Place Your Trust In The Lord

 Whitehorse Baptist Church "ADVENT ACCORDING TO LUKE" "PLACE YOUR TRUST IN THE LORD" (LUKE 18:9-14) OUTLINE STYLE: DEDUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCTION: 1. (SLIDE 1) MONOLOGUE: "THE KID THAT RUINED CHRISTMAS" 2. (SLIDE 2) SERIES & MESSAGE INTROS TEACHING: 3. (SLIDE 3-4) LUKE 18:9-14 4. (SLIDE 5) TWO TYPES OF MEN Ø Jesus is making a comparison. (Pharisee Vs. Tax Collector) 5. (SLIDE 6) What's a Pharisee? a) "Jewish group...The root meaning of the word 'Pharisee' is uncertain. It is probably related to the Hebrew root, meaning 'separate' or 'detach.' b) From whom did the Pharisees separate? From those, especially priests or clerics, who interpreted the Law differently than they? From the common people of the land? From Gentiles or Jews who embraced the Hellenistic culture? From certain political groups?" (BibleStudyTools.com) c) (SLIDE 7) Strict interpretation of the Law, obsessed with appearances. 6. (SLIDE 8) What's a Tax Collector? a) "During the time of Jesus in first century Israel, there were publicans and tax collectors who could walk up to a man and tax him for what he was carrying, and much more. These tax collectors were hated and despised because they were usually fellow Jews who worked for Rome." (Bible-History.com) b) (SLIDE 9) Tax Collectors were First Century Con Men! i) Manipulating figures, over-taxing person, working deals...other scams! 7. (SLIDE 10) TWO TYPES OF TRUST Ø WHY is Jesus is making a comparison? (Vs. 9!) 8. (SLIDE 11) The Pharisee's Trust a) He may be speaking to God, but he's talking about everyone else. i) (SLIDE 12) His focus tells the story of his heart...comparisons! ii) His focus tells the story of where his trust lies! Ø Might be looking at others, but he's focused on self! (Vs. 9&14) 9. (SLIDE 13) The Tax Collector's Trust a) He's speaking to God alone. i) Verse 13: "...‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’..." ii) No one else exists in that moment! (Complete focus!) b) (SLIDE 14) His focus and heart also tell the story of his heart. i) He might be looking at himself (his life) but he's focused on the Lord! ii) He understands his salvation rests on placing his trust in the Lord! APPLICATION: 10. (SLIDE 15) TWO TYPES OF CHRISTMAS a) Christmas can become a season of comparisons! i) "I'm the best at Christmas!" or "I'm the worst at Christmas!" Ø Both focused in the wrong direction... ii) This is likely why research shows that Christmas increases anxiety, depression, domestic violence, __________. (Why?) Ø What do we focus on? What do we place our trust in? 11. (SLIDE 16) A CHRISTMAS FOCUS ON... a) Comparisons? Consumer Goods? Traditions? The Christmas Spirit? Ø Our focus often points to where our trust lies. 12. (SLIDE 17) A CHRISTMAS FOCUSED ON JESUS a) Focused on the reason He came. (#TheGreatMission) i) Placing our trust in the Lord will bring a Christmas of... Ø (1) freedom, (2) peace, (3) rest, (4) joy, (5) fulfillment, (6) ____! CONCLUSION: 13. (SLIDE 19) TWO TYPES OF CHRISTMAS EVE a) Christmas Eve & Church Money (Temptation to not trust!) i) "First Gifts" Tradition (Trusting In Jesus, Focused On His Mission) b) (SLIDE 20) Daily Reading: Continue reading Luke each day. c) Daily Prayer: “Lord, help me focus this Christmas. Remind me not to compare myself with others. Give me your peace, rest and joy. What do I need to change to focus more on Your mission? What do I need to do to trust in You this Christmas?”