THAT'S NOT FAIR

0:00 Would you join me in prayer as we get ready to conclude this series? Jesus, the prayer of this morning is simple. I pray for divine interruptions to take place in the hearts of your people. God, I pray that we would have a real encounter with you. Lord, not a concept, not an idea, not just a sermon. The living God, our living hope.

0:24 God, I pray that you would draw to mind the gift that you have given us through your Son. We ask all these things in your son's name. Everybody said, oh, come on. Everybody said, amen. I want to start out this morning by, uh, confessing something, a moment in my life that I'm not exactly proud of. It was Easter of 2006. I was 12 years old. We were getting ready for the Kelly family egg hunt and the egg hunt in the Kelly family was not like this beautiful family moment where you take photos after it was an all out battle because my parents and their infinite wisdom didn't just stick chocolate in there. They put cash money in some of these eggs. So this was not try to find as much chocolate as you can. This is make as much money as you possibly can. And 2006 got off to a rough start. Uh, when I saw my sister's boyfriend walked through the front door and I found out that he was invited to the family egg hunt. Now on a normal occasion, that's fine. You're going to have some chocolate, but there's money at stake here. And this means that this guy could take some of my money. So I'm thinking in my mind, like who let this guy in?

1:30 He's not even a part of the family. This is not okay. And then I just gathered myself. I said, Sam, it's okay. Lock in. This is going to be all right. You just, uh, you need to focus on, on the task at hand. And if you just get all the eggs, everything's going to work out just fine. And so we line up, the countdown goes three, two, one. And I start sprinting faster than Usain Bolt in the 2012 Olympics. It's not true, but in my mind I was, and I am gathering eggs. I mean, you should have seen it. It was a sight to see. It was special. Just every egg is going in the basket. And I'm feeling pretty good about myself. And then all the eggs have been collected. And it's time to count the money that I've received. I start going through the eggs, Snickers, Reese's, M&M's. Never been more disappointed to see chocolate in my life. And I end up with like $7.

2:24 And to my shock and horror, I look over my shoulder. My sister's boyfriend is like, oh, another 20? You guys are so generous. And I'm like, are you kidding me? He ends up with over $100. I wish I could tell you on the stage today that I got up and shook his hand and said, congratulations. I didn't. I was 12 years old, handling my emotions. It wasn't my strong suit. Water works out of the eyes, and I'm pointing at him saying, you're not even a part of this family. Then I'm pointing at my parents. This is not fair. And let's be honest. We've all been there. Chances are probably not an Easter egg hunt in the backyard, but one of the common cries of the human condition is the cry for fairness. My three kids cry for it constantly. And there are places and spaces where fairness is absolutely necessary. You get into the court system. Yeah, You want a fair court.

3:22 You get into the World Cup. You want fair refs. Shout out to the United States of America. 4-1 over Paraguay. What a strong start. I see we've got some patriots in the house of God today. So there's areas where fairness is warranted. But here's where things get really interesting. I run into people who want fairness from God. Now that sounds normal and common. But here's where things get really interesting. there's there's a group of people who largely decide not to believe or trust in God because they're planting their flag under the umbrella of he's not fair look at the suffering in the world look at the state of the world in general he's just not fair and funnily enough my pastoral response to those individuals is you're right just not in the way that you think if God was actually fair and gave every single individual what they deserved every single soul sitting in every single seat at every one of our locations including the preacher on the stage with the microphone would be in a great great trouble God isn't fair he offers something way better than fairness, it's something called grace. Grace by its very definition is unfair. Grace is not just not getting the punishment that you do deserve. Grace is getting the gift that you absolutely do not deserve. If there is anyone, thank you for the one clap on the third row. I appreciate it.

