How did Zacchaeus act out his changed of heart? How have you experienced and demonstrated transformation because of your relationship with Jesus?
  5. Is there anyone in your life you might have labeled “unlovable”? How can you show them God’s love?

FOR THE FAMILY…challenging questions for family life:

  1. Read together Luke 19:1-10.
  2. Discuss the above questions.
  3. In school, it might be seem easy for your kids to identify someone who is seen as unlovable. Discuss ways love could be shown to these kids.
  4. Pray together.

Today’s Service

February26th,2017

Part2

“Unlovables”

Pastor Brian Stanley

Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)1Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.2There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.3He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.5When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!”he said.“Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”6Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.7But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.8Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”9Jesus responded,“Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.10For the Son of Mancame to seek and save those who are lost.”

Mark 2:17 (NLT) 17When Jesus heard this, he told them,“Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Who do you write off as unlovable?

Isaiah 53:6 (NLT)6All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet theLordlaid on him the sins of us all.

John 3:16-17 (NLT)16“For this is how God loved the world: He gavehis one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.17God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

About God and People:

  1. God ______people.
  2. Sin ______people.
  3. God can ______people.

The Work of the Holy Spirit Changes People

  1. The Holy Spirit brings ______of sin.

John 16:7-8 (NLT)7But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocatewon’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.8And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

  1. The Holy Spirit ______us from lies.

John 16:13 (NLT)13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

  1. The Holy Spirit brings us _____life. (Think Genesis)

Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.2And because you belong to him, the powerof the life-giving Spirit has freed youfrom the power of sin that leads to death.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)17This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Luke 7:41-43 (NLT)41Then Jesus told him this story:“A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silverto one and 50 pieces to the other.42But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”43Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”“That’s right,”Jesus said.

NOTES: ______
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