Preaching on Christ, the Friend of Sinners
The profound truth that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is the friend of sinners. This is not a mere platitude, but a revolutionary reality that transforms lives and offers hope to the broken and lost.
1. Jesus Came for Sinners (Matthew 11:19)
“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” Jesus’s willingness to associate with those deemed outcasts by society was a radical act of love. He didn’t reject sinners, but called them to repentance, offering them a path to redemption. His friendship was not an endorsement of sin, but an invitation to transformation.
2. Jesus' Love Scandalized the Religious (Luke 7:39)
“When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman this is who touched him, for she is a sinner.’” The religious leaders of Jesus’s time were scandalized by His compassion for sinners. They saw only their pasts, their failings. But Jesus saw their potential, their hearts longing for redemption. He looked beyond their sins and offered them grace.
3. Jesus Seeks the Lost for Salvation (Luke 19:7)
“Now when they all saw it, they murmured, saying, ‘He had gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’” Jesus’s encounter with Zacchaeus demonstrates His relentless pursuit of the lost. He entered the home of a despised tax collector, showing that no one is beyond the reach of God’s saving grace. He came to seek and save those who were lost, offering them a new beginning.
4. Jesus' Forgiveness is Real and Life-Changing (John 8:11)
“And she said, ‘No man, Lord.’ And Jesus said unto her, ‘Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.’” Jesus’s forgiveness is not a mere declaration; it is a transformative power. He not only pardons our sins, but empowers us to walk in newness of life. True repentance leads to a radical departure from our old ways, a journey of sanctification.
5. Christ Died for Sinners (Romans 5:8)
“But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The ultimate expression of Jesus’s friendship with sinners is His sacrificial death on the cross. He loved us not in our perfection, but in our sinfulness, offering Himself as a ransom for our transgressions.
6. Jesus Came Into the World to Save Sinners (1 Timothy 1:15)
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” Paul, a former persecutor of the church, recognized himself as a chief sinner, yet he was embraced by God’s grace. This truth offers hope to all, regardless of their past. Everyone can find salvation in Christ.
7. Jesus Calls to Repentance and Heals Those Who Seek Him (Mark 2:17)
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Jesus is the divine physician, and He came to heal the spiritually sick. He calls us to acknowledge our need for His healing touch, to repent of our sins, and to find wholeness in Him.
8. Christ Does Not Condemn, But Invites to New Life (John 8:10)
“Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” Jesus offers deliverance, not condemnation. He desires to restore, not destroy. He extends an invitation to a new life, a life free from the bondage of sin.
9. The Call to Humility and Acknowledgement of Sin (Ezekiel 28:2)
“Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, “I am God, I sit in the seat of God in the midst of the seas,” yet you are not God, though you set your heart as the heart of God.’” Arrogance and pride hinder us from receiving God’s grace. True repentance begins with humility, with acknowledging our sinfulness and our need for a Savior.
10. Joy in Heaven Over the Repentance of Sinners (Luke 15:7)
“I tell you that likewise joy will be in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Every repentant sinner brings joy to the heart of God. Jesus continues to be the friend of sinners, ready to forgive, transform, and restore.
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- Preaching on God's Provision
- Preaching on Covenant with God: A Committed People
Conclusion
Let us embrace the liberating truth that Jesus is the friend of sinners. Let us bring our brokenness, our failures, and our sins to Him, knowing that He welcomes us with open arms. Let us walk in the newness of life He offers, reflecting His love and grace to a world in need. Amen.