4:55 And I will take it. If there is anyone that could say this isn't fair, it's Jesus who took the punishment that you and I deserve so that we could experience the life that he deserved. The whole gospel story and message is predicated and built on this one wildly unfair word called grace. And so this morning, I want to take us to a section of scripture that is undoubtedly one of the most unfair stories in all of the Bible. And because of that is also one of the most grace filled stories in all the Bible. My goal is simple for us to see how wildly unfair this story is. and for us to also see how wildly amazing this story is. Because if you are a follower of Jesus, the story that we're gonna turn to isn't just about a short guy who climbs a tree to see Jesus. This is your story and my story. If you got your Bibles, you can turn to Luke chapter 19.

5:48 We're gonna turn there in a second, but we are wrapping up this series that we have called Encounters, the power of a divine interruption. And as you look through the gospel stories, you'll see that these divine interruptions are actually divine invitations. And our prayer has been that we would encounter Christ on our own and we would see the divine interruption be a divine invitation into an eternal story. And we would accept and receive that invitation. So week one, we looked at two sisters in a tiny living room in ancient Israel, Mary and Martha. We learned that being around Jesus is different than being with Jesus, that proximity doesn't always equate to intimacy. And that one of the most important things that we can do as Christ followers is intentionally position ourselves at the feet of Jesus. Last week, we looked at one of the saddest stories in all the scripture story of the rich young ruler. It's the only individual to my knowledge that walks up to Jesus and leaves worse off than he was. Here's why he wanted a savior without any surrender. And this week, the goal, the thesis statement, the sermon in a sentence is simply this.

6:52 when you have a real encounter with a real God, there is real transformation that takes place. When you have a real encounter with a real God, there is real transformation that takes place. But before we dive into the text, in order to see the beauty of today and this week, we have to see the tragedy of last week. We are coming off the heels of the rich young ruler, which was found in Luke chapter 18. Today, we're going to read Luke chapter 19. These stories are side by side on purpose. If you remember, I don't have too much time to describe it. If you missed last week, go back and watch it. But last week ended with like this wild, wild thing where Jesus is like, it's harder for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than it is for the rich man to get into kingdom of heaven. And it's like, whoa. And we all found out last week that we're all rich. And what Jesus is saying is it's impossible for every single person in this room and at our other locations to step into a relationship with Jesus in our own strength. And so like the disciples hear this and they're like, what? Well, then who, who gets saved? Who gets in. And Jesus makes this amazing statement. What is impossible with man is possible with God.

7:56 Luke is trying to show us off the heels of the rich young ruler in Luke chapter 18. He's going to show you and I the impossible made possible in the very next chapter. Luke chapter 19 verses 1 through 10 says this. Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and he was wealthy. So let's take note. He was wealthy and corrupt. And remember last week, it's impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Verse number three, he wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. I found out my research this week that in the Middle East, the average height of a male was 5'5". So he was probably under five feet tall. And I just can't help but think, man, I was born at the wrong time. I would have been a giant back then.

8:47 That would have been great. I'll keep going. So we 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. And all the people who saw this began to mutter, what is going on? He's going to be the guest of a sinner. Verse eight, but Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, listen to this turn. This is crazy. A wealthy, corrupt guy. Look, Lord, here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I've cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay them back four times the amount. Verse nine. Jesus said to him, how crazy is this off the back of Luke 18? Today, salvation has come to this house because this man too is a son of Abraham. Verse 10, Jesus' mission statement for why he came to planet earth for the son of man came to seek and save the lost. This story is not an unfamiliar one. Most of us, if you, if you grew up in Sunday school, you know, the song, I'm not going to sing it, but you know it. And, and I would argue that the felt boards in Sunday school have maybe done a little bit of a disservice when it comes to this story, because if you're anything like me, you kind of picture this story and you kind of picture like a little Oompa Loompa shimmying up a tree. And you're like, how adorable is that? That is so cool. But in ancient Israel, they would have seen Zacchaeus as anything but adorable. He was a sellout and a trader to the Jewish people.

