Tonight we continue our sermon series through the great doctrines of the faith, and we are looking at the question asking us about repentance. For our time in the word then tonight, let's turn to Luke's gospel, Luke chapter 19, verses 1 through 10. Luke chapter 19, verses 1 through 10. Hear the word of God. Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd. for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him and said to him, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house. So he made haste and came down and received him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, he has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner. Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Lord, look, I give half of my goods to the poor. And if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four fold. And Jesus said to him today, salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham. For the son of man has come to seek and to save that which is lost. The word of God. Amen. Let's pray. Father, we pray now that in the preaching of the Word, you would encourage our hearts, give us aid by the Spirit in both the preaching and in the hearing of the Word of Christ. And we think rightly on this very important topic. In Jesus' name, amen. If I were to say to any Christian who has been in the church for any length of time, and let me further specify that, if I were to say to any Christian who has spent any time in children's ministry for any length of time in the church, the mention of Zacchaeus typically brings to mind a very familiar song. Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see. And that familiar refrain is something that we often teach children to sing, and we teach them to sing that song because of what it points to, salvation in seeing and savoring Christ. But I wonder if sometimes in all of our discussions of Zacchaeus, the story gets boiled down to how many feet and inches tall was this man versus what actually happens in the story. By no means is that a way of saying we shouldn't sing that children's song. But as we sing it, boys and girls, let us remember that the song is about a short man, but a short man who, by God's grace, has very tall repentance. I want us to see four simple things in this passage tonight briefly, as we consider the story of Zacchaeus. Listen to how the catechism defines repentance, because we're gonna make the case tonight from the word of God that Zacchaeus demonstrates biblical repentance. What is repentance unto life, the catechism asks. To which the reply comes, repentance unto life is a saving grace. whereby a sinner of a true sense of his own sin and an apprehension of the mercy of God and Christ does with full grief and hatred of his sin turn from it unto God with full purpose of and endeavor after new obedience." There's a turning away from sin, a hatred for it, and a turning unto God with an endeavor not only to forsake sin, but to seek to follow after obedience. But did you hear the first phrase? It, like faith, is a grace of God. Great repentance is given. It is not something that in our own strength we earn or muster up. Well, four simple lessons from our look at Zacchaeus tonight. You remember the story. There he is. He's a short man. The text says that he was a chief tax collector. Interestingly enough, this is a phrase that is only used in this location in the scriptures. And we don't want to make too much of it, but it's likely that he wasn't just a tax collector, but he was the head of a group of tax collectors. And they were likely, all of them, or most of them, extortionists. They would overtax. And it's possible, we don't want to be too speculative, but it's possible that of all the tax collectors in this particular region, Zacchaeus was one of the chiefs who might have been getting extra kickbacks, extra money. What's interesting is the text tells us in verse 1 that Jesus was going through a particular city, a very famous biblical city, all throughout the Bible, Jericho. Well, at this time and in this stage in history, Jericho was a very rich and affluent region, a place of much wealth. So you have a chief of sinners, a person who is taking money that does not belong to him. And what happens next? We aren't told all of what has happened in Zacchaeus' heart. Maybe he's heard about the miracles. Maybe he's heard about teaching. Maybe there have been conversations that Jesus was coming. But notice what verse 3 says. After we read about a very chief of sinners, a tax collector, a chief tax collector, we read in verse 3, and he sought to see who Jesus was. We're not told all of the reasons why. But then we're told the interesting detail, which sticks out into our minds. He has to climb a tree because he's short. He wasn't the only one who wanted to see Jesus. But he endeavors to climb the sycamore tree and to see him, for Jesus was passing that way. And then notice what happens next. Zacchaeus wants to see Jesus, and Jesus goes after Zacchaeus. I would submit to you from the pages of Scripture that is an order we're told about Zacchaeus wanting to see Jesus and then Jesus interacting with him. But in the heart of Zacchaeus, it likely was the other way around. There's preparation here. