Courage to Change – Luke 19:1-9

The sermon opens by redefining courage. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome fear through a stronger faith in God and in what is right. The pastor draws on biblical examples of ordinary people — the Samaritan woman, Rahab, and Ruth — to show that Scripture honors the courage of unnamed individuals, not only legendary heroes. Second Timothy 1:7-8 is quoted to affirm that God has given believers a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, not timidity.

The central section examines Zacchaeus's courage in seeking Jesus. Although he was a despised chief tax collector, physically short, and certain to lose face publicly, Zacchaeus ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree just to see Jesus. The pastor explains that Zacchaeus's deeper motivation was not mere curiosity but an acute awareness of his own sinfulness and his need for forgiveness and salvation. The preceding healing of the blind man (Luke 18:36-43) is connected to teach that not only physical eyes need opening, but spiritual eyes must also be opened to recognize one's need for Christ.

The sermon develops the theme of courageously welcoming Christ into one's home and daily life. The pastor reminds the congregation that when Jesus enters a home, He does not come as a guest but as Lord, and He sees everything hidden in a person's life. The crowd grumbled and judged Zacchaeus, yet they were blind to their own sins. The pastor quotes C.S. Lewis to warn that a self-righteous, cold churchgoer may be closer to hell than a repentant sinner.

The final major section focuses on the courage required for genuine transformation after receiving Christ. Zacchaeus did not merely welcome Jesus with words; he acted concretely — giving half his wealth to the poor and repaying fourfold anyone he had defrauded. The pastor emphasizes that true faith must be demonstrated through action, and real life change demands resolve and courage. The first step — whether trusting Christ, asking forgiveness, reconciling with others, or giving generously — is always the hardest and most important step.

The sermon closes with the moving story of Billy, a homeless alcoholic welcomed into Marble Collegiate Church by Dr. Burrell. After coming to faith, Billy quietly disappeared — not to abandon the church, but to carry the gospel to broken men along the waterfront of New York's Bowery district. His funeral was filled with testimonies from those whose lives he had transformed. This story illustrates powerfully what God can do through a life that has the courage to change.