ENCOUNTERS on THE WAY TO THE CROSS     	     Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  3-15-98 a.m.   	 Luke 15:1,2		 A:\LUK15-1 
   Did you ever "feel" like you were too bad to be saved?  I've talked to
   folks who felt that way.  It seems people go to the extreme... either 
   they think they are too good.. and don't need to be saved... or too 
   bad.. and can't be saved.  Here's good news for both...  The Publicans 
   and sinners heard Jesus gladly, and the self-righteous folks murmured 
   against Him.... and they said... "this man receiveth sinners.....and 
   eats with them..."
I. WHO IS THIS MAN WHO RECEIVES SINNERS ? 
  A. This Man Is Jesus The Christ 
    1. Divine names given to Him..  Jn.1:1,8; Ro.9:5; 1Jn.5:20; He.1:8 
    2. Divine prophecies.. 800 years before... Is.7:14; 9:6 (Mt.1:22,23) 
    3. Divine purpose of John...  "these are written that you might believe
       that Jesus is the Christ" Jn.20:31
  B. This Man Is Jesus The Savior.. 
    1. Call his name Jesus... He shall save... from sins   Mt.1:22 
    2. He came to seek and to save... Lu.19:10 
    3. He came to save sinners of whom I am chief... 1Tim.1:15 
    4. He can save to the uttermost... Heb.7:25 
  C. This Man Is Jesus The Lord.. 
    1. Lord of all Creation.. everything is obedient to Him   Mk.4:41 
    2. Lord of Our Salvation... Ro.10:9,10 

II.  WHY DOES THIS MAN RECEIVE SINNERS ? 
  A. Because Sinners Are Precious To Him... 
    1. They are the highest of His creatures.. capable of knowing Him,
       relating to Him,	enjoying Him, and having fellowship with Him 
    2. They are loved by Him..  God wants to receive you.... 
  B. Because Sinners Are Perishing Without Him.. 
    1. They are "lost" now... lost sheep, lost coin, lost son 
    2. They are without God, without Christ, without hope... Eph.2:12.. 

III.  WHAT DOES THIS MAN DO WHEN HE RECEIVES SINNERS ? 
  A. He "Saves" Them... this means.... He forgives their sins;  He delivers
     them from the penalty & power of sin (as we yield); He receives them 
     into the Family of God... "sons of God"
  B. He Fellowships With Them.. (He ate with them)... Rev.3:20 
    1. We can have fellowship with Him NOW.  walk with Him, talk with Him, 
       experience His presence.. His love... His guidance, etc. 
    2. We can have "fulfillment" in Him... "we are complete"  Col.2:10 

IV.  WHEN DOES THIS MAN RECEIVE SINNERS ? 
  A. When The Sinner Draws Near To Him... vs.1 
    1. "Seek the Lord while He may be found..."  Is.55:6 
    2. "Come unto Me.. all ye that labor... "  Mt.11:28 
    3. "Him that cometh to me..."  Jn.6:37; 5:40 
  B. When The Sinner Hears Him... vs.1 
    1. "Faith comes by hearing... by the Word of God."  Ro.10:17 
    2. Jesus spoke the "words of God" Jn.3:34; they are "Spirit and Life"
       Jn.6:68; He alone has the "words of eternal life"  Jn.6:68 
  C. When The Sinner Believes Him... 
    1. You can hear without believing.. but you must hear to believe 
    2. You "believe" when you "cling to, adhere to, rely on, trust in, and 
       lean on His word. 
  D. When The Sinner Receives Him... 
    1. He Came to His own... they received Him not... Jn.1:11 
    2. But.. to those who receive Him.. He gives the right to become the 
       sons of God.  Jn.1:12 

JESUS DIED TO SAVE YOU.. HE WANTS TO RECEIVE YOU... 
WILL YOU COME TO HIM..NOW? ... JUST AS YOU ARE?  
I'M GLAD JESUS RECEIVES SINNERS !!!