David's Sermons - Time With Jesus

Date: 27/9/98
Speaker: David Meiklejohn
Text: Luke 19v1-10, Luke 8v22-24,35-43, Luke 10v38-42

Spending Time With Christ

Introduction

Zacchaeus - Luke 19v1-10

Luke 19v1-10

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; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day 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 any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Zacchaeus' meeting with Jesus had a profound effect. He realised his own sinfulness and repented of that sin. He promised to repay and held to his promise. When we spend time with Jesus we should see our own sinfulness as well, and we should desire to confess and be cleansed from that sin, and to repent of it.

Jairus - Luke 8v40-42,49-56

Luke 8v40-42,49-56

And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.
And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

Notice Jesus' command when the girl is raised: he says she should be fed. It is important that our new lives are given nourishment. Look forward to being fed, and make sure you don't go too long between meals.

Mary - Luke 10v38-42

Luke 10v38-42

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Mary had chosen the good part: she sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word. What a picture of serenity, of sweetness, of fellowship with the Lord. She sat at his feet and heard his word. Jesus had come to her house and she must have been amazed. She sat and drank it all in, and the experience must have provided strength to her later in her life when she faced trials. She would never forget the closeness she had with Christ. The words of The King and I show the same awe and wonder that the King of Kings chose to walk with us: