OUTLINE:

We’re in a battle for the souls of men!
-SG

J. Vernon McGee on Lk 19:1-10
“By [his fruit] I know he has been converted. And, friend, this is the only way the world will know that you are converted. They do not know it by testimony; they know it only by what they see in your life.”

J. Vernon McGee on Lk 19:1-10
“If it were not for his changed life, I would never know that this old publican got converted.”

J. Vernon McGee on Lk 19:1-10
“The experience of Zacchaeus is a good illustration of what James says: ‘Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.’” (Jas 2:18)

J. Vernon McGee on Lk 19:1-10
“Zacchaeus showed his faith by his works. He did not talk about his faith; he demonstrated it. The world is not listening for something today; it is looking for something. Zacchaeus had what the world is looking for. Jesus had dinner with him and his life changed.”

Check Your Motivation!
The human emotion “that all be saved” is often different than God’s in the sense that it is absent of divine viewpoint on justice. God’s grace is not accommodating to man’s sensibilities; rather, it is accommodating to God’s sovereignty.

God Is Immutable
A person will never concede God’s sovereignty if they are their own god. God is not interested in fitting into the confines of man’s preferences for Himself. God is immutable.

Lk 6:27-28
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

What the Apostles Lacked
Understanding (e.g., Mt 16:15-23; Lk 18:31-34; Ac 1:1-9)
Humility (e.g., Mt 20:20ff; Mk 9:33-35)
Faith (e.g., Mt 16:5-11)
Commitment (e.g., Lk 5:11; 22:31ff)
Power (e.g., Mt 17:16-17; Jn 20; Ac 1:8)

“understood none of these things” - MacDonald
We often believe what we want to believe, and resist the truth if it does not fit into our preconceived notions.

What the Apostles Lacked
Understanding (e.g., Mt 16:15-23; Lk 18:31-34; Ac 1:1-9)
Humility (e.g., Mt 20:20ff; Mk 9:33-35)
Faith (e.g., Mt 16:5-11)
Commitment (e.g., Lk 5:11; 22:31ff)
Power (e.g., Mt 17:16-17; Jn 20; Ac 1:8)

What the Apostles Lacked
Understanding (e.g., Mt 16:15-23; Lk 18:31-34; Ac 1:1-9)
Humility (e.g., Mt 20:20ff; Mk 9:33-35)
Faith (e.g., Mt 16:5-11)
Commitment (e.g., Lk 5:11; 22:31ff)
Power (e.g., Mt 17:16-17; Jn 20; Ac 1:8)

Lk 18:28
Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.”

Imperfect Humility
While the Apostles were humble enough to be saved, they lacked perfect humility afterwards. Like the rest of us, they had to continue to LEARN what true humility is in the spiritual life.