Connection: Is Our Culture

Intro: *Talk about the 7 Values Series.

7. Honor. is our commitment

6. Love is our motivation

5. Servant Leadership is our calling

4. Excellence is our pursuit

5. Generosity is our privilege

Today we are going to talk about our 2nd value at Pinewood Church, which is “Connection is our culture”

Story: Meeting Adam at Student Camp

My mom nudged me to go talk to one of her friends sons.

I had other friends at the camp, but I knew that Adam was new and so I said yes and went to talk to him. This was the start of a lifelong friendship.

What I didn’t realize was that I needed Adam more than he needed me.

Connection determines direction. Those that you connect with, do life with, that hold you accountable in life, ultimately is going to set the direction for your life.

I recently had a pastor tell me also that “Your alignment determines your assignment.”

Question: Who are the people around that you are connecting with? Who are the people around you that align with your values and the assignment God has called you to?

Passage: Luke 19:1-10 CSB (Story of Zacchaeus)

Context:

To finance the great Roman empire the tax collectors levied a heavy tax on all the nations. The Jews opposed the taxes because they were a secular government that worshiped heathen gods. But everyone was forced to pay. The tax collectors were among the most unpopular people in all of Israel. Jews that worked for Rome were considered traitors.

In addition to that, it was common knowledge that the tax collectors would collect more than required to make their pockets fat. It’s no wonder the people scoffed at the idea of Jesus going home with Zacchaeus. But despite all of the cheating, lying, and bullying, Jesus still loved and pursued Zacchaeus.

In every society there are people that are considered “untouchable”. Maybe because of their immoral reputation, political stances, or life style. BUT Church, we should never give in to societies peer pressure on who we are supposed to avoid.

I heard Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. say “What the light avoids, darkness invades.” Jesus loves all people. And all people need to hear the Good News of God’s unfailing love! Amen?! If you believe that today somebody say “hallelujah”

Title: Meet Me Here

Jesus meets you where you are, and speaks identity over your life. Speaks purpose into your pain, speaks calling over your circumstances, speaks anointing over your opposition! When you have an encounter with the living God everything changes. The old has gone, the new has come!

God never sends you on your way to clean yourself up. Noway! We could never do that and He knows it! That’s why He offers grace. His undeserved love over our lives. QUESTION: How many people in the house tonight are thankful for grace?

We all have a desire to be accepted. For people to meet us where we are. If we’re being honest, we’re all asking “Meet me here?” Listen, nobody's perfect. We all make mistakes, we all have hang ups, we all have moments where we just screw up big time! In our moments of weakness, sin, and despair Jesus meets us there…. But he doesn’t leave us there! And by His power, neither will we!

We are a people that accepts you where you are. Loves you where you are. But hold on, because we’re not going to leave you where you are, we’re going to higher ground. We’re going to mount on wings as eagles “but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31, We’re going to speak God’s promises over your life. We’re going to be with you on the journey, and all the way pointing you to Jesus.

Outline: Jesus was the ultimate connector…

I want to look at a few truths found in this story of Zacchaeus.

1. He knows my name

   1. To Jesus, it’s not just Zacchaeus. To Jesus, it’s not just another guy. To Jesus, he’s not what everyone else sees.
   2. Connection finds the ones that other shave overlooked. Connection seeks out the ones neglected. Connection doesn’t look away, but leans in!
   3. “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.” - Psalms 139:16
   4. He knows your name! He sees you, He knows you, and He loves you!

