Make Haste and Come Down

Q: What does the Bible say about salvation and repentance?

The Bible indicates that salvation comes to those whom Christ calls, as illustrated by Zacchaeus' experience in Luke 19. Salvation, as presented in the Scripture, is conveyed through the proactive grace of God, who seeks out sinners like Zacchaeus. In Luke 19, we see that Jesus calls Zacchaeus down from the tree, signifying that salvation isn't merely about a person's desire to see God but about God's desire to save. Zacchaeus did not approach Christ on the basis of his moral worth or need; instead, it was Christ who came to him, demonstrating the sovereign nature of salvation and repentance. True repentance is a response to God's grace, where a sinner acknowledges their condition and joyfully receives Christ.

Q: Why is Zacchaeus' story important for Christians?

Zacchaeus' story showcases God's mercy and the transformative power of His grace to save the lost. The account of Zacchaeus is fundamental for Christians as it illustrates the depth of God’s mercy and grace toward sinners. Zacchaeus was not a moral person; rather, he was a chief tax collector, despised by society. Yet, Jesus’ willingness to seek him out serves as a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s saving grace. This story reinforces the idea that salvation is based not on human effort or worthiness, but solely on God's sovereign choice and love. It encourages believers to reflect on their own salvation experiences, recognizing that they, too, have been chosen and called by Christ without any merit of their own.

Q: How do we know God's election is true?

God's election is evident in the biblical narrative, where He chooses and calls individuals like Zacchaeus for salvation. The truth of God's election is communicated throughout Scripture, revealing that God actively chooses whom He will save. The account of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 exemplifies this doctrine; despite being a tax collector, a status generally viewed with disdain, Jesus personally called him down from the tree, demonstrating that His grace extends beyond social norms and expectations. This incident affirms the biblical doctrine that God’s sovereign grace is not dependent on human action or righteousness but is rooted in His divine will. Furthermore, passages like Ephesians 1:4-5 clarify that the basis of election rests solely in God’s love and purpose, assuring believers that their salvation is securely anchored in His plan.

Q: Why does Jesus seek and save the lost?

Jesus seeks and saves the lost out of His sovereign grace and desire to restore them to fellowship with God. The mission of Jesus is clearly articulated in Luke 19:10, where He states that He has come to seek and save that which was lost. This underscores the heart of God for humanity, reflecting His deep compassion and mercy. Zacchaeus, an undeserving sinner, is a vivid illustration of this divine pursuit. Jesus' actions show that salvation is a gift, initiated by God without regard for a person’s past or their current state. The fact that Jesus actively sought out individuals like Zacchaeus highlights the reality that Christ doesn't wait for people to come to Him based on their ability or righteousness. Rather, He goes to them, demonstrating His desiring grace and establishing that salvation is about God’s initiative, not ours.

Q: What does it mean to come to Christ as a sinner?

Coming to Christ as a sinner involves recognizing one's need for grace and responding to His call for repentance. To come to Christ as a sinner means to acknowledge one’s own sinfulness and the fundamental inability to earn God’s favor. In the story of Zacchaeus, he did not climb the tree to earn salvation but to glimpse the grace-filled Savior who called him down. Jesus’ command to Zacchaeus, ‘make haste and come down,’ illustrates the urgency of responding to His call for repentance and faith. This call implies the necessity of surrendering all self-righteousness and accepting the free gift of salvation that He offers. It is a humbling experience, recognizing that it is not through human efforts but solely through Christ's work that one can be saved.

I appreciate Pastor Donnie asking
me to come. It's a privilege and an honor
to be here. It's just a delight to be with
you this weekend. I'm looking forward to such a
blessed time of fellowship. I'm looking forward to hearing
these men that are here preach the gospel to us. As Pastor Bell
mentioned a while ago, there are very few people in this world that give
a good hoot what we're doing here tonight. You know that? But oh, the ones that do, Donnie,
it never ceases to amaze me, the ones that do, that are interested. The Lord has indeed made a difference,
hasn't he? The hunger that's there. Drive
for hours to get here to hear somebody say something good about
the Lord Jesus. I can see it in your eyes. And
that's what I'm here for. I come to hear somebody say something
good about him. And I pray that he'll enable
me to do that tonight from Luke chapter 19. Donnie talked about those that
the Lord went and got. He mentioned that a while ago.
That's what I want to tell you about one of those that the Lord
went and got. If that's not Zacchaeus' testimony,
I don't know what it would be. The Lord just went and got him. That's all there is to it. And
then I want to talk a little bit about one that he didn't
get. Luke 19, verse 1, And Jesus entered
and passed through Jericho, and, behold, there was a man named
Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans. And he was
rich, and he sought to see Jesus, who he was. could not for the
press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before
and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to
pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place,
he looked up and saw him." Zacchaeus went up that tree to see Jesus,
but the Lord came where Zacchaeus was and saw him. And said unto
him, Zacchaeus, make haste. That's the title of the message
tonight, Make Haste and Come Down. For today I must abide
at thy house. And he made haste and came down,
and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all
murmured, saying that he was gone to be guest with a man that
is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood and said
unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, The half of my goods I give to
the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man by false
accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This
day is salvation come to this house, for so much as he also
is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man is come to
seek and to save that which is lost." He's come to get somebody.
I like the way Donnie put that. The first question that might
come to your mind as we read that account of the Lord Jesus
coming to Zacchaeus, if you're like me and you didn't know any
better, the first question that might come to your mind is, why
in the world would the Lord save Zacchaeus? Why in the world would he do
that? What do you mean by that, Brother Chris? Well, in the context
of this passage in chapter 18 of Luke You know the account of that
rich young ruler that came to the Lord and asked him, What
shall I do that I might inherit eternal life? In verse 18, that
passage begins, and we'll look at that a little bit. But you
recall, generally speaking regarding that passage, that the Lord answered
him, What saith the law? And you remember that they had
a conversation together, and again, we'll look at that in
a moment, hopefully. But you remember the disciples'
reaction to that encounter between Christ and the rich young ruler.
They said, if that fellow can't be saved, who can be saved? They
asked just the opposite question of what we might ask about Zacchaeus.
Lord, why didn't you save him? He's a fine young fellow. Moral,
moral and upright, and he came and respectfully requested regarding
eternal life? Why in the world didn't the Lord
save him? Why did Christ save Zacchaeus? He was not a likable
fellow, not the sort of that you and I would feel sorry for,
like we might at least feel sorry for somebody like Blind Bartimaeus
in this same time that the Lord says he passed through Jericho
there in verse 1, as he was entering Jericho, he met Blind Bartimaeus. And we might look at somebody
like old Blind Bartimaeus and say, Oh, I'm glad the Lord saved
him. He was a pitiful fellow, you know, poor old blind man. Zacchaeus didn't have that going
for him. We wouldn't have felt sorry for him. He was nothing
but a dishonest tax collector. Have you prayed for one of those
lately? I hadn't either. And then also,
we found out right away, the only thing we know really about
Zacchaeus is he was chief among Republicans and he was rich.
And the Lord had just got through telling his disciples that a
rich man will hardly enter the kingdom of God. He said in verse 24, when Jesus
saw that that rich man was sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they
that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier
for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter
into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said,
Who then can they save?" The Lord just got through saying,
How hardly shall a rich man enter the kingdom of God, and what
did he do? He went and found a rich man and said, Salvation
has come to your house today. Why would he do that? And then Zacchaeus, he doesn't appear
to have any urgent need, does he? Like that woman with the
issue of blood, we know why she was saved. had a great need,
and she went to the master, and he was her last resort. She'd
spent everything she had. And she was none the better,
but only worse. All the doctors were through with her. They couldn't
do anything for her. They just made her worse, and she'd already
spent all of her money. Where was she going to go next
if the Lord didn't help her? And so we see the Lord have mercy
on her, and we say, I don't understand. She was going to the Lord as
her final And he was there for her. Zacchaeus doesn't appear
to have any special need. He was a rich man. He seemed
to have everything he needed. In fact, his efforts to see the
Master could very easily be interpreted as vain curiosity. After all,
isn't that why everybody else was there that day, too? There
was a great multitude there. They were all there to see who
this was everybody was talking about. Zacchaeus had obviously
heard about the miracles that he had performed. Heard about
the astonishing doctrine that he taught, and just like this
vast multitude there that day, he wanted to see who this man
was that all the talk was about. So this didn't really distinguish
him in any way from any of the others there. So why in the world
did God save Zacchaeus? Let me ask you another question.
Why did he save you? Have you thought about that lately?
I thought about that while I was looking into it. Why did God
save me? Why in the world did He come
where I was in my shamefulness? And I didn't even know I was
shameful. As far as I knew, I didn't need
His grace nor want it, and yet He came and got me. He came and
revealed to me what I was and who He is and my great need of
Him. And he simply saved me. Why did
he do that? Well, there's not but one answer
to that question. He did it because he wanted to. Why did he save
Zacchaeus? Because he wanted to. It pleased
him to do it. Now let me show you the difference,
if I can tonight briefly for just a little while, try to show
you the difference between somebody that wants to go to heaven when
they die. I know a lot of people like that, don't you? You know
anybody that wants to go to heaven? somebody that wants to go to
heaven when they die, and an object of God's free and sovereign
mercy in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have in the previous chapter,
as we looked at there, an account of a man who came to Jesus of
Nazareth, wanting to know what he should do that he might inherit
eternal life. Verse 18, And a certain ruler
asked him, saying, Good master, what shall I do? to inherit eternal
life, and Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None is good save one, and that
is God." Now, you understand what he was saying there to that
fellow. This man didn't realize that there's none good but one. And so the Lord asked him that
question. He wasn't saying he wasn't good.
He's saying, Why would you call me good? Is there a reason for
that? Do you do that, knowing the truth
behind that? Christ's response to that young
man highlights the first difference between these two, between this
rich young ruler and Zacchaeus. Christ told that young man to
keep the law perfectly. Look at it. He said, I know it's
the commandments. Verse 20, Do not commit adultery,
do not kill, do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor
thy father and thy mother." He told him to keep the law. You
know what the law says. There's your answer. What must
I do? You know the answer to that. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt
not bear false witness. That young man came and asked
a specific question, what should I do that I might inherit You
know what that word inherit means? It's the same word used in Romans
8.16, where it says, "...the Spirit itself beareth witness
with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children,
then heirs, inheritors." Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. This man is saying, what must
I do that I might receive my rightful portion? of the inheritance. He inquires on the basis of doing
after that which is said by Paul to be the exclusive right of
sons. This is Christ's meaning when
he said to that woman, It's not me for me to take the children's
bread and give it to dogs. The inheritance is for the son.
And so, asking this question, what must I do to be an inheritor
with the sons? He's given an honest answer,
