The Knock at the Door

 

March 16, 2008

 

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Easter:  Priceless

 

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Pastor Scott Loughrige

 

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What’s Easter About?

 

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Any musical selections and/or media elements used in our services are for illustrative purposes only and are not an endorsement of any artist, musical group, film or television program.

 

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The Knock at the Door

 

Luke 19:1-10 (TNIV)

 1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

    5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

    7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner."

    8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

    9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

 

1.  Consider who needs a _________________________(a)

 

John 6:35 (NIV)

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  The church is the _____________________________(b)

 

Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Jesus is the _________________________________(c)

John 10:9 (NAS)

I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Who is your ________________________________(d)?

 

Luke 19:10 (TNIV)

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

 

 

 

 

Sources:

Mark Beeson, Ed Young

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversations in Life Group:

1.  Have you ever been really hungry and you were offered a food sample?  What was your reaction to enjoying that sample?

2.  What percentage of the people around you that are unchurched claim they would go to church if invited (under 20%, between 20% - 50%, between 50% - 80%, over 80%)?

3.  How did you first come to Crossroads?  What caused you to consider coming to church?

4.  Why do you think Jesus went out of His way to have a meal with a person such as Zacchaeus?

5.  Is there anyone in  your relational world (friend, family, teammate, co-worker, etc.), that you think God is not concerned with?  How do you suppose He may want to express His concern?

6.  If the local church is like a table, what are some things that should be characteristic of the dining experience?  What might you do more of to enhance the experience?

 

Spiritual Practice:  

Write the name and address of a friend or family member you would like to invite for Easter on The Doors postcard.  Add a short encouraging message like "hope to see you there".  Pray this week for those you send the invite to.

 

Prayer this week: 

Heavenly Father, You know the needs of the people I care about better than I do.  I pray that you would meet them in the place of their need and lead them to the truth of Jesus Christ.  I pray that all of the people that will be here on Easter Sunday (including me and my family) would know You better and understand Your sacrifice on the cross and the amazing love of God for us in ways that will change us and change this world.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen

 

Resources:

Today’s message is available in the bookstore on CD or DVD.

Streaming audio and videos of today’s message are also available on our website:  ccmonline.org.

Go to our website and click on the “Following the Star” devotional for Lent.

 

Read: 

Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels

Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary by Lee Strobel

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:   a. sample  b. table   c. door   d. Zacchaeus

 

 

 

 

© 2008 Scott Loughrige