   5. Who does God say I am?

      1. I Am! Adored by God, accepted, an ambassador of Christ, adopted in sonship, anointed, alive in Christ, As He is so am I in this world, I’m the Apple of God’s eye, All grace abounds to me, All sufficiency is in me through Christ, I am Blessed, Buried with Christ, Bought with a price, a Branch grafted in the True Vine, part of the Body of Christ, Baptized into one Spirit, part of the Bride of Christ, I am Beloved, Blameless, Bold as a lion, Chosen, Called, Covered, Courageous, Capable, Cared for, a Child of God, a Co-worker of Christ, Complete in Him, Curse-free, Created for good works, I Can do all things through Christ, I am a Child of God, I’m a Citizen of Heaven, I’ve Cut all ties with lies, I am Delivered, Dead to sin, Desired by God, Defended, Dangerous to the enemy, a Disciple, a Disciple-maker, Enlisted in Heaven’s army, Elevated to Heavenly places, firmly Established, Eagerly desiring Spiritual gifts, Enriched in the knowledge of Christ, Elect, Forgiven, Fought for, Free, Fixed on Jesus, Fearfully and wonderfully made, a Friend of God, Filled with the Holy Spirit, Fruitful, Freely given all things, the Fragrance of Christ, a Follower of Christ, Given authority, Godly, Gifted, Grateful, Going to be Glorified, Healed, Heaven-bound, Holy, held, His, I Have the mind of Christ, I am the Habitation of God, Hidden in Christ, I am Imago Dei, Inheriting Christ and all that is His, In Christ, justified, joyful, jubilee filled, a Joint-heir with Christ, Kept by God, a King in Christ, Known by Him, Loved, Liberated and Liberating, Like Christ, Living by faith, Lacking nothing, a Minister of reconciliation, Made for greatness, God’s Masterpiece, More than a conqueror, New in Christ, Not condemned, Never going back, On mission, Obedient, Overcoming the world, One with Christ, Paid for by the blood, Purified, Predestined to sonship, Peculiar to this world, Powerful in Christ, Prepared for good works, Protected, People for His Possession, Qualified, Resting in Christ, Redeemed, Re-instated, Ready for what comes, Raised with Christ, the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, a Ruler, a Royal priesthood, Releasing Rivers of living water, Sealed by the Holy Spirit, Secure, a Son of God, a Servant of God, a Slave of Christ, Sanctified, a Saint, Salt of the earth, a Shining Star, Saved, Sound-mind-given, Seated with Christ, Submitted to God’s Word, Share His authority, Steward of mysteries, Strengthened by Him, a Stranger in this world, Transformed, Truth-filled, a Truth-teller, a Temple of the Holy Spirit, Ultimately Unbeatable in Christ, United with Christ, a Unifier of the Body, Victorious, Vision-given, Vessel of glory, Washed in the blood and in the Word, a trained for battle Warrior, Wise, a Witness, Worthy in Christ, I Walking by faith not by sight, expectant, Yoked with Christ in the easy Yoke, Yielded to Christ, I’m Zealous for good works and I have ZERO condemnation in Christ - AMEN!

2. He knows my narrative

   1. Jesus knew what was going on in the inside. He knew his heart, he knew his story.

   2. Relationships really flourish when you create margin to really listen.

   3. After Zacchaeus met Jesus, things began to change. His attitude began to change. His character began to grow. His generosity increased.

   4. You don’t clean yourself up and then come to Jesus. That would be silly! You come to Jesus just the way you are, and Jesus makes you new!
   5. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see,the new has come!” 1 Corinthians 5:17
   6. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,” - Romans 8:1

   7. He knows my needs

   8. “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” - Galatians 6:1-10

   9. Illust: Backpacks
   10. Zacchaeus thought that he was seeking Jesus, but as we see in the text, Jesus was the one doing the seeking!

Everybody wants to know, and be known

Everybody wants to love, and be loved

Closing:

Jesus saying that Zacchaeus was a “Son of Abraham” must have shocked the hearers for two reasons.

1. They would not have like the fact the a crooked tax collector was a son of Abraham.
2. They would not have liked to admit the fact that a son of Abraham was lost.
3. But grace is not granted on behalf of a good genealogy. Grace is not bestowed based on ones good or bad works! Jesus loves to seek and save the lost regardless of your background or previous way of life! Through faith in Jesus Christ the lost can be found, the blind can now see, the chains of sin and bondage can break, and in Christ alone you too can find freedom, hope, and everlasting life in Jesus name!

Let’s live a life of connection like the greatest connector that ever lived. Let’s lean in to connecting with those God has placed around us… let us never settle for isolation, busyness, and complacency.

Connection take time, presence, and intentionality. You can’t shortchange genuine connection.

Connection doesn’t say “come to me, real connection goes to others. Connection reaches out. Connection never stops reaching out. The reason is because it’s not about us!

Real connection doesn’t just connect voices, it connects hearts. It’s intentional in going deeper for a greater purpose.

To all those that feel alone

To all those that feel isolated

To everyone who feels like they don’t have a team

We’re coming for you! Connection is our culture! It’s who we are. It’s who we’ve been, and it’s who we’re always going to be!

We connect not to network, but to genuinely be your friend. We connect not for personal gain, but for building you up! We’re here to shoulder the load and speak purpose over your life!

Walking Points:

Let’s be like Jesus….

Connect Four

1. What’s your name?

   1. Listen and remember peoples names.

   2. Where do you live?

   3. Find out where people live, work, and play, and go to them!

   4. What’s your story?

   5. Really listen. Lean in to their past, their present situation, and their future dreams. Lean in to where they are spiritually and walk the journey with them, pointing them to Jesus.

   6. How can I pray for you?

   7. Discover their needs and then meet them. Commit to pray for them. Reach out to them and check on them. Let them know that you are here to carry their load.