Zaccheus

GoingGoingOut Out on on

a a Limb Limb

The Right PathThe Right Path

• I’ve tried to do it on my on, but every I’ve tried to do it on my on, but every time, I’ve failed time, I’ve failed At times my Lord it seems I forget why At times my Lord it seems I forget why to a cross You’re nailed to a cross You’re nailed So, take my hand and guide me, this So, take my hand and guide me, this I pray O Lord I pray O Lord And when my body has breathed its And when my body has breathed its last, take my soul to its just rewardlast, take my soul to its just reward

Why do they ask adults to Why do they ask adults to speak at events like this?speak at events like this?

• We have been where you areWe have been where you are

• We have thought what you are thinkingWe have thought what you are thinking

• We have done what you are about to doWe have done what you are about to do

• We have made our share of mistakesWe have made our share of mistakes

• We need to assist you in not making We need to assist you in not making themthem

• We, well, at least I, know exactly how We, well, at least I, know exactly how you are feeling in today’s societyyou are feeling in today’s society

What is it like being a teenager What is it like being a teenager today?today?

• You want to put on a bold appearanceYou want to put on a bold appearance

• You want to look goodYou want to look good

• You want to have thingsYou want to have things

• You have sort of an invisible force You have sort of an invisible force field that keeps your true feelings field that keeps your true feelings inside and lets others think that you inside and lets others think that you are in total control of your lifeare in total control of your life

What’s happening on the What’s happening on the inside?inside?

• You get just a little bit confused about lifeYou get just a little bit confused about life

• Your parents and teachers are telling you Your parents and teachers are telling you one thingone thing

• Your friends are telling you something Your friends are telling you something differentdifferent

• Actually, your more than just a bit Actually, your more than just a bit confused, you are all torn up on the inside.confused, you are all torn up on the inside.

• It is kind of like thisIt is kind of like this

A Trinity Called YouA Trinity Called You

God the Father, God the Son, God the Father, God the Son, And God the Holy Spirit.And God the Holy Spirit.

There is another trinity, There is another trinity, If you listen, you will hear it. If you listen, you will hear it.

God the Father is abstract, God the Father is abstract, He is, that is all we know. He is, that is all we know.

Your mind is God of your body, Your mind is God of your body, The King, the star of the show.The King, the star of the show.

God the Son was made of flesh, God the Son was made of flesh, The same flesh as you and I.The same flesh as you and I.

Like Him you will walk the earth, Like Him you will walk the earth, And like Him, you will die And like Him, you will die

God the Holy Spirit, God the Holy Spirit, The soul of our Creator above. The soul of our Creator above.

Your soul is your spirit, Your soul is your spirit, Your source of life and love.Your source of life and love.

We are created in His image, We are created in His image, We are told, and it is true. We are told, and it is true.

The Trinity called the Holy One, The Trinity called the Holy One, Created a trinity called you.Created a trinity called you.

Today WE Will Talk AboutToday WE Will Talk About

• The Story of ZaccheusThe Story of Zaccheus– The City of JerichoThe City of Jericho– Who Was ZaccheusWho Was Zaccheus– Why Jesus Came to JerichoWhy Jesus Came to Jericho– What happened when Jesus met ZaccheusWhat happened when Jesus met Zaccheus

• Risk vs. RewardRisk vs. Reward• Decision MakingDecision Making• SummarizeSummarize

The City of JerichoThe City of Jericho

• Located near the Dead SeaLocated near the Dead Sea– Lowest point in IsraelLowest point in Israel– Between the Jordan river crossing and Between the Jordan river crossing and

JerusalemJerusalem

• CrossroadsCrossroads

• Economically well off populationEconomically well off population

• Tax Collector hot spotTax Collector hot spot

Who Was ZaccheusWho Was Zaccheus

He Was a Little ManHe Was a Little Man

He Was a Rich ManHe Was a Rich Man

He was a little rich manHe was a little rich man

He Was a ---He Was a ---

He was a cheatHe was a cheat

He Was Not Very NiceHe Was Not Very Nice

Who Was ZaccheusWho Was Zaccheus

• A mean little man with a chip on his A mean little man with a chip on his shouldershoulder

• A tax collector who took money from A tax collector who took money from his own people and gave it to the his own people and gave it to the RomansRomans

• A fraud who kept more money for A fraud who kept more money for himself than he should havehimself than he should have

• A sinner, shunned by his own peopleA sinner, shunned by his own people

Why Was Jesus in Jericho?Why Was Jesus in Jericho?