10:36 Here's why. Because he wasn't just a tax collector, which was a corrupt business and people that would essentially take money from their own people to get themselves rich and fund the regime that is oppressing their friends, their siblings, and their family. Not only that, he's a chief tax collector. That language is only used one time in all of scripture. So this is saying he's not just the little guy at the little booth collecting the money. He's at the top of the pyramid of hatred. In order for us to see it maybe a little bit more personally, imagine this. Imagine a nation came in and took over the United States of America, and they are oppressing Americans. And your neighbor goes, well, you know, if you can't beat them, join them. I'm going to sign up to take taxes and get rich in the process and they show up to your door tomorrow and they knock on the door and go, Hey, uh, property taxes for this year, $50,000. You're like $50,000. What is, I can't pay that.

11:34 It's 10 X what it's been $50,000. And if you don't pay it by August 1st, I'm going to come with the government and some soldiers. We're going to pull you out on the street and we're going to beat you to show everybody else what happens if you don't pay your taxes. And chances are. Zacchaeus would do this to individuals and the government, let's say only needed $25,000 and Zacchaeus is saying 50 so we can pocket 25 for himself. He's not adorable. He's hated. And if that was your neighbor, you'd probably have some similar feelings. He's despised in this culture. His friends and family probably despise him. And somewhere deep down, he probably despises himself to. And yet here's where the gospel steps in. There's one man who did not despise him. His name is Jesus of Nazareth. And here's where this gets personal, because I would venture to bet that there are people sitting in the seats today and you are ashamed of the decisions that you have made in your past. There's a piece of you that you despise yourself for what you've done.

12:43 I've got good news. The king of kings does not despise you. He steps in and offers you grace. So Zacchaeus, he's short in stature, tells us, which is a reminder that every single one of us is short in stature spiritually before a perfect and holy God. None of us are tall enough. None of us can climb the climb to get to Jesus. And so he runs, which is an embarrassment in that culture, lifting up his tunic to expose his legs. Nobody does that. He climbs a tree. Only children do that. That's embarrassing too. He sheds every ounce of dignity and respect that he has to get a sight of this man that everybody's talking about. Zacchaeus went up the tree looking for Jesus only to find out that Jesus came looking for him. And maybe you're here today at one of are locations and you came seeking, you came open to the idea of God. Like maybe I'll check this out.

13:43 Do you want to know what the true story is? This whole thing is a divine setup from the creator of the world. God is searching for you. That is the beauty of the gospel. Scholars believe this interaction with Zacchaeus seven to 10 days before Jesus is hanging on the cross. Soak that in for a second. What is Jesus doing in the most hectic week of his entire life? He's not hiding somewhere. He is sitting at a table with sinners. So I've got a question for those of us who consider ourselves Christ followers. Are you too busy to do what Jesus did? When's the last time you sat down and had a meal with someone who's far away from God and shared the gospel story. And I'm aware of the stuff that happens here.

14:37 Like, oh, Sam, yeah, you know, I'm not much of an evangelist. I don't really know how to. You know what I found? Everybody on planet Earth are amazing evangelists. We just evangelize over the things that we love. Dude, you gotta try this sushi restaurant, the California roll, blow your mind. You see the game last night? The Knicks, oh my goodness, the drought is over. Oh, we're amazing evangelists. But for some reason, when it comes to the most important aspect of our lives, we get quiet. Why is that? Why is that? Imagine for a moment, you went to the doctor and to your shock, you got word that you got cancer.

15:25 But it's untreatable. Doctors say two months at best. You are in the final weeks of your life. Go to a beach somewhere and enjoy the rest of your short life. You get home. You share the news with family. You're devastated. Someone approaches you and says, hey, it's going to sound wild, but I've actually got the cure for your cancer. If you take this medication, it will not be partial remission. It will be as if the cancer was never there. So, I mean, what do you have to lose, right? you take it you go back to the doctor you say hey doc sounds kind of weird but could you do another scan doctor does a scan imagine he says to you whoa never seen anything like this in my life this isn't partial removal it's as if the cancer was not in your body could you imagine the emotion you would feel, the life that you get to now live? Could you imagine the appreciation you'd have to the individual that gave you the cure? And imagine you go back and you say, thank you. I mean, well, and truly you've given me life. Now imagine that individual said, hey, I'm not going to be here for much longer. I've got an unlimited supply of the cure. All I ask is that you get it to everyone that has this disease.

16:56 Now imagine you get the cure and you tuck it away in a drawer and say nothing. It's not just unwise, it's unthinkable. Think about the pain that could have been prevented, the funerals that wouldn't have had to have happened. And yet you and I, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, have the cure to the world's worst disease, the disease called sin. And many of us for one reason or another, tuck it away in a drawer rather than sharing it with other people. Oh, but Sam, it just gets kind of weird. And all my, uh, coworkers, they just give me the stiff arm. When I talk about my faith, Hey, just a reminder, your job's not to make them take the cure. It's to make them aware that the cure is available.

17:50 So what would it look like? Sincerely, what would it look like if our church was filled with people who understood we've got the cure and we are not going to keep it to ourselves? So Jesus approaches the tree, calls him by name Zacchaeus. Here's why that's powerful. His name means righteous one. What? He hasn't lived up to that his entire life. Jesus calls him by his name and is essentially saying, hey, the thing that you've never lived up to and you couldn't live up to even if you tried, I can give to you as a gift my righteousness to you. Zacchaeus hops down gladly and welcomes Jesus in. I just kind of imagine him giving the tour of his house. We're renovating over here, marble, you know, granite. Got four camels over there. Just thought it'd be cool to have them. Disciples are like, this guy's never getting saved.

18:45 Takes him to the master, queen bed, but feels like a king to me, kind of short, you know? So thanks for the delayed laugh. and then verse seven, the crowd look at Jesus and where he's going and what he's doing. And they're like, how dare he? He's going to the guest, be a guest of a sinner. And you want to know one of the things that Jesus got more accused of than anything else? being friends of sinners. Sinners were drawn to him and Jesus was drawn to sinners. And that is good news for you. And it's great news for me too. So he's there and the crowd's muttering,

19:32 that's not fair. He doesn't belong. Jesus shouldn't be hanging out with him. remember seven to ten days later Jesus would be hanging from a cross and as he's hanging on that cross he says seven statements the first of seven is one of the most powerful what does he say father forgive them because they don't know what they're doing so let's ask the question who's who's they who's them father forgive them for they know not what they're doing is it the soldiers that have pierced his hands and his feet is it the guy who pierced his side is it the people that are gambling over his clothes? Sure. Yeah, it is. But this is where the gospel story ends being a cute little story and starts to do spiritual surgery on your heart. You are they, I am they, the crowd at Jericho saying he shouldn't be doing that is a part of the day. One of the most dangerous places you can be is where you forget that you are just as much in need of the grace of God as any else. The gospel takes you off your pedestal of self-righteousness because the ground is level at the foot of the cross. None of us deserve it. None of us could earn it. And may we never forget that reality. But here is the wildest part of this story. It's the white space between verse 7 and verse 8.

21:11 Because in verse 7, they're like, hey, he didn't belong there. And this is verse 8. Ding, ding, ding, ding. Zacchaeus. Hey, Jesus, you want to know what I'm about to do? Half my money. I'm giving it away. Anybody who I've wronged, I'll pay him back four times. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm like, what did they talk about? Like, how does the most corrupt guy in the area turn into Mother Teresa. Like, could you give us some details on the conversation? And here's what we have to understand. Luke, the gospel writer here, he's a doctor. He's literally the details guy. Like he's got more details in his gospel than anybody else. And I kind of want to like talk to Luke and be like, come on, what was the conversation? But here's what, here's what I believe. I believe under the inspiration of the Holy spirit, Luke left out the conversation on purpose. Why? Because you and I might think it was the conversation and the words. It wasn't.

