jesus friend of sinner

JESUS, FRIEND OF ALL SINNERS

History Makers: Lessons on Living by Faith – Part 4

“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 (NIV)

“LOST” IMPLIES VALUE

JESUS CAME...

1. HEAL THOSE WHO’VE LOST THEIR HEALTH

“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.” Matthew 4:23-24 (NIV)

“A man with leprosy came to Jesus and begged him on his knees, ‘If you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.” Mark 1:40-42 (NIV)

“Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out.”  James 5:15 (MSG)

1. LIBERATE THOSE WHO’VE LOST THEIR FREEDOM

“Jesus said ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.’” Luke 4:18-21 (NIV)

“Some men came carrying a paralytic man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven!’ The Pharisees began thinking to themselves, ‘Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, ‘Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier to say: Your sins are forgiven or Get up and walk? So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins...’ Jesus then said to the paralyzed man, ‘Get up, take your mat and go home!’ Immediately he stood up in front of everyone, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.” Luke 5:18-25 (NIV)

“Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. So be firm in this freedom, and don't become slaves again.” Galatians 5:1 (GW)

1. FORGIVE THOSE WHO’VE LOST THEIR DIGNITY

“At the moment of their sin, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together to cover themselves up.” Genesis 3:7 (NLT)

The Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. They said to Jesus, ‘This woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger... Then he said to them, ‘If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus asked her, ‘Woman, where are those who condemn you?’ She said, ‘They’ve gone.’ ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus. ‘Now go, and leave your life of sin.’” John 8:3-11 (NIV)

“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!” Romans 8:1

“As Jesus was going down the road, he saw Matthew sitting at his tax-collection booth. ‘Come, be my disciple,’ Jesus said. So Matthew got up and followed him. That night Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests, along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners.” Matthew 9:9-10 (NLT)

“He rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, restoring dignity and respect to their lives...” 1 Samuel 2:8 (MSG)

WHAT JESUS DID FOR US ON THE CROSS

“Jesus was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds.” Isaiah 53:5 (NCV)