• Jesus moved everydayJesus moved everyday– Traveled, teaching and performing good Traveled, teaching and performing good

worksworks– He had just crossed the River Jordan and He had just crossed the River Jordan and

was on his way to Jerusalem.was on his way to Jerusalem.– Jericho was a crossroads where many Jericho was a crossroads where many

pilgrimages passed through. Jesus was pilgrimages passed through. Jesus was traveling with one such pilgrimagetraveling with one such pilgrimage

Why Was Jesus Really in Why Was Jesus Really in Jericho?Jericho?

• He had a divine appointment with a He had a divine appointment with a tax collector named Zaccheus.tax collector named Zaccheus.

• The Holy Spirit had begun to work on The Holy Spirit had begun to work on the heart of Zaccheus.the heart of Zaccheus.

• Jesus was there to build on the Jesus was there to build on the foundation that the Holy Spirit had foundation that the Holy Spirit had started.started.

Why Did Zaccheus Want to See Why Did Zaccheus Want to See Jesus?Jesus?

• His heart had begun to changeHis heart had begun to change

• He thought if he saw Jesus he would He thought if he saw Jesus he would be a better manbe a better man

• Jesus was somewhat of a celebrity Jesus was somewhat of a celebrity and he wanted to see what was and he wanted to see what was special about Himspecial about Him

Trying to See JesusTrying to See Jesus

• Zaccheus was small and came late to Zaccheus was small and came late to the streetsthe streets

• He began to feel a sense of urgency He began to feel a sense of urgency to see Jesusto see Jesus

• He looked up and down the street for He looked up and down the street for a way to see Jesusa way to see Jesus

• He saw his opportunityHe saw his opportunity

A Sycamore TreeA Sycamore Tree

The Perfect TreeThe Perfect Tree

• Short with big branchesShort with big branches

• Close enough to the street to see Close enough to the street to see over the crowdover the crowd

• Low enough branches to get down in Low enough branches to get down in a hurrya hurry

• Great View with all the comforts of Great View with all the comforts of homehome

Jesus Stopped Under the Jesus Stopped Under the TreeTree

Jesus Spoke to ZaccheusJesus Spoke to Zaccheus

• Come down from that tree, Zaccheus. I Come down from that tree, Zaccheus. I have to come to your house today.have to come to your house today.

• Zaccheus was so excited he almost fell Zaccheus was so excited he almost fell from the treefrom the tree

• What would have been pride in the old What would have been pride in the old Zaccheus had changed to humilityZaccheus had changed to humility

• He was honored to be host to JesusHe was honored to be host to Jesus

The Townspeople Were not The Townspeople Were not HappyHappy

• They couldn’t understand why Jesus They couldn’t understand why Jesus chose to stay with a sinnerchose to stay with a sinner

• Many of them felt they were Many of them felt they were righteous and should be host for Himrighteous and should be host for Him

• They didn’t understand that Jesus' They didn’t understand that Jesus' role was to save the sinner.role was to save the sinner.

They Broke Bread at the House They Broke Bread at the House of Zaccheus.of Zaccheus.

• They ate and talked about many thingsThey ate and talked about many things• Zaccheus had a change of heartZaccheus had a change of heart

– He told Jesus he would give half of all he He told Jesus he would give half of all he owned to the poor.owned to the poor.

– He would find those from whom he had He would find those from whom he had taken more than he should have and taken more than he should have and repay them four foldrepay them four fold

– He vowed to spend his life doing good He vowed to spend his life doing good deeds for peopledeeds for people

Jesus Adds one to the FlockJesus Adds one to the Flock

What can we learn from the What can we learn from the story of Zaccheus?story of Zaccheus?