22:13 You want to know what it was? Zacchaeus had a real encounter with a real living God, Jesus Christ. And he ends, he ends by saying, what I have found in this man is infinitely more valuable than any of the wealth that I've gotten from my corruption. I am a changed man. That is the power of the gospel. And Zacchaeus did not purchase his salvation by giving stuff away. It is the evidence of the transformation that has taken place. My gosh, what a story. Verse nine, Jesus steps in today. Salvation has come to this house. Not only that, but let's listen. He is a son of Abraham. Let's take a trip back 2006, the Kelly family Easter egg hunt. You're not a part of this family. That's the crowd in Jericho. He's not even a Jew anymore.

23:17 He's a traitor. He's not a brother. He does not belong. And Jesus goes, Oh, you want to know what grace does. He's adopted as a son. He's a part of the family. Verse 10. Why did Jesus come to planet earth? Why did he put on skin and bone and walk the round ball that he created? to seek and save the lost. The son of man came. If you're wondering why he showed up, one reason to seek and to save the lost. A couple of years ago, I was preaching at the mix on a Wednesday night. And if you're a parent and you have a student from sixth, 12th grade, they should be here on a Wednesday night.

24:12 Shameless plug. when I was preaching here and unbeknownst to me, my wife has our three kiddos, or I think at that time may have just been two, our two boys. And, um, through a unique set of circumstances, our oldest got lost in the building and parents, you know, like at first it's like, ah, we're, we're gonna find them. But then 10 minutes went by and it's like, panic starts to settle. Right. and you start going to the worst conclusions. And so Laurie has gotten a team together of people that are searching for our son. And my wife is literally sprinting throughout the building, screaming my son's name, trying to find him. We're like, there's a lake out back. He can't swim. Did he go to the highway? What's going on?

25:05 we've got people with flashlights outside looking for our boy. And I finished the message and I walk off stage and someone meets me and goes, Hey, um, just want to let you know, everything's okay. We found your son, but he was missing for about 20 minutes. It got scary. And I'll never forget. I turned the corner and I saw my wife and my son. And I saw the emotion on my wife's face. And parents, again, you know, if you've been in a similar circumstance. It was that look of like, Sam, I didn't know if I was going to see him again. And I'll never forget just coming up to my boy, wrapping my arms around him and giving him the biggest hug on planet earth. imagine someone came up to me and go, you got other kids.

25:57 What's the loss of one? Parents, you know, you look back and say, excuse me? Let me tell you what I would do for my boy. I would spend every penny I have and I would find my son or I would die trying. There's not one parent in this room that wouldn't do the same. And here is the beauty of the gospel. You are not an acceptable or replaceable loss to the God of the universe. And he did not say, I will find you or die trying. He died so that you could be found. That is the gospel story.

26:54 The one who knew no sin became sin that we might become the righteousness of God. The guy who didn't deserve to be punished took the punishment that we deserve so that we could have the life that he deserved. Friends, that's not fair. And that is grace.

27:22 Not just not getting the punishment you do deserve, getting the very gift you least deserve. the story in the story of a short guy in a tree. This is your story and it's my story. In just a moment, as a church family, we're going to participate in taking the Lord's supper. This is meant for believers. And so before we step into it, I would love to give people the opportunity to go from lost to found. Because I'm here to tell you, you may have come in looking for God, but the reality is God has been looking for you. Would you bow your heads with me? If that's you, if you want to encounter the amazing unfair grace of God and put your trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

28:22 I'd just love to lead you in a prayer. You don't have to say it out loud and there's nothing special about this prayer. It's just a way to articulate what God is doing in your heart. Just say, Jesus, today I admit that I'm a sinner in need of a savior and I believe that that savior is you. I believe that you died on the cross for my sin and three days later you rose again from the grave. and this morning I choose to follow you God, right now I lift up every person under the sound of my voice. I pray that we would remember the price that you paid so that we could be found.