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him and said to him, by name, Zacchaeus. Make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." And then we read the account of others who are complaining because of all the nerve, Jesus is going to be with a sinner. Now, it's not as though the individuals who say that don't believe that they have any sin at all. It's just in verse 1, we read of His title, And in verse 7, we read that all of the community knew this man as being a man of great sin. And we often read this narrative, this story, and we think to ourselves, isn't that quaint? Jesus saves another, and this one happens to be short, and he climbs a tree, and you know, there's salvation there, and it's kind of a kid's song. But the narrative actually unfolds in such a way that as the movement of Luke goes from story to story, We're meant to see that there are some who testify to the greatness of his sin, but not to the greatness of the Savior. So we're left with the impression Zacchaeus was known by everybody to be a great sinner. Well, what happens? Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Lord, I give half my goods to the poor. And if I've taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." This isn't Zacchaeus saying, Lord, if maybe I've sinned, maybe I'll consider repentance, let me think about it. No, Zacchaeus is saying, Lord, it's as good as done. In fact, I'm going to do more than what is required of me. And Jesus said to him, today salvation has come to your house. So lesson number one for us as we think about repentance, a turning from sin and a turning unto God, a turning to Christ. Repentance can be granted to even the greatest of sinners. Repentance can be granted to even the greatest of sinners. I tell this story very often. I think I was speaking about it with someone earlier today. I'll never forget the time that one of our brothers was praying behind this pulpit and praying for world leaders. And in the midst of this pastoral prayer, he, and I remember it like it was yesterday, because I believe I was sitting right here on the platform, and he prayed for Ahmadinejad to be saved. And I remember thinking quickly, well, one can but hope. And then very quickly being encouraged and exhorted by that prayer because that ought be the way that we view the gift of repentance. That no sinner, while he has breath, is too far gone from God's grace, the saving grace of repentance. This short man was granted great repentance. And true repentance is a gift of God and a grace of God. Turn over to Acts chapter 5. Acts chapter 5 in verse 31. We read in these first few chapters of Acts, whose author, by the way, is the same author as Luke. And the apostles are bearing testimony In the next chapter five, verse 29, we read, but Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him, God has exalted to his right hand to be prince and savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins, to give repentance. But it's not only Israel that will be granted the gift of repentance. Turn over a few pages to Acts chapter 11 and verse 18. Acts chapter 11 and verse 18. Now Peter is proclaiming God's grace and in verse 18 of Acts 11 we read these words, When they heard these things, they became silent, and they glorified God, saying, Then God has also granted, given, bestowed, gifted to the Gentiles repentance to life. And this was prophesied in the Old Testament. Zechariah 12 verse 10. God is going to give repentance to the nations. And in the book of Acts, we see it happening both to Jews and to Gentiles. Repentance can be granted to even the greatest of sinners. Now in a room like this, in a group like this, one can but assume that most, if not nearly all of us, have repented of sin and trusted in Christ. But maybe, just maybe, there is one or two in this room this evening who is thinking to themselves, this particular sin is too great. It's too much for me to take the Lord. Friend, I would just submit to you that turning from any sin is nothing. It's nothing for God to grant to you. But perhaps the lesson we need to take from this particular point is that any neighbor, any co-worker, any family member, any boss, any president, any king, any congressman, any congresswoman, any dictator, the greatest of sinners can be granted repentance by Almighty God. We ought to pray for people all around us that God would grant them repentance. We have here a man who is a great sinner. Everyone in the community knows this guy is a sinner. And it's this guy that Jesus seeks out. But secondly, we see in this text tonight this, repentance must be connected to an encounter with Christ. Let me explain that. I'll say it again and then I'll explain it. Repentance must be connected to an encounter with Christ. You see, repentance is not simply saying, I have done bad things and I'm going to endeavor not to do them anymore, period. True, life-changing, salvific, God-granted repentance is repentance where one turns from sin and to the only Savior, Christ. Let me say it another way. True biblical repentance is Christ-centered repentance. Notice the tilt in Zacchaeus' focus. It's Jesus that he wants to see. It's Jesus that seeks him out. It's Jesus that he has an encounter with. And it's Jesus that he looks to and says, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor. We read of repentance in Acts chapter 2 and verse 37. Acts chapter 2 and verse 37, the Word of God there reads, this way. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. True biblical repentance is where one, by the Spirit, has a heart-level change, but it doesn't just stay with behavior, or a grit-your-teeth kind of approach where you say, I'm just going to try to do better. It involves Christ. It involves a trust in the mercy of the Lord. Psalm 130 verse 4. The mercy of the Lord is what we trust in. And who can forget that Romans 2 and verse 4 teaches us that it's the goodness of God, specifically in the Gospel, that leads us to repentance. There are people in the world who see Christian signs that say, repent, and they actually agree with us. There are bad things that I've done that I need to not do. Let me stop. But that is not biblical repentance. Biblical repentance is a hatred for sin and a turning by the overwhelming grace of God to Christ as the One who will take, yes, the penalty for our sins, but as the One who in His mercy will rid us of sin. He is the better affection. Repentance can be granted to even the greatest of sinners. But true biblical repentance involves Christ. It involves Christ. Thirdly, repentance is often scoffed at by the world. Look what happens in our text, we made mention of it earlier. In verse 6, He made haste and came down and received him joyfully. There's something going on here with Zacchaeus. His focus changes. His eyes are fixed. His gaze is now singularly focused on Christ. But look what verse 7 says. Luke gives us this detail. But when they saw it, they all complained. They grumbled. Why? Because they said, he, that is Jesus, has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner. Now it's Jesus that's being scoffed at here. But here we learn that Zacchaeus, whose reputation is known as a great sinner, causes Jesus to be scoffed at. Because the people around, who might have been gathered there for a miracle, or to hear Jesus' teaching, or to judge Him, they're scoffing at Christ because He went to the house of a sinner. Make no mistake, friend. Biblical repentance, an encounter with Christ, is not something that the world receives well. It's not something that the world is going to say, oh, well, that's wonderful. That's wonderful. Because the world might be like these. Salvation is found in not being tainted by sin. Let me do better. And here this unexpected Savior actually spends time with horrific sinners. Who might there be in our society who if Jesus saves today, Figuratively speaking, without seeking to be irreverent, if Jesus were to come and have an encounter with this individual in our society and in our day, who might we scoff at? Or where might there be a time where we would say, certainly, certainly Jesus wouldn't associate with that sinner. Oftentimes in the Christian church, for those of us who've walked with Christ for any length of years, we might say, me. But repentance, biblical repentance and an encounter with Christ is not something that the world just receives. It's often scoffed at. But lastly, we see in this encounter tonight that repentance involves a turning from sin and an endeavor, a seeking after obedience. Repentance involves turning from sin and a heart-level endeavor to pursue obedience. Remember, repentance is granted by the Spirit. When the Spirit works in your heart, it is a repentance that causes you to want to turn from sin into Christ, but it's a turning which says, I want something different. Is this the repentance that you know? Notice what happens to Zacchaeus in the narrative, verse eight. Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Lord, look, I give half of my goods to the poor. And if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." Now, if you remember our time in Leviticus 6, Zacchaeus is going well past the demands of the law. The law required, you give back what you stole plus a fifth. Zacchaeus is doing four times the amount. Now are we told this detail just to see that Zacchaeus was putting on a show? Or are we seeing in this detail the heart of someone who doesn't want to pursue sin anymore? And then he says this, and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore it fourfold. Half my goods to the poor, restoring fourfold what I have taken Repentance is not doing the least that you can get by with. Repentance causes an entirely new way of thinking about your own sin. There are examples of false repentance, however, and the Bible gives us some. Turn over to Matthew's gospel, Matthew chapter 27. Matthew chapter 27. Verses 3-5. There will be many that darken the doors of this church, sit in these seats, attend churches in other locations, and they will have a type of seeming repentance. We read of a type here. And it's often accompanied with emotion. And even some level of sincerity. Matthew 27 verse 3. Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that he had been condemned, was remorseful. And brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? You see to it. And they threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed and went. Judas went and hanged himself. We can often have a type of sorrow. for things that we've done. The world can exhibit emotions and even changes of thought regarding actions in the past. Most people on the streets of any western city in Europe or America, if you ask them, do you have baggage? Are there things that you wish you had done differently? Most of them, most of us would say, yes. The Bible itself even speaks to types of repentance that are not true, saving repentance. Sometimes, however, the Bible speaks of a flat-out refusal to repent, Jeremiah 8, 6, Romans 2, 5. So then, what is biblical repentance? What is true repentance? What is repentance unto life? Just a few characteristics, and I think we see them in Zacchaeus' story. But a couple of passages of Scripture. Turn over to Romans chapter 7 and verse 15. We'll get there, Lord willing, in the weeks and months ahead. Romans chapter 7 is one of the difficult chapters in Romans. Romans chapter 7 and verse 15, Paul writes this. He says, for we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice. But what I hate, that I do. We'll get there, but I think we have believing Paul saying he's doing things at times that he hates. Sin. Or how about Job's account in Job 42 in verse six. I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. Therefore, I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes." In other words, God, now I see who you are, and in the light of who you are, my sin causes me to see myself, and I hate what I see. This is not Job having a self-esteem problem, by the way. It's Job rightly seeing his sinful self in the light of who he is before God. Similarly, Psalm 119 verse 28 speaks of hatred for sin. So true repentance involves a hatred for sin. Do you hate sin? Do you want to hate the sins that you don't currently hate? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, I would encourage you that that's not naturally a human heart that is unsaved and unregenerated that has those desires. Hatred for sin or wanting to hate sins that you currently know you love is a spirit-wrought grace. But I would also say the Bible teaches us that true repentance involves godly sorrow. Turn over to 2 Corinthians chapter 7. 2 Corinthians chapter 7 and verse 11. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation not to be regretted, but the sorrow of the world produces death. The world will sorrow after things at times. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner. What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication, in all things you proved yourself to be clear in this matter. Godly sorrow versus worldly sorrow. Do you hate sin because you got caught? Or do you hate sin Because for it, your Savior died. Godly sorrow versus worldly sorrow. And lastly, repentance is, as we saw earlier, a return to Christ. 1 Peter 2 and verse 25. 1 Peter 2 and verse 25. Speaking of those who've come under the influence of the gospel. Speaking of Jesus in verse 24, "...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." So this repentance involves a turning from sin and an endeavor after obedience. And this turning from sin and this desire for God-wrought obedience in your life involves a hatred for sin, a desire to hate it. It involves godly sorrow. It involves a return to Christ, a return to God. So we read then, of Zacchaeus, verse 9, Jesus said to him, today salvation has come to this house. Because he also is a son of Abraham. Now we're not told all the other details. The Holy Spirit has given us exactly what he wants. You could make this sound the following way. Zacchaeus tells the Lord, I'm going to do works. The Lord looks at Zacchaeus and says, today. Because of your works, salvation has come to this house. But notice what is tucked away in verse 9. Salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham. Who are the sons and daughters of Abraham? But the sons and daughters who have the faith of Abraham. who have the spirit-wrought faith of Abraham, trusting in the promise of God. But notice what else Jesus says. Why has salvation come to this house? Is it because He's promised to do four times what He was supposed to do? He did more works than anybody else? No. He is of the faith and He's one of mine. What he says, Jesus says in verse 10, for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost. Brothers and sisters, our endeavoring after obedience, our hatred for sin, our desire to want to hate sin, our repentance day in and day out, firstly and chiefly is because Jesus has come to seek and to save us. The coming of the Son of Man has ripple effects, one of which is, we repent. So don't read this and think, somehow Jesus is saying, works, save. No, yet again, just about every time we get to the issue of works, what is it? Christ's work in saving a people is by faith, and the fruit is new works. Zacchaeus, come down, for today I must stay at your house. Those very same words are words that every believer has heard. For Christ has interrupted our lives and saved us. and changed everything. Repentance unto life is a saving grace and gift of God. Let's pray. Almighty God, we looked at faith in Christ last week, and repentance unto life this week. Give us, O Lord, we pray, stronger desires for obedience, stronger hatred for sin, But most importantly, Lord, help us to remember that in it all, even in our desires to make amends and to cease from sin, it all starts because You came to our house first. Almighty God, who are we that You would bother with us, hanging there, short and small, in a tree? Why bother with the chief of sinners And yet you have come into our house and made us your own. Your mercy is truly extraordinary. We thank you and praise you in Jesus' name. Amen.