• Who does Zaccheus represent?Who does Zaccheus represent?– Each of us who are sinnersEach of us who are sinners

• Who do the Townspeople represent?Who do the Townspeople represent?– Those of us who think we are already better Those of us who think we are already better

than othersthan others– Those who would judge othersThose who would judge others

• What was Jesus’ purpose in coming, not What was Jesus’ purpose in coming, not just to Jericho, but down from Heaven?just to Jericho, but down from Heaven?– To save the sinnersTo save the sinners

The Touch of the Master’s The Touch of the Master’s HandHand

Risk vs. RewardRisk vs. Reward

• Every ActivityEvery Activity

• What Risk did Zaccheus take to earn What Risk did Zaccheus take to earn the reward?the reward?

• What are the risks and rewards of What are the risks and rewards of some of the activities we do every some of the activities we do every day?day?

Is It Worth It?Is It Worth It?

Anything that we do. Anything that we Anything that we do. Anything that we saysay

All has a risk we must be willing to pay.All has a risk we must be willing to pay.

Anything that we say. Anything that we Anything that we say. Anything that we dodo

May have a reward that is worth it for May have a reward that is worth it for youyou

Lottery TicketLottery Ticket

• Cost $1 possible reward $1,000,000Cost $1 possible reward $1,000,000– Low riskLow risk– High RewardHigh Reward– Millions of people take the risk, very few ever winMillions of people take the risk, very few ever win

• Cost $1,000,000 possible reward $1Cost $1,000,000 possible reward $1– High RiskHigh Risk– Low RewardLow Reward– No one would do it even if they are guarenteed No one would do it even if they are guarenteed

to win the dollarto win the dollar

What’s the PointWhat’s the Point

• We need to stop and look at the risk vs. We need to stop and look at the risk vs. the reward with every activity we dothe reward with every activity we do

• Doing your homeworkDoing your homework• Risk vs. Reward?Risk vs. Reward?

• Cleaning Your RoomCleaning Your Room• Risk vs. Reward?Risk vs. Reward?

• Asking someone to a danceAsking someone to a dance• Risk vs. Reward?Risk vs. Reward?

• Arguing with authorityArguing with authority• Risk Vs. Reward?Risk Vs. Reward?

One MoreOne More

• Attending Religious Education Attending Religious Education ClassesClasses– Risk vs. RewardRisk vs. Reward

– Or Or

Short Term vs. Long Term Short Term vs. Long Term ConsequencesConsequences

• Doing your homeworkDoing your homework• Risk vs. Reward?Risk vs. Reward?

• Cleaning Your RoomCleaning Your Room• Risk vs. Reward?Risk vs. Reward?

• Asking someone to a danceAsking someone to a dance• Risk vs. Reward?Risk vs. Reward?

• Arguing with authorityArguing with authority• Risk Vs. Reward?Risk Vs. Reward?

• Attending R.E. ClassesAttending R.E. Classes• Risk vs. Reward?Risk vs. Reward?

Decision MakingDecision Making

• Play the what if gamePlay the what if game• What if I do thisWhat if I do this

– What is the risk?What is the risk?– What is the reward?What is the reward?

• Play the Grandmother GamePlay the Grandmother Game– Would I do this with my grandmother?Would I do this with my grandmother?

• Use what you are learning in Religious Use what you are learning in Religious Education and Ask that age old Education and Ask that age old questionquestion

What Would Jesus DoWhat Would Jesus Do

What Would Jesus Do,What Would Jesus Do,

What Would Jesus Do,What Would Jesus Do,

What Would Jesus Do If He was you?What Would Jesus Do If He was you?

What Would Jesus Think,What Would Jesus Think,

What Would Jesus Say,What Would Jesus Say,

What Would Jesus do if He was here What Would Jesus do if He was here today?today?

Decisions, Decisions Decisions, Decisions What are you going to do? What are you going to do? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions, Decisions, When they are all left up to you. When they are all left up to you. Life is full of personal choice, Life is full of personal choice, That you have to make, That you have to make, When it is good versus evil, When it is good versus evil, Which path are you going to take, Which path are you going to take, Well, I have a little advice, Well, I have a little advice, To follow it is up to you. To follow it is up to you. Just ask when there is a decision, Just ask when there is a decision, Now, what would Jesus do? Now, what would Jesus do?