isn't he? If you're going to receive that inheritance, which
is the rightful portion of the sons of God, you're going to
have to earn it. If you're not a son, you're going
to have to earn it, aren't you? There are not but two ways to
receive that inheritance. That's as a rightful portion
of the sons of God. going to have to earn it. You're
going to have to keep God's law perfectly. But we find in this
account of Zacchaeus and the Lord's meeting with him that
no such demand is placed upon him. He's never required to meet
any condition for the Lord Jesus Christ to come and abide with
him. The answer is in verse 9 of the
text there, where we read in Luke 19, and Jesus said unto
him, This day is salvation come to this house. Why? For so much as he also is a son
of Abraham. A son of Abraham. Well, weren't
there a whole bunch of sons of Abraham there that day, do you
reckon? In a physical sense, yes, a lot
of sons of Abraham there, Jewish people. But Paul said, they that
have the faith of Abraham, they're the children of Abraham. They're
the spiritual sons of Abraham. So you see the difference there.
Christ confronted that one man with the law. He came to the
Lord Jesus Christ on the footing of law, and he was given an honest
answer to his question. How am I going to inherit that
which is the portion of the sons of God? You're going to have
to earn it. Zacchaeus wasn't required to do so. are you. The gospel doesn't require you
to earn eternal life. God said, Come without money
and without price, and by, by. Come, let him that's thirsty
come, and take of the water of life freely, freely, freely. Just as I am without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for and that thou bidst me come to
thee. O Lamb of God, I'm coming. I'm
coming. If a sinner can come on that
basis, I'm coming. How about you?" And then, I've
heard it preached by those who imagine that man's free will
is necessary in salvation, that if Zacchaeus hadn't climbed up
in that tree, he never would have seen the Savior. Is that
right? My Savior said in verse 10, I
came to seek and to save that which was lost. You reckon he
did what he came to do? I believe if Zacchaeus had hidden
behind that tree, the Lord would have found him. You think? You
think so? He said that's what he came to
do, to look for lost people like Zacchaeus and find them. Find
them. I believe he can do what he came
to do, and I believe he's done so. If the Savior had passed
him by and not seen him," verse 5, we noticed that as we read
it, didn't we? The Master saw him. That's the key to salvation
coming to your house. What would all of Zacchaeus'
tree climbing have done for him? If Christ hadn't come to that
tree and said, Zacchaeus, you come down. Make haste. and come
down. There were those in the multitude
who were closer to Christ than Zacchaeus was. In fact, if anything,
the climbing up the tree took him further away from the Savior.
There were people brushing up against him, a great multitude
there. He didn't go to any of their houses that day. But he came to Zacchaeus and
found him. That's the sovereign grace of God. He comes where
the sinner is and does all that's necessary the Good Samaritan
will come where you are and do all that's necessary to save
you. He came to seek and to do what?
Help, to assist. Now, this sinner needs saving
in every sense of the word, and that's what he came to do, to
save wretches like me. Secondly, here's the difference,
this man's response to Christ was that he had kept the from
his youth up. In verse 20, he said, Thou knowest
the commandments. Do not commit adultery, do not
kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor thy father
and thy mother. And he said, All these have I
kept from my youth up. And Christ's response to him
highlights the second difference. In verse 22, when Jesus heard
these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing. You've
kept the law from your youth up." You see what the Lord did
there when he said, Go and sell all that you have and give it
to the poor. He said, You've kept all of my
law from your youth up. What's the first commandment?
I am the Lord thy God, and thou shalt have no other gods before
me. No other gods before me. And
Christ looked that man in the face and said, You go, sell your
gods. and get rid of them and come
follow the true God. And he couldn't even answer.
He couldn't even say anything to that. Neither can you. Neither can I. We cannot answer
the law of God in one word. One word. Job said, If thou shalt
contend with me, what shall I answer thee? What are you going to say
to God's law as it pronounces condemnation upon thee? What
are you going to say to it? You're going to say the same
thing I am. You're going to shut up, and you're going to pray
for his mercy, because that's our only hope for this righteous
Master. When he heard this, he was very
