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How to Have a Radical Encounter with Jesus

When Opportunity Knocks

Luke 19:1-10

Pastor Scott George

November 9, 2025

Luke 19:1-10 (KJV), And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 

4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.” 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 

7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” 

9 And Jesus said unto him, “This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” 

Ephesians 5:14-17 (NIV), This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Matthew 5:8 (NIV), “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Zacchaeus – Pure

What Others Are Saying About Opportunity

• "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."

- Milton Berle

• "Don't wait for the right opportunity: create it." 

- George Bernard Shaw

• "Your big opportunity may be right where you are now." 

- Napoleon Hill

• "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

- Thomas Edison 

• "To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions."

- Benjamin Franklin

• "I will prepare and someday my chance will come." 

- Abraham Lincoln 

• "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity."

- Albert Einstein 

• "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

- Winston Churchill 

• "Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them."      

- William Arthur Ward 

• "Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity." 

- H. Jackson Brown Jr.

How to Have a Radical Encounter with Jesus

When Opportunity Knocks

1. Seize the moment with expectation.

Luke 19:1 (KJV), Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

Jericho – Sweet

2. Choose not to allow your limitations to limit you.

Luke 19:2 (KJV), And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

Luke 19:3b (KJV), …he was little of stature.

Luke 19:3a (NKJV), …he could not because of the crowd.

3. Determine that you will not be denied.

Luke 19:3a (KJV), …he sought to see Jesus…

4. Do what others are unwilling to do.

Luke 19:4a (KJV), He ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him.

5. Get in the right position.

Luke 19:4b-5 (KJV), …for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.” 

6. Obey quickly and joyfully when Jesus speaks.

Luke 19:6 (KJV), He made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

7. Silence your critics by surrendering all.

Luke 19:7-8 (KJV), And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 

In case you missed it... 

Answers:  

1. Moment
2. Limitations
3. Denied  
4. Unwilling
5. Position
6. Quickly, Joyfully
7. Surrendering