Humble in Our Hearts
What Is a Disciple? • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 2 viewsDisciples are not those who are better than others. Just because we have salvation in Christ does not mean that we are superior to those who have yet to find Christ. The disciple is to be humble in his approach with others recognizing that we are all sinners in need of grace.
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
1. Disciples are not self-serving. (vs. 9-12)
1. Disciples are not self-serving. (vs. 9-12)
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Jesus begins this next parable by contrasting the attitude of the Pharisee with that of the tax collector. The Pharisee is probably standing in the Court of Israel where he can observe the priests burning the sacrifices to God. Pharisees would often pray out loud so that others would hear them. The Pharisee is also standing by himself as if to make sure that he does not become defiled as he stands to pray. Other than the opening “thank you” to God, the remaining prayer is about how great he is. He wants everyone who is in the area to know just how religious and pious he is. He boasts about his giving and his fasting so that others can congratulate him on his separateness from the lowly sinners.
The entire prayer is a caricature of a highly religious person who can take things to the extreme. He goes above and beyond what was required by the law. Giving was only done on certain items as prescribed by the law. The only time that fasting was required of Jews according to the law was on the Day of Atonement once a year. He wants his exemplary piety to be rewarded by the accolades of those hearing his prayer. But all the things he was doing was self-serving. It was focused on what a great and religious person he was. There was no true praise of God. It was self-worship couched in Jewish piety.
Jesus calls this kind of religiosity out. This is one of the reasons the Pharisees did not like him. It’s not that the Pharisees were terrible people. They were trying to keep the law of Moses. However, there was so much added to the law that it was a great burden to try to keep. For many Pharisees, they focused so much on their piety that they neglected to live out the aspects of the law that showed love and compassion for others. Even the part that was supposed to be for others - giving - was nothing more than a way for the Pharisee to show how great he was in front of others. This kind of self-serving attitude is not what makes us true disciples. When we become hyper-religious and neglect to serve others, we are missing a key part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
James tells us in James 3:16 “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
2. Disciples are justified by God. (vs. 13-14a)
2. Disciples are justified by God. (vs. 13-14a)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
3. Disciples live humbly. (vs. 14b)
3. Disciples live humbly. (vs. 14b)
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.