Jesus: He gives us rest

We need to get past performance based Christianity and the guilt that comes with it. Instead, we need to rest in Jesus and trust in the sacrifice he made for us.
Mt 11:28-30 Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest.
He's speaking to all of those who are feeling weighed down by rules and life.
-Come to me! It's an incredible invitation from Jesus to come to him. Start there.  This verse requires a response from us.
-Reject works-based salvation and righteousness. We can't follow all of the rules perfectly -Jesus has done all of that for us. 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 3:20, Mt 23:4, 1Jn 5:3, Acts 15:10, Gal 5:1 Jesus freed us so that we can be free!
-Rest in Jesus! He is gentle and here to give us rest, not to condemn us. Lk 10:38-42, Is 40:31, Eph 3:16-21

Jesus: Friend of sinners

Lk 19:1-10 Jesus and Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus may have been short, but he was a despised rich man. He was probably very proud that Jesus picked him out from the whole crowd.
This story comes after the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Lk 18:9-14.
All of the people wondered why Jesus would want to hang out with Zacchaeus, a sinner.
Something supernatural changed in Zacchaeus between verse 6 and verse 8. He calls Jesus "Lord" and his attitude is different. Zacchaeus was radically changed and saved that day because he came face to face with Jesus.
We all are sinners in need of Jesus. As a church, we need to be about helping sinners find Jesus and salvation.
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8

Jesus: Who is Jesus?

Jesus WAS and IS God. There's no neutral ground.
What did Jesus say about himself?
-He came down from heaven. Jn 6:38, 41-42, 60, 66
-He was more than just a good man. Mk 10:17-18, don't call me good unless you are also calling me God.
-He was the son of man. Dan 7:13-14
-He performed miracles. Jn 10:36-39
-He said he was God. Mk 14:61-64
-He confirmed to others that he was God.  Mt
-He was sinless. Jn 8:46
-He forgave sin.  Mk 2:5
-He taught people to pay to him as God. In 14:13-14
-He claimed all authority.  Mt 28:18-20
-He is the only way to heaven. Jn 14:6
THAT is the Jesus who came and died for me.