sorrowful, for he was very rich. Very sorrowful, for he was very
rich. Zacchaeus was never confronted
with the law in this way. Christ never demanded that he
walk the walk as he did this rich young ruler. The rich young
ruler talked a good game, didn't he? I've done these for my youth,
though. Let's see about that. It's easy to say that, isn't
it? It's easy to put the Ten Commandments. I see it in a lot
of people's driveways somehow or other now, for some reason.
Why would somebody put the Ten Commandments in their driveway?
I don't know, unless it's to go by there and say, I haven't
killed anybody today, check. I haven't stolen anything today,
check. No, you're going to have to put an X over every one of
them, every one of them, every one of them. But Zacchaeus was
never confronted with that, not in this context. Zacchaeus, without
any constraint whatsoever, volunteered all of his goods. Did you notice
that? The Lord required the rich young ruler to do that, and he
couldn't do it. The Lord Jesus Christ never asked
Zacchaeus to give up a penny. And he said, I'm going to take
the first half of everything I have, and I'm just going to
give it to the poor. And then I'm going to take the rest of
it, and I'm going to use that to restore fourfold to everybody
I've ever cheated. That would have pretty much done
it, wouldn't it? That would have pretty much emptied it out, I
reckon. But he was never required to do that. There was no constraint
upon him whatsoever except what? The love of Christ. The love
of Christ. He said unto the Lord, Behold,
Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken
anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And the Lord Jesus Christ He
may not ever require you to give up all of your goods and follow
him as he did the rich young ruler. But I tell you this, if
he saves you and if he saves me, he'll make us willing to
do it, as he did Zacchaeus. He made him willing to do it,
didn't he? And then thirdly, here's the difference between
the two. Both men were rich. Both met and spoke with the same
sovereign Redeemer. Both of them had a conversation
with the Son of God. One came upon a footing of works
and was left upon a footing of works. That rich young ruler in chapter
18 was left on hopeless ground. What a terrible place to be. You do this. and you'll have
eternal life. Have you heard that anywhere
before? That's the ground upon which sinners come to churches
today, and that's the grounds upon which they're left by the
Lord Jesus. You know the law, and that's
about all you know, and that's right where you are. Apart from
Christ's mercy, apart from the sovereign grace of God, you'll
come to him on the footing of works. Because that's all you
know to do, without his enlightening grace. And he'll leave you right
there, unless he's pleased to have mercy on you. What a terrible place, though.
And that's where most religious people are today. Make a decision,
say a prayer, live the Christian life, do this, and live. What about Zacchaeus? without
any necessity being laid on him whatsoever. No requirement. It was absolutely unconditional,
wasn't it? Zacchaeus, come down! Salvation has come to your house!
Doesn't that sound like the covenant that God made with Abraham, doesn't
it? That sounds a lot like it. In blessing, Abraham, while I'm
blessing, I'm going to bless you. Isn't that what he said? My only part in Salvation is
that I need it. I desperately need it. That's
my only part of it. And I don't want any other part
of it, because I'll mess it up if I do, if I have it. Without
any necessity being laid on him, he did what Christ commanded
the rich young ruler to do. The rich young ruler was unable
to do it and was lost. Zacchaeus did that thing, but
he wasn't saved on that basis. That's not why the Lord had mercy
on him. He said, this day salvation has come to this house because
he's a son of Abraham. He's one of mine. He's one of
mine. For the Son of Man has come to
seek and to save that which was lost. Wasn't everybody there
lost that day? But they weren't part of that,
that which was lost. Zacchaeus was. He was a son of
Abraham, a spiritual son of Abraham. That's right. And how does that apply to us?
What does that mean to you tonight? Well, here's your need tonight. You don't need to do any of the
things that Donnie was talking about, people telling people
they need to do. Walk down an aisle or say some
kind of a prayer. You don't need to do any of that.
Here's your need tonight. You need for the Lord Jesus Christ
to come where you are. That's what you need. That's
what I need. I need for the Son of God to
come to my tree and call me by my name and say, hurry up and
come down. Come down. And I don't know whether
he will or not. I don't know whether he'll come
to you or not. You are shut up to him. You are shut up to his
