My One | The One
Rodney Thrift   -  

THE ONE
My One…

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (ESV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Reconciliation: a change on the part of one party, induced by an action on the part of another. The reconciliation of men to God by His grace and love in Christ.

“The cross of Christ isn’t simply a bridge that gets us to God, the cross is a sledgehammer that tears down walls that separate us.” Rich Villodas

“Life is a laboratory for learning how to love.”
Pastor Rick Warren

John 3:16-17 (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Week 1 Soul Tattoo: My ONE and your ONE is Jesus’ ONE.

Week 2 Soul Tattoo: Walk slowly through this world knowing that God will use you, guide you and bless you to fulfill His purposes in the lives of those you meet.

Week 3 Soul Tattoo: Jesus is the one road that leads to life.

Soul Tattoo: Having compassion for sinners helps me pursue my ONE.

Compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

Matthew 9:36-38 (ESV) 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

One person.

The One that led me to Jesus. (Paul)
The One that I led to Jesus. (Larry)
The One that Jesus interacted with. (Zacchaeus)

Luke 19:1-10 (ESV) 1He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

3 Viewpoints on Zacchaeus:

1.) Zacchaeus: The viewpoint of the CROWD.

2.) Zacchaeus: The viewpoint of Zacchaeus HIMSELF.

3.) Zacchaeus: The viewpoint of JESUS.

Proverbs 11:30 (NKJV) 30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

Jesus One on One:

Jesus’ mission.

Luke 19:10 (ESV) 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Jesus’ mandate.

Acts 1:8 (ESV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Our Primary Purpose is to reach people that are far from God.

a.) Accept the personal responsibility.

b.) Build a personal relationship.

c.) Communicate your personal story.

d.) Deliver a personal invitation.

We pursue our ONE by being intentional…

Intentionality = Done on purpose and with a commitment to a deliberate action.

By praying for them. By name.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

By going out into the world.

Luke 19:1-2 (ESV) 1He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.

By being bold.

Luke 19:5 (ESV) 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”

By doing life with them on their turf.

Luke 19:6 (ESV) 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

By practicing hospitality. (Acts of kindness)

Luke 19:9-10 (ESV) 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Soul Tattoo: Having compassion for sinners helps me pursue my ONE.