Theory to explain the world’s write-offs
– You get what you deserve
– You reap what you sow
John the Baptist’s popularity
– John was popular and influential because of the message he preached.
– Out of fear and vengeance, people flocked to him because they believed that God was going to act soon.
– Judgement day is near. Every person will get what he or she deserves.
– To those who are stuck, one could only say, “you better get your act together because the clock is ticking. The god of payback is in town. If you don’t make a U-turn right now, if you keep traveling on the highway to destruction, you will burn in hell. God himself will write you off – once and for all.”
The scandal of Jesus and his ministry
– Jesus befriended tax collectors and sinners. He justified his work, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)
– As a result, the religious leaders and elites had alienated and opposed Jesus.
The turnaround story of Zacchaeus
– Zacchaeus responded to Jesus invitation by making a complete U-turn – a repentance.
– Jesus proclaimed, “Today salvation has come to since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
The lost, the precious
– To be written off is to become worthless.
– But to be called, to be sought, and to be saved is to be precious.
– Jesus has come to seek and to save you. You are significant. You are treasured. You are precious in his eyes.
– The meaning of Christmas is that Jesus has come to seek you.
– The God of the Universe is knocking at your door.
– Will you open the door and invite him in?
– Will you make a U-turn and let the reversal happen today?
– You can follow the pastor’s prayer of repentance at the end of the sermon.
