Justified.
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 4 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Luke 18:9-14
Luke 18:9-14
Crisis that is crippling the world: Why do 99.95% of all men insist on not reading instruction manuals for self-assembly products?
I am guilty. (pellet grill)
We’d rather bet on and trust in ourselves
Story of dad and I fixing a power window together
We decided to “bet on ourselves” - & Being an awesome dad, he wanted to teach me some practical hands-on life lessons
Trust in ourselves unfortunately didn’t work out in our favor that day, at all.
I learned some things: how frustrating power window mechanisms are, and some new vocabulary (not related to power window mechanisms)
This morning, we are going to hear Jesus’ words to those who trust in themselves that they are righteous before God
If we are honest- we are all prone to try and “measure up” to be righteous
“Well, I have a verse in my Instagram bio” “I’ve helped with Operation Christmas child eight years in the running” “I sit really close to the pulpit on Sunday mornings” “I was born at the church.. *burped* Jesus!* “I help in children’s ministry” (srry Jodi)
We are going to find today we are operating on the wrong subject of the sentence. The wrong personal pronoun. We aren’t justified and made righteous by “I” or “me” … we are justified and made righteous by “God” - “He”
This Parable, “The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector”
For Jewish and religious people of this time: this teaching was outrageous. Shameful. A self- professed unrighteous man is right with God, and a self-professed, bonafide righteous man is not right with God.
Main question being asked here: How can a person be right with God?
Age-old question. Job even asked it (he, like, lived in the dinosaur times)
Another question: Can you get to God by being good?
Read Passage
Verse 9
Contempt.
John G Paton autobiography - who in here would go to a cannibal island on mission?
For many of us, the partial reason for not could be the element of danger.
However, the other part we might not actually tell is “what business do I have being with those savages?”
“Are they even savable?”
Proud.
The soul rot of pride
Verse 10
(Comparison) The chasm of difference…
… in the eyes of man
Comparison. What separates you from the Tanna savages?
Just as much as a dirty sinner as the chief of the Tanna savages
Scrapyard. Cars… they’re all broke.
You cannot be born a Christian
Terrible person test- from another Texas pastor
You are a terrible person. (I’d hug you). You came this morning to hear you are a terrible person. Cheers!
Who in here are liars?
Having your hand down proves my point.
Ever been mad that something good happened to him/her and not you?
The Bible calls this coveting. “His rule and reign aren’t fair” you say.
Ever murdered anyone? I’m guessing that there wouldn’t be too many hands raised.. but listen here.
Ever had an imaginary argument in your head where you OLBITERATE someone?
Say “raca” to a brother or sister (Matthew 5:21-22)
“Raca” means “you fool!”
It’s a matter of the heart. You don’t have to actually kill someone to sin in your heart in this department.
Ending to John G. Paton (spoiler alert for 19th century old English autobiography)
Salvation. Today, 85% are Christian. The people, “Have mercy on me, a sinner”
Verse 11-12
Steve Stephenson’s story - “puttin’ lipstick on a pig” - a house destined for ruin with a coat of paint
Whitewashed tombs
Cups wiped clean on the outside, yet filthy on the inside
Filled with grandpa’s Copenhagen spit
The Pharisees had no interest in God. They didn’t care about Jesus. They lived in a “me” centered universe where the sovereign ruler is “me.” Me, taking part in the good ol’ boys club
If the foundation ain’t right, it’s destined to fall. It will fall.
Verse 13
“Have mercy on me, a sinner”
Punishing his heart
Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
We all have ruined souls. Ugly actions? Terrible deeds? Well, the heart is even uglier and more horrific of a place. This applies to EVERYONE’S nature.
Here’s where we’re getting to: How about the lies you tell? How about the lust you cultivate? How about the hatred you kindle? How about the gossip you scatter like seed? How about the pride you possess? Etc etc etc
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Sons in Story of Prodigal Son
He wants you! He is the Father who comes running!
He beckons you to not get wrapped up in self. Give yourself to the joy of beholding Him, knowing Him, and being in relationship with Him
He wants you because He delights in being your Father. Not because you are worthy and you deserve it.
