Proper 25 (2025)

Otterbein Church of Paris

*Opening Prayer

*Call to Worship

Leader: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

People: Our souls long, yes, faint for the courts of the Lord.

Leader: Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young.

People: Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

Leader: Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the journey.

People: We come before you, Lord of hosts, seeking your mercy and singing your praise.

Hymn #10 O Worship The King

Scripture Reading

2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18 - Karen

2 Timothy 4:6–8 NIV

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:16–18 NIV

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Hymn #366, vs. 3 I Surrender All

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Children's Message

Kolaya

Scripture Reading

Luke 18:9–14 NIV

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.”

Sermon

The Prayer of Humility, Again

We started this series with the prayer of humility. I suppose it could have been called the prayer of faith because the disciples asked Jesus to “increase their faith.” But Jesus told these disciples they only needed the faith of a mustard seed. This was because God rather than the disciples was in charge.

And that Sunday we emphasized our need to be humble before God. To recognize God’s abilities are far superior to our own. Scripture affirms this, as Isaiah wrote, Isaiah 40:25–26 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” and Isaiah 55:8–9 ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

When we compare ourselves to God, it’s easy to be humble. But here’s the thing — it’s one thing to be humble before God, who is obviously greater. It’s another thing to be humble before people who frustrate us, hurt us, or seem beneath us.”

Anyone else find themselves in need of repenting for an attitude or thought they have towards someone else? Anyone here guilty of thinking that they are better than someone else? You ever have that feeling?

Ever caught yourself judging someone before knowing their story? Maybe it’s the person on the corner with a cardboard sign… or someone whose choices you don’t understand. How quickly do we decide who’s worthy — and who isn’t?

Now, in these verses we heard, Jesus tells about two men going up to the temple to pray. And there are three things we can compare between these two. We are going to look at their position, their posture, and their prayer. Let’s hold these men side by side in our minds and look first at their position.

The Pharisee, Jesus says, stood by himself. And by saying this, I believe Jesus was saying something about the attitude of this man. Why did he stand by himself? Because he believed himself to be better than everyone else. He thought so much of himself he didn’t dare allow himself to be surrounded by the “likes of them”. On the other hand, this second man, Jesus says, “stands at a distance.” Again, Jesus is revealing something of this man’s mindset. Unlike the first man, he is keenly aware of his status. It’s not that he is too good to stand with anyone else, it’s that he doesn’t deserve to stand too close. So he keeps his distance.

In their position, one man is too good, while the other man is not good enough. But what about posture? The first man, Jesus says appears to be standing and looking around as he prays. His head is held high and he is not humble in his posture. On the other hand is this second man. He remains standing but his head is down. Jesus said, “He wouldn’t even look up to heaven.” He beat his chest. He is not looking around. He is not attempting to compare himself with others. Again, his posture, just like his position is one of humility.

And lastly, their prayer. The Pharisees prayer, again, gives us a pretty good picture of how he sees himself. He prays, “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.” This Pharisee prays a prayer that basically tells God how wonderful he is. How he deserves good things because of how “obedient” he is. The prayer of the other man? “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” There is no bragging. There is no arrogance in this prayer. This prayer, just like his posture and his position, is one of humility.

And at the close of His parable, Jesus says, “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.” While it’s easier to be humble when comparing ourself to God, it’s just as important to be humble when we look around. We are all the same. People who need to experience the grace of God. People who need to recognize the working of God in our lives and to help others experience that grace.

Praise Song Lord I Need You

Giving of Tithes and Offering

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn #343 Just As I Am

*Benediction

Sanctuary