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(NOTE: I slightly rewrote these notes from what was preached. After discussing the message with one person who felt like there were too many exceptions to my generalization about what the generations are like, I find myself agreeing with her, so I rewrote the message to reflect the idea that there are "black and white" people and there are "Shades of Gray". The video is the sermon as it was preached)
When I was in Grants Pass in June with Esther, I took my new friend, Tyler, to lunch. 27 years old. Esther & Wesley’s pastor. We were comparing notes about ministry with today’s challenges and remaining true to the gospel. Tyler said something intriguing: “Your generation sees things in black and white… my generation has far more shades of gray.” I find truth in that statement, but It may be too simple to make sweeping generalizations about entire generations. However, without question, there are people who are black and white and other who live in a shades of gray world, never challenging people's choices. In today’s message I am amazed how Jesus is true to the values of both black and white people and shades of gray people. The one side is so good at pressing for a decision and the other is awesome at love and accepting people for who they are… Jesus shows us a wonderful bridge that brings the values of the two sides together… we’ll get to that a bit later in this message….
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When Sally and I moved to Pasadena to go to school, as we explored our new home, we were puzzled by a pink line down the center of the main street in the city. I thought I knew traffic laws pretty well but that pink line was baffling. A few months later we figured it out… (guesses?) [The guide line for the Rose Parade floats.]
The Rose Parade, just a couple blocks from our house. The first Rose Parade we made a minor mistake: we staked out a spot on the wrong side of the street! Turns out that many of the floats are built for the cameras, there is a definite back side. Our last Rose Parade was the most memorable…we took a job with the school to help set up 500 VIP chairs and guard them all night…. There were probably 20 of us… a night I will never forget… the parade before the parade, the trucks up and down the street, the drunks stumbling through…. Today’s scripture -- a parade…. Much of these verses are about preparation for the parade… Jesus is entering Jerusalem….
Rule #1: The boss is always right. Rule #2: When the boss is wrong, refer to rule #1.
The boss is always right! That’s the best comparison I can come up with to explain how to understand today’s scripture. Bianca, my daughter, writes for an online website that provides resources for small businesses. The website lis hard to navigate, confusing. Bee says, in her opinion, they could do much more with social media. The boss/owner doesn’t seem to see any of it. Bee has no choice but to keep going his way… The boss is always right. Turns out he must know what he is doing.. A few years ago when she started, after a few months, they gave her a $500 Christmas bonus. That year the company netted $700K. The workers may think they have better ways of doing things… but the Boss is always right! The same thing happens when we commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ. We are not always going to understand. Disappointments. Often we can’t figure out what God is up to… Many reject God because if they were God they would do things differently: no wars, no pain, no death, no sin…. How can a loving God allow ________.
The story of Zacchaeus is the story of how one man came to the Lord Jesus Christ: He was curious. He was found. He responded. He was changed.
The pattern of Zacchaeus is insightful for how many people will come to the Lord. He was curious. He was found. He responded. He was changed. Have you noticed Sumas is growing? That means there are more neighbors, more people among us that need God. The houses being built…the people moving in… the growing school district… (We just got a new middle school, already they are projecting five years out or so and there won’t be enough space) Some of the people moving in are believers, but many are not committed Christians. Pray for our community, pray that our church will be a witness of the gospel and be bold in pointing the way to Jesus Christ. |
 
Carl Crouse, Pastor
At SACC we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Every Sunday the worship service includes a message from the Bible. My words are an attempt to understand and apply the Bible to our daily living. I post weekly sermons and other biblical messages on this page. May you find meaning and hope as you read through each message and seek to hear God's voice. Leave a comment to ask questions or inspire others with your insights. Categories
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