1. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

2. No one has ever seen God, but God the one and only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. John 1:18 Jesus came to make God known

3.  God didn’t want man to follow religion  He wanted to relate with us as our Father  Jesus came to show Father’s love for us  His teachings were centered around this  Displayed by His life, death & resurrection

4. Because God’s love is Real & Trustworthy

5.  Profession detested by the Jews  Chief Tax Collector and wealthy  Discovered that wealth doesn’t satisfy  Heard about Jesus (God’s love manifested)  Ran ahead and climbed a tree

6.  Zaccheus was a grossly sinful man  God doesn’t bless(leave alone love) sinners  Zaccheus doesn’t deserve God’s love  Jesus didn’t fit their ‘Job Description’  But couldn’t deny the miracles & healings

7.  God loves us just as we are (Good or Bad)  He comes searching us and not vice versa  We are not punished as our sins deserve  He desires to come and live with us  All that is needed is a heart that seeks God

8.  God’s love and justice met on the cross  Jesus took the punishment on our behalf  Sinful humanity was reconciled to God  He shares with us his resurrection victory  Trusting God helps us overcome sin

9.  Zaccheus experienced God’s love  Enabled him to put his faith in God  He trusted God’s love unwaveringly  Transformation took place in the heart  Resulted in responding by radical actions

10.  Have we experienced God’s love?  God’s love enables us to have faith in Him  Has our faith moved us to trust God?  Real faith transforms our heart  We entrust ourselves completely to God  Our lives become conduits of God’s love