What Would Jesus Do? What Would Jesus Do? What Would Jesus Do? What Would Jesus Do? What Would Jesus Do if He was you? What Would Jesus Do if He was you? What Would Jesus Think? What Would Jesus Think? What Would Jesus Say? What Would Jesus Say? What Would Jesus Do if He was here What Would Jesus Do if He was here today?today?

Jesus is always here, Jesus is always here, He is with you all the time. He is with you all the time. He watches over your every step, He watches over your every step, He knows what's on your He knows what's on your mind. He has given you a mind. He has given you a personal choice To do what’s personal choice To do what’s wrong or right, Here’s wrong or right, Here’s what you need to do If what you need to do If you are going to keep Heaven in sight. you are going to keep Heaven in sight. Just follow that bit of advice Just follow that bit of advice That I gave to you That I gave to you And, ask when there is a decision, And, ask when there is a decision, Now, what would Jesus Do?Now, what would Jesus Do?


Life’s not easy, Life’s not easy, That should come as no surprise. That should come as no surprise. You choose to tell the truth, You choose to tell the truth, Or tell those little lies. Or tell those little lies. Nothing is mostly Nothing is mostly right, It is either right right, It is either right or wrong. If Heaven is or wrong. If Heaven is where you are going, Then listen where you are going, Then listen to this song. And follow to this song. And follow that bit of advice That it that bit of advice That it gives to you, And gives to you, And ask when there is a decision, ask when there is a decision, Now, what would Jesus do?Now, what would Jesus do?


Decisions, decisions, Decisions, decisions, What are you going to do? What are you going to do? Decisions, decisions, Decisions, decisions, When they are all left up to you. When they are all left up to you. Just ask when there is a Just ask when there is a decision, Now, what would decision, Now, what would Jesus do? And, then do Jesus do? And, then do it. Just do it. You it. Just do it. You don't have to paste it, don't have to paste it, And, you don't have to glue it, And, you don't have to glue it, Just ask what Jesus would do Just ask what Jesus would do And, then do it. And, then do it. If you ask, What Would Jesus Do If you ask, What Would Jesus Do And, you don't do it And, you don't do it Then, you're the one who blew it Then, you're the one who blew it You'll have to hit your self and say, You'll have to hit your self and say, "I knew it“ "I knew it“ So, Just do it. Just do it. JUST DO IT!!!So, Just do it. Just do it. JUST DO IT!!!

JustJustDoDoIt!It!

SummarySummary

• Going Out on a LimbGoing Out on a Limb– We are all sinnersWe are all sinners– Jesus came from Heaven to Save UsJesus came from Heaven to Save Us– He will save us one at a timeHe will save us one at a time

•We are each very very important to HimWe are each very very important to Him

• Risk vs. RewardRisk vs. Reward• Use this Information to make good Use this Information to make good

DecisionsDecisions

Religious EducationReligious Education• Come to every RE Session. The Come to every RE Session. The

rewards far out weigh the risk. What rewards far out weigh the risk. What happens in Religious Education Class happens in Religious Education Class does not stay in Religious Education does not stay in Religious Education Class. It sets the tone for the rest of Class. It sets the tone for the rest of your life. The Holy spirit is working on your life. The Holy spirit is working on you right now. You don’t have to wait you right now. You don’t have to wait until you are old and have done lots of until you are old and have done lots of things wrong in your life before you things wrong in your life before you decide to walk with Jesus. Come down decide to walk with Jesus. Come down from your tree right now, for Jesus is from your tree right now, for Jesus is coming to your house tonight.coming to your house tonight.

I Owe it To My FriendI Owe it To My Friend

The Lord had joined me The Lord had joined me on the run.on the run.

May the Peace of Christ be with each May the Peace of Christ be with each one of you, now and forever more!one of you, now and forever more!

I truly hope a miracle finds you today. I truly hope a miracle finds you today. Better yet, I hope that you get the Better yet, I hope that you get the opportunity to be someone else’s opportunity to be someone else’s miracle. The Lord works in funny miracle. The Lord works in funny ways. He uses each one of us to ways. He uses each one of us to

provide for his flock. Open your mind provide for his flock. Open your mind and your heart today. He is calling and your heart today. He is calling

you.you.

In the name of the Father, and the Son In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. and the Holy Spirit.

AMENAMEN

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Zaccheus