This is the story of Zacchaeus. He lived an independent life that preyed on the weak and powerless. He wasn't well-liked. but when Jesus walked into the city, Zacchaeus wanted to see him. By the end of the story, Jesus went home with Zacchaeus and eventually Zacchaeus is moved to give away his possessions to the poor. He realized his place was to give what he had to those who needed it, not hoard it for himself. We should do the same.

A paralyzed man needed to get to Jesus. Four of his friends took him up to a roof and lowered him down through the ceiling. This work to help people get to Christ, to overcome their inadequacies, to befriend the broken, and to take them to Jesus is what we are called to do as church. Too often the church is what is blocking broken people from getting to and seeing Jesus. It takes a church willing to do something together to think about getting on the roof and lowering a person down to Jesus' feet. This is church.

A paralyzed man needed to get to Jesus. Four of his friends took him up to a roof and lowered him down through the ceiling. This work to help people get to Christ, to overcome their inadequacies, to befriend the broken, and to take them to Jesus is what we are called to do as church. Too often the church is what is blocking broken people from getting to and seeing Jesus. It takes a church willing to do something together to think about getting on the roof and lowering a person down to Jesus' feet. This is church.

Dr. Bill Wilson, Pastor of First Baptist Waynesboro VA from 1992-2003 offers a word on remembering.

Dr. Bill Wilson, Pastor of First Baptist Waynesboro VA from 1992-2003 offers a word on remembering.

Jesus calls us to love our neighbors - period. We don't get to judge our neighbors, define our neighbors. We are to love them. this love is an outward calling. And the best way we can do that is letting the stranger remain strange. We don't get to reorient people to our wishes. The most hospitable thing to do is let the stranger remain strange.

Jesus calls us to love our neighbors - period. We don't get to judge our neighbors, define our neighbors. We are to love them. this love is an outward calling. And the best way we can do that is letting the stranger remain strange. We don't get to reorient people to our wishes. The most hospitable thing to do is let the stranger remain strange.

Jesus calls us to love God wit our heart, soul, mind and strength. This inner journey is required of Christians. We must do the hard work of loving God with our heart but also our mind and soul and strength. This inward journey is why we practice spiritual disciplines. This sermon calls us to embrace the spiritual journey of finding and loving our true selves.