Friday First - The Man Who Had Everything

Finding healing. Why is this so relevant? Think of our world and how most of humanity is running as fast as possible toward destruction. So many are living their life without Jesus. A few are searching for healing in midst of all the trouble and pain. This is why Jesus came. God is seeking us. Equally important is our need to seek Him. He implores us to open our heart and let Him in. Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near, Isaiah 55.6.

In our planning session last month, as Cain and I discussed what Finding Healing means, we decided we want to describe life before Jesus. Do you remember what it was like to be pursuing the world … only to come up with a lack of fulfillment and feelings of emptiness? We want to describe what it means to encounter Jesus and the moment of discovering how He is the answer to our deepest needs. We want to describe what the actual pivot point looks like, i.e., what turning to Him involves and how to go about it. And finally, we want to describe the intense and profound joy that results from a surrendered life.

I believe, in Sunday’s lesson, you will see all these components. In once sense, Zacchaeus was the man who had everything the world desires. Power. Wealth. Access. Possessions. But yet, something was missing. So he launched out on a quest to see Jesus … and when his life intersected with the Savior … he was forever changed.

In Sunday’s lesson we will examine Luke 19.1-10 to:

• Discover who Zacchaeus was.
• Learn about Jesus’ encounter with him.
• See how salvation came to his house.
• Close with two important applications.

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

1. As you read Luke 19.2 … what do we learn about Zacchaeus. What are some of the perks in life he would have enjoyed?
2. What do you think drove Zacchaeus to go to such desperate measures to see Jesus?
3. What is something profound in Luke 19.5? How would you react?
4. Why do you think the crowd responded the way it did in 19.7?
5. What is inspiring to you as you think about Jesus’ mission and how He carried it out in 19.8-10?

THOSE SERVING:
OPENING / WELCOME
Cain Atkinson

SONG LEADER
Russ Robins

PRAYER OF PRAISE
Isaac Tincher

LORD'S SUPPER
Matt Ringle

SCRIPTURE READING
Marvin Lewis
Luke 19.1-10

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING COMMENTS & PRAYER
Russ Robins

WELCOME CENTER
Pat Reeder / Bob Hoopes / Emily McDonald

USHERS (arrive @ 9)
Jim Grushon / Rich Jacobs

Closing the Building
Dan Spargo