SURREY CHAPEL – Fellowship Group Notes for the 23rd/24th March 2011
LUKE – Jesus, Son of Man

Chapter 19:1-27  Salvation and works

A true life story followed by a parable.  John Blanchard gives them as: The Man Who Was Converted and The Men Who Were Commended. The first section tells of a true conversion with immediate fruitfulness. The second section is about the real kingdom that Jesus will set up, and our responsibility in service.

SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION 		v 1 - 10
v2 –‘was wealthy’ - Impossible that a rich man should be saved?  Chapter 18:18-27
The rich young ruler came seeking Jesus, how different was Zacchaeus?
v3 – Was this just curiosity, or more to it than that?
Note how Jesus had time for people – rich young ruler, Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus.
v5 – Refer to John 10:3	
v6 – How did Zacchaeus welcome Jesus? Why this sudden joy?
v7- How do we make similar criticisms today?
What change do we immediately see in Zacchaeus (v8) (see also Luke 3:12-13) Does this prove his conversion is genuine?
Leviticus 6:5 and Numbers5:5-7 shows the Law required for such a fraud. 
v9 – ‘son of Abraham’ – Romans 4 –especially v16 – shows us the true sons of Abraham.
v10 – the main theme of Luke’s gospel.  See Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:12-14.
How was this worked in Zacchaeus’ experience? What encouragement is there here to hope and pray for unexpected conversions?
You previously saw how the rich young ruler reacted to Jesus’ teaching. Now here you have seen a difference with Zacchaeus. Whose attitude and reactions most suit you?

‘I WILL RETURN’		v 11 – 27
Do you not think that as the disciples moved nearer Jerusalem their sense of anticipation grew? Their question would be ‘Is Jesus about to defeat the powers of Rome and set up His own kingdom?’
Jesus needed to quash all those wrong notions.
As you read through this section –ask ‘if Jesus should return today, what would He say about the way we have been living?’  Also – which of these three groups in the parable fits you best?
v14 & 27 – ‘hated him’ – ‘enemies’. There are many people who would never say they ‘hated’ Jesus –and would not think of being His ‘enemies. Yet their life reflects that. Like those at the crucifixion –‘we don’t want this man to be our king’. You cannot sit on the fence –there is no neutral ground. Are you ready to meet Him when he returns? v27 is saying to us it is important to get it right.
v15-19 – good servants  Note –v 16 humble, v17 faithful and also v17 rewarded.
Discus these things about those good servants.
v20-26 – wicked servant  We might just call him lazy. Judged by his own admission. He had a wrong attitude towards his master (v21). 
Do you call yourself a Christian – and yet make no effort to serve Jesus –your Lord and Master?
Could this be a reflection of whether you truly love Him? See John 21:15-17 –where Jesus challenges Peter’s love – and on his response calls him to serve.
In conclusion - read together the benediction in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
												D.J.
PRAYER POINTS:
KJV reading – and the briefing meetings 28th and 30th March
Active8 – Easter Egg embellishment.
Sizewell Houseparty – Speaker: John Stevens (FIEC Director)  April 1 – 3
Sunday 3rd April at 6-15pm –preacher John Stevens