“Have mercy on me, a sinner”
But God can come in and renovate you from the inside out if you’ll allow Him. What a person believes will shape how they live.
Like Chip and Joanna
Do you believe in the Lord’s mercy? Do you live lives of mercy?
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Verse 14
Begins with our bankruptcy
Humility
We all have ruined souls. But God.
“Tax collector was justified. He was made right by God because he admitted his sin and trusted in God’s grace.” (Allin)
We do not and cannot justify ourselves- it is CHRIST who JUSTIFIES.
and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
“Have mercy on me, a sinner”
Can you see it? His mercy. His grace. We are free to live with childlike faith in His love.
Conclusion - What shall we say, then?
What is the application?
Search your heart. Which character are you most like in this story?
How are you right before God? What will you stake your life upon?
For those of us who have trusted in Jesus, this is a reminder that our relationship with God is continually rooted in the finished work of Christ.
It isn’t “okay now I’m saved. Now I’m gonna pull my boots up by the bootstraps and live for Jesus”
In the Christian walk… It isn’t grace, then hard work.
When we have this mindset, no wonder we struggle to grow and mature in Him. It is grace on top on grace. Grace for justification, grace for growth.
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
God gave the liberating grace for you to be saved. God will give the liberating grace for you to dig deep roots, sprout, and grow in Him (and Him in you)
“Have mercy on me, a sinner” - I need your grace for everything
Now, there is such thing as cooperation with God. Participation in mercy and grace. That makes the process a lot more smooth. But it is something we willing allow Him to do in us. Not something we bring about.
Tension: “I’m a filthy sinner. I’m a wormmm”
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Vs. “I am a saint”
“I’m the royal priesthood. I’m the royal possession.” They are on all the Downey commercials, because they’re so pure and clean and radiantly dressed in white
Which one is it? Yes.
Growth and maturity in Jesus is real. Those who have been brought from death to life in Jesus are on the way to being like Him.
But it is daily manna.
It is Christ in us vs. us without Christ
Daily “Have mercy on me, a sinner” Sinners are made saints by Christ growing and flourishing in them- not personal improvement, not what they garden and kindle in themselves, or not by ongoing effort on their part
If we stray alway from the flock, like sheep tend to do all too often, we ought to remember sin crouches at our door.
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
That is the warning we heed that admonishes us to stay rooted in Him and His grace as we walk our Christian walk
We constantly hear about pastors, well-known spiritual leaders, and pillars in their communities for Jesus (all people that God has done amazing things through) who have stumbled due to some moral failure.
The devil doesn’t prowl to steal our salvation- he won’t ever steal that. But he lurks to snatch away our peace. He pressures us and tempts us to forfeit our contentment in Christ. To disrupt our witness to a lost world. To steal our effectiveness as a member of the Body of Christ.
Taking players out of game when you are winning big. Chiefs aren’t gonna play Pat Mahomes when they are blowing out the Cowboys 45-0
Had to do it, Shane’s gone
War was over- yet Lincoln was shot.
Satan plays dirty
If he can take a warrior for God’s Kingdom out of the fight, he’ll do it. He will sabotage our effectiveness and participation in the kingdom.
Here is the thing- you don’t have to be knocked out of the game.
John 15 - Abide
You are protected with an invincible insurance policy...An impenetrable shield... as you abide in Him who is our Shield and Protector
The Lord is my rock,
my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my rock where I seek refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
“Have mercy on me, a sinner” Daily receive Him in.
For those who haven’t placed their faith in Jesus to justify you
Salvation is a gift to receive
Dalits in India
“untouchables”
They say the caste system has been abolished… but the reality speaks on the contrary
They are born “impure.” They are the subjects of violence and extreme oppression. There is NOTHING they can do to escape the chains that keep them oppressed and despised among the people
Dalit adoption - change of reality
“Have mercy on me”
This is our story.
“Have mercy on me, a sinner”
We don’t earn the gift. The gift will undeniably change and transform us- but we don’t earn it.
Hear the good news: the pronoun and operating subject in your story doesn’t have to be you. It can be Him.
How can a person be right with God?
Trust in Jesus Christ and His performance alone
It is the only one good enough
The whole foundation begins in and remains with this: “Have mercy on me, a sinner”
