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Rock Bible Church Bulletin 10.18.26.pdf

Knowing the Business

Luke 19:1–27 (ESV) | Pastor Scott Berglin | October 18, 2026

God from Luke’s Eyes to Yours

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:10

What Business Is Jesus In?

What business is Jesus in—and what does that mean for the way we live?

In Luke 19, we see two connected stories: Zacchaeus, a tax collector who desperately wants to see Jesus, and a parable about servants entrusted with resources while their master is away. Together, these passages reveal Jesus’ mission and our responsibility as His followers.

Pastor Scott reminds us that Jesus came to seek and save the lost—and He calls us to be part of that work. Zacchaeus didn't simply want a better view of Jesus; he encountered Him personally, and that encounter changed how he lived. In the parable, the servants are expected to do something with what their master entrusted to them.

Knowing Jesus’ business is only the beginning. We are called to participate in it—with faith, faithfulness, and a willingness to serve.

The question is not just whether we know what Jesus is doing. It’s what we will do with what He has given us.

The Three Sermon Points

1. The Lost Are the Focus

LUKE 19:10

Jesus clearly states His mission: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and a wealthy man, but something was missing. He wanted to see who Jesus was, so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. Jesus stopped, called Zacchaeus by name, and invited Himself to his home.

The crowd grumbled because Jesus chose to spend time with a man they considered a sinner. But Jesus saw beyond Zacchaeus’ reputation and behavior. He saw a person He wanted to know and restore.

Pastor Scott emphasizes that people are more than their behavior. Even when someone makes mistakes or acts in ways that frustrate us, their value remains. Jesus knows them—and wants a relationship with them.

Zacchaeus responded to Jesus with joy, and his encounter led to a willingness to make things right. His transformation wasn't about earning salvation through repayment; it revealed the change taking place in his heart.

Commentary / Application

Remember that Jesus came to seek and save the lost—including us.
Don't reduce people to their worst decisions, their reputation, or the ways they frustrate you.
Recognize the value God has given every person, and treat them accordingly.
Be willing to admit your own mistakes and areas where you still need to grow.

Pastor Scott shares a challenging perspective: we are still works in progress. When we acknowledge our own need for grace, we become better able to extend grace to others.

Ask yourself: Who might I be overlooking because I'm focused on their behavior instead of their value?

2. Faithfulness Is a Must

LUKE 19:5, 17

Zacchaeus demonstrated initiative. He made an effort to see Jesus, hurried down from the tree, welcomed Jesus joyfully, and responded to their encounter with action.

Then Jesus tells a parable about a nobleman who entrusts his servants with money and instructs them to engage in business until he returns. When the nobleman comes back, he evaluates what each servant has done with what was entrusted to them.

Some servants acted faithfully and produced a return. Another hid what he had been given and did nothing with it.

Pastor Scott brings the emphasis back to faith: What faith has the Lord given you, and what are you willing to do with that faith?

Faithfulness isn't simply acknowledging Jesus as Lord and waiting passively. It means following Him, trusting Him, obeying Him, and taking responsibility for what He has placed in our hands.

We may not have every answer. Pastor Scott points to Job as an example: many of Job's questions were never answered, but God revealed Himself. Sometimes our faith grows not because we understand everything, but because we learn to trust the One who does.

Commentary / Application

Faithfulness begins with what God has placed before you today.
You don't need to know every step of the future to take the next step of obedience.
Your gifts, resources, relationships, and opportunities are entrusted to you for a purpose.
Don't bury your faith because you're afraid of making a mistake or being criticized.

As Pastor Scott reminds us, we have what we need to do what God is asking of us today. Start there.

Ask yourself: What has God entrusted to me, and what is one faithful step I can take with it?

3. You Know He Means Business

LUKE 19:22, 26

The parable makes clear that the nobleman takes his expectations seriously. The servants are accountable for what they do with what they have been given. Faithfulness matters, and refusing to act has consequences.

Pastor Scott explains that Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost is not a casual interest. He means business. He wants people to know Him, and He calls His followers to participate in that mission.

That means the purpose of Rock Bible Church—and every ministry within it—is bigger than maintaining programs or completing tasks. Our efforts should help people connect with Christ. From children's ministry to mature believers serving others, every part of church life can contribute to seeking and saving the lost.

Pastor Scott also connects faithfulness with serving. Knowing Jesus' business is only the first step; the next is showing up and doing the work. It may be voluntary, difficult, or even criticized, but serving is part of our calling.

Commentary / Application

Take Jesus' mission seriously.
Look for practical ways to serve the people God has placed around you.
Use your gifts faithfully, even when the work isn't glamorous or immediately recognized.
Don't wait until you feel perfectly prepared. Begin with what you know and what you can do today.

Ask yourself: Am I actively participating in Jesus' mission, or am I simply watching from the sidelines?

Commentary & Application

Pastor Scott's message challenges us to understand that following Jesus involves both receiving His grace and participating in His mission.

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. Jesus saw him, called him by name, and invited him into a relationship. That encounter changed Zacchaeus' priorities and behavior. The parable that follows reminds us that what we receive from the Lord is meant to be stewarded faithfully.

These stories leave us with three important questions:

Am I seeing people the way Jesus sees them? Even when someone disappoints or frustrates me, can I recognize their value and need for grace?
Am I growing in faithfulness? What is God asking me to trust Him with today, even if I don't have all the answers?
Am I doing His business? Am I using my time, gifts, and opportunities to help others connect with Christ?

We don't need to solve every mystery or understand every detail of God's plan. Like Job, we may have unanswered questions. But we can continue to seek God, follow Him, and trust Him.

Rock Bible Church's calling to be a compelling community is part of this same mission: to help people see Jesus, experience His grace, and grow in relationship with Him.

Knowing the business is just the first step. The next step is to do something in His business.

Key Takeaways

The lost are the focus.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and every person has value beyond their behavior or reputation.

Grace starts with us.
Acknowledging our own need for growth helps us extend grace to others.

Faithfulness is a must.
God calls us to trust Him, obey Him, and act on the faith He has given us.

Steward what you've received.
Your time, abilities, resources, and opportunities can be used for God's purposes.

You don't need every answer.
Sometimes God reveals Himself rather than explaining every circumstance.

Jesus means business.
His mission is serious, and He invites us to participate in it.

Call to Action

This week, move from knowing Jesus' business to participating in it.

1. Start with yourself.
Ask God to reveal where you need grace, correction, or growth.

2. See someone differently.
Identify a person you've judged by their behavior or reputation. Make an intentional effort to treat them with dignity and compassion.

3. Put your faith into action.
What has God entrusted to you? Choose one practical step of obedience, service, generosity, or reconciliation.

4. Show up and serve.
Look for a place where your time and abilities can help someone connect with Christ. Don't wait until you feel completely ready.

5. Keep seeking Jesus.
Make room for prayer, Scripture, and honest conversation with Him. Let your relationship with Jesus shape how you live.

Take It With You

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He sees people beyond their behavior and reputation, calls us to extend grace, and invites us to participate in His mission.

Knowing the business is just the first step. The next step is to do something in His business.