Sermon Notes
Paradigm:
A way of looking at something
A pair of internal glasses through which you see/comprehend the world
Bless your heart — nice meanness
Hold your horses — slow down
That dog won’t hunt — that’s not going to work
Too big for your britches
Show us our paradigms. Help us see people with Your eyes.
You think you’re better than you are.
Luke 18:9-14
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Am I good enough for God?
My actions make me right with God
Look to ourselves
Luke 18:11
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“[Disciplines] are not the answer; they only lead us to the Answer. We must clearly understand this limitation of the disciplines if we are to avoid bondage.”
-Richard Foster
Looks to others
Luke 18:11
… I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
A lifestyle of striving and surviving.
Luke 18:13
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
He looks to God.
Luke 18:14
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
The way of humility.
God made and makes things right.
1 Peter 5:5-9
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be humble.
1 Peter 5:10-11
“ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
May you Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
May you cast all your anxiety on him (not because you have to, not because he’s demanding but) because he cares for you…. “ And may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”