mercy. And I can't tell you he's coming
your way, because he may not. The songwriter said, Lord, while
on others you're calling, don't pass me by. Don't pass me by. He can. He can stop where you
are. He can pass you by. And all of
Zacchaeus' tree climbing wouldn't have helped him if the Lord had
just gone on by. You need for him to come where
you are. We're shut up to mercy. I'll tell you, but you know,
mercy, if you know that, if you know that you're shut up to the
mercy of God. John Berta Mance knew that. We
mentioned him a while ago, and you know what he did? He cried
for mercy. Isn't that what he did? He said,
Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me! Because he knew
what his condition was, and he knew there wasn't but one hope
for him. And what does Zacchaeus do? He didn't do anything to
recommend that the Lord might come to him, but you know what
he did do? He climbed up to a place where he might just get a sight
of the Master. That didn't merit him salvation.
The Lord could have passed him by, as we've mentioned, in that
place, just as good as he could have passed him by if he'd have
stayed home. But he climbed up to a place
where he might reasonably expect to get a glimpse of the Master. You know where that is today?
It's where his gospel is preached. It's where his gospel is preached.
If you're a sinner, if you're a dishonest, tax-collecting,
God-hating, black-hearted, rebellious son of Adam, And you need Christ
to come where you are. I'd go somewhere where he is,
wouldn't you? And that doesn't guarantee that
he'll come where you are. I can't guarantee you that. I'm
telling you honestly tonight, you're shut up to his mercy,
and I can't promise it to you. But I know where mercy is found.
It's found in the Lord Jesus Christ. And I know where the
Lord Jesus Christ said he'd be. He said he'd be wherever his
people are gathered together and wherever his gospel is preached.
And God said, it pleases me by the foolishness of preaching
to save sinners, them that believe. So if I was you, I'd find out
where some sinners are gathered in his name, preaching his gospel,
and that's where I'd be. I'll tell you this, if you're
where he's not, you're not going to see him. You're not going
to see it. Let me leave you with one thought
tonight, and I'll be through. Christ said to Zacchaeus, make
haste and come down. Make haste. You know, I've lately
been listening to some messages, and this is just an impression
that I have, and I take it as that and that only. But I've
recently been listening to some messages by various men that
were preached years ago And I hear something in the preaching back
then that I don't often hear. I do hear some. I know I don't
hear much in mine. And that's an urgency, an urgency
in the gospel message. Are we lacking that today, or
is it just me? Is it just me? You realize what we're dealing
with, who we're dealing with. You realize what's at stake.
in the preaching of the gospel. Paul said, we're the saver to
some of death unto death, and to some we're the saver of life
unto life, and who on earth is sufficient for that? Do we tremble
at that when we preach? Do we tremble when you hear the
gospel? Do you tremble? Make haste and come now. Make haste. There's an urgency
here. If you're a lost son or daughter of Adam tonight, you're
going to have to come down. Did you know that? You're going
to have to come down from where you are. And you need to do it
right now. Right now. Well, I'm a sinner. I know that. But I'm not as bad
as most sinners. Everybody can see that. I haven't
done some of the terrible things that I've heard of other people
doing. Me and the man upstairs are okay.
with one another, come down, make haste and come
down. Well, I suppose that we're all
as bad as one another. I believe in the doctrine of
original sin, after all, and we're all sinners. But I try
to do my best, and I try to honor my father and mother. Anytime
my neighbor needs some help with something, I try to help him
out and make haste. Come down. Come down. Come down. Well, I guess I am
just as bad as everybody else. But I go to church. God be merciful to me, the sinner. Make haste and come down. Come down. Amen.

Make Haste and Come Down

What does the Bible say about salvation and repentance?

Why is Zacchaeus' story important for Christians?

How do we know God's election is true?

Why does Jesus seek and save the lost?

What does it mean to come to Christ as a sinner?

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Make Haste and Come Down

What does the Bible say about salvation and repentance?

Why is Zacchaeus' story important for Christians?

How do we know God's election is true?

Why does Jesus seek and save the lost?

What does it mean to come to Christ as a sinner?

Sermon Transcript

About Chris Cunningham

Comments

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