1. Luke 19:1-10 (ESV) He 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.

2. Luke 19:1-10 (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.” 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.”

3. Luke 19:1-10 (ESV) 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I havedefrauded 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.”

4. How to Build Trust With Them

5. Introduction WHO? HOW? WHEN?

6. Introduction A survey by The Institute For American Church Growth who asked over 10,000 people this question: “What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?” a. I had a special need - 2% b. I just walked in - 3% c. I like the minister - 6% d. I visited there - 1% e. I like the Bible classes - 5% f. I attended a gospel meeting - 0.5% g. I liked the programs - 3% h. A friend or relative invited me - 79%

7. Main idea God desires that our lives be impacted by the Gospel that we would learn “how” to build trust with others to share it.

8. Outline I. Build Relationship/Earn Credibility (Luke 19:5-7) II. Declare and Demonstrate (Rom 1:16,1 Peter 3:1-2) III. Rely on the Power of the Gospel (Acts 1:8, 1 Thess. 1:5)

9. Luke 19:1-10 (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.” 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.”

10. I. Build Relationship/Earn Credibility Build Relationship Others judged while Jesus earned credibility to share into Zaccheus’ life

11. I. Build Relationship/Earn Credibility Build Relationship with others: 1.Be a good listener and friend 2.Eat with others 3.Give and Receive 4.Pray for others/Share encouragement

12. II. Declare and Demonstrate Romans 1:16 (ESV) - 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 1 Peter 3:1-2 (ESV) - 1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

13. II. Declare and Demonstrate Credibility Gap (From Mark Copeland) In some cases, there is an imbalance between the “Verbalization” and the “Incarnation” of the Gospel What you are speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you are saying. Be good news before you share the good news

14. II. Declare and Demonstrate “The best argument for Christianity is Christians; their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians – when they are somber and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecrations, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths.” - author Vanauken

15. II. Declare and Demonstrate As much as we must demonstrate and then declare, we must not forgot to declare and proclaim the Gospel. I Peter 3:15 (ESV) 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

16. III. Rely on the Power of the Gospel 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.” 1 Thess. 1:5 (ESV) - 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

17. III. Rely on the Power of the Gospel δύναμις – dunamis – power There is distinct power in the simple message of the life, words, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Never underestimate its appeal. Never be ashamed of its simplicity.

18. III. Rely on the Power of the Gospel Trust in the power from